Wharton MBA
Welcome Weekend
Friday, January 24 – Saturday, January 25
Join us in Philadelphia for a weekend of connection and insights, where you’ll meet current students, staff, and future classmates as you explore life at Wharton.
Thursday – Friday Activities
If you’re arriving in Philadelphia on Thursday, we invite you to join MBA Pub. If you’re arriving on Friday, you can sign up to join a campus tour or a small-group dinner hosted by 1-2 current students. Get some rest on Friday night because Saturday is a full schedule!
Saturday Activities
Event check-in begins at 8:30AM where you’ll receive your lanyard, room assignments, Wharton swag, and breakfast. The schedule includes a full day of activities and programs, and wraps up with a closing reception & club fair.
Partners Club Activities
Partners and significant others are welcome to join us for Welcome Weekend. On Friday, partners are invited to join small group dinners. On Saturday, members of the Wharton MBA Partners Club will host sessions to discuss the life of an MBA partner.
Accommodations
There are many hotels just a short walk away from Penn’s campus. Visit universitycity.org for a full list of accommodations. Visit Philly also maintains an accurate list of accommodations in the city, as well as many things to do while in Philadelphia.
Travel
Traveling to Philadelphia from the Airport: The SEPTA Airport Line train departs every 30 minutes and takes you to 30th Street Station. If you prefer to take a ride-share service or metered taxi directly from the airport to your hotel, the cost is about $25.00 and takes about 25 minutes.
Traveling to Philadelphia by train: If you’re traveling from Boston, New York, Washington, D.C., or other East Coast locations, the Amtrak Northeast Regional corridor line has a stop in Philadelphia. From 30th Street Train Station, a metered cab ride costs about $7.00 and takes about five minutes.
Attire
The dress for Welcome Weekend is business casual. We recommend that you wear comfortable footwear that allows you to walk comfortably on Penn’s cobblestone walkways. If you have limited mobility, please reach out to us for accommodations.
Questions?
If you have questions about Wharton Welcome Weekend, please contact our events team at mba-events@wharton.upenn.edu
Event Schedule
Thursday, January 23
| Time/Location | Description | How to Register |
| 5:30PM – 8:30PM 23rd Street Armory |
Optional: MBA Pub Pub is an MBA tradition where the Wharton community meets up on Thursdays evenings to connect and start the weekend. There is an open bar with beer & wine and food. Pub takes place at The Armory, a huge warehouse space at 23rd Street in Center City, close to where most students live. |
Click here to RSVP for Pub |
Friday, January 24
| Time/Location | Description | How to Register |
| 1:00PM – 3:00PM 2:00PM – 4:00PM Dinan Hall, 2nd Floor |
Optional: Campus Tour & Coffee Chat Join a guided campus tour led by a current student, offering an insider’s perspective on life at Wharton. After the tour, enjoy a coffee chat with your group and student host to ask questions and gain deeper insights into the student experience. |
Use the red button at the top of the page to start your Welcome Weekend registration. After you select Friday as your arrival day, you will be prompted to opt-in to the session(s) of your choice. |
| 4:30PM – 6:30PM The Post |
Optional: Affinity & Diversity Happy Hour Join us for happy hour just for our affinity populations. We’ll be joined by current student clubs that may include: Wharton African American MBA Association, Caribbean Business Initiative Club, Wharton Latin American Students Association, Wharton Hispanic American MBA Association, Wharton African Student Association, Out for Business, Veterans Club, and Women in Business. |
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| 7:00PM – Evening Hours Various Restaurants |
Optional: Small Group Dinners Attend a small group dinner hosted by current Wharton students. Prior to your dinner, your student host will provide dinner details via email. Each dinner gathering will be limited to six admits, accompanied by two current Wharton students, fostering meaningful conversations and a deeper understanding of life at Wharton. Registration is required so we can make group assignments. |
Saturday, January 25
In addition to the events scheduled below, the Financial Aid team will be available from 9:00AM – 3:00PM for drop-in appointments in the MBA Commons.
| Time/Location | Description |
| 8:30AM – 9:30AM Huntsman Hall, Lower Level Forum |
Event Check-in & Breakfast Join us in Huntsman Hall to check-in, grab some breakfast and Wharton swag, and mingle with your fellow admits. |
| 9:30AM – 9:40AM Huntsman Hall, Cluster Homerooms |
Cluster Homeroom Quick stop in your cluster homeroom to drop your belongings and greet your cluster-mates. |
| 10:00AM – 11:00AM Annenberg Auditorium |
Welcome Ceremony All attendees will come together to hear greetings from Dean Erika James, a panel of MBA senior leadership, and current student leaders. |
| 11:30AM – 1:30PM Huntsman Hall, Cluster Homerooms |
Student Panel & Lunch Join your cluster back in your homeroom to meet Student Life Fellows; ask questions during a student panel while you enjoy lunch. |
| 1:30PM – 2:30PM Huntsman Hall |
Financial Aid Overview Join the Director of Student Finances for a discussion about budget, tuition, student loans, funding opportunities, and more. |
| 2:30PM – 3:30PM Huntsman Hall |
Master Class Join Assistant Professor of Management Lindsey D. Cameron for a Master Class on Managing the Emerging Enterprise: Understanding Motivation. Through the lens of Uber, the fast-growing ride-sharing company, she will explore how its operational strategies shape worker motivation. |
| 3:30PM – 4:30PM Huntsman Hall |
Student Perspectives on Recruitment Join a panel of current MBA students to learn about their recruitment experiences and how they utilized Wharton’s career resources to find their internship and full-time roles. |
| 5:00PM – 6:00PM 23rd Street Armory |
Closing Reception & Club Fair End the weekend at the 23rd Street Armory for a Club Fair and reception. Student representatives for many MBA Clubs will be in attendance to share information about club activities and opportunities. Open bar and food provided. |
| 5:00PM – Evening Hours Various Restaurants |
Dual-Degree Dinners (for dual-degree admitted students only) Health Care Management Program: 6:00PM at La Viola Lauder MBA/MA Program: More info coming soon |