The Lauder Institute shares a joint application and admission process with the Wharton MBA Program. Both the Lauder and Wharton admission committees review the application in its entirety.
Already admitted to Wharton? You can apply to the Lauder program by completing a supplemental application. Contact the Lauder office with questions at lauderinfo@wharton.upenn.edu. Moelis (Wharton Deferred Admission) applicants should plan on applying to Lauder by completing the supplemental application in the year they plan on matriculating to Wharton.
MBA/MA Admission Requirements
In addition to the Wharton MBA application, Lauder asks MBA/MA applicants to provide the following:
- Lauder Supplement to the Wharton MBA application: Embedded into the Wharton MBA application, this form requests the candidate’s proposed Program of Concentration and Target Language within Lauder. It also provides the opportunity to provide a current Oral Proficiency Interview (OPI) rating(s). Information about language proficiency and international/cross-cultural experience is also requested.
- UPDATED! Lauder Essay:
- Discuss why you are applying to the Lauder Institute, detailing specific reasons, experiences, and background for choosing your Program of Concentration, as well as your interest in further study in that Program. Applicants to Programs of Concentration involving language study (Africa-French; East and Southeast Asia; Europe; Latin America; South Asia, the Middle East, and North Africa) should also discuss what they hope to gain from advanced language and cultural education, as well as describe how they have learned the language they will study (e.g. undergraduate courses, undergraduate major, etc.). Finally, please describe how you see yourself benefiting from, and contributing to, the Lauder community. (800 words)
- Describe a challenging intercultural or politically sensitive situation where you had to navigate a difference in perspective or opinion. Explain how you handled it and any lessons learned. (200 words)
- Oral Proficiency Interview (OPI): At least one OPI is required of all Lauder applicants and must be arranged, scheduled, and completed with Language Testing International (LTI). For essential information on the Lauder Institute’s language requirements for admission and graduation, as well as information on how to schedule your OPI(s), visit Language Testing.
- Lauder and Wharton Interviews: Lauder interviews are granted by invitation only, based upon a full review of your application. The interview will focus on your international interests and experience, personal qualities, general fit for Lauder, and ability to start and manage the two programs beginning in early May. Applicants selected to interview will receive communication with details on how to arrange both their Lauder and Wharton interview. All accepted MBA/MA students are required to have a Lauder interview as well as a Wharton interview.
Application Deadlines for MBA/MA Applicants
Applicants to the Lauder Institute will be considered for Wharton in all three Rounds.
Visit Wharton’s website to learn more about the Wharton MBA admissions process.
Note: Because MBA/MA students are admitted jointly into the Lauder Institute and Wharton, students who have been accepted into the Lauder program cannot decide to then enroll at Wharton alone. If an applicant is not admitted to Lauder, they will still be considered for admission to the Wharton MBA Program. Applicants can also only apply to one joint degree program at Wharton, i.e. Wharton and Lauder, and not Wharton, Lauder, and Healthcare Management, for example.
Moelis applicants should apply to Lauder via the supplemental application in the year they plan on matriculating to Wharton. Contact the Moelis Program with questions.
