The Wharton Global High School Investment Competition, also known as the Wharton Investment Challenge, is a prestigious online investment competition for high school students grades 9-12 hosted by the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. As the world’s first collegiate business school founded in 1881, Wharton has nurtured many business elites and thus enjoys a high reputation. The competition provides high school students a simulation of real-world stock investment and portfolio management, examines their business acumen, risk management abilities, industry analysis capabilities and more. It’s undoubtedly the most authoritative and highest-standard investment-themed competition available to high school students.
the wharton investment challenge sets the gold standard for high school business competitions
As the host, the Wharton School holds the formidable reputation as the world’s first collegiate business school and has consistently ranked first on both US News and Financial Times global MBA rankings. The Wharton Investment Challenge, with the full backing of school’s professional faculty and resources, undoubtedly sets the gold standard for high school business competitions. Participants compete in teams online using Wharton’s proprietary Online Trading and Investment Simulator (OTIS) to manage a hypothetical $100,000 portfolio for 10 weeks. OTIS realistically simulates the global stock market with 11 categories and nearly 400 publicly traded stocks. Participants submit a mid-competition review and final investment strategy report. Wharton evaluates teams based on investment rationale and ability to express strategy rather than absolute portfolio return, setting it apart from other high school investment challenges.
the wharton investment challenge examines various business capabilities way beyond investing
The Wharton Investment Challenge focuses on developing well-rounded business acumen way beyond just investing and trading. Participants learn to collaborate in teams, conduct industry analysis, build persuasive written arguments, cope with risk, handle time pressure, and communicate strategy. These skills are universally valued by college admissions officers and future employers. Competition alumni have leveraged these experiences to gain admission to not only Wharton but many other top universities. Many even directly transition into finance careers at Wall Street investment banks or asset management firms. Simply qualifying for the initial round instantly raises a participant’s profile.
global reach and networking opportunities abound at the wharton investment challenge
The Wharton Investment Challenge welcomes high school students from around the world to participate. In any given year, there may be qualifying rounds covering the Americas, Europe, Africa, the Middle East, Asia, and Oceania. The most outstanding teams from regional events advance to the global finals held on Wharton’s campus for the opportunity to claim the ultimate crown. Participants may network with not only their peers but Wharton professors and investment professionals. Winners may even receive handwritten recommendations from Wharton faculty, further bolstering their future college and career prospects. The competition’s global perspective, academic rigor, and real-world applicability explain why over 60,000 students from 127 countries have already participated over the years.
The Wharton Investment Challenge undoubtedly represents the gold standard business competition experience for ambitious high school students interested in investing and finance. Participants develop far more than just trading skills but rather well-rounded business acumen valued by top universities and employers alike. Meanwhile, the competition provides unmatched global networking and recognition opportunities that participants leverage for years to come.