Which languages are offered for study at the Lauder Institute? Can I study a language that is not listed?

The eight languages and corresponding regions available for study are Arabic (Middle East); Chinese (Mandarin) and Japanese (East Asia); French, German, and Russian (Europe); and Portuguese and Spanish (Latin America). Applicants must have an Advanced level of proficiency, preferably Advance Mid, in one of these languages at the time they apply. Applicants to the Arabic track may be admitted at the Intermediate level. Only these languages are offered at this time.

What are the requirements for the Lauder joint degree?

In addition to satisfying the MBA or JD degree requirements, Lauder students must satisfy the degree requirements for the MA by meeting the exit-level language requirement and completing the language courses, other MA course requirements, and an MA research project/paper in the second year of study.

How does the Lauder application process differ from that for a regular MBA or JD candidate?

Please refer to the MBA/MA and JD/MA application requirement sections of the website for detailed information.

I understand that some students place out of the Lauder language exit requirement ahead of schedule. Can those students take electives instead of the language courses?

The MA degree requires five credits of language coursework. Students who satisfy the language exit requirement ahead of schedule can petition and discuss other options with the Director of the Language and Culture Program.

Is it necessary to take both the GMAT or LSAT and the GRE to qualify for the joint-degree program?

Lauder applicants need submit only GMAT or LSAT scores directly to their respective schools.

I’m applying to the Lauder Institute but don’t see the Lauder essays. Are they available online?

Yes, please refer to the MBA/MA and JD/MA application requirements sections of the website for detailed information.

Does the Lauder Admissions Committee evaluate the Lauder-specific question only?

The joint application for Lauder is evaluated in its entirety by both the Wharton or Penn Law and Lauder Admissions Committees.

When will new application materials be ready for Lauder?

The application is available each year by the end of August.

Is it possible to visit Lauder, participate in a recruiting event, and meet students?

Yes, prospective students interested in applying to Lauder are encouraged to visit the Institute and talk with current students. Please refer to the Campus Visit page for more detailed information.

Would there be any opportunities to observe some Lauder-specific classes/activities during my visit?

Yes, you can observe a Lauder class when you visit campus. Please refer to the Campus Visit page for more detailed information.

I’m married and/or have a child. Is that common for students at Lauder, and how do they juggle the two?

Lauder provides a very supportive environment for students who have families. One of the student clubs for MBA/MA students is the Wharton Partners Club

Does Lauder offer any type of financial aid or scholarships? If so, how are they awarded?

Lauder students are eligible to apply for financial aid at their respective home schools. The Lauder Institute awards scholarships based on merit and need. These awards are available in amounts ranging from $5,000 to full tuition. The full-tuition awards are limited.

Is the Lauder evaluative interview a by-invitation-only interview or mandatory for all applicants?

Lauder interviews are granted by invitation only. For MBA/MA candidates, applicants must schedule both a Wharton interview and a Lauder interview.

Are there other alternatives to interviewing on campus—for instance, over the phone or with an alumnus?

Yes, Lauder applicants should contact nelliebk@wharton.upenn.edu to schedule their Lauder interviews, whether it be an on-campus interview, with an alumnus in your area, or via telephone (under special circumstances).

What kinds of jobs do Lauder graduates typically secure after graduation?

Over half the Lauder graduates since our first class have lived and worked outside the United States. This statistic is in addition to those graduates who have returned to their home countries. The vast majority of other Lauder graduates have an international focus in their domestically located jobs.

I’m interested in applying for a Master of Arts degree in International Studies. Would this be available as a stand-alone program?

No, the Lauder program is a joint-degree program with the Wharton MBA Program or Penn Law JD Program and cannot be pursued as a stand-alone program.

How do I schedule an oral proficiency interview?

The OPI is administered by Language Testing International (LTI) and is available for Lauder applicants August through January. Candidates are responsible for scheduling the OPI directly with LTI. To schedule an OPI, please complete a request form. For further information, please contact LTI directly at 1-800-486-8444 (domestic) or 001-914-963-7110 (international).

Is it possible to have an OPI in two languages? I’m still undecided about which region to choose.

Yes, Lauder applicants can take the OPI in more than one language when applying and must pay the fees associated with taking additional language tests. However, they will be admitted and matriculate into only one language track once the Lauder program begins. Lauder applicants trying to choose from more than one language track are encouraged to incorporate an explanation of these interests in the Lauder-specific essay(s).

I’ve read that native speakers of Spanish and Italian may apply to the Portuguese program even if they have had no prior study of Portuguese. Do I have to take the oral proficiency interview (OPI)?

All applicants to the Lauder program are required to have an OPI. Native Spanish or Italian speakers who speak some Portuguese should test in Portuguese even though the rating will be low. Native Spanish or Italian speakers with no Portuguese should test in Spanish or Italian.

Do you have to be fluent already in a language to participate, or is language development included during the program?

Yes, an Advanced rating is the expected level for admission to Lauder, preferably Advanced Mid. The ACTFL Proficiency Guidelines for the OPI range from Novice to Superior. For a description of the proficiency levels, please visit Language Testing International’s website. You may listen to sample OPI clips from our entrance and graduation requirements here.

Further language development to achieve the Superior level—required for graduation and the MA degree—is included in the program.

Should the language requirement necessarily discourage the applicant whose OPI score is lower than the Advanced Low level?

For applicants who score lower than the Advanced Low level on the OPI, conditional admittance may be granted if the applicant would otherwise be admitted to the joint-degree program. Those who score an Intermediate High must retest and achieve at least an Advanced Low prior to the start of the program.

Is it possible to pursue the Lauder program on a part-time basis?

No, the Lauder program cannot be pursued on a part-time basis and can be pursued only in conjunction with the full-time Wharton MBA Program or Penn Law JD Program.

Why does the Lauder program start in May?

So that you graduate in 24 months, right alongside your Wharton or Penn Law classmates! The academic value of starting in May is that you complete some coursework and prepare for the summer immersion program.

What’s the first summer like?

“The summer immersion is the best part about the Lauder experience”—that's what you’ll hear most Lauder students say. You spend two months improving your language—in the classroom, during lectures with esteemed professors, on visits to important cultural sites, with your host family, and with friends you make outside of class. In addition, you visit the top local and multinational companies—an opportunity to get to know the business environment and make contacts for potential summer internships. Finally, there’s the travel. Most Lauder immersion programs take place in at least two cities or regions; and there are weekends to travel to exotic new locations. It’s hard work, but a lot of fun! And through all this you’ll make friends in the group whom you’ll keep for life.

Is the Lauder program just a language program?

No, it’s a program that focuses on cross-cultural expertise and an understanding of the political, economic, social, and cultural contexts in which international business is conducted. As part of the International Studies curriculum, students work in teams to undertake a research project that enables them to integrate their learning across disciplinary, linguistic, and regional boundaries.

What are the advantages of doing the Wharton/Lauder program vs. Wharton or Penn Law only?

The Lauder Institute is a pioneer in integrating management education, international studies, and language and cross-cultural competencies. The program offers students distinct advantages:

• A Wharton MBA
• An MA in International Studies from the University of Pennsylvania’s School of Arts & Sciences
• Advanced applied language study
• In-country immersion programs
• International work experience opportunities
• A supportive, global network of students, graduates, and corporate leaders

Enrollment in the Lauder Institute brings students into a community dedicated to international management and studies. Completion of the program gives graduates the knowledge, experience, credentials, and confidence to manage in an interdependent world.

An answer from a former student:
“In the joint-degree program, you experience first-hand the global issues that are discussed in the classroom. During the summer immersion in country, you not only hone your language skills while learning about the history, politics, and culture of the region, but you also meet with executives from leading local corporations to hear about business issues they are facing. You can strengthen your understanding of global business challenges by pursuing a summer internship abroad. Finally, upon graduation you will join a close-knit network of alumni who live all over the world!”

Must Lauder students prepare a thesis? Must this thesis be in language or focused on the region that a student is studying?

No, this requirement has changed. Students work in cross-language teams on research-oriented projects throughout three semesters of their degree program. The projects are designed to enable students to integrate their Wharton (or Law), SAS, and language skills. They are also designed to give the Lauder Institute, through the work of its students, a voice in major economic or policy debates. Projects involve delivery of results of the research to a specific audience, customer, client, or organization. Projects are co-supervised by two faculty members, one from Wharton (or Law) and one from SAS. Upon completion of the team-based project, students write individual papers on topics of their choice, but also based upon their team’s research.

I’m a re-applicant to Lauder. Do I need to submit a new OPI score? What process must I follow?

OPI scores are valid for only one admissions cycle, so Lauder re-applicants must submit a new OPI score. For re-applicant procedures, please send an email to nelliebk@wharton.upenn.edu.

Does the Lauder Institute offer student contact or student buddies to prospective students and, if so, how may I go about applying for this?

Yes. If you’re interested in corresponding with a current student, please send an email to nelliebk@wharton.upenn.edu. Please let us know which language you’re interested in pursuing, and we’ll put you in touch with a current student in that language track.

May I contact a student after I’ve read their bio on your website?

Unfortunately, we don’t publish contact information for our current students. Please send an email to nelliebk@wharton.upenn.edu and let us know if you’d like to correspond with a particular student. 

Can I apply for an exemption from taking the GMAT?

The GMAT or LSAT score is a requirement for admission, so, unfortunately, it cannot be waived. Incomplete applications will not be evaluated.

Does the Lauder Admissions Committee accept recommendation letters written in languages other than English?

All recommendations must be written in English. If they are written in another language, it is the applicant’s responsibility to have them translated by a certified language specialist. 

What are the financial implications of joining the Lauder Institute?

Please refer to the Financial Aid page for detailed information. Tuition and fees for both programs are subject to change each year.

If I’m denied acceptance to the joint-degree program, would I still be considered for the regular MBA or JD program?

Yes, you’ll still be considered for the Wharton MBA or Penn Law program if you don’t have a viable application for Lauder.