How to Get Into Leadership in the Business World (LBW)

If you’re a high school student interested in entrepreneurship, leadership, or business, chances are you’ve already heard of Leadership in the Business World (LBW), the selective summer program for high school juniors hosted by the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania.

With an acceptance rate of approximately 15%, LBW is one of the most well-known pre-college business programs in the country. It brings together motivated students from around the world for an immersive experience focused on leadership, teamwork, and real-world business challenges.

It’s exciting. It’s rigorous. And yes—it’s competitive. Our team spends hours each year helping students prepare incredible, top-notch applications that get them in, time and time again.

So how do you actually get in?

Let’s break it down, hearing from the team that has made it happen and gotten our students in, year after year.

What Is Leadership in the Business World?

Leadership in the Business World (LBW) is a residential summer program designed for high school students who want early exposure to business concepts like:

• Entrepreneurship

• Marketing and strategy

• Team leadership

• Product development

• Customer discovery

  
  

Students work in teams, build projects, analyze case studies, and present ideas—all while getting a taste of college-level academics in a fast-paced environment.

But here’s something important many applicants miss:

LBW is not (just) looking for mini CEOs who already have five startups with no singular focus.

They’re looking for students with curiosity, initiative, and the potential to grow as leaders. For students whose interests span the business world, but go beyond it, too.

Why LBW Matters (Beyond the Resume)

Yes, LBW looks great on a college application—especially for students interested in business or economics. The University of Pennsylvania in particular is a fan of LBW alumni! Many of our students have been accepted to the university after attending LBW in 11th grade.

But the real value comes from:

• Learning how to collaborate under pressure

• Developing confidence speaking in groups

• Turning ideas into action

• Understanding what leadership actually feels like in practice

  
  

For many students, LBW becomes the first time they realize that business isn’t just about money or spreadsheets—it’s about people, communication, and problem-solving. That mindset shift can be transformative, but it's essential to portray yourself from the beginning as someone ready to tackle business from that human-centered angle.

Who Gets Accepted?

Here’s the truth:

Everyone applying to LBW already likes business.

They enjoy problem-solving.They like building things.They’ve probably experimented with coding, investing, launching a small project, or creating a product.

That means liking business is not enough.

If your application only talks about:

• Finance

• Investing

• Entrepreneurship in the abstract

• “I love business because of the adrenaline rush and problem-solving”

  
  

…you blend into the crowd.

You need something else.

You need your special sauce.

And that's what we specialize in.

The “Special Sauce” Admissions Committees Actually Care About

Bottom line: you must say something different about yourself.

One of my favorite successful LBW essays didn’t focus on startups or stock portfolios at all.

Instead, the student talked about realizing her role as a leader was to hold people together like Krazy Glue.

How did she learn that?

By deciding to learn her family’s heritage language so she could finally participate in conversations with her parents and older sister. She surprised them one day by joining in, and that moment taught her what connection and leadership truly meant to her.

That student was accepted to LBW.

She’s now studying business at New York University.

That’s the power of authenticity.

Leadership doesn’t always look like founding a company. Sometimes it looks like building bridges.

What the LBW Application Typically Includes

While details can vary year to year, you can generally expect:

• Short essays or written responses

• Academic transcript

• Possibly a recommendation

• Basic background information

  
  

Your essays matter—a lot.

They’re not just evaluating your achievements. They’re evaluating:

• How you think

• What motivates you

• How you reflect

• Whether you understand leadership beyond buzzwords

• That you enjoy business beyond math and analytics

  
  

How to Strengthen Your Application

1. Tell a Real Story

Don’t write what you think Wharton wants to hear.

Write about something meaningful that shows:

• Growth

• Initiative

• Curiosity

• Connection

Specific moments > generic ambition.

2. Show Leadership in Everyday Life

Leadership can come from:

• Helping siblings

• Organizing a club

• Supporting teammates

• Advocating for others

• Building community

You don’t need a startup. You need impact.

3. Reflect, Don’t Just Describe

Instead of listing activities, explain:

• What you learned

• How you changed

• Why it matters to you

Reflection is what separates strong applications from average ones.

4. Be Honest About Why LBW Fits You

Not “because it’s prestigious.”

But because:

• You want collaborative learning

• You care about people-centered business

• You’re excited by team-based problem solving

• You want exposure to real-world challenges

Make it personal.

Final Thoughts

Getting into Leadership in the Business World isn’t about being the most “business-y” student in the room: quite the opposite.

It’s about showing who you are as a developing leader. Someone who’s curious, thoughtful, and ready to grow.

If you approach the application with authenticity, reflection, and a clear sense of your own story, you give yourself the best possible chance.

And if you’d like support brainstorming essays, shaping your narrative, or positioning your experiences in a compelling way, you've come to the right place. That’s exactly what we help students do.

Ready to get started?

Schedule Your Free Consultation Today