The Wharton Global high school investment competition isn’t just a finance contest—it’s a launching pad for the world’s future financial leaders. If you’re a high school student with dreams of Wall Street, entrepreneurship, or just want to understand how the market works, this is the ultimate competition you can’t afford to miss.
In this complete guide, we’re diving deep into everything you need to know about this prestigious global event. From eligibility to strategy, team building to deadlines, we’ll show you how to not just participate—but dominate.
What Is the Wharton Global High School Investment Competition?
The Wharton Global High School Investment Competition (WGHIC) is a free, experiential learning opportunity run by the prestigious Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. It’s designed to help high school students across the globe understand investment management, teamwork, and strategic thinking.
Instead of focusing on just stock picking, the competition emphasizes long-term investment strategies, aligning closely with the real-world practices of portfolio management. Participants form teams, work with a virtual $100,000 portfolio, and craft investment policies based on a hypothetical client’s goals and risk tolerance.
Sounds fun, right? It is—and competitive, too. In 2024, the competition had over 20,000 students from 80+ countries, and the numbers are expected to grow in 2025.
See also Bold School District Financial Irregularities – A Complete Guide
This competition is different from typical trading contests that reward teams for gaining the highest returns. Here, it’s about how strategically you manage the portfolio and how well your decisions align with the goals and preferences of your fictional client. It’s about quality over quantity, discipline over speculation.
Why Join the Wharton Investment Competition?
Let’s be honest: college applications are more competitive than ever. You need something that makes you stand out.
Participating in WGHIC shows colleges:
- You can analyze complex financial data
- You’re capable of collaborating with a team
- You can create a long-term strategic vision
- You’re proactive about learning beyond the classroom
These qualities not only impress admissions officers but also develop real-world skills like critical thinking, time management, and presentation capabilities.
Bonus Benefits:
- Access to Wharton’s online learning platform
- Certificate of participation for all students
- Global exposure to peers from around the world
- Mentorship through advisor guidance
- Invitation to the Global Finale at Wharton (if selected)
You’ll also gain exposure to investment management principles used by real professionals, giving you a huge head start if you plan to pursue business, economics, or finance in college or your career.
Who Can Participate in the Wharton Investment Competition?
One of the best parts? It’s open to students worldwide, regardless of your school’s location or curriculum. Here’s who qualifies:
- Students aged 14–18, typically in grades 9–12
- Teams must consist of 4 to 7 students
- Each team needs one adult advisor (teacher, parent, or educator)
- All members must belong to the same school or organization
It’s a team effort. Your squad will need to work together over several months—planning, researching, trading, and writing. You don’t need to be a financial genius to join, but teamwork, curiosity, and commitment are a must.
Even if you’ve never heard of an ETF before, you can still participate—and thrive.
Competition Timeline & Key Dates (2025)
Staying on top of the timeline is key to managing your project effectively. Here’s a typical yearly breakdown, based on previous editions:
| Phase | Tentative Dates | Details |
| Registration Opens | August 2025 | Advisors register teams via the official portal |
| Competition Launches | September 2025 | Teams receive client profile and begin work |
| Portfolio Period | Sept – Dec 2025 | Trade using OTIS and build strategy |
| Final Report Deadline | December 2025 | Submit your 10-page final investment policy |
| Top 50 Teams Announced | February 2026 | Selected teams advance to semifinals |
| Semifinals & Global Finale | April 2026 | Live pitch at Wharton School (if selected) |
Make sure your team sets internal deadlines and uses shared calendars to stay on track.
How the Wharton Investment Competition Works
Here’s how the whole thing goes down, step-by-step:
1. Receive the Client Profile
You’ll be assigned a fictional client with specific investment goals, risk preferences, and background details. Understanding this person is the key to crafting a winning strategy.
2. Build a Diverse Team
It’s best to have a variety of strengths: someone good at research, another at writing, someone comfortable with numbers, and a team leader to keep everything on track. Balance matters more than brilliance.
3. Craft Your Investment Policy Statement (IPS)
This is your master plan. It defines:
- Your investment goals
- Risk management strategy
- Asset allocation decisions
- Key assumptions and rationales
4. Use the OTIS Platform to Trade
With $100,000 in virtual money, your team will buy and sell real market assets through the Wharton OTIS (Online Trading and Investment Simulator) platform. You’ll need to manage your portfolio like a real investment firm.
5. Submit Your Final Report
The final report is where you explain your strategy, execution, results, and lessons learned. Judges review this report to decide which teams make the next round.
6. (Optional) Compete in the Global Finale
If your team makes the Top 50 or Top 10, you’ll pitch your strategy live to judges at the Wharton School. Only the best of the best get this opportunity.
What Judges Are Looking For
Contrary to what many teams believe, this competition isn’t about who makes the most money. It’s about strategy, discipline, and alignment.
Judges evaluate:
- How well your investment strategy fits the client’s profile
- Depth of your market and asset analysis
- Use of data and risk management
- Team collaboration and defined roles
- Quality, structure, and professionalism of your report
Being flashy won’t help. Being thoughtful and strategic will.
Top Strategies to Win the Wharton Competition
Ready to play like the pros? Here’s how the winning teams approach it:
1. Understand the Client Deeply
Ask: What does the client want? What is their risk appetite? Are they saving for retirement or growing capital? Every decision you make should reflect this.
2. Choose a Clear Investment Philosophy
Don’t try to do everything. Choose a theme like value investing, growth, ESG (environmental, social, governance), or balanced allocation. Your IPS should reflect your chosen philosophy.
3. Back Decisions with Data
Use credible sources like:
- Morningstar
- Yahoo Finance
- Investopedia
- Federal Reserve and World Bank reports
Good research = good strategy.
4. Split and Manage Roles Effectively
Assign someone to lead the report, someone to manage OTIS trades, one for research, and another for editing and formatting.
5. Review and Revise Constantly
Don’t wait until the last week to finalize your IPS or report. Revisions and reflections help you catch weak arguments or gaps.
Creating a Stand-Out Investment Policy Statement (IPS)
Your IPS is like your pitch deck—it shows your logic and discipline. Make it shine.
Key Elements to Include:
- Executive Summary: Overview of your client and strategy
- Client Profile: Detailed goals, timelines, and preferences
- Market Conditions: What’s happening in the economy?
- Asset Allocation Plan: Which assets and why
- Investment Philosophy: Your approach (value, growth, etc.)
- Risk Strategy: How will you protect the client’s assets?
- Performance Review: Reflection on your results
- Conclusion: Final thoughts and takeaways
Write clearly, structure logically, and make sure every decision ties back to your client.
Mistakes That Cost Teams Their Spot
Even smart teams get eliminated early. Here’s what to avoid:
- Ignoring the client’s goals
- Making risky trades for flashy returns
- Vague or overly general reports
- No role delegation within the team
- Submitting last-minute, error-filled work
Judges see through half-hearted efforts. Take this seriously, and you’ll separate your team from the pack.
Tips From Past Finalists and Winners
We combed through past competition reviews and here’s what top teams had to say:
- Start early. Procrastination kills creativity.
- Practice presenting. If you reach the finals, delivery matters.
- Use graphics and charts. Visuals help judges follow your strategy.
- Make it realistic. Don’t invent theories—ground your work in reality.
- Think like investors, not students. The more professional your tone, the more you’ll stand out.
Resources You Should Be Using
Wharton offers valuable tools. Don’t ignore them.
- Online portal and dashboard tutorials
- Sample winning reports from past years
- Glossaries and investment basics
- Webinars from Wharton faculty
Other external tools:
- The Plain Bagel (YouTube)
- FinViz.com for screening
- CNBC and Bloomberg for news
How to Register (Step-by-Step)
- Visit the Wharton Global Youth Program website
- Go to the Investment Competition page
- Advisors register the team using their school email
- Fill in student details and team name
- Wait for confirmation and access credentials
- Receive the client profile and begin!
Registration is free, and spots fill up fast—so don’t delay.
FAQs About the Wharton Investment Competition
1. Does the competition cost anything?
Nope! It’s 100% free to enter and participate, including trading and submitting your report.
2. Do I need investing experience to join?
Not at all. The competition is designed to help beginners learn investing and teamwork from scratch.
3. What kind of prizes do winners get?
Top teams get invited to the Wharton Global Finale in Philadelphia, certificates, trophies, and recognition by Wharton.
4. Can international students apply?
Absolutely. The competition is global, and students from over 80 countries participate each year.
5. What’s the best way to prepare in advance?
Start learning investing basics now—follow market news, take finance courses, and study past winning reports.
Conclusion
The Wharton Global High School Investment Competition 2025 is more than just a contest—it’s a hands-on, unforgettable journey into the world of finance and strategic thinking. It equips students with real-world skills that set them apart in college applications, future careers, and life in general.
Whether you’re a complete beginner or already passionate about business, this competition is your chance to shine on a global stage. Get your team together, register early, craft a killer strategy, and maybe—you’ll find yourself standing on stage at the Wharton School, presenting your ideas to the best in the business.
So… what are you waiting for?
