Information and Application
Program Information and Expectations
Students will be selected to participate in this short-term course through a competitive application process. Applicants must be in good academic standing. All undergraduates are eligible to apply for this course. Preference will be given to first and second year students who are beginning their career exploration. This course must be taken for a letter grade.
Professor Marissa Sharif will serve as the faculty director for the course and will be in residence with the students throughout the program. Please note that students are subject to Penn’s disciplinary guidelines while on a Wharton-sponsored program.
Site visits for past iterations of this course have included Disney, Spotify, Paramount, Netflix, Sony Pictures, Amazon Music, and United Talent Agency.
Course Requirements
Participants will be required to attend 2-3, pre-travel classes, which will provide an introduction to the arts, entertainment, sports, and media sectors and the Greater Los Angeles Area. Students will conduct research and prepare case studies that they will present to the class. Attendance and participation in these classes are part of the grade for the course. Required readings will also be assigned.
While on the travel portion of the course, students must attend all scheduled lectures, business-site visits, and networking events and will be subject to Penn’s disciplinary guidelines. A paper will be due approximately one month after travel is completed.
Program Deadlines, Fees, and Logistics
Program Dates and Deadlines
| Completed Application Due | October 3 |
| Notification of Students | October 10 |
| Payment Due | Spring 2025 bursar bill |
| Pre-Trip Class 1 | Spring semester/TBD (accepted students will be notified of date and time via email) |
| Pre-Trip Class 2 | Spring semester/TBD (accepted students will be notified of date and time via email) |
| Travel Dates | March 10-14, 2025 * |
* The program will officially end the evening of March 13; students may leave that evening or on March 14.
Program Fees
The program fee for the course is $1,414. There is significant financial aid allocated to this program based on student need!
This fee covers course supplies, most meals, lodging for the duration of the program, ground transportation, business site visits, cultural excursions, and fees for services.
The fee does not include:
- Airfare
- Some meals
- Incidental expenses such as snacks, laundry, outside entertainment, etc.
Payment will be due on the spring 2025 bursar bill.
Financial Assistance
Thanks to generous support from alumni, financial assistance is available for WIEP. Please check the box on the application if you would like to be considered for financial assistance. We will notify you about your financial assistance upon admittance to the program.
Travel Logistics
Airline Tickets: Students are responsible for booking and paying for your airfare to/from Los Angeles. You must arrive at the hotel in Los Angeles by 1:00 p.m. on Monday, March 10. The program will conclude the evening of March 13; you may fly out that evening after the closing dinner or you can depart the morning of March 14.
Accommodations: Living arrangements in Los Angeles will be made for all participants. Rooms will be double occupancy.
Insurance: All participants must show proof of current health insurance coverage before departing on the program.
Ground Transportation: Participants will travel by private coach to all business and cultural sites.
Cancellation Policy
The Wharton School reserves the right to cancel the course for any reason before the departure date. Participants will be notified as soon as possible in the case of trip cancellation.
If the Wharton School cancels the program for any reason before the date of departure, all monies received will be refunded.
Please note: If a participant cancels prior to January 31, 2025, 50 percent of the payment will be refunded. On or after January 31, the entire payment is non-refundable.
Program Contact Information
Ariel Robbins, Associate Director
Wharton Undergraduate Division
Email: aarobbin@wharton.upenn.edu