The Wharton Global High School Investment Competition is a free, team-based investing challenge run by the Wharton Global Youth Program at the University of Pennsylvania. This guide covers who can enter, how the competition works, the timeline, and how to prepare.
Quick facts
Organizer: Wharton Global Youth Program, University of Pennsylvania
Cost: no registration fee
Who can enter: high school students, typically grades 9 to 12
Team rules: all members from the same school, with a teacher from that school as advisor
Format: a client case study plus a virtual portfolio on the Wharton Investment Simulator (WInS)
Final: the top 10 teams present at the Global Finale at Wharton in Philadelphia
2026-27 Global Finale: April 29 and 30, 2027
Source: official competition page
How the competition works
Each year, teams receive a new case study about a real client, a Wharton alum, with specific investment goals. Teams research companies and sectors, build a long-term strategy for that client, and manage a portfolio with virtual cash on the Wharton Investment Simulator.
Teams submit written deliverables explaining their strategy. Top teams advance through semifinals, and the top 10 present to judges at the Global Finale.
Timeline for 2026-27
August 10, 2026: registration opened.
September 15, 2026: case study, trading rules, and deliverable instructions released to registered teams.
Fall 2026: around 10 weeks of trading and strategy work.
Spring 2027: semifinals.
April 29 and 30, 2027: Learning Day and Global Finale in Philadelphia.
If you missed registration this year, use the months before the next cycle to build your team and skills.
Eligibility and team rules
Team members must be current high school students at the same school. Schools with several branches form teams within one branch.
Students generally must be 14 to 18 at the start of the competition and must not have finished high school.
Each team needs an advisor who is a teacher or educator at their school.
Paid advisors of any kind are not allowed.
Home-schooled teams need written approval from the competition team before registering.
Source: official rules and FAQ
How to prepare before the next season
Build the team early. Look for a mix of skills: one strong writer, one person comfortable with spreadsheets, and one who enjoys presenting.
Find your teacher advisor. Ask in spring, before registration opens.
Learn to read company filings. Practice on two or three companies using annual reports on SEC EDGAR.
Practice writing an investment thesis. A short, testable argument for each holding is the core of strong deliverables.
Understand diversification and risk. Know why you would hold a mix of stocks, ETFs, and other assets for a long-term client.
Run a mock round. Take a client profile, build a 10-holding portfolio, and write a one-page rationale.
What makes a strong strategy
It starts from the client. Their goals, time horizon, and risk tolerance shape every choice.
Each holding has a reason. You can explain in two sentences why it fits the client.
It is diversified on purpose. Sector and asset choices are deliberate, not accidental.
It avoids chasing short-term gains. The competition centres on a long-term client strategy, not on topping a leaderboard in week one.
Common mistakes
Treating the simulator as a trading game and ignoring the client case.
Concentrating the portfolio in a few popular tech stocks.
Writing deliverables that describe holdings without explaining why.
Registering late and losing weeks of preparation.
Leaving all the work to one team member.
Is the Wharton Investment Competition worth it?
For students serious about finance, yes. It is free, it is run by a leading business school, and it gives practical experience with research, portfolio construction, and team presentation. The skills transfer directly to finance research, clubs, and interviews.
Can international students enter?
Yes. The competition is open to high school students worldwide, as long as the team meets the school and advisor rules.
Preparation checklist
Team of students from the same school
Teacher advisor confirmed
Registration dates noted from the official page
Each member has practiced reading an annual report
Team has written at least one practice investment thesis
Mock portfolio built for a sample client
Want to build investment research skills outside the competition? GRF does not advise competition teams. Separately, GRF's Research Desk is a six-week, finance-only cohort focused on company analysis, valuation, and an individual investment thesis. Learn about the Research Desk
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