The Best Pre-College Summer Programs for High School Entrepreneurs
If you’re a college-bound young entrepreneur, what better way to prepare for life after high school than with a summer program on a college campus? Many colleges offer summer programs that can give you:
- Real-world experience
- On-campus college experience (dorm life!)
- Networking
- Finding mentors
- Meeting like-minded young entrepreneurs from around the country
- Expert guidance and teaching
- A little boost on your college and scholarship applications
As you consider whether a summer program might be right for you, make sure to click on the links and double-check:
- application deadlines
- current prices
- session dates
- admissions criteria
- financial aid opportunities
- location
- other factors so you don’t waste your time
Also, note that when we say, “High school students,” that means all rising 9th-12th graders.
Now, let’s see what’s out there!
BABSON SUMMER STUDY FOR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS
Where: Online
What: A 4-week online program that teaches Introduction to the Entrepreneurial Experience
Who: Rising juniors and seniors
Bonus: Earn 4 college credits from one of the top-ranked business schools in the country!
TUFTS ENTREPRENEURSHIP AND INNOVATION BOOTCAMP
Where: Medford, Massachusetts
What: A 2-week intensive workshop that teaches students how to build a business from the ground up
Who: Rising sophomores, juniors, and seniors
Bonus: Develop real world marketing plans, financial plans, and business pitches
ATHENA SUMMER INNOVATION INSTITUTE AT BARNARD COLLEGE
Where: New York, New York
What: A 10-day bootcamp that teaches young women practical business skills
Who: Female-identifying high school students aged 14 and up
Bonus: Develop your presentation skills at an end-of-program “pitchfest”
BERKELEY BUSINESS ACADEMY FOR YOUTH (B-BAY)
Where: Berkeley, California
What: A 2-week program at the UC Berkeley campus that offers an immersion business-prep program
Who: High school students
Bonus: Only 50 students are admitted each year to B-Bay, making this an ultra-elite program
BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES SUMMER SESSION (BOSS) AT PENN STATE
Where: University Park, Pennsylvania
What: A 2-week on-campus immersive program for high school students intending to pursue a business degree
Who: Rising seniors
Bonus: A chance to experience college life, including living in dorms
YALE YOUNG GLOBAL SCHOLARS
Where: Online
What: 2-week sessions offering interdisciplinary college-level programs, including science, law, and economics
Who: Students aged 16 and older
Bonus: Several online summer sessions to choose from. Also: Yale.
ENTREPRENEURSHIP ACADEMY
Where: Washington, D.C.
What: A 2-week program that develops entrepreneurial skills such as communication, personal development, risk management, and teamwork
Who: High school students
Bonus: Immerse yourself in entrepreneurial studies while in our nation’s capitol!
LAUNCHX SUMMER PROGRAM AT M.I.T.
Where: Online
What: A 5-week “idea to execution” program that concludes with students launching a real-world start-up company
Who: High school students
Bonus: M.I.T. Need we say more?
EXPLORING ENTREPRENEURSHIP AT FORDHAM UNIVERSITY
Where: New York, NY
What: A 1-week intensive program that teaches entrepreneurial skills from financing to launching your business
Who: Rising juniors and seniors
Bonus: Includes a field trip to a real-world startup incubator
BRUIN LEADERSHIP & ENTREPRENEURSHIP TECHNOLOGY ACADEMY @ UCLA
Where: Los Angeles, California
What: A 2-week summer enrichment program for young entrepreneurs interested in business leadership
Who: High school students
Bonus: A wide range of summer dates are available
YOUNG WOMEN’S INSTITUTE AT INDIANA UNIVERSITY
Where: Bloomington, Indiana
What: A 1-week intensive program focused on the college experience and business opportunities
Who: Female-identifying rising seniors
Bonus: Participate in workshops and prepare a real-world business plan
CAMINOS AL FUTURO AT GEORGE WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY
Where: Washington, D.C.
What: A 3-week intensive program focusing on social, economic, and political issues within the Hispanic/Latinx communities
Who: Rising seniors
Bonus: During the project, students will complete their own project to bring home to their communities
COLUMBIA BUSINESS SCHOOL ONLINE ENRICHMENT PROGRAMS
Where: Online
What: A series of online programs offered by Columbia Business School
Who: Anyone interested in learning about business
Bonus: These courses can be taken at any time of the year, not just summer, and offer both live and asynchronous options
HOW TO THINK LIKE AN ENTREPRENEUR WITH WAKE FOREST UNIVERSITY
Where: Online
What: 2- and 4-week courses focused on learning the entrepreneurial journey
Who: High school students
Bonus: A variety of courses are available all summer long
WHARTON GLOBAL YOUTH’S ON-CAMPUS PROGRAMS
Where: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania or San Francisco, California
What: Choose from any one of 8 programs that run either 2- or 3-weeks long on a variety of business topics
Who: High school students
Bonus: Part of the University of Pennsylvania (an Ivy League school), Wharton is one of the top business schools in America
OLIN FLEISCHER SCHOLARS PROGRAM AT WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY
Where: Online
What: A week-long program for disadvantaged students to learn about entrepreneurship and business
Who: Rising juniors and seniors who qualify as one of the following: first in their families to go to college, an underrepresented person of color, or from a low-income family
Bonus: Tuition is FREE for eligible students
PRE-UNIVERSITY SUMMER SCHOOL AT THE UNIVERSITY OF WARWICK
Where: Warwick, England
What: A 9-week program focused on economics and finance
Who: Students aged 15-17
Bonus: Study abroad!
FOUNDERS BOOTCAMP AT SDSU
Where: San Diego, California
What: A 4-week, for-credit program designed especially for young entrepreneurs full of business ideas
Who: Rising juniors and seniors
Bonus: Focus on the digital media aspect of running a business
BROWN LEADERSHIP INSTITUTE
Where: Online or Providence, Rhode Island
What: A 2-week in-person program or a 4-week online program for socially active young entrepreneurs
Who: High school students
Bonus: An Ivy League program focused on social justice and global action
BUSINESS BOOTCAMP: INNOVATION MANAGEMENT AT THE UNIVERSITY OF ROCHESTER
Where: Rochester, New York
What: An intensive 3-week general business program
Who: Rising juniors and seniors
Bonus: Test business ideas and compete against other students
Please note that there are many more pre-college programs for young entrepreneurs out there. These are just a small sample of the kinds of courses you can take before you ever even apply to college! Participating in a summer pre-college program not only looks good on applications, but it will give you the real-world and college-life experience you need to succeed!
Find out more about the Kantner Foundation’s commitment to young entrepreneurs, including our college scholarships for high school students, by clicking here.
