12 Business Pre-College Programs for High School Students
If you’re a high school student interested in pursuing a business degree, enrolling in a pre-college business program can help you build an entrepreneurial mindset and explore concepts not typically covered in school. Pre-college business programs offer exposure to essential business concepts, including marketing, finance, entrepreneurship, and leadership, through a blend of lectures, team projects, and interactive workshops.
These programs will allow you to create detailed business plans, work collaboratively on business ideas, give presentations, and develop soft skills like teamwork, networking, and public speaking, all while building your understanding of business. Participating in a pre-college business program can also strengthen your college applications and help you make informed decisions about future academic and career goals.
Here is a list of 12 pre-college business programs for high school students worth exploring!
Location: This 100% virtual program has live, interactive workshops
Cost: $2,900 (3 weeks). Need-based financial aid is available
Application Deadline: There are multiple application deadlines throughout the year
Dates:
Individual Program: 12 weeks with flexible start dates
Group Program: Multiple cohorts throughout the year
Eligibility: High school students
The Young Founder’s Lab is an intensive startup boot camp for high school students created by Harvard entrepreneurs. This program will help you build a revenue-generating startup that addresses a real-world problem. With guidance from mentors who are seasoned entrepreneurs and professionals from companies like Google, Microsoft, and X, you'll gain hands-on experience in the startup world.
The curriculum features interactive classes on business basics, ideation workshops, skill-building sessions, and case studies. The program includes three phases:
Foundational business education and ideation
Market and user research to develop a prototype
Startup launch, focusing on traction and revenue generation
The program wraps up with a demo day, where you’ll present your startup to potential investors, giving you practical experience in pitching and scaling a business. You can access the application here!
Location: Virtual
Cost: Starts at $2,490; financial aid is available
Application Deadline: Deadlines vary depending on the cohort. The upcoming deadline for the winter cohort is December 3, 2024
Dates: Programs run for 8–16 weeks with multiple cohorts offered throughout the year, including spring, summer, fall, and winter sessions
Eligibility: High school students, undergraduates, and gap year students who can commit to working 5–15 hours per week for 8–16 weeks
Ladder Internships, founded by Harvard alumni, is a selective program that connects high school students with virtual internships at startups and nonprofits around the world. You can work in fields like technology, machine learning, AI, computer science, engineering, environmental science, sustainability, business, marketing, healthcare, medicine, media, and journalism. Each year, the program selects around 1,200 interns from over 6,200 applicants.
As an intern, you’ll work on projects that support the goals of your assigned startup or nonprofit, ending with a presentation of your work. The program includes training in key skills like communication and time management, group sessions with fellow interns, and mentorship from a site manager and a Ladder coach. To see available internships, you can complete the application form.
Location: Virtual
Cost: Starts at $2,990. Financial aid is available!
Application Deadline: Deadlines vary by cohort. The deadline for the upcoming winter cohort is December 29, 2024
Dates: The summer cohort runs from June–August, fall from September–December, winter from December–February, and spring from March–June
Eligibility: High school students with an unweighted GPA of 3.3 on a 4.0 scale
The Lumiere Research Scholar Program offers high school students the chance to conduct independent research projects across various subjects. You will be paired with a PhD mentor for one-on-one guidance. Throughout the program, you’ll have sessions with your research mentor and a writing coach to help you choose and refine your research topic. The program includes workshops on research methods and culminates in a final independent research paper over 12 weeks. Topics include economics, data science, psychology, physics, computer science, international relations, engineering, chemistry, and more. A sample research topic for students interested in business and entrepreneurship is “Technology Adoptions in Firms." For application details, you can visit the program’s website.
Location: Virtual
Cost: $2,290
Application Deadline: Varies according to cohort. You can learn more about the program here!
Duration: 25 hours over 10 weeks (weekends); 2.5 hours per session
Dates: Multiple year-round cohorts
Eligibility: Students in grades 8–12 who have completed the AI Scholars program or have prior coding experience
Veritas AI provides programs for students interested in exploring the development and practical applications of artificial intelligence. One option for students interested in business is the Deep Dive: AI + Finance program, where you’ll learn from AI experts through lectures, coding activities, and a project focused on AI’s role in finance. In this course, you’ll examine how AI is transforming financial markets by working on projects that apply AI and machine learning models to predict financial trends, forecast stock prices, and more. The curriculum, developed by Harvard alumni and graduate students, includes collaboration with PhD students from institutions like Oxford and covers predictive modeling in finance, banking, asset management, and fraud detection. Further details are available in the program brochure and application.
Other offerings include the AI Scholars and AI Fellowship programs, which provide foundational AI knowledge. Students in these programs have worked on projects applying AI in various fields, including finance.
6. Horizon Academic Research Program (HARP)—Business Track
Location: Virtual
Cost: You can fill out an interest form here for details about the exact cost
Application Deadline: Varies according to cohort; February 16, 2025 for the upcoming spring cohort
Dates:
Spring seminar: March 3, 2025 onwards
Horizon Labs provides flexible start dates, with applications required at least 4 weeks in advance
Eligibility: High school students with a GPA greater than 3.67 on a 4.0 scale. The majority of students accepted into the program are in 10th or 11th grade. Only a few tracks have specific prerequisites, which are outlined here
Horizon offers trimester-long research programs for high school students in areas like data science, machine learning, political theory, biomedical engineering, chemistry, neuroscience, psychology, and more. It is among the few programs that allow students to choose between quantitative and qualitative research. For those interested in business, the Organizational Behavior course explores how organizations function as complex social systems influenced by individual and group behavior, combining insights from business studies, behavioral sciences, and psychology.
Once you select a subject track and research type, you'll be paired with a professor or PhD scholar from a top university who will guide you throughout your research. You’ll work on a 20-page, university-level paper that you can submit to academic journals for potential publication as a high school student. The program provides an opportunity to conduct research in a specialized field with guidance from an experienced mentor. Each student also receives a letter of recommendation and detailed project feedback, which can be useful for future projects and college applications. You can apply here!
6. Columbia University's Pre-college Programs—Entrepreneurship & Innovation: Changing the World via Venture Creation
Location: Columbia University, New York, NY
Cost:
NYC Commuter Summer (3 Weeks): $6,300 per session
NYC Residential Summer (3 weeks): $12,449 per session
Online Summer (2 Weeks): $3,960 per session
Academic Year Weekend: $2,810 per session (single course registration)
Need-based scholarships are available for NYC residents participating in the 3-week NYC Commuter Summer Academic Enrichment program. Financial aid is not offered for the Academic Year Program.
Application Deadline:
Applications for the summer session will open in early December 2024
Applications for the fall session are now closed
The deadline for the spring session is on December 5, 2024
Dates:
Summer session: Multiple 2 and 3-week (in-person and virtual) sessions available between June and August
Academic Year Weekend: January 18 – March 23, 2025 (Spring session) | September 20 – December 14, 2024 (Fall session)
Eligibility: Domestic and international students entering grades 9–12 in the fall, as well as current 12th graders
Columbia’s pre-college program offers several business, economics, and entrepreneurship courses lasting 2–3 weeks, available in-person or online. These courses cover fundamentals in business development, market research, and analysis. If you're interested in business research, the Entrepreneurship & Innovation: Changing the World via Venture Creation course focuses on the venture-planning process. Topics include business model development, customer discovery, market analysis, product innovation, brand building, team management, profit models, financing, and legal issues.
Throughout the course, you’ll complete activities and assignments that guide you through each phase of planning a new venture. You'll refine your business model based on feedback, learn key terms, apply research tools, and understand how each planning stage contributes to venture creation. The course also builds essential professional skills like problem-solving, communication, project management, financial analysis, and collaborative leadership.
Location: University of Chicago, Chicago, IL
Cost: $8,600 (Residential) | $5,850 (Commuter). Financial aid ranging from $500 – $6,600 is available for the summer immersion program
Application Deadline:
Priority deadline: January 18, 2025 (tentative, based on previous years)
Regular deadline: March 5, 2025 (tentative, based on previous years)
Extended deadline: April 11, 2025 (tentative, based on previous years)
Applications for the 2025 pre-college programs will open in mid-December 2024
Dates: July 10 – 26, 2025 (tentative, based on previous years)
Eligibility: Current high school freshmen, sophomores, and juniors who are at least 14 years old
UChicago’s Immersion program is a residential experience where high school students receive guidance from faculty, researchers, and professionals through discussions, research projects, and hands-on activities. If you're interested in business research, the Economics From an Experimental Perspective course introduces you to economic principles and methods, including field experiments as a complement to lab experiments.
In the first week, you’ll participate in exchange and market experiments along with lectures on economic concepts. In the second week, you'll engage in group decision and strategic game experiments, each linked to a lecture explaining the underlying principles. The final week involves completing strategic game experiments, presenting results, and participating in discussions. To reinforce these concepts, you’ll work on economic problem-solving individually and in groups. You can view a sample syllabus here.
Location: Stephen M. Ross School of Business, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
Cost: $5,500 plus a $75 non-refundable application fee (covers all events, speakers, course materials, and Michigan Ross apparel); full and partial need-based scholarships are offered
Application Deadline: January 21, 2025
Dates: June 13 – 27, 2025
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0; preference will be given to U.S. citizens or permanent residents
The Michigan Ross Summer Business Academy is a two-week pre-college program for high school students from diverse backgrounds interested in exploring a business career. The program provides an introduction to how companies operate, problem-solving strategies, market research, and the experience of being a business student at Michigan Ross. The program accepts only 72 students every year.
During the program, you will gain insights into business operations, career options, and college life by working with your peers. You will also have opportunities to interact with Ross faculty, corporate partners, and industry professionals, expanding your knowledge and network. The program emphasizes ethical leadership and encourages students to reflect on the role of purpose-driven business leadership. You will get to complete college-level work through classes and workshops. To learn more about this program, check out our full guide here.
Location: Harvard University, Cambridge, MA
Cost: $5,550 + $75 application fee. Need-based financial aid is available
Application Deadline:
Early Application Deadline: January 8, 2025
Regular Application Deadline: February 12, 2025
Late Application Deadline: April 9, 2025
Dates:
Session I: June 22 – July 3, 2025
Session II: July 6 – 18, 2025
Session III: July 20 – August 1, 2025
Eligibility: Students aged 16–19 who will graduate high school in 2026 or 2027
Harvard’s Pre-College Program is a two-week summer experience for high school students, offering a chance to live on campus and take a college-level course. You can choose from over 30 non-credit courses in subjects like STEAM, business, humanities, and sociology, taught by Harvard-affiliated instructors. Each course has 12 to 18 students, and you'll attend 3 hours of class daily, with homework and research presentations.
The "Authentic Leadership" course is a great choice for those interested in business. It uses self-assessment tools, readings, and discussions to help you understand your purpose and develop confidence as a leader. The course encourages personal growth through self-exploration and peer coaching, helping you identify areas for improvement. Its focus is on developing authenticity and leadership skills. Outside of class, you'll have 2 to 4 hours of homework and can enjoy activities like field trips, dance lessons, and college readiness workshops. These workshops cover college admissions essays, financial aid, and choosing the right college. At the end, you’ll receive a Harvard transcript and can get a written evaluation from your instructor.
Location: Virtual (synchronous lectures)
Cost: $3,050 (some courses may require additional purchases, like textbooks); need-based financial aid is available
Application Deadline: March 29, 2025 (tentative, based on previous years)
Dates:
Session 1: June 17 – 28, 2025 (tentative, based on previous years)
Session 2: July 8 – 19, 2025 (tentative, based on previous years)
Eligibility: Students currently in grades 9–11 (note: some courses may have specific grade level restrictions)
Stanford University’s Pre-College Summer Institutes offer a 2-week virtual program for high school students worldwide focusing on one online course. You can choose from 60 courses in areas like computer science, social justice, math, creative writing, philosophy, and engineering. The courses are ungraded and not for credit, and you can take only one course per summer. Each course includes two hours of live online classes with instructors plus out-of-class assignments. There are also seminars, workshops, and activities available during free time. At the end, you’ll receive a written evaluation and a certificate of completion. Only 16 students are accepted per class.
For students interested in business, the “Innovation and Entrepreneurship” course covers customer insight, marketing, product development, and business models. Using design thinking, you'll solve real problems and create a business model. The course also explores Silicon Valley companies and various business concepts with a team startup project. You'll gain insight into business careers and leadership skills.
Location: Brown University, Providence, RI
Cost:
$5,256 for residential students and $4,076 for commuters
Scholarships are available
You can view a detailed cost breakdown here
Application Deadline: May 10, 2025 (tentative, based on previous years)
Dates: 2 weeks; July 15 – 26, 2025 (tentative, based on previous years)
Eligibility: Students who will have completed grades 9 to 12 and will be 14–18 years old by June 15, 2025
Brown University’s Pre-College Programs give high school students a chance to experience college-level courses without the stress of grades. You will get to choose from over 300 non-credit courses, attend community activities, and participate in college-readiness workshops. Each course involves three hours of daily classes, five days a week, plus three hours of independent or group work outside class. Activities include class discussions, group projects, and individual study. You will receive a certificate of completion, and those finishing a course lasting two weeks or more will also be eligible for a performance report.
In the “Measuring Business Success: An Introduction to Financial Accounting” course, you’ll explore accounting basics, such as revenue recognition, accrual vs. cash accounting, and the purpose of financial statements. The course covers the main accounting statements, their uses, and limits and includes an analysis of real-world financial examples. You will work on homework assignments in groups to prepare you for class discussions. At the course's end, you will present an analysis of financial statements. This course will help you build a foundation in accounting principles and insights into how financial statements reveal key business information, useful for management and investment decisions.
Location: University of California, Los Angeles, CA (commuter program)
Cost: $2,947, you can review the fee structure for various courses here; scholarships based on both need and merit are available
Application Deadline: June 1, 2025 (tentative, based on previous years)
Dates: June 24 – July 12, 2025 (tentative, based on previous years)
Eligibility: Students who are at least 15 years old, in grades 9–12, and have a cumulative GPA of 3.2 or higher; you can check the specific pre-college summer institute page for additional requirements
The UCLA Introduction to Investments Summer Institute is a three-week program that introduces high school students to investing and personal finance, offering an overview of career paths in finance and college credit in UCLA’s economics department. The program will help you develop financial literacy with a focus on money, banking, and personal investment. No prior background in economics or math is required. You will learn about U.S. and global financial markets, their structure, and their impact on daily life.
You’ll attend lectures by UCLA faculty on investment topics and join discussion sessions led by UCLA Economics majors, providing an opportunity to share ideas in smaller groups. Topics covered include financial markets, stock ownership, bonds, commodities, the Federal Reserve, economic cycles, valuation methods, personal investing, global markets, venture capital, private equity, and career paths in finance. You will also get to apply concepts learned through relevant case studies.
One other option—the Lumiere Research Scholar Program
If you’re interested in pursuing independent research, consider applying to one of the Lumiere Research Scholar Programs, selective online high school programs for students founded with researchers at Harvard and Oxford. Last year, we had over 4,000 students apply for 500 spots in the program! You can find the application form here.
Also check out the Lumiere Research Inclusion Foundation, a non-profit research program for talented, low-income students. Last year, we had 150 students on full need-based financial aid!
Stephen is one of the founders of Lumiere and a Harvard College graduate. He founded Lumiere as a PhD student at Harvard Business School. Lumiere is a selective research program where students work 1-1 with a research mentor to develop an independent research paper.