Summer Writing Programs For College Students

These days, it's harder than ever to get into college. AP classes, volunteer hours, a solid G.P.A. — these things just aren't always enough anymore. But if business is about is all about networking, then perhaps a pre-college summer business program at one of the best universities makes for a great introduction to the colleges of your choice.

With the competitive nature of today's college admissions process in mind, we went on the hunt for the very best pre-college programs for high school students. We scoured hundreds of programs, considering everything from affordability and value to the experience of the instructors, and found these: the 50 Best pre-College Summer Business Programs for High School Students.

Athena Summer Innovation Institute at Barnard College

Barnard College, a women's liberal arts school located in New York City, seeks to lessen the gender gap in business leadership in part by offering their Innovation Institute program to ambitious young women. Students taking part in the program will participate in workshops to strengthen their public speaking skills, learn the basics of running and managing a corporation, and even write business proposals. Meanwhile, students will take frequent trips to tour actual successful companies run by women. Finally, students will pitch their business ideas to mentors, faculty, and judges in an attempt to win awards.

Where: Barnard College, New York, New York
How Long: 10 day
Specific Subjects: Business, Entrepreneurship
How Much: $4,850 (includes tuition, room & board)

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Berkeley Business Academy for Youth

UC Berkeley's top-ranked Haas School of Business hosts this summer college prep program for high school students considering majors and careers in business and entrepreneurship. Student participants will work closely with Berkeley professors and current undergrads on things like teamwork, oral presentation, and communication skills, writing business plans, developing research skills, and much more. Upon completion of the program, students receive a Certificate of Completion, plus valuable resources and connections at one of the best business schools in the country.

Where: University of California Berkeley, Berkeley, California
How Long: Two weeks
Specific Subjects: Business, Entrepreneurship
How Much: $5,500 (includes tuition, room & board for U.S. residents)
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Boston College Experience Honors Program

Rising juniors and seniors can spend six weeks of summer taking part in the Boston College Experience Honors program. This comprehensive program allows students to experience life as a college student while taking two undergraduate courses and even earning six college credits. Business-themed courses include Public Speaking, Principles of Economics, Organizational Behavior, and more.

Where: Boston College, Boston, Massachusetts
How Long: Six weeks
Specific Subjects: Communications, Economics, Management, Mathematics, and more
How Much: $8,500 (residential), $5,500 (commuter)
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Brown Leadership Institute

Leadership is essential to a successful career in business. That's just one thing students will learn at Brown University's Leadership Institute, a two-week program that combines leadership with topics like global development, entrepreneurship, conflict resolution, and environmental justice. Students will participate in coursework; workshops on various leadership styles, public speaking, and active listening. They will also work to develop an Action Plan project related to their school or community.

Where: Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island
How Long: Two weeks
Specific Subjects: Leadership
How Much: $4,391
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Business & Leadership Immersion at Georgetown

This three-week pre-college summer business program immerses students into the world of business leadership. Students work closely with Georgetown professors and other successful business figures to gain exposure to various topics such as management, business law, marketing, and much more. Perhaps most exciting about the program's curriculum is the business simulation that takes students through the entire process of starting a company as an entrepreneur.

Where: Georgetown University, Washington, D.C.
How Long: Three weeks
Specific Subjects: Management, Leadership, Business Law, Finance, Strategy, Marketing, Business Planning
How Much: $6,199 (includes tuition and room & board)
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Business Bootcamp at University of Rochester

University of Rochester's Simon Business School hosts Business Bootcamp, a pre-college summer business program for high school students. This intensive program encourages students to challenge their creative ideas and leadership skills through courses in marketing, team collaboration, discussions with instructors and peers, and trips to local businesses. Students will create their own business plans and practice pitching their ideas as they develop their best business strategies.

Where: University of Rochester, Rochester, New York
How Long: Three weeks
Specific Subjects: Business, Entrepreneurship
How Much: $4,600 (includes tuition and room & board)
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Business Is Global: Summer Language Program at Indiana University

In this era of globalization, the ability to communicate in a second or third language is practically a must. That's why the Kelley School of Business at Indiana University created the Business is Global summer language program. Students choose to study either Arabic, Mandarin Chinese, or Turkish. Then, over the course of an intensive two weeks, they dive into the emerging economies of the places their language is spoken, learning about cultures and communication styles along the way.

Where: Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana
How Long: Two weeks
Specific Subjects: Business, Languages
How Much: $1,800 (includes tuition and room & board)
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Business Leadership Institute at Boston College

Boston College's three-week Business Leadership Institute focuses on providing students with a solid foundation of the business world, from marketing and management, to finance and economics. Program participants will attend two classes a day, plus take field trips, attend social events, and develop their leadership skills through hands-on workshops.

Where: Boston College, Boston, Massachusetts
How Long: Three weeks
Specific Subjects: Business, Leadership
How Much: $4,500 (residential), $2,500 (commuter)
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Camino al Futuro Program at George Washington University

Camino al Futuro is a pre-college summer program aimed at students from Latin and Hispanic communities. The three-week program is designed to cultivate in students leadership potential and focuses on subjects in the fields of business, economics, and politics. Students conduct research and analyze media, engage in collaborative projects, meet with Hispanic and Latino leaders, and attend various local sites.

Where: George Washington University, Washington, D.C.
How Long: Three weeks
Specific Subjects: Leadership
How Much: Free, thanks to scholarships associated with the program
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Camp Business at Drexel University

Hosted by Drexel University's LeBow College of Business, Camp Business is a challenging, but rewarding pre-college summer business program for high school juniors and seniors. Students work closely with faculty and business leaders as they examine the basic concepts of accounting, marketing, finance, and management, among other topics. Uniquely, this program also goes a step further by covering things like professional image, business etiquette, and team building.

Where: Drexel University
How Long: One week
Specific Subjects: Business, Accounting, Marketing, Finance, Management
How Much: $750 (commuter), $1,500 (residential)
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Clark Scholars at Texas Tech University

The Clark Scholars program at Texas Tech University is an intensive seven-week summer research program. Open to high school juniors and seniors, the program allows students an opportunity for hands-on practical research with leading researchers and members of the Texas Tech faculty. This unique opportunity, which also includes weekly seminars and fields trips, also pays students a $750 tax-free stipend and provides room and board.

Where: Texas Tech University in Lubbock, Texas
How Long: Seven weeks
Specific Subjects: Accounting, Business, Communication Studies, Economics, Finance, Management, Marketing, Public Relations, and more.
How Much: Scholars receive a $750 tax-free stipend
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College Pathway Program in Economics

The College Pathway Program in Economics is a great introduction to economics and its various disciplines. Over the course of three rigorous weeks, students will attend a series of lectures given by full-time University of Chicago professors from a wide range of complementary departments. They will also participate in economic research and experimentation on subjects such as Microeconomics, Macroeconomics, and Financial Literacy.

Where: University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois
How Long: Three weeks
Specific Subjects: Economics, Microeconomics, Macroeconomics, Financial Literacy
How Much: $5,700 (includes tuition, room & board, Student Life Fees)
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Columbia University Summer Immersion

Competitive students looking to pad their college applications while simultaneously exploring an interesting subject should look no further than Columbia University's Summer Immersion program. Students can choose from a variety of subject areas in which to spend their three weeks, while also participating in extracurricular activities, and exploring New York City. Students leave the program with evaluation letters from their instructors, as well as a statement of completion from Columbia.

Where: Columbia University, New York, New York
How Long: Three weeks
Specific Subjects: Business, Economics, Law, Mathematics, Communications, Entrepreneurship, and more
How Much: $5,600 (commuter), $11,064 (residential)
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Corporate Law Pre-College Summer Program at Syracuse

In this pre-college summer business program at Syracuse University, corporate law is the main focus. Over the course of two weeks, business- and legal-minded students will create an actual business enterprise, and learn all one needs to know about actual corporate concerns, from raising capital, to hiring, to taxes, to market competition.

Where: Syracuse University, Syracuse, New York
How Long: Two weeks
Specific Subjects: Business, Law
How Much: $3,090 for residential students; $2,191 for commuting students
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Economics for Leaders (EFL)

The Economics for Leaders (EFL) summer program put on by the Foundation for Teaching Economics is a unique and selective program that aims to teach students how to use economic analysis when considering public policy issues. Mornings are spent with top econ professors for discussion, activities, and interactive sessions, while afternoons are filled with fun tasks and "dilemmas" that help students to exercise their leadership skills.

Where: Varies
How Long: One week
Specific Subjects: Economics
How Much: $1,700
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ENDEVVR at Georgia Tech

This pre-college summer business program with the catchy name is a top-ranked program in entrepreneurship held each year at Georgia Tech. Student participants work closely with Georgia Tech faculty and other leaders to start and fund real companies. As ENDEVVR's website so accurately describes, "[they] are a startup incubator for high school students."

Where: 2018 location is University of Pennsylvania
How Long: 5 weeks
Specific Subjects: Entrepreneurship
How Much: $6,795 (includes tuition, room & board, activities)
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EDGE Pre-College Program at University of Delaware

University of Delaware's EDGE Pre-College Program allows high school students to get a feel for college life and academics by spending a month taking undergraduate courses at the university's Newark, Delaware campus. In addition to participating in various workshops and social activities, students choose two classes to earn up to seven transferrable college credits. Business-themed courses include Business Computing and Introduction to Entrepreneurship, among others.

Where: University of Delaware, Newark, Delaware
How Long: One month
Specific Subjects: Business Computing, Entrepreneurship
How Much: $4,600 for Delaware residents; $7,100 for out-of-state students (includes tuition, room & board, lab fees, and group recreational costs)
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Entrepreneurial Development Experience at Babson College

Over the course of four weeks, students participating in the Entrepreneurial Development Experience at Babson College will be immersed into the world of entrepreneurship. The program uses Babson's unique Entrepreneurial Thought & Action methodology that combines the usual leadership, communication, and presentation skills with things like reflection, experimentation, and analysis. Students work closely with peers and mentors to create their own entrepreneurial action plan (the goal is to create a real business) and pitch it to the Babson community.

Where: Babson College, Babson Park, Massachusetts
How Long: Four weeks
Specific Subjects: Business, Entrepreneurship
How Much: $8,500 (includes tuition, room & board, activities, and insurance)
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Entrepreneurship Institute at Georgetown

Starting a company and managing your own business can be an overwhelming task, which is why Georgetown University's Entrepreneurship Institute offers students the perfect introduction to things like risk management, research, startups, public speaking, corporate social responsibility, and teamwork, and so much more. Over the course of one week, students will visit D.C. area corporations and startups, participate in various team-building and hands-on activities, develop a business plan and presentation, and hear from a number of successful guest speakers.

Where: Georgetown University, Washington, D.C.
How Long: One week
Specific Subjects: Entrepreneurship
How Much: $2,895 (includes tuition and room & board)
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Fundamentals of Modern Marketing Program at Cornell

Cornell's top-ranked Dyson School of Applied Economics and Management is one of the best in the business, so it should come as no surprise that their pre-college summer programs are some of the most sought after. In Fundamentals of Modern Marketing, students spend three weeks familiarizing themselves with the principles of modern marketing, learning to analyze complex business situations, and improving their teamwork skills. Through lectures, activities, and lots of practice with real-world examples, students will sharpen their decision-making capabilities while learning the ins and outs of the marketing industry.

Where: Cornell University, Ithaca, New York
How Long: Three weeks
Specific Subjects: Marketing
How Much: $6,310 (includes tuition, social activities, and room & board)
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Harvard Pre-College Program

Imagine getting a taste of both college life and a subject you love at one of the best schools in the world: Harvard University. With Harvard's Pre-College [summer] Program, you can do just that. This two-week residential program offers students the chance to live on the Harvard campus, take daily classes on a wide variety of fascinating topics, and explore Boston with other bright and ambitious students from around the world. Examples of courses include Introduction to Microeconomics, Economics: Understanding our Choices to Understand the World, and dozens more.

Where: Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts
How Long: Two weeks
Specific Subjects: Economics, Government, Legal Studies
How Much: $4,500 (includes tuition and room & board)
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Harvard Secondary School Program

Unlike the aforementioned Pre-College Program, Harvard University's Secondary School Program allows students to earn college credit while immersing themselves in college courses and campus life. As Harvard's website states, "This is your test-drive of college." Students can choose from more than 200 courses that they'll take alongside actual Harvard undergrads. When not in the classroom, students can attend various workshops, take part in on-campus social events, visit nearby colleges, or anything else their hearts desire.

Where: Online or Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts
How Long: Seven weeks
Specific Subjects: Statistics, Economics, and more
How Much: $11,000 (includes tuition, room & board, weekend excursions)
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High School Summer College at Stanford

Stanford University, located in the San Francisco Bay Area, invites high school students to choose from more than 140 courses during its summer quarter. This opportunity, called the High School Summer College, is an intensive and selective eight-week program meant to provide high-achieving students with a realistic taste of college at a top university. Not only do participants take the same courses as Stanford undergrads, but they are also able to learn from Stanford professors, and are even matriculated as Stanford students. What an opportunity!

Where: Stanford University, Palo Alto, California
How Long: Eight weeks
Specific Subjects: Communications, Mathematics, Politics Science, and more
How Much: From $14,426 (includes tuition for eight units, room & board, and all fees)
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High School Summer Scholars Program at Washington University in St. Louis

Washington University of St. Louis's High School Summer Scholars Program is a prestigious program in which students have the opportunity to study a variety of courses right alongside undergraduate students. During their chosen session (there are three, ranging from five to eight weeks in length), students live on campus in residence halls, participate in specialized seminars and a variety of social events, and are even made a part of an academic support group. Course options are extensive, but business-themed courses include Design Thinking: Human-Centered Approached to Making the World, introductions to micro- and macroeconomics, Entrepreneurship and the Liberal Arts, and much more.

Where: Washington University of St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri
How Long: Five to eight weeks per session
Specific Subjects: Business, Economics,
How Much: $8,085 (five weeks), $10,585 (eight weeks)
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Hotel Operations Management Program at Cornell

Cornell's School of Hotel Administration is currently ranked #1 of its kind, so students interested in a career in hospitality and hotel management aren't likely to do better than this pre-college summer program. Over the course of three weeks, students will experience and participate in case studies, research, guest speakers, computer simulations, and more in order to learn what it takes to run a world-class hotel. At the end of the course, students even take the Certificate in Hospitality Industry Analytics (CHIA) exam.

Where: Cornell University, Ithaca, New York
How Long: Three weeks
Specific Subjects: Hotel Management
How Much: $6,310 (includes tuition, social activities, and room & board)
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The July Experience at Davidson College

Davidson College, one of the top liberal arts schools in the country, offers high school students to spend most of the month of July on the Davidson campus to experience life as a college student while padding their college application with courses from a school like Davidson. Business-themed classes include Family and Justice, Media Effects, Understanding the Great Depression of the 1930s, Economic Policy Debates, and more.

Where: Davidson College, Davidson, North Carolina
How Long: Three weeks
Specific Subjects: Business, Communications, Economics, Law, and more
How Much: $4,000 (includes tuition and room & board)
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Leadership in the Business World Program At Penn

Sponsored by the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania, the Leadership in the Business World pre-college program is easily one of the most sought-after and selective summer programs around. The 160 selected students will spend four intensive weeks attending lectures from top Wharton professors and distinguished guests, receiving coaching on things like communication and leadership skills, collaborating on projects, designing and presenting an original business plan, attending fun social activities, and much, much more.

 Where: University of Pennsylvania, The Wharton School, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
How Long: Four weeks
Specific Subjects: Business, Entrepreneurship, Leadership
How Much: $7,725 (covers tuition, housing, most meals, activities, and weekend trips)
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Liberal Arts & Sciences Program at Syracuse

Syracuse University's Liberal Arts & Sciences program is especially valuable for those students who are considering a college career in the well-rounded world of the liberal arts. In this six-week program, students enroll in their choice of two regular undergraduate courses in the subjects of Psychology, Sociology, Philosophy, Math, Earth Science, and Economics. Especially interesting business-themed courses include Communications & Society and Business Calculus, among many others.

Where: Syracuse University, Syracuse, New York
How Long: Six weeks
Specific Subjects: Mathematics, Economics, Communications, among others
How Much: $9,455 (residential students), $6,839 (commuter students)
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Macroeconomics and Current Economic Issues Program at Cornell

The economy is a hot-button issue these days, making it more important than ever for students to understand how a national economy works. In Cornell University's pre-college summer program, Macroeconomics and Current Economic Issues, business-minded students will learn basic principles of economics with the end goal of understanding things like the basic structure of the U.S. economy, how macroeconomic aggregates such as GDP are measured, and various data sources for macroeconomic variables, to name but a few.

Where: Cornell University, Ithaca, New York
How Long: Three weeks
Specific Subjects: Economics
How Much: $6,310 (includes tuition, social activities, and room & board)
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MIT Launch

Each summer, students from all over the world head to Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) to take part in the prestigious MIT Launch program. Over the course of four weeks, students combine into teams and take on the process of starting a [real!] company. If that sounds a little too ambitious, there's no need to worry. A team of successful mentors, including top-notch MIT instructors, will be there to guide the students the whole way.

Where: Massachusetts Institute of Technology in Cambridge, Massachusetts
How Long: Four weeks
Specific Subjects: Business, Entrepreneurship
How Much: $6,295 (includes tuition, room & board, and activities)
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Pioneer Academics Online Research Programs

Thanks to Pioneer Academics, a public benefit corporation, students from all around the world can conduct research and be mentored by professors from some of the world's preeminent institutions. The 12-week program — conducted entirely online — begins with five weeks of foundational lessons given by a top professor to a maximum of four students. The remaining time in the program is spent developing personal research projects and receiving valuable mentorship.
Where: Online, so students can participate from anywhere in the world
How Long: 12 weeks
Specific Subjects: Computer Science; Engineering; Mathematics; Science, Technology & Society
How Much: $6,355
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Pre-College Program at Emory

For those wishing to obtain a little taste of the college experience, there may be no better choice of summer program than the one offered by Emory College. One of the best thing about Emory's program is the number of choices. Program duration, credit or no credit, specific subjects — you can choose all of it. For example, students looking for a pre-college summer business program have such class options as Insights into Advertising and Promotion, World Inequality and Global Poverty, Economics: Principles and Current Issues, and An Introduction to Business: Essential Concepts for Executives, to name but a few.

Where: Emory College, Atlanta, Georgia
How Long: Two, four, or six weeks
Specific Subjects: Advertising, Business, Economics
How Much: $2,861—$7,825, depending upon length of course and need for housing
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Public Communications at Syracuse

In this at Syracuse University, students are introduced to the world of mass media and communications, specifically the legal, economic, social, and psychological aspects. Over the course of six weeks, students will hear guest lectures by those working successfully in media, investigate various media practices within a variety of industries, and become more aware of how their personal interests can align with career opportunities in the fields of media and communications.

Where: Syracuse University, Syracuse, New York
How Long: Six weeks
Specific Subjects: Communications
How Much: $9,455 for residential students; $6,839 for commuting students
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Sports Business Academy at Stanford

Stanford University's pre-college summer program, the Sports Business Academy, is a one-of-a-kind program that combines business with — you guessed it — sports. Over the course of two weeks, participants will learn how these two things can combine into an exciting and demanding career. They'll participate in hands-on activities, receive first-hand interaction from Stanford Graduate School of Business instructors, hold discussions with Stanford Athletics staff, and hear from Bay Area professionals from both the sports and entertainment world. Most importantly, students will learn what it takes to succeed in careers like sports marketing, entertainment law, sports management, and more.

Where: Stanford University, Palo Alto, California
How Long: Two weeks
Specific Subjects: Sports, Business, Marketing, Entertainment Law, Sports Management
How Much: $4,500 (includes tuition and room & board)

Sports Industry Management Institute at Georgetown

Business and management isn't just about stocks and bonds, starting companies, and counting profits. It can deal with sports, too! In fact, sports industry management is currently a $250 billion-a-year industry and is one of the fastest growing fields in the world. In this one-week pre-college summer business program at Georgetown University, students get to go behind the scenes (er, field) to learn the ins and outs of business in the sports world. Topics covered include sports and business law, marketing and media, sponsorships, team and player promotions, contract negotiations, facility management, and brand management, among other things. To supplement this exciting curriculum, students will have the opportunity to visit D.C. area sports venues, hear from industry pros, and even attend local sporting events.

Where: Georgetown University, Washington, D.C.
How Long: One week
Specific Subjects: Sports Industry Management
How Much: $2,895 (includes tuition and room & board)
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Summer@Brown

The Summer@Brown pre-college summer program is a unique opportunity for students to experience life on an Ivy League campus while immersing themselves in subjects they love — all without the stress of grades and credits. Students participating in the program will live on campus, take part in a full calendar of campus events and activities, and choose from more than 200 non-credit courses. Examples of business-themed courses available include Introduction to the Global Business Environment, How a Nation's Economy Works: An Introduction to Macroeconomics, and Making Informed Financial Decisions in Today's World Economy, among others.

Where: Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island
How Long: One to four weeks
Specific Subjects: Economics, Business, Leadership, Legal Studies
How Much: $2,125 to $6,764, depending upon length of courses and housing needs
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Summer@Stern

As NYU's pre-college summer program homepage states, this pre-college program IS college. Each summer, a carefully selected group of high school students are invited to participate in this prestigious program at NYU's top-ranked Stern School of Business. Students choose from a fun and interesting course list, learn from NYU faculty members, and earn transferrable college credits.

Where: New York University, New York, New York
How Long: Six weeks
Specific Subjects: Accounting, Finance, Economics, Marketing, Business Psychology
How Much: $5,099 to $12,494, depending upon number of credits (includes tuition, program fee, and room & board)
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Summer Discovery: UCLA Business

Summer Discovery is a well-established educational liaison who has partnered with University of California—Los Angeles to offer a unique and prestigious pre-college summer business program to high schoolers. The three-week program immerses students into life at a top college campus, and students are expected to take courses, live in the residence halls, and participate in sports and other activities for fun. Additionally, program students take a number of planned field trips in and around L.A. Business courses available include Business of Entertainment, Media, and Sports; Digital Marketing and Social Media; and Sports Business.

Where: UCLA, Los Angeles, California
How Long: Three weeks
Specific Subjects: Business, Marketing
How Much: $3,599 (commuters), $7,599 (residential)
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Summer Scholars Program at Miami University of Ohio

The Summer Scholars Program at the Miami University of Ohio is an intensive two-week program that gives highly motivated students an early college experience. Students participating in the program are expected to immerse themselves into life on a college campus. They'll live in the dorms, take part in practical workshops that deal with various parts of the college admissions process, and take college level courses with Miami's top faculty and experts.

Where: Miami University, Oxford, Ohio
How Long: Two weeks
Specific Subjects: Business, Entrepreneurship, and more
How Much: $1,450 (includes tuition, room & board, fees, materials, and scheduled activities)
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Summer Scholars Program at Notre Dame

Those looking to experience life at a prestigious university like Notre Dame can look no further than the Summer Scholars program. Scholars choose from a lengthy list of interesting programs of study, then enjoy two intense weeks of coursework — though plenty of free time is also included so as to experience life on a college campus. Some examples of programs from which participants can choose from include Confronting Poverty: Bringing Service to Justice; Entrepreneurship, Problem Solving, and Social Change; and so much more.

Where: University of Notre Dame in South Bend, Indiana
How Long: Two weeks
Specific Subjects: Entrepreneurship
How Much: $3,500 (includes tuition and housing)
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Summer Studies in Mathematics (HCSSIM) at Hampshire College

The Hampshire College Summer Studies in Mathematics (HCSSIM) has been around for nearly half a century, so applicants (and their parents!) can be assured that this is one of the top pre-college summer programs for high school students. Students partaking in this intensive program spend six weeks living and breathing mathematics. Each morning is spent actively engaging in coursework, fun mathematics games, and the popular Prime Time Theorem activity, while afternoons are spent in informal study, rest, and recreation.

Where: Hampshire College in Amherst, Massachusetts
How Long: Six weeks
Specific Subjects: Mathematics
How Much: $4,913 (includes room and board)
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Summer Quantitative Reasoning Institute at Carleton College

Carleton College's Summer Quantitative Reasoning Institute is a one-of-a-kind program that combines the discipline of economics with those of political science, international relations, and psychology. This unique combination was put together with the idea that "statistics […] is the language of public policy," and one must understand quantitative data to support one's argument and evaluate those of others — a skill necessary to success in the business world.

Where: Carleton College, Northfield, Minnesota
How Long: Three weeks
Specific Subjects: Economics, Political Science, International Relations, Psychology
How Much: $3,250 (includes tuition, room & board, activities and excursions, all materials)
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The Business World Program at Cornell

This three-week pre-college summer program focuses on business management and is a great introduction to the world of business for any student considering it as a college major. In fact, the Cornell website even claims that this program will help students learn to better manage their "life, [their] career, and [their] own business." The program consists of small group discussions based on integrated case studies, various business simulations, and lots of guest speakers, many of whom are well known in the business world and make for great mentors.

Where: Cornell University, Ithaca, New York
How Long: Three weeks
Specific Subjects: Business Management
How Much: $6,310 (includes tuition, social activities, and room & board)
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UChicago Immersion

The University of Chicago has been called one of the top ten universities in the world, so you can be sure their pre-college summer programs are some of the best available. In UChicago Immersion, students dive into life on the Chicago campus. They take an actual undergraduate-level course, receive personalized attention from faculty members, and participate in labs and other hands-on activities.

Where: University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois
How Long: Three weeks per session
Specific Subjects: Economics
How Much: $6,500 (includes tuition for one course, room & board, Student Life Fee)
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USC Summer Programs

Every summer, the top-ranked University of Southern California hosts high school students on its campus as part of its summer college immersion program. Students can choose to experience life as a college student in either the four-week credit-earning or the two-week non-credit program. Business-themed courses include Exploring Entrepreneurship, Ethical Business Strategies, Introduction to Business, and more.

Where: University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California
How Long: Two weeks or four weeks
Specific Subjects: Business, Law
How Much: $3,270 – $8,534, depending upon program length and housing need
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Vanderbilt Summer Academy

Gifted and high-achieving students (generally those who typically score at the 95th percentile and above) are invited to participate in Vanderbilt University's prestigious Summer Academy. This unique experience allows students to get a taste of real college life by living on campus, taking accelerated courses with Vanderbilt professors, attending social activities, and of course, completing college-level homework assignments. Business-themed courses include New Problems in Law, Behavioral Economics, Consumerism & Identity, Consumerism in American Society, and more.

Where: Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee
How Long: Three weeks
Specific Subjects: Business, Economics, and more
How Much: $2,750 (9th and 10th graders) and $3,625 (11th and 12th graders)(includes tuition, room & board, activities, and materials)
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Yale Young Global Scholars

Yale University is repeatedly ranked as the best university in the United States, so it should come as no surprise that it is also home to one of the most respected (and therefore selective) pre-college summer programs. Yale's Young Global Scholars program offers a number of session options for those interested in business, including Social Entrepreneurship, International Affairs, and Economics. Each session is 1-2 weeks long and includes courses and lectures with top-notch faculty members, plus plenty of opportunity for hands-on activity.

Where: Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut
How Long: 1-2 weeks
Specific Subjects: Economics, Entrepreneurship, International Affairs
How Much: $6,000 (includes tuition, housing, and three meals per day)
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Young Leaders Institute at Washington University in St. Louis

Washington University in St. Louis offers this one-week leadership institute for any student with ambition towards a leadership role in business, politics, or even their own high school. Over the course of the week, students practice everything from their organization to their negotiation skills through various classroom discussions, activities, field trips, guest lectures, and team-building exercises. Each day also includes daily assignments and a final project.

Where: Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri
How Long: One week
Specific Subjects: Leadership
How Much: $1,985 (includes tuition and room & board)
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Young Women's Institute at Indiana University

High school juniors are eligible for the Young Women's Institute, a business- and leadership-themed program that takes place each summer at Indiana University. Over the course of four days, the young women participating will take part in workshops with top IU business faculty, interact with current students and alumni, build leadership and communication skills, and prepare an actual business case project. The program is highly selective but is a fantastic opportunity for ambitious young women to exercise their leadership skills and make valuable relationships with like-minded women interested in business.

Where: Indiana University in Bloomington, Indiana
How Long: Four days
Specific Subjects: Business
How Much: The cost of transportation to and from Indiana University
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Young Women's Leadership Institute at Barnard College

Each summer, Barnard College in New York City, invites high school women to take part in their unique Young Women's Leadership Institute. Over the course of nine days, students attend a morning class on either Feminist Leadership or Women's Studies, then spend the afternoon in leadership labs where they'll work in teams to design and execute a program to improve their community. The program culminates in a student-run conference during which participants share what they have learned and accomplished.

Where: Barnard College, New York, New York
How Long: Nine days
Specific Subjects: Leadership
How Much: $3,800 (includes tuition, room & board)
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