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    Business & Entrepreneurship Summer Program
    In-person Program

    Business & Entrepreneurship Summer Program

    by National Student Leadership Conference

    An immersive pre-college business program built around company simulations, startup pitching, leadership workshops, industry speakers, and field visits.

    Last verified: 17 Sept 2026Reviewed by:SSSean Stevens

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    Business and Entrepreneurship at a glance: cost, dates and eligibility

    Current status

    Applications open

    Eligibility

    High school students

    Age range / Year group

    Ages 14-18

    Location / Region

    New York; Durham; San Francisco; Ann Arbor

    Cost

    From $4,195

    Duration

    9 days

    Format

    In-person

    Application deadline

    Rolling · Next cycle not announced yet. These dates are from the latest verified cycle and should be used as a reference only.

    Save program
    Business & EconomicsEntrepreneurship
    Accommodation: Supervised campus dormitory
    Meals: On-campus meals included
    Outcome: Original investor pitch
    Campus experience: Classes, trips and tours
    Industry input: Entrepreneurs and business professionals

    Business and Entrepreneurship summary

    This is a hands-on pre-college business experience combining entrepreneurship, company management, marketing, finance, operations, and leadership development.

    Students work in teams to create and pitch an original business concept, make decisions in a management simulation, analyze competitors, and respond to realistic public-relations scenarios.

    It suits students who want to test business interests through practical group work, professional feedback, industry speakers, and campus-based field visits.

    What is Business & Entrepreneurship Summer Program?

    The Business & Entrepreneurship Summer Program is a residential pre-college experience run by the National Student Leadership Conference. It explores entrepreneurship, finance, marketing, operations, product development, competitive strategy, public relations, and leadership through practical simulations.

    Students manage a simulated company, develop a product or service, and pitch their concept to a panel of investors. Guest speakers and location-specific business trips add perspectives from founders, executives, business schools, and major companies.

    Why Succeed highlights Business and Entrepreneurship

    • The central investor pitch gives students a concrete team project rather than relying only on classroom discussion.

    • The management simulation connects finance, marketing, operations, and product development decisions.

    • Inc. 5000 entrepreneurs can provide real-time feedback on student business plans.

    • Leadership workshops cover communication, listening, resilience, empathy, networking, interviewing, and public speaking.

    • Campus-specific business visits help students connect simulated decisions with real organizations and workplaces.

    Who is Business and Entrepreneurship for?

    Best for

    Students who want a residential, team-based introduction to entrepreneurship and business decision-making, with a strong emphasis on pitching and professional communication.

    Not ideal if

    You want a low-cost course, an individually assessed academic qualification, or a narrowly specialized finance or economics curriculum.

    Is Business and Entrepreneurship worth it?

    It can be worthwhile for students who learn best through simulations, teamwork, presentations, speakers, and field visits. The business pitch and management exercise offer useful material for reflecting on entrepreneurship, collaboration, and decision-making.

    The main limitation is value for money: this is a substantial residential expense, and the optional college-credit course costs extra. Families should compare the experiential benefits with less expensive business courses, internships, or independent projects and avoid treating attendance alone as an admissions advantage.

    Sean, founder of Succeed

    Sean

    Founder, Succeed

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    20 minutes · No obligation to enrol

    A practical overview of cost, accommodation, meals, dates and provider details to review before deciding.

    Cost and what is included

    From $4,195; includes Supervised campus housing, On-campus meals, Course materials and academic expenses, Trips, tours and activities, Off-campus event transportation.

    Accommodation

    Supervised campus dormitory

    Meals

    On-campus meals included

    Provider details

    Review the National Student Leadership Conference provider page and official sources before making a final decision.

    Dates and logistics

    9 days; New York; Durham; San Francisco; Ann Arbor.

    What to check before committing

    Confirm current dates, payment terms, travel arrangements, cancellation rules and what is included with the provider.

    Compare this program with similar options before deciding on dates, cost, format and fit.

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    How much preparation does Business and Entrepreneurship need?

    Effort level

    Moderate to high during the residential session.

    Best started

    Begin planning two to three months before your preferred session, allowing time for enrollment, payment, scholarship materials, and travel.

    Main challenge

    Turning a team idea into a coherent business concept and persuasive investor pitch.

    Typical preparation

    • List the locations and session windows that work for your family before enrollment.

    • Prepare a short account of your business interests, leadership experience, and goals.

    • If seeking funding, gather a transcript, household-income information, essays, and a teacher or counselor recommendation early.

    • After acceptance, review the student profile for packing, travel, dietary, and arrival guidance.

    Useful if

    You are comfortable collaborating, presenting, and making decisions under realistic constraints.

    What do students do on Business and Entrepreneurship?

    Students move from business exploration to team-based strategy, product development, communication, and pitching, supported by leadership workshops, speakers, and field experiences.

    Step-by-step process

    1. 1

      Join a team and develop an original product or service concept.

    2. 2

      Make company decisions across finance, marketing, operations, and research and development.

    3. 3

      Analyze competitors and plan strategies for growth.

    4. 4

      Build a brand presence and respond to simulated social-media reactions.

    5. 5

      Create and deliver a persuasive presentation to a panel of investors.

    6. 6

      Receive real-time feedback from entrepreneurs on the business plan.

    7. 7

      Practice networking, résumé building, interviewing, and public speaking.

    8. 8

      Attend leadership workshops, guest-speaker sessions, and location-specific trips.

    Business and Entrepreneurship dates and deadlines

    Next cycle not announced yet. These dates are from the latest verified cycle and should be used as a reference only.

    Applications

    Rolling admissions

    Reference date

    Application deadline

    29 July 2026

    Reference date

    Duke University — 11-19 June 2026

    11-19 June 2026

    Reference date

    UC Berkeley — 12-20 June 2026

    12-20 June 2026

    Reference date

    Duke University — 23 June-1 July 2026

    23 June-1 July 2026

    Reference date

    UC Berkeley — 24 June-2 July 2026

    24 June-2 July 2026

    Reference date

    Columbia University — 8-16 July 2026

    8-16 July 2026

    Reference date

    University of Michigan — 8-16 July 2026

    8-16 July 2026

    Reference date

    Columbia University — 20-28 July 2026

    20-28 July 2026

    Reference date

    University of Michigan — 21-29 July 2026

    21-29 July 2026

    Reference date

    Eligibility and requirements

    • Ages 14-18

    • Current high school students

    • At least one completed high school year

    • Attendance permitted through summer after graduation

    • Academic excellence and leadership ability encouraged

    How much does Business and Entrepreneurship cost?

    Residential tuition

    $4,195-$4,495 — Varies by campus; listed inclusions apply.

    Funding or discounts

    • Summer scholarship: Typically $500-$1,000 — Financial need required; enrollment and deposit come first.
    • College credit option: $1,044 — Optional separate online American University course.

    What's included

    Supervised campus housing, On-campus meals, Course materials and academic expenses, Trips, tours and activities, Off-campus event transportation

    How to apply to Business and Entrepreneurship

    1. 1

      Open the official online enrollment portal and review the available program sessions.

    2. 2

      Complete the online enrollment application with the requested student and parent details.

    3. 3

      Place the required deposit by credit or debit card, or contact NSLC to arrange payment by check.

    4. 4

      Use the student account for session management, travel details, payments, and other enrollment tasks.

    5. 5

      If applying for funding, enroll first and then submit the separate scholarship application with all required materials.

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    What does Business and Entrepreneurship cover?

    The program covers the following focus areas.

    Business creation

    Develop a product or service and shape it into an original business concept.

    Management decisions

    Make linked choices across finance, marketing, operations, and product development.

    Industry strategy

    Analyze competitors and develop strategies for expansion and differentiation.

    Marketing and public relations

    Build a brand presence and respond to simulated social-media reactions.

    Leadership and communication

    Practice pitching, networking, interviewing, listening, resilience, and public speaking.

    Curriculum may be adjusted based on participant interests and current developments.

    Who teaches on Business and Entrepreneurship?

    Students hear from guest speakers including Inc. 5000 entrepreneurs and professionals working in marketing, finance, and business operations. Entrepreneurs also provide real-time feedback on team business plans.

    Published speakers are examples from previous programs and may vary by session.

    Where do students stay on Business and Entrepreneurship?

    Residential plan

    • Campus housing: Students live in supervised university dormitories with one or two roommates.
    • Meals: On-campus meals are included, with dietary accommodations available.
    • Residential supervision: Team Advisors serve as Resident Advisors on student floors, supported by on-site administrators.
    • Campus experience: The program combines university classrooms, campus life, activities, trips, and tours.

    Students are responsible for travel to and from the program, spending money, laundry, and off-campus meals.

    What happens after Business and Entrepreneurship?

    After completing this program, participants often pursue:

    Use the investor pitch as evidence of collaborative project work.

    Reflect on finance, marketing, operations, and product decisions.

    Build examples for future interviews and application essays.

    Explore whether entrepreneurship or business study suits you.

    Optionally take the separate one-credit American University course.

    College credit is optional, costs extra, and is completed online outside the program dates.

    Where does Business and Entrepreneurship take place?

    The latest verified cycle offered residential sessions at Columbia University in New York, Duke University in Durham, the University of California, Berkeley in the San Francisco area, and the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor. Each location paired campus living with its own selection of company, business-school, cultural, and sightseeing visits.

    NSLC states that it is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by Columbia University and is not sponsored by Duke University.

    Business and Entrepreneurship FAQs

    The program covers entrepreneurship, finance, marketing, operations, product research and development, industry analysis, public relations, leadership, and professional communication.

    Teams develop an original product or service and create a persuasive business presentation for a panel of investors. Entrepreneurs may provide real-time feedback on the plan.

    Yes. Residential tuition covers supervised campus housing and on-campus meals, together with course materials, academic expenses, activities, trips, tours, and off-campus event transportation.

    Team Advisors accompany smaller student groups during activities and also serve as Resident Advisors on student floors. An administrative team lives on site.

    Yes. Campus dining services can accommodate dietary allergies and restrictions when families complete the relevant preferences in the student profile.

    No. Students may separately purchase a one-credit online American University course completed outside the campus program dates.

    Yes. Applicants must first enroll and place a deposit. Funding decisions consider financial need, academic record, and school or community involvement.

    Travel to and from the program is not included. Students are also responsible for personal spending, laundry, and off-campus meals.

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    Sean Stevens

    Content reviewed by

    Sean Stevens

    Co-founder, Succeed | Founder, Immerse Education (2012–2026)

    Sean works at the intersection of academic enrichment, program quality and university preparation, with expertise in evaluating pre-university experiences for ambitious secondary school students.

    View author page

    Sources and verification

    Source types reviewed

    • Summer Program Scholarships | National Student Leadership Conference
    • Frequently Asked Questions | National Student Leadership Conference
    • Frequently Asked Questions | National Student Leadership Conference
    • Explore Summer Business Programs for High School Students

    Succeed uses official provider information where available, but keeps this public page focused on comparison and planning inside Succeed.

    What we verified (on 17 Sept 2026)

    • Official program page checked

    • Session dates verified

    • Tuition reviewed

    • Eligibility reviewed

    • Enrollment process checked

    • Scholarship terms reviewed

    • Residential details checked

    • Refund policy reviewed

    How Succeed uses this information

    We use source material to verify core facts, then show older cycle dates as reference when a current cycle is not available. Always check current application instructions before applying.