Succeed
    In-person Programme

    Marketing & Public Relations

    by National Student Leadership Conference

    A residential pre-college programme where students develop marketing campaigns, practise public relations strategy and explore communications careers through simulations and industry visits.

    Last verified: 4 Aug 2026Reviewed by:BSBen Stacy
    Marketing & Public Relations

    • What Succeed checks

      We review public programme details such as eligibility, age range, cost, duration, location, format, accommodation, meals and application timing.

    • What Last verified means

      Last verified is the latest date Succeed checked the public details shown on this page. Programme dates, prices and availability can still change.

    • How official sources are used

      Succeed uses official provider information where available, then rewrites it into a student-facing summary for comparison and planning.

    • Why some dates are reference dates

      If the current cycle is not available, Succeed may show the latest verified cycle dates so you can understand typical timing.

    • Succeed is independent from this provider unless a partnership is clearly stated.

    Marketing and PR Programme at a glance: cost, dates and eligibility

    Current status

    Applications open

    Eligibility

    Completed one high-school year

    Age range / Year group

    Ages 14-18

    Location / Region

    Columbia University, New York

    Cost

    $4,495

    Duration

    9 days

    Format

    In-person residential

    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 programme
    Business & EconomicsMedia Studies

    Accommodation: Supervised campus dormitory

    Meals: On-campus meals included

    Campus experience: Classes, activities and industry trips

    College credit: Optional separate 1-credit course

    Marketing and PR Programme summary

    A hands-on pre-college introduction to marketing, brand strategy and public relations, built around collaborative simulations rather than lecture-only study.

    Students create an agency identity, develop a product campaign, practise crisis communication and social media strategy, and pitch their ideas.

    It suits students who want to test communications careers while experiencing campus life, leadership workshops and industry visits.

    What is Marketing & Public Relations?

    The Marketing & Public Relations programme is an NSLC pre-college experience focused on how ideas, strategy and storytelling shape relationships between brands and audiences. Students explore campaign planning, brand messaging, media relations and digital communication through practical simulations.

    The experience combines career-focused projects with leadership workshops and perspectives from guest speakers. Industry and cultural visits around New York add context by showing how communications work beyond the classroom.

    Why Succeed highlights Marketing and PR Programme

    • Students complete a connected agency-and-campaign simulation rather than isolated classroom exercises.

    • The curriculum covers both creative marketing and reputation-focused public relations work.

    • Crisis communication scenarios introduce the pressure and judgement involved in professional PR.

    • Visits may include NBC Studios, Inc. Magazine, an advertising agency and Edelman.

    • Leadership workshops broaden the experience through communication, listening, resilience and empathy.

    Who is Marketing and PR Programme for?

    Best for

    Students who enjoy storytelling, teamwork, brand strategy and presenting ideas, and want to test marketing or PR before choosing a degree or career path.

    Not ideal if

    You want a narrowly academic course, formal qualification included in tuition or a non-residential schedule.

    Is Marketing and PR Programme worth it?

    The programme can be worthwhile for students who learn best by making, presenting and revising campaign ideas. Its strongest value is the combination of communications simulations, career exposure and residential campus experience.

    The fee is substantial, and attendance alone will not carry special weight in university admissions. Students should judge the value against the depth of the projects, likely reflection afterwards and lower-cost ways to explore marketing.

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

    Cost and what is included

    $4,495; includes 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; Columbia University, New York.

    What to check before committing

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

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

    Compare with similar programmes

    How much preparation does Marketing and PR Programme need?

    Effort level

    Moderate to high during the programme.

    Best started

    Begin planning two to three months before your preferred session, allowing time for enrolment, funding and travel arrangements.

    Main challenge

    Balancing creative ideas with clear audience strategy and rapid team decisions.

    Typical preparation

    • Choose two recent campaigns and identify their audience, message and channels. Practise turning a product idea into a one-minute pitch. Prepare examples of how brands handled a public response well or poorly. Discuss funding, travel and dietary needs early with your family.

    Useful if

    You have practised analysing campaigns and presenting concise ideas.

    What do students do on Marketing and PR Programme?

    Students work through linked simulations that mirror the early stages of agency, campaign and public-relations work. Leadership sessions, speakers and visits provide wider career context.

    Step-by-step process

    1. 1

      Define an agency mission, voice, creative identity and market niche.

    2. 2

      Build brand messaging and campaign visuals for a product.

    3. 3

      Produce audience-focused advertising and commercial concepts.

    4. 4

      Advise simulated clients on messaging, media relations and crisis responses.

    5. 5

      Create social media content using storytelling, design and analytics.

    6. 6

      Present and pitch strategic ideas to communicate their value.

    7. 7

      Join leadership workshops and selected New York industry visits.

    Marketing and PR Programme 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

    Accepted while session or waitlist space remained.

    Reference date

    First session

    8-16 July 2026

    Nine-day residential session.

    Reference date

    Second session

    20-28 July 2026

    Nine-day residential session.

    Reference date

    Eligibility and requirements

    • Ages 14-18

    • Completed at least one high-school year

    • Current high-school students

    • Summer after graduation also permitted

    • Academic excellence and leadership ability encouraged

    How much does Marketing and PR Programme cost?

    Programme tuition

    $4,495 — Residential tuition for the 2026 Columbia sessions.

    Funding or discounts

    • Scholarships: Usually $500-$1,000 — Financial need is required; merit and involvement are considered.
    • Payment plan: Monthly payments — Available without an additional fee for qualifying enrolments.
    • Optional college credit: $1,044 — Separate one-credit American University online course.

    What's included

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

    How to apply to Marketing and PR Programme

    1. 1

      Open the NSLC online enrolment portal.

    2. 2

      Create an NSLC ID if you do not already have one.

    3. 3

      Enter the student's birth date, gender and current grade.

    4. 4

      Select an available programme session.

    5. 5

      Complete the online enrolment application.

    6. 6

      Place the required deposit by card or arrange payment by check.

    What does Marketing and PR Programme cover?

    The programme covers the following focus areas.

    Agency development

    Create an agency mission, voice, identity, niche and strategy for attracting clients.

    Marketing campaigns

    Develop messaging, visuals, advertisements and commercials for a defined audience.

    Strategic communication

    Advise clients on messaging, media relations and responses to crisis situations.

    Social media marketing

    Combine storytelling, visual design and analytics to build an online brand presence.

    Presentation and pitching

    Shape strategic pitches that communicate value and support a product strategy.

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

    Who teaches on Marketing and PR Programme?

    Guest speakers from varied professional backgrounds contribute practical marketing and public-relations perspectives. Past speakers have held roles at organisations including Sephora, Nike, the NFL, the White House and Ogilvy Public Relations.

    Past speakers are examples and are not guaranteed for a future session.

    Where do students stay on Marketing and PR Programme?

    Residential plan

    • Campus dormitory: All students reside in supervised campus accommodation.
    • Meals: On-campus meals are provided through campus dining services.
    • Student supervision: Team Advisors accompany groups and live on student floors overnight.
    • Dormitory security: The dormitory front desk is monitored 24 hours a day.

    Students are housed with one or two roommates on a floor with others in their age range.

    What happens after Marketing and PR Programme?

    After completing this programme, participants often pursue:

    Use campaign work as evidence of marketing and communications interest.

    Reflect on simulations in university applications and interviews.

    Explore marketing, public relations, media or business study next.

    Request an alumni recommendation letter after programme participation.

    Take the optional American University one-credit online course.

    College credit is optional, separately paid and completed outside the residential dates.

    Where does Marketing and PR Programme take place?

    The programme takes place in New York City using Columbia University campus facilities. Students live in supervised dormitories, study in university classrooms and may visit communications organisations and cultural sites around the city.

    NSLC is not affiliated with, endorsed by or sponsored by Columbia University.

    Marketing and PR Programme FAQs

    Students explore campaign strategy, brand messaging, media relations, crisis communication, social media marketing and pitching through hands-on simulations.

    Yes. Students live in supervised campus dormitories and receive meals through campus dining services.

    Tuition includes housing, on-campus meals, course materials, academic expenses, trips, tours, activities and off-campus event transportation.

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

    Campus dining services can accommodate dietary allergies and restrictions when preferences are completed in the student profile.

    College credit is not automatic. Students may separately purchase a one-credit American University online course completed outside the programme dates.

    Examples include NBC Studios, Inc. Magazine, an advertising agency, Edelman, the Paley Center, Poster House and Times Square. Exact visits may vary.

    Yes. NSLC offers partial scholarships based on financial need, with academic record and school or community involvement also considered.

    Alternatives to Marketing and PR Programme

    Compare these Succeed-listed programmes if you want a related route into business, media or persuasive communication.

    Alternatives to Marketing and PR Programme

    Save this programme in Succeed to compare it with similar programmes, dates, costs and formats in one place.

    Compare with other programmes
    Ben Stacy

    Content reviewed by

    Ben Stacy

    Co-founder, Succeed | Former secondary teacher and educational leader

    Ben works at the intersection of education, technology and school adoption, with expertise in how secondary schools evaluate data-driven tools and how education technology is used in practice.

    View author page

    Sources and verification

    Source types reviewed

    • MKPR NY by NSLC - Flipsnack
    • NSLC Enrollment Portal
    • Columbia University Summer Programs: Careers in Focus
    • Youth Leadership Programs | National Student Leadership Conference
    • Frequently Asked Questions | National Student Leadership Conference
    • Summer Program Scholarships | National Student Leadership Conference
    • Marketing & Public Relations | National Student Leadership Conference

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

    What we verified (on 4 Aug 2026)

    • Programme format checked

    • Dates cross-checked

    • Tuition verified

    • Eligibility reviewed

    • Accommodation checked

    • Scholarships reviewed

    • Application route checked

    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.