Application deadline
1 April 2026
College Prep on-campus application deadline.
In-person Program
The Pitch: Harnessing the Power of Business Writing
A business writing seminar that builds clear, persuasive communication through professional emails, cover letters, presentation slides, and peer editing.
Last verified: 6 Oct 2026Reviewed by:BSBen Stacy
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The Pitch at a glance: cost, dates and eligibility
Current status
Upcoming
Eligibility
Rising sophomores–seniors; GPA 3.0+
Age range / Year group
Ages 15-18
Location / Region
Evanston, Illinois, United States
Cost
$3,625; $5,235
Duration
2 weeks
Format
In-person
Business & EconomicsEntrepreneurship
Accommodation: University residence hall or commuter
Meals: Residential room and board
Certificate / Outcome: Northwestern transcript and certificate
Latest verified cycle: 2026
Campus experience: Wildcat Connect: Get Ready Series
Tutors / faculty: Dr. Charles Yarnoff
Sessions / cadence: 10 × 3-hour classes, Monday-Friday mornings
The Pitch summary
The Pitch focuses on business writing that gets a response: professional emails, persuasive cover letters, investor pitches, and presentation materials.
Students analyze examples, write in class, exchange constructive peer feedback, and complete a culminating project.
It suits students who want practical communication skills and enjoy improving drafts through discussion and revision.
What is The Pitch: Harnessing the Power of Business Writing?
The Pitch is a Northwestern University IN FOCUS seminar about writing effectively in professional settings. Its academic focus is business communication: understanding an audience, making a persuasive case, and editing messages for clarity and conciseness.
Dr. Charles Yarnoff combines brief lectures and readings with discussion, in-class writing, and peer editing. Students practice emails, cover letters, pitches, and presentation design, then bring their learning together in a culminating project.
Why Succeed highlights The Pitch
The writing tasks connect directly to situations students may encounter in applications, employment, and business.
Peer editing teaches students to give useful feedback as well as improve their own drafts.
Charles Yarnoff brings experience teaching Northwestern's undergraduate Writing and Speaking in Business course.
A culminating project gives students a concrete way to apply the seminar's communication techniques.
The Get Ready Series adds college preparation workshops alongside academic study.
Who is The Pitch for?
Best for
Students interested in business who want to communicate ideas more clearly and are comfortable discussing and revising writing with classmates.
Not ideal if
You mainly want finance, accounting, or startup operations instruction, or prefer studying independently without peer editing.
Is The Pitch worth it?
The strongest reason to choose The Pitch is repeated practice with writing that has a clear purpose and audience. Its combination of drafting, peer feedback, and revision should be particularly useful if you want skills you can apply beyond a single school assignment.
The focus is specialized: it develops business communication rather than providing a broad business education. Families should weigh the fee and campus experience against the student's interest in active writing practice; participation also carries no guarantee of Northwestern admission.
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Founder, Succeed
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A practical overview of cost, accommodation, meals, dates and provider details to review before deciding.
Cost and what is included
$3,625; $5,235; includes Seminar tuition and classes., Access to Wildcat Connect: Get Ready Series workshops., Northwestern transcript and certificate upon successful completion., Residence hall accommodation and room and board with the residential option..
Accommodation
University residence hall or commuter
Meals
Residential room and board
Provider details
Review the Northwestern College Prep provider page and official sources before making a final decision.
Dates and logistics
2 weeks; Evanston, Illinois, United States.
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.
Compare with similar programsHow much preparation does The Pitch need?
Effort level
Moderate to high.
Best started
Allow four to six weeks before a future application deadline for the statement and transcripts; begin earlier for English testing or international travel.
Main challenge
Making a persuasive message clear and concise for a specific audience.
Typical preparation
Choose a rewarding academic experience you can explain thoughtfully in your personal statement.
Gather the required transcript history and record extracurricular dates and responsibilities.
Practice revising an email so its purpose and requested action are immediately clear.
Plan to attend every class and leave room for assignments and college preparation workshops.
Useful if
You want stronger professional writing and presentation habits.
What do students do on The Pitch?
You study examples of business communication and use them to draft your own messages and presentation materials. Writing practice, discussion, and peer editing build toward a culminating project.
Step-by-step process
- 1
Analyze writing by its purpose, audience, and context.
- 2
Compare professional emails and draft messages that accomplish a specific goal.
- 3
Practice persuasive cover letters and an investor pitch.
- 4
Analyze presentation slides and develop slides with speaker notes.
- 5
Exchange specific, constructive feedback and revise drafts for clarity.
- 6
Complete a culminating project that applies your learning.
The Pitch dates and deadlines
Next cycle not announced yet. These dates are from the latest verified cycle and should be used as a reference only.
Reference date
Programme dates
5-17 July 2026
| Milestone | Date | Timezone | Status | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Application deadline | 1 April 2026 | Local | Reference date | |
Programme dates | 5-17 July 2026 | Local | Reference date |
Eligibility and requirements
Rising high school sophomores, juniors, or seniors.
Cumulative GPA of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.
Domestic and international applicants.
English proficiency testing when primary language or schooling is not English.
Commuters must live with a responsible adult over 18.
How much does The Pitch cost?
Application fee
$60 — Nonrefundable.
Funding or discounts
- Program total: $3,625; $5,235 — Commuter; residential.
- Deposit: $1,000 — Nonrefundable; credited toward the total, due three weeks after acceptance.
- Tuition scholarship: Need-based — Domestic US rising seniors with strong academic and extracurricular achievement.
- Application fee waiver: Former CPP students — A completed waiver form is required.
What's included
Seminar tuition and classes., Access to Wildcat Connect: Get Ready Series workshops., Northwestern transcript and certificate upon successful completion., Residence hall accommodation and room and board with the residential option.
How to apply to The Pitch
- 1
Use Northwestern's College Prep admissions process for the IN FOCUS seminar.
- 2
Write approximately 500 words answering both personal-statement questions.
- 3
List extracurricular activities with dates, descriptions, and your role.
- 4
Arrange transcripts in English; IN FOCUS accepts unofficial transcripts.
- 5
Provide TOEFL, IELTS, or DET results when required and pay the application fee.
- 6
Submit a complete application and monitor the application portal for missing materials.
- 7
After admission, pay the deposit to secure enrollment.
Next step with Succeed
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What does The Pitch cover?
The program covers the following focus areas.
Purpose and audience
Analyze communication situations by purpose, audience, and context.
Professional emails
Compare email approaches and draft messages that accomplish a specific goal.
Cover letters and pitches
Write persuasive cover letters and practice pitching an idea to investors.
Presentation design
Develop slides and speaker notes that encourage an audience to act.
Editing and feedback
Offer constructive peer feedback and revise writing for clarity and conciseness.
Curriculum may be adjusted based on participant interests and current developments.
What is a typical day on The Pitch?
A typical day during the program.
Seminar classes
Classes run 9:15 AM-12:15 PM Central Time, combining lectures, discussion, writing, and peer editing.
Get Ready Series
Interactive college preparation workshops add a co-curricular component to the schedule.
Who teaches on The Pitch?
Dr. Charles Yarnoff is a professor in Northwestern's Cook Family Writing Program and co-created its undergraduate Writing and Speaking in Business course. His teaching recognition includes the Charles Deering McCormick University Distinguished Lecturer award and an SPS Distinguished Teaching Award.
Where do students stay on The Pitch?
Residential plan
- University residence hall: Students live in a Northwestern residence hall with common areas and quiet study rooms.
- Dining and dietary support: University dining includes vegan options and a dietician for special dietary requirements.
- Residential support: Resident Directors and trained Residential Advisors support academic and social adjustment.
- Campus facilities: Students can access libraries, computer labs, beaches, and gymnasium facilities for ages 16+.
Non-residential plan
- Commuter housing: Students commuting from home or relatives must stay with a responsible adult over 18.
- Activities and excursions: Commuters can participate in the Get Ready Series, social activities, and excursions.
- Commuter dining: Commuting students may purchase meals in the Norris University Center.
Residential students may explore independently under checkout and return-for-check-in rules.
What happens after The Pitch?
After completing this program, participants often pursue:
An official Northwestern University transcript after successful completion.
A Northwestern University certificate after successful completion.
A culminating project applying business communication techniques.
Writing practice relevant to job applications and professional requests.
Presentation skills for explaining ideas and encouraging action.
Participation does not guarantee admission to Northwestern University.
Where does The Pitch take place?
Northwestern's 240-acre campus is in Evanston, Illinois, immediately north of Chicago, on the shore of Lake Michigan. College Prep combines academic study with access to campus activities and resources.
Commuters who drive must purchase their own parking passes and may not transport other College Prep participants.
The Pitch FAQs
You will practice professional emails, persuasive cover letters, investor pitches, presentation slides, and speaker notes.
Dr. Charles Yarnoff, a professor in Northwestern's Cook Family Writing Program, teaches the seminar. He co-created Northwestern's Writing and Speaking in Business course.
Students earn a Satisfactory grade by attending and participating in all classes and completing all assignments. The seminar also includes a culminating project.
Successful completion earns an official Northwestern University transcript and certificate.
Yes. Commuters can attend classes and participate in academic and social activities, but must live with a responsible adult over 18 throughout the program.
Resident Directors and trained Residential Advisors support students in the residence halls. Students may explore independently under checkout and return-for-check-in rules.
Domestic US students entering senior year may qualify based on financial need and strong academic and extracurricular achievement. A separate scholarship application and a complete program application are required.
No. College Prep participation can contribute to an application profile, but it does not guarantee acceptance to Northwestern University.
Alternatives to The Pitch
Compare these options if you want broader business study or a different emphasis on writing.
Alternatives to The Pitch
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27 Jul 2026
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Best for
Students seeking a broad introduction to business
Explore how Italian companies achieve global excellence
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Deadline: Not announced
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Best for
Students interested in companies and management
Creative writing study in a summer program
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Deadline: Not announced
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St Andrews
In-person
Best for
Students drawn to creative writing
Save this program in Succeed to compare it with similar programs, dates, costs and formats in one place.
Compare with other programsContent 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.
Sources & verification
Source types reviewed
- International Students, Northwestern College Preparation Program: School of Professional Studies | Northwestern University
- Campus Life, Northwestern College Preparation Program: School of Professional Studies | Northwestern University
- Admission, Northwestern College Preparation Program: School of Professional Studies | Northwestern University
- Tuition and Fees, Northwestern College Preparation Program: School of Professional Studies | Northwestern University
- Northwestern Pre-College Online Program
- FAQs, Northwestern College Preparation Program: School of Professional Studies | Northwestern University
- IN FOCUS Seminar Series | Northwestern SPS: School of Professional Studies | Northwestern University
Succeed uses official provider information where available, but keeps this public page focused on comparison and planning inside Succeed.
What we verified (on 6 Oct 2026)
Seminar identity checked
Application requirements reviewed
Historical deadline checked
Commuter and residential fees checked
Scholarship criteria reviewed
Campus support reviewed
International guidance 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.
The Pitch: Harnessing the Power of Business Writing
by Northwestern College Prep
Upcoming
May qualify for the £300 Succeed Programme Award.
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