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Business Institute
A hands-on immersion in core business functions, case analysis, teamwork and project pitching, taught by university faculty and industry experts.
Last verified: 6 Oct 2026Reviewed by:SSSean Stevens
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Business Institute at a glance: cost, dates and eligibility
Current status
Applications open
Eligibility
Grades 9-12; good academic standing
Age range / Year group
Ages 14-18
Location / Region
Winston-Salem, North Carolina, United States
Cost
$3,500
Duration
Sunday-Friday
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 programBusiness & EconomicsFinance
Accommodation: Campus residence hall
Meals: All meals provided
Certificate / Outcome: Certificate and team pitch
Faculty: Business faculty and industry experts
Business Institute summary
Students explore how companies operate across management, finance, marketing, technology, operations, strategy and analytics.
Learning combines faculty-led sessions, interactive case studies, workshops, teamwork, business-leader contact and local organization visits.
The week culminates in a team presentation that asks students to apply their learning to a business idea.
It suits students seeking a broad, practical introduction before choosing a narrower business or finance pathway.
What is Business Institute?
The Business Institute is a Wake Forest University summer immersion focused on the essential functions involved in launching and running a company. Its curriculum spans management, finance, human resources, marketing, technology, operations, strategy, innovation and business analytics.
Students work with business faculty and experts, analyze cases, join workshops and collaborate on a team project. Contact with business leaders and visits to local organizations add practical context before the final team pitch.
Why Succeed highlights Business Institute
The curriculum connects finance, marketing, operations, management and analytics instead of isolating one business function.
Interactive case studies and business-modeling work move the program beyond lecture-only learning.
The final team pitch creates a clear applied output from the week.
Students work with university business faculty and meet business professionals.
Residential campus life adds a structured introduction to living and studying at a university.
Who is Business Institute for?
Best for
Students who want a broad, practical introduction to business and enjoy teamwork, case discussion and presenting ideas.
Not ideal if
You want academic credit, a narrowly specialized finance course or a non-residential option.
Is Business Institute worth it?
This can be worthwhile for a student who wants to test several business disciplines through cases, workshops and a substantial team task. The mix of academic teaching, professional contact and a final pitch offers more active exploration than passive career observation.
The main limitation is breadth: a single intensive week cannot provide deep mastery of every listed business function. It also awards no academic credit, so its value lies in exploration, skills and informed reflection rather than a formal qualification.
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Founder, Succeed
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Cost and what is included
$3,500; includes All meals during the campus stay, Transportation for off-site field trips, Academic programming and evening activities, Wake Forest University Certificate of Completion.
Accommodation
Campus residence hall
Meals
All meals provided
Supervision or safety information
Program staff supervise students throughout academic, recreational and evening activities. Professional staff live in the residence hall, and the team maintains a 24-hour on-call rotation.
Provider details
Review the Wake Forest University provider page and official sources before making a final decision.
Dates and logistics
Sunday-Friday; Winston-Salem, North Carolina, 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 Business Institute need?
Effort level
Moderate to high.
Best started
Four to six weeks before the 1 November application opening.
Main challenge
Turning broad business concepts into a coherent team presentation.
Typical preparation
Ask an academic teacher, counselor or administrator for a recommendation early.
Draft and revise both application essays before creating the final submission.
Review introductory concepts in finance, marketing and business models.
Practice explaining a business idea clearly to a small audience.
Useful if
You enjoy case analysis, group work and presenting ideas.
What do students do on Business Institute?
Students move between faculty-led teaching, business cases, workshops, professional contact and collaborative project work before presenting a team idea.
Step-by-step process
- 1
Learn the roles of management, finance, marketing, technology and operations.
- 2
Analyze business case studies through interactive discussion.
- 3
Practice business modeling and financial analysis.
- 4
Build networking, teamwork and project-management skills.
- 5
Meet business leaders and visit local organizations.
- 6
Plan and deliver a final team business presentation.
Business Institute 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
June 2026 session 1
7-12 June 2026
Sunday through Friday residential session.
June 2026 session 2
14-19 June 2026
Sunday through Friday residential session.
Applications open
1 November 2026
Summer 2027 application cycle.
| Milestone | Date | Timezone | Status | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Applications | Rolling admissions | Local | Reference date | |
June 2026 session 1 | 7-12 June 2026 | Local | Reference date | |
June 2026 session 2 | 14-19 June 2026 | Local | Reference date | |
Applications open | 1 November 2026 | Local | Reference date |
Eligibility and requirements
Current students in US Grades 9-12
Good academic standing
No school suspensions or disciplinary record
Fluent participation in English
Home-schooled students may apply
International students may apply
How much does Business Institute cost?
Program tuition
$3,500
Funding or discounts
- Application fee: $60 — Non-refundable and due with the application.
- Enrollment deposit: $550 — Non-refundable after securing a seat.
- Need-based scholarships: Limited funding — Requested within the general application.
What's included
All meals during the campus stay, Transportation for off-site field trips, Academic programming and evening activities, Wake Forest University Certificate of Completion
How to apply to Business Institute
- 1
Create an account in the Wake Forest Pre-College student portal.
- 2
Complete the online Summer Immersion Program application.
- 3
Submit two essays and report your GPA.
- 4
List an eligible teacher, counselor or administrator as your recommender.
- 5
Pay the non-refundable application fee when submitting.
- 6
After acceptance, select an institute and week, then submit the deposit.
Next step with Succeed
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What does Business Institute cover?
The program covers the following focus areas.
Management and operations
Examine how people, processes and operational decisions support a company.
Finance and analysis
Practice financial analysis and consider finance within business decisions.
Marketing and case studies
Explore marketing concepts through interactive business case analysis.
Strategy and innovation
Consider how businesses identify opportunities and build competitive ideas.
Analytics and technology
Explore how analytics and technology inform modern business activity.
Curriculum may be adjusted based on participant interests and current developments.
What is a typical day on Business Institute?
A typical day during the program.
Morning start
Breakfast and the morning meeting lead into the academic welcome.
Morning sessions
Business-leader panels, questions, marketing and case-study work.
Afternoon workshops
Business modeling, financial analysis, networking and team-project planning.
Evenings
Dinner, supervised activities, free time and residential routines.
Who teaches on Business Institute?
Students work with Wake Forest business professors, experts and visiting business leaders. Academic Leader Dr. Justin Martin is an Associate Teaching Professor of Information Systems and Analytics and a Coca-Cola Faculty Fellow at the Wake Forest University School of Business.
Dr. Martin's professional background includes software development, business technology analysis, IT leadership, operations and analytics.
Where do students stay on Business Institute?
Residential plan
- Campus residence hall: Every participant stays in an assigned Wake Forest residence hall for the program week.
- All meals provided: Campus dining and catered meals support the full on-campus stay.
- Overnight supervision: Professional staff live in the residence hall and participate in a 24-hour on-call rotation.
- Evening activities: Staff lead activities such as basketball, karaoke, Spikeball and volleyball.
Rooms may be single or double, and specific room arrangements are not guaranteed.
What happens after Business Institute?
After completing this program, participants often pursue:
Use the experience to compare business, finance, marketing and operations pathways.
Reflect on case studies and the team pitch in future applications.
Add the Wake Forest University Certificate of Completion to a resume or application.
Build toward a more specialized business, finance or entrepreneurship program.
Participation does not provide academic credit or preferential admission to Wake Forest.
Where does Business Institute take place?
The institute takes place at Wake Forest University's Reynolda Campus in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. Students live in campus residence halls, use university dining and take part in academic sessions, evening activities and local business visits.
Airport shuttles may be booked separately from Piedmont Triad International Airport or Charlotte Douglas International Airport.
Business Institute FAQs
Students explore management, finance, human resources, marketing, technology, operations, strategy, innovation and business analytics.
Yes. Every participant stays in an assigned Wake Forest residence hall from Sunday check-in until Friday checkout.
Students collaborate on a business project and finish the institute by pitching their ideas in a team presentation.
Students work with Wake Forest business professors, experts and business leaders. Dr. Justin Martin, an Associate Teaching Professor of Information Systems and Analytics, is the published academic leader.
No. The program is non-credit, but participants can receive an official Wake Forest University Certificate of Completion.
Applicants submit an online application, two essays, one academic recommendation, a self-reported GPA and the application fee. Transcripts and test scores are not required.
Students must live in the assigned campus residence hall, and all meals are provided during the on-campus stay.
Program staff supervise students throughout academic, recreational and evening activities. Professional staff live in the residence hall, and the team maintains a 24-hour on-call rotation.
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Save this program in Succeed to compare it with similar programs, dates, costs and formats in one place.
Compare with other programsContent 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.
Sources and verification
Source types reviewed
- Code of Conduct
- Wake Forest Pre-College Programs Applications
- Wake Forest Pre-College Campus
- Summer Immersion Program Dates | Wake Forest Pre-College
- FAQ | Wake Forest Summer Immersion Program
- Apply - Wake Forest Summer Immersion Program
- Business Institute at Wake Forest Summer Immersion
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)
Program page checked
Application process reviewed
Eligibility requirements verified
Tuition and fees checked
Residential details reviewed
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Dates 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.
Business Institute
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