Succeed
    Business Strategy Institute
    In-person Program

    Business Strategy Institute

    by Wake Forest University

    An immersive, team-based introduction to corporate strategy, finance, leadership and consulting through real cases, simulations and a final presentation.

    Last verified: 6 Oct 2026Reviewed by:SSSean Stevens

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    Business Strategy Institute at a glance: cost, dates and eligibility

    Current status

    Applications open

    Eligibility

    Current Grades 9-12

    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.

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    Business & EconomicsFinance
    Accommodation: Campus residence hall
    Meals: All meals provided
    Certificate / Outcome: Certificate of Completion
    Academic leader: Tom Ondrof

    Business Strategy Institute summary

    Wake Forest’s Business Strategy Institute uses cases, simulations and consulting-style challenges to show how organizations compete, finance growth and make strategic decisions.

    Students work in teams, hear from industry professionals and develop recommendations for authentic business problems before delivering a final presentation.

    It suits students who want applied exposure to strategy, finance, consulting and leadership rather than a program focused only on launching a startup.

    What is Business Strategy Institute?

    The Business Strategy Institute is a Wake Forest University summer experience focused on how organizations compete, grow and adapt. Its academic scope includes corporate strategy, competitive positioning, financing growth, leadership, analytics, budgeting and client relationships.

    Students learn through team challenges, business cases, financial simulations and talks from professionals in strategy, finance and operations. The experience culminates in a team presentation of strategic recommendations to peers and industry professionals.

    Why Succeed highlights Business Strategy Institute

    • The curriculum connects strategy with finance, analytics, leadership and client trust rather than treating business as a single narrow subject.

    • Case studies, simulations and consulting challenges give students practical ways to test business ideas.

    • The final team presentation creates a clear capstone with feedback from industry professionals.

    • The named academic leader brings senior corporate finance and strategy experience.

    • Residential campus life adds structured evening activities and sustained teamwork beyond classroom sessions.

    Who is Business Strategy Institute for?

    Best for

    Students curious about corporate strategy, finance or consulting who enjoy collaborative problem-solving and presentations.

    Not ideal if

    You want academic credit, a day-student option or a program centered solely on building a startup.

    Is Business Strategy Institute worth it?

    The institute offers a strong applied introduction to business strategy because students move between cases, financial decisions, team analysis and a professional-facing presentation. It can help a student test whether strategy, finance or consulting feels engaging before choosing a university pathway.

    The limitation is that it is a short, non-credit experience, so it should be judged as exploration rather than a formal qualification. Families should also weigh the tuition, application fee and residential commitment against less expensive business projects or online courses.

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    Cost and what is included

    $3,500; includes All meals during the on-campus stay, Transportation for off-site field trips, Business workshops and case activities, Guest-speaker sessions, Team consulting and presentation activities, Certificate of Completion with full attendance.

    Accommodation

    Campus residence hall

    Meals

    All meals provided

    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.

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    How much preparation does Business Strategy Institute need?

    Effort level

    Moderate to high.

    Best started

    Four to six weeks before the November 1 opening or intended submission.

    Main challenge

    Turning case evidence and financial considerations into one persuasive team recommendation.

    Typical preparation

    • Draft the two application essays around genuine academic interests and relevant examples.

    • Ask an eligible teacher, counselor or administrator for the recommendation early.

    • Review introductory ideas in strategy, budgeting and competitive advantage before arrival.

    • Practice explaining a recommendation clearly and supporting it with evidence.

    Useful if

    You are comfortable contributing to discussions, teamwork and presentations.

    What do students do on Business Strategy Institute?

    Students combine short workshops and guest sessions with case analysis, financial simulations and team project work. The sequence builds toward a consulting-style strategy presentation.

    Step-by-step process

    1. 1

      Complete a DISC assessment to explore leadership and working styles.

    2. 2

      Study corporate strategy, competitive positioning and methods of financing growth.

    3. 3

      Analyze interactive cases and track business performance using budgets and data.

    4. 4

      Work in a team on authentic strategy and consulting challenges.

    5. 5

      Hear from professionals working in strategy, finance and operations.

    6. 6

      Synthesize the evidence into recommendations and present them to professionals.

    Business Strategy 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.

    Applications

    Rolling admissions

    No hard deadline; admission continues until programs fill.

    Reference date

    Programme dates

    19-24 July 2026

    Reference date

    Applications open

    1 November 2026

    Summer 2027 application cycle.

    Reference date

    Eligibility and requirements

    • Current students in US Grades 9-12.

    • Good academic standing and no school suspensions.

    • Home-schooled students may apply.

    • Students from all geographic locations may apply.

    • Fluency in English is required.

    • Recommendation must come from an eligible educator.

    How much does Business Strategy Institute cost?

    Program tuition

    $3,500 — Published 2026 tuition.

    Funding or discounts

    • Application fee: $60 — Nonrefundable and due on submission.
    • Enrollment deposit: $550 — Nonrefundable payment used to secure a seat.
    • Need-based scholarships: Limited funding — Scholarship section and previous year's W-2 required.

    What's included

    All meals during the on-campus stay, Transportation for off-site field trips, Business workshops and case activities, Guest-speaker sessions, Team consulting and presentation activities, Certificate of Completion with full attendance

    How to apply to Business Strategy Institute

    1. 1

      Create an account in the Wake Forest Pre-College student portal.

    2. 2

      Complete the online application and indicate the institutes that interest you.

    3. 3

      Submit two essays, a self-reported GPA and the $60 application fee.

    4. 4

      Provide contact details for a teacher, counselor or administrator recommendation.

    5. 5

      Complete the scholarship section and upload the required W-2 if seeking need-based funding.

    6. 6

      Review the emailed admission decision in the student status portal.

    7. 7

      After acceptance, select an institute and week through registration and pay the deposit.

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    What does Business Strategy Institute cover?

    The program covers the following focus areas.

    Corporate strategy

    Examine how organizations allocate resources, grow and respond to competition.

    Competitive positioning

    Analyze competitive advantage, market position and strategic choices.

    Financing growth

    Compare internal capital, debt, venture capital and investment banking.

    Leadership and teams

    Use DISC insights to consider leadership styles and team dynamics.

    Business analytics

    Practice budgeting, performance tracking and evidence-based decision-making.

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

    What is a typical day on Business Strategy Institute?

    A typical day during the program.

    8:00 11:30 am

    Breakfast, introduction, a DISC workshop and a business case study.

    12:30 2:15 pm

    Lunch, a guest speaker and the start of project work.

    2:15 5:30 pm

    Teams develop projects, synthesize cases and preview the next day.

    5:30 10:00 pm

    Dinner, organized activities, free time and residence-hall routines.

    Who teaches on Business Strategy Institute?

    The named academic leader is Tom Ondrof, a former executive vice president and CFO of Aramark with extensive experience in financial planning, corporate development and strategic leadership. The program also includes guest speakers from corporate strategy, finance and operations roles.

    Wake Forest describes its wider Summer Immersion model as providing access to faculty, researchers and industry professionals.

    Where do students stay on Business Strategy Institute?

    Residential plan

    • Residence halls: All participants must stay in an assigned campus residence hall.
    • Meals: All meals are provided through campus dining or catered arrangements.
    • Overnight supervision: Professional and residential staff live in the halls and provide overnight support.
    • Evening activities: Staff-led options may include sports, karaoke, panels and workshops.

    Rooms may be single or double, and roommate requests are not guaranteed.

    What happens after Business Strategy Institute?

    After completing this program, participants often pursue:

    Use the experience to compare business, finance, consulting and entrepreneurship pathways.

    Build examples of teamwork, analysis and presentation for later applications.

    Receive a Wake Forest University Certificate of Completion with full attendance.

    Develop a clearer basis for choosing further business or economics study.

    Reflect on feedback from professionals when planning future projects.

    Participation does not provide academic credit or preferential treatment in Wake Forest admissions.

    Where does Business Strategy 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, eat in the university dining hall and take part in academic sessions and supervised evening activities on campus.

    Airport shuttles may be booked separately from Piedmont Triad International Airport and Charlotte Douglas International Airport.

    Business Strategy Institute FAQs

    It covers corporate strategy, competitive advantage, growth finance, leadership, analytics, budgeting, performance tracking and client relationships.

    Students complete a DISC assessment, business cases, financial simulations and team consulting challenges. The week culminates in a strategy presentation evaluated by industry professionals.

    Yes. All on-campus Summer Immersion participants must live in their assigned Wake Forest residence hall for the program week.

    Yes. All meals are provided during the on-campus stay, with campus dining or catered meals used as appropriate.

    No. Wake Forest states that its Summer Immersion institutes are non-credit enrichment programs.

    Yes. International students are encouraged to apply, but they are not eligible for the program's need-based aid or scholarships.

    Applicants submit two essays, an educator recommendation, a self-reported GPA and the application fee. Transcripts and test scores are not required.

    The named academic leader is Tom Ondrof, a former Aramark executive vice president and CFO with extensive corporate finance and strategy experience.

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    Students seeking a broad introduction to business.

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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

    • Code of Conduct
    • Register Account
    • 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 Strategy Institute | High School Summer Program

    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)

    • Official institute page checked

    • Application process reviewed

    • Eligibility requirements verified

    • Fees and funding checked

    • Campus arrangements reviewed

    • Safeguarding policies checked

    • 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.