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Finance and Investing Institute
A hands-on residential finance program covering markets, valuation, investing strategies and financial careers through expert-led workshops and practical projects.
Last verified: 6 Oct 2026Reviewed by:SSSean Stevens
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Finance and Investing 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
Language: English
Accommodation: Required campus residence hall
Meals: All meals provided
Certificate / Outcome: Wake Forest Certificate of Completion
Latest verified cycle: 2026
Tutors / faculty: Business faculty; industry experts
Finance and Investing Institute summary
A residential introduction to markets, investment products, valuation and the role finance plays in personal and professional life.
Students combine classroom learning with a stock-picking project, mock investment competition, portfolio building and exposure to a financial institution or trading floor.
It suits students who want to test their interest in finance while developing analytical, collaborative and public-speaking skills.
What is Finance and Investing Institute?
The Finance and Investing Institute is a Wake Forest Summer Immersion Program that introduces high school students to stock markets, investment products, valuation and financial careers. Its curriculum covers market analysis, financial statements, compounding, investment risk and fundamental analysis.
The residential experience combines instruction with practical work, including a stock-picking group project, a mock investment competition and an investment pitch. Students also learn from Wake Forest School of Business faculty and finance professionals, with hands-on experiences that may include a financial institution and trading-floor visit.
Why Succeed highlights Finance and Investing Institute
The curriculum connects investing concepts with financial statement analysis and fundamental valuation.
Students move beyond lectures through a stock-picking project, mock investment competition and portfolio pitch.
Wake Forest business faculty and industry experts provide both academic and professional perspectives.
The residential campus experience includes structured academic programming, evening activities and supervised dorm life.
Participants leave with a tangible investment portfolio and an official Certificate of Completion.
Who is Finance and Investing Institute for?
Best for
High school students who want a practical introduction to investing, valuation and financial careers in a supervised university setting.
Not ideal if
You need academic credit, prefer a day-only option or cannot commit to a residential campus stay.
Is Finance and Investing Institute worth it?
This program can be worthwhile for a student who wants to test finance as an academic or career interest through applied work rather than lectures alone. Faculty access, industry perspectives, a trading-floor experience and portfolio development give the week a clear practical focus.
The main limitations are that the institute is non-credit and represents a substantial financial commitment for a short experience. Its value will depend on whether the student actively engages with the projects, reflects on what they learn and can use the experience to guide later study.
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Cost and what is included
$3,500; includes All meals during the five-day campus stay, Transportation for off-site field trips, Wake Forest University Certificate of Completion.
Accommodation
Required 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.
Compare with similar programsHow much preparation does Finance and Investing Institute need?
Effort level
Moderate.
Best started
Four to six weeks before applications open, allowing time for essays and the recommendation.
Main challenge
Turning a general interest in finance into specific, convincing application responses.
Typical preparation
Choose a teacher, counselor or administrator who can describe your academic readiness.
Draft the two essays early and revise them for specificity and clarity.
Confirm your recommender's contact details before submitting the online application.
Plan residential travel, payment and accommodation requests well before the institute week.
Useful if
You can explain what you hope to learn about investing or financial careers.
What do students do on Finance and Investing Institute?
Students learn core finance concepts and apply them through discussion, workshops, investment analysis and collaborative projects. The experience culminates in practical portfolio and pitching work.
Step-by-step process
- 1
Explore how stock markets, bonds, mutual funds and other investments work.
- 2
Study market analysis, financial statements, investment risk and valuation.
- 3
Discuss current financial events with faculty and industry professionals.
- 4
Visit a financial institution and trading floor when scheduled.
- 5
Work with peers on a stock-picking group project.
- 6
Participate in a mock investment competition.
- 7
Build an investment portfolio and pitch prospective investments.
Finance and Investing 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
14-19 June 2026
Historical Sunday-Friday residential session.
June 2026 session 2
21-26 June 2026
Historical Sunday-Friday residential session.
Applications open
1 November 2026
For the summer 2027 application cycle.
| Milestone | Date | Timezone | Status | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Applications | Rolling admissions | Local | Reference date | |
June 2026 session 1 | 14-19 June 2026 | Local | Reference date | |
June 2026 session 2 | 21-26 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
Home-schooled students may apply
International students may apply
Fluent English required for participation
Recommendation must come from eligible school staff
How much does Finance and Investing Institute cost?
Program tuition
$3,500 — Published tuition for the Finance and Investing Institute.
Funding or discounts
- Application fee: $60 — Non-refundable and due with the application.
- Enrollment deposit: $550 — Non-refundable payment used to secure a seat.
- Need-based scholarships: Limited — Requested through the general application.
What's included
All meals during the five-day campus stay, Transportation for off-site field trips, Wake Forest University Certificate of Completion
How to apply to Finance and Investing Institute
- 1
Create an account in the Wake Forest Pre-College student portal.
- 2
Complete the online application and provide a self-reported GPA.
- 3
Write and submit two responses to the application essay prompts.
- 4
Enter an eligible teacher, counselor or administrator as your recommender.
- 5
Pay the non-refundable application fee when submitting the application.
- 6
If admitted, select an available institute week and pay the deposit.
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What does Finance and Investing Institute cover?
The program covers the following focus areas.
Markets and products
Examine stocks, bonds, mutual funds and how the stock market operates.
Investment analysis
Use market and fundamental analysis to evaluate prospective investments.
Financial statements
Explore how financial statement analysis contributes to valuation decisions.
Risk and compounding
Study investment risks, potential benefits, compounding and time value.
Finance careers
Investigate professional roles, skills and career routes in financial services.
Curriculum may be adjusted based on participant interests and current developments.
What is a typical day on Finance and Investing Institute?
A typical day during the program.
Breakfast and introduction
Breakfast begins at 8:00 am, followed by the academic welcome and introductory finance sessions.
Core finance classes
Sessions can cover private equity and other foundational finance concepts before lunch.
Workshops and projects
Students practice investing, examine stocks and bonds, and complete group project work.
Campus activities
Dinner is followed by supervised activities, free time and residential routines.
Who teaches on Finance and Investing Institute?
Students meet and collaborate with Wake Forest School of Business faculty and industry experts. Academic leader Mike Crespi is Wake Forest's Director of Market Readiness and Employment and an advisor for the Business and Enterprise Management Internship program, with experience across career development, financial-sector recruiting and business.
Hands-on sessions may also involve companies, firms and financial leaders.
Where do students stay on Finance and Investing Institute?
Residential plan
- Campus residence hall: All participants stay in an assigned Wake Forest residence hall for the institute week.
- Full meal provision: All meals are provided, with dietary restrictions collected through the Medical Authorization Form.
- Overnight supervision: Professional staff live in the residence hall and provide overnight support.
- Evening activities: Staff lead activities such as basketball, karaoke, Spikeball and volleyball.
Roommates are assigned randomly unless a request is granted; requests are not guaranteed.
What happens after Finance and Investing Institute?
After completing this program, participants often pursue:
Use the investment portfolio as evidence of subject exploration.
Build confidence discussing and pitching prospective investments.
Connect market analysis with later finance or economics study.
Explore professional roles and careers in financial services.
Earn an official Wake Forest University Certificate of Completion.
Participation does not provide academic credit or preferential treatment in Wake Forest admissions.
Where does Finance and Investing 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 facilities and take part in academic and evening activities across campus.
Paid airport shuttles may be available from Piedmont Triad and Charlotte Douglas airports.
Finance and Investing Institute FAQs
The curriculum covers stock markets, investment products, market analysis, financial statements, valuation, compounding, investment risk and careers in financial services.
Activities can include a financial institution and trading-floor visit, discussions with finance professionals, a stock-picking group project, a mock investment competition and an investment pitch. Specific hands-on experiences may change.
Yes. Students must stay in an assigned Wake Forest residence hall from Sunday check-in through Friday checkout.
Current students in grades 9-12 may apply if they are in good academic standing and have a clean disciplinary record. Home-schooled and international students are also welcome to apply.
Applicants submit an online application, two essays, a self-reported GPA and one recommendation from a teacher, counselor or administrator. Transcripts and test scores are not required.
All meals are provided during the campus stay. Families submit dietary restrictions through the Medical Authorization Form so the program can plan appropriate meals.
No. The institute is non-credit, but students who complete the program receive an official Wake Forest University Certificate of Completion.
Program staff supervise students during academic, recreational and evening activities. Professional staff live in the residence hall, and an on-call rotation operates throughout the week.
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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
- 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
- Wake Forest Finance and Investing 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
Tuition and fees checked
Campus arrangements reviewed
Published dates cross-checked
Scholarship terms 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.
Finance and Investing Institute
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