Unofficial Transcript 
Min GPA Requirement 
Several Essays 
Activities List 
1 Recommendation 
English Test C1 
Online Application From 
Application Fee 
Recent Grades Report *
Standardized Test Scores *
Application is closed
Essentials of Entrepreneurship is an intensive two-week summer program for a select group of high school students currently enrolled in 9th to 11th grades. This immersive experience challenges students to engage with peers, use innovative thinking, and learn the basics of what it takes to be an entrepreneur.
Non-credit
Residential
Accepts International Students
Financial Aid
Final project
Application fee waiver
Essentials of Entrepreneurship provides an immersive introduction to the journey of creating a new venture. With a two-week schedule filled with lectures, recitations, and activities, students will learn how a successful startup is created, as well as obtain core techniques in the areas of user research, opportunity testing, MVP developing, marketing, scaling and exiting. Ultimately, the program will challenge students to collaborate with peers, use innovative thinking, and develop a pitch for an early-stage startup.
Whether students plan to start their own company or become an innovator within an established organization, this program will encourage students to adopt an entrepreneurial mindset that can be applied across numerous fields.
Each summer, Wharton Essentials of Entrepreneurship students:
- Attend lectures and presentations from notable Wharton faculty, lecturers and PhD students
- Learn core techniques in the area of user research, opportunity testing, MVP developing, marketing, scaling and exiting
- Collaborate in teams to develop a pitch for an early-stage startup
- Explore historic Philadelphia and experience college life on Penn’s Ivy League campus.
All participants who successfully complete the program will earn a Wharton Global Youth Certificate of Completion.
Academic classes are held Monday-Friday with extracurricular activities available in the evenings and on the weekends. Students move in on Sunday pre-program, and move out the final Saturday of the program.
While each day varies in format, a typical day includes:
9:00-10:30am – Topics lecture/guest speaker
10:30-10:45am – Mid-morning break
10:45-12:00pm – Recitation/small-group activity
12:00-1:30pm – Lunch
1:30-2:30 – Topics lecture
2:30-4:30pm – Business simulation or small group exercise
Session topics may include:
Innovation and Opportunity
Consumer Behavior
Business Model Generation
Entrepreneurial Strategy and Financing
Tech Entrepreneurship
Social Entrepreneurship
In the evening, students will have a number of extracurricular activities to choose from. Students can also opt to work on their final project with their group, meet with the program TAs, and/or relax at the dorm.
Please note, some days may not follow this schedule as there could be a site visit off campus or a simulation in lieu of lecture/recitation schedule.
High school students currently enrolled in grades 9-11 looking to advance their entrepreneurial mindset. No formal business background is required. International applicants are welcome.
Unofficial Transcript
Min GPA Requirement
Several Essays
Activities List
1 Recommendation
English Test C1
Online Application From
Application Fee
Recent Grades Report *
Standardized Test Scores *
• Minimum 3.3 unweighted GPA, or equivalent
• Unofficial Transcript
High school transcripts and/or grade reports are required for application. Please upload an unofficial copy directly into the online application system. At least two marking periods of grades are required for review. If two marking periods are not available on your current high school transcripts, we recommend uploading a copy of 8th grade transcripts as well. If you would like to submit additional grades as they become available, you may email supplementary application materials to [email protected] before the application deadline.
• Recommendation
A recommendation completed by a high school guidance counselor, teacher, or advisor is required for application.
• 3 Essays
1. Tweet-style bio: In 140 characters or less, give us your biography as if it were a tweet.
2. Describe a great idea for a product or business you’ve had that you’d like to bring to life? 200- 300 words
3. Reflect on a time when you were unsuccessful in achieving your goal. What lessons did you learn from this experience? 200-300 words
• English Proficiency Scores
Non-native English speakers should submit test scores to verify English language proficiency. If the student attends a high school where the primary language of instruction is English, this requirement is automatically waived. If submitting test scores, please note the admissions committee prefers TOEFL or IELTS scores, when available. The minimum TOEFL score required for admission is 100 (iBT.) The minimum IELTS score required is a 7. If TOEFL or IELTS scores are not available, applicants may submit PSAT, SAT, or ACT scores as an alternate. To submit, please upload an unofficial copy of your score report to the online application.
• Standardized Test Scores
The submission of standardized test scores is optional. If you have score reports you wish to share you may upload an unofficial copy of your score report to the online application. Score reports should include your name.
• Activities of Activities/ Achievements
An array of extracurricular activities and/or personal achievements that denote intellectual curiosity, ability to collaborate, initiative and ambition, or diversity of interests and ideas.
• Application Fee
A non-refundable application fee of $100 is required. If applying through a community-based organization or scholarship agency, students might be eligible for an application fee waiver.
• International Students
International students are a welcome addition to Wharton’s summer high school programs. Participants are encouraged to obtain a short-stay B-2 TOURIST visa from the American Embassy or Consulate in their home country, if they do not already have one.
Deadline
Priority deadline: January 25, 2023
Final deadline: April 5, 2023
Jun 04 - Jun 17
2 weeks
Residential
Jun 18 - Jul 01
2 weeks
Residential
Jul 09 - Jul 22
2 weeks
Residential
Jul 23 - Aug 05
2 weeks
Residential
ON-CAMPUS PROGRAM FEES INCLUDE:
Full academic and term fees, use of Penn academic facilities, on-campus housing, two meals a day Monday-Friday, two meals on Sunday (no meals Saturday due to excursions/activities), extracurricular activities and trips, student supervision.
ON-CAMPUS PROGRAM FEES DO NOT INCLUDE:
Non-refundable $100 application fee, travel to/from campus, airport transfers, gym access (may be available for additional fee); linens; class materials; meals eaten off campus; medical expenses; laundry; souvenirs; and personal spending money.
Financial Aid
The Wharton Global Youth Program is committed to supporting academically ambitious students with demonstrated financial need. Through a variety of need-based scholarships and financial awards, we are able to provide full or partial funding for a select number of eligible program participants.
Unofficial Transcript
Min GPA Requirement
Several Essays
Activities List
1 Recommendation
English Test C1
Online Application From
Application Fee
Recent Grades Report *
Standardized Test Scores *
Application is closed
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