In this article, weā€™re specifically going to look at some hot topics in economics, five fields (and their related subfields) where a lot of exciting new work is being done. These arenā€™t the only fields you can publish in, far from it. We want this to serve as an introduction, to let you sample whatā€™s on offer, and what you might want to explore further. 

1. Artificial Intelligence and Labor Markets 

The rise of artificial intelligence (AI) and automation is transforming labor markets and production  processes. Economists study how new technologies affect employment, wages, productivity, and  the distribution of economic gains across workers. Technological change has historically generated both job losses and new occupations. Current research examines whether AI represents a  continuation of this pattern or a more disruptive technological shift. 

1.1. Automation and Job Displacement 

Automation occurs when machines or software replace tasks previously performed by workers. Economists study which occupations are most vulnerable to automation and how technological  change affects employment across industries. There is evidence that automation tends to affect routine and middle-skill occupations, such as manufacturing or administrative work. However, recent developments in AI may increasingly affect higher-skill jobs that involve data  analysis or pattern recognition. 

1.2. Skill-Biased Technological Change 

Another important research area examines how technological progress affects wage inequality.  Economists refer to this as skill-biased technological change, meaning that technological progress increases demand for highly skilled workers relative to low-skill workers. AI tools often  complement highly educated workers such as engineers, analysts, and researchers. As a result,  wage gaps between workers with different skill levels may widen. 

1.3. Productivity and Firm-Level AI Adoption 

Researchers also study whether firms that adopt AI technologies experience productivity  improvements. Economists use firm-level data to analyze changes in hiring, output, and innovation  following AI adoption. Productivity gains often vary across firms depending on management  practices, data availability, and workforce skills. 

Possible research question: 

• Does AI adoption increase firm productivity more in technology-intensive industries?Ā Ā 
• Which occupations face the highest automation risk?Ā 
• Does AI adoption increase wage dispersion within firms?Ā 

2. Industrial Policy and Geopolitical Tensions 

Industrial policy has re-emerged as an important area of economic research due to rising  geopolitical tensions and disruptions in global supply chains. Industrial policy refers to  government efforts to promote specific industries through subsidies, regulation, or strategic  investments. Recent geopolitical competition, particularly between major economic powers, has  increased interest in strengthening domestic production in key industries such as semiconductors,  artificial intelligence, and clean energy. 

2.1. Strategic Industry Support 

Governments often support industries considered essential for national security or economic  competitiveness. Examples include semiconductor manufacturing, defense technologies, and  advanced computing. Economists study whether these policies increase innovation and  productivity or distort market competition. 

2.2. Supply Chain Resilience 

Recent global events including pandemics and geopolitical conflicts have exposed vulnerabilities  in global supply chains. Economists analyze how firms diversify suppliers and how governments  encourage domestic production. Policies aimed at supply chain resilience attempt to reduce  dependence on single suppliers or politically sensitive regions. 

2.3. Trade Restrictions and Technological Competition 

Governments increasingly use tariffs, export controls, and investment restrictions to protect  strategic industries and limit technology transfers. Economists analyze how these policies affect international trade and innovation. Geopolitical tensions also have led to restrictions on advanced  technologies such as semiconductors and artificial intelligence components. 

Possible research question: 

• Do subsidies for semiconductor production increase domestic technological capacity?Ā 
• How do geopolitical tensions such as wars affect global supply chain structures?Ā 
• How do export controls affect global innovation and technological diffusion?Ā 

3. Behavioral Economics and Financial Markets 

Behavioral economics integrates insights from psychology into economic analysis. Traditional economic models assume individuals behave rationally and make optimal decisions. Behavioral  research demonstrates that real-world decisions are often influenced by cognitive biases and  emotional responses. In financial markets, these behavioral biases can influence investor behavior  and lead to deviations from traditional models of market efficiency. 

3.1. Investor Overconfidence 

Investors often overestimate their ability to predict financial market movements. Overconfidence can lead to excessive trading and increased volatility in financial markets. Behavioral finance research shows that overconfident investors may underestimate risks and react too strongly to new information. 

3.2. Herd Behavior 

Herd behavior occurs when investors imitate the actions of others rather than relying on  independent information. This behavior can amplify market movements and contribute to speculative bubbles. Financial markets often exhibit herd behavior during periods of uncertainty or rapid price changes. 

3.3. Market Sentiment and Asset Price Bubbles 

Investor sentiment can influence financial markets even when underlying economic fundamentals  remain unchanged. Behavioral economists study how optimism or pessimism among investors can  drive asset prices away from their fundamental values. These dynamics can contribute to financial  bubbles and market crashes. 

Possible research question: 

• How does investor sentiment contribute to asset price bubbles?Ā 
• Do retail investors exhibit stronger behavioral biases than institutional investors?Ā 
• How does news sentiment affect short-term stock market volatility?

4. Climate Economics and Environmental Policy 

Climate change is one of the most important challenges facing modern economies. Economists analyze both the economic costs of environmental damage and the effectiveness of policies aimed  at reducing emissions. Environmental economics focuses on designing policies that balance  environmental sustainability with economic efficiency. 

4.1. Carbon Pricing Policies 

Carbon pricing policies place a cost on greenhouse gas emissions to encourage firms to reduce  pollution. Two common approaches are carbon taxes and emissions trading systems. These policies  create economic incentives for firms to adopt cleaner technologies. 

4.2. Climate Risk and Financial Markets 

Climate change introduces new risks to financial and insurance markets. These risks include  extreme weather events, financial stability, and shifts in energy demand. Economists study whether financial markets incorporate climate risks into asset prices. 

4.3. Green Innovation and Renewable Energy 

Government policies often encourage innovation in renewable energy technologies such as solar  and wind power. Lower costs of renewable energy technologies have been partly driven by policy  incentives and technological innovation. Economists study whether subsidies, research funding,  and regulations accelerate technological progress. 

Possible research question: 

• How do carbon markets affect emissions reductions across industries?Ā 
• Do firms with high carbon emissions face higher borrowing costs?Ā 
• How do government subsidies affect renewable energy adoption?Ā 

5. Inequality and Wealth Distribution 

Income and wealth inequality have become central topics in modern economic research. Rising  inequality has implications for economic growth, political stability, and social mobility. Economists study how labor markets, education systems, taxation policies, and financial markets  influence the distribution of income and wealth. 

5.1. Income Inequality 

Income inequality refers to differences in wages and earnings across individuals and households.  Researchers analyze how globalization, technological change, and labor market institutions affect  wage distributions.

5.2. Wealth Inequality 

Wealth inequality focuses on the distribution of assets such as stocks, real estate, and business  ownership. Because wealth accumulates over time, it tends to be more concentrated than income. 

5.3. Intergenerational Mobility 

Intergenerational mobility research examines whether individuals can improve their economic  status relative to their parents. Economists analyze how education, geography, and labor market  opportunities influence economic mobility. 

Possible research question: 

• Does access to higher education reduce income inequality?Ā 
• How does stock market participation affect wealth inequality?Ā 
• How do regional labor market conditions affect wage inequality?

Final Thoughts

We have only scratched the surface in terms of what’s possible in economics in this article, but we hope youā€™ve gained some idea of the kinds of questions economists ask and try to answer when undertaking their research. Like all academic fields, there are vast reams of knowledge waiting to be uncovered, just waiting for some curious scholar to ask the right questions.

If you want help asking those questions, or undertaking your own research projects (in economics or otherwise), then ³Ō¹Ļ¹ŁĶų can help. Our research mentors are masters of their fields, all with a depth of scholarship and mentorship experience. Schedule a free consultation today to learn more about how we can help you begin exploring the wide seas of wisdom.

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A Brief Note on Internship Locations

Banking internships are generally in person, and take place at physical branches of these banks. Now, where these are located varies, but it is generally going to be easier for students living in cities to have access to at least one of these internships. This is not universally true; not every city has every bank or internship on offer, but cities as a whole offer more of these than more rural areas.

Because these internships are in-person and do not provide housing, you may find your ability to participate limited by geography. Many of these internships will only accept students who are local, or those who can demonstrate that they will have a place to stay during the summer and can positively commit to the entire period of the internship, taking responsibility for their presence and performance.

If you are located in an area without these internships, and do not have the ability to travel, then you may need to look into alternate ways to spend your summer. We have some great articles on that as well. Note that while these internships are great opportunities, they are not required to get a career in finance. They are a great addition, not a pre-requisite.

Fidelity Summer Internships for Students

Fidelity offers a selection of for students. While many of these are aimed primarily at students who are already in college, some are intended specifically for high school students. Notable among these is their program. This offers internship and shadowing opportunities specifically to female high school students.

These are summer internships, and last up to five weeks. Note that these are location dependent, and are hosted by Fidelity branches across the country; you are in charge of your own housing and transportation during these programs. Internships can last for up to five weeks, though some of these are shorter programs. The goal is to give students a sample of what a career at Fidelity is like, and to increase access to and interest in the field of finance. 

There are not currently high school internships widely available at Fidelity, but we do recommend students who are eligible take advantage of these offerings. While the high school programs are not as in-depth as what college students experience, they are still a great introduction to the field of finance.

CLA (CliftonLarsonAllen, never actually called all that, and the no spaces is intentional) offers a summer internship program specifically for high school students, designed to give them hands-on experience with accountancy, and to inspire them to pursue accounting careers in the future. As one of the largest global accounting firms, they are well positioned to do this.

These internships are organized centrally, but are offered and administered by separate CLA branches, and you must apply to the specific branch you wish to intern at. Not every CLA branch offers these internships, but there are opportunities across the US. As with all of these internships, they do not provide housing; for this reason, students generally only apply to internships which are geographically close to them. 

The internship lasts for four weeks in the summer, and interns work a full shift, from 9 am to 4:30 pm. You must be at least 16 to apply, and most internships require you to be under 18; this is an ideal internship for the summer before your senior year. You must be able to commit to the full program, and you must be eligible to work in the US without requiring a visa.

KPMG High School Internship Programs

KPMG (Klynveld Peat Marwick Goerdeler, which nobody uses (seriously, try saying that five times fast)) is one of the Big Four accounting firms. Itā€™s technically a British multinational, but it has a major presence in the US. It is interesting as it has offered high school internships in the past, and may again, but it has currently discontinued them in the US.

In Canada, however, KPMG offers a pair of for high school students interested in finance and accountancy. The SPARK event is a short engagement, where students attend a brief lecture and workshop on careers in accounting, and get to assess what these offer, and whether this field is something that really interests them.

They have also collaborated with a number of partners in Canada to offer coursework and scholarships to students. Their primary internship through this is a six-week summer program specifically for black students in Canada with an interest in finance and accountancy. This provides both an internship experience, and a college scholarship to participating students.

1435 Capital Management Internships

Run by a smaller and more local (but no less interesting) firm, offers a summer internship to high school students interested in the fields of venture capital and finance. This is a hybrid internship based in Princeton, New Jersey; students are expected to be able to commit to both the virtual and in-person portions of the experience.

This internship is aimed at students currently in their junior or senior year of high school; you must be aged 16-18 in order to apply. Applications are processed on a rolling basis. Technically, this internship is open to US students regardless of origin, but due to its nature as a hybrid internship, is generally only suitable for students local to that area. If you live in New Jersey and have an interest in venture capital, then this is a good opportunity for you to consider. This is a paid, ten week opportunity, and you will be working full time for the duration of the internship; this is quite valuable for the length and intensity, which most internships lack.

This is a program in Chicago, and is only open to Chicago students. It is fully funded by the local business community in Chicago; students who apply are partnered with a mentor from that community, all of whom volunteer to work with the program. These are paid opportunities, and exist to give students in Chicago an entryway into the world of business, particularly (though not solely) finance. 

The application is online, and is open from February 1 to March 31. The program has strict eligibility requirements, more so than many of these internship programs. These are: 

• You must be a resident of the city of Chicago
• You must be a current sophomore or junior, and have a GPA of at least 3.0 unweighted
• You must have a family or household income of $80,000 annually or less

The application itself requires a high school transcript, a resume, an essay response, and two letters of recommendation. They are looking for students with the drive and capacity to excel if admitted into this program. You must be able to commit to the full duration of the program. 

During your internship, you will both work directly with your mentor, and attend learning experiences with other interns; workshop, seminars, and other events where you will hear from business leaders and professionals. The goal is to give students a full introduction to the business landscape in Chicago.

Boston Federal Reserve

The Federal Reserve Bank in Boston runs in partnership with Bostonā€™s Private Industry Council. This program is specifically for Boston-Area students, and begins with a summer work experience, followed by the option for a full-year internship program. Depending on student and program, these can last up to three years. 

This program is only available to students who attend public schools in Boston, and is specifically intended to increase the access of low-income students to careers in business and finance. You must be a current sophomore to apply for this program, and able to commit to the full duration of it. 

This is a paid internship program, intended to be an option for students from low income backgrounds who may otherwise need to work during the summer. Who you end up working with and what exactly you are doing depends on the corporate partner you are placed with, though all students have shared mentorship and group experiences as part of the program. This is a very good program for Boston students, and we recommend applying if you live in the area. 

Final Thoughts

Getting involved in finance and business is difficult for high school students, but difficult is not the same thing as impossible. All of these are competitive programs, and require a lot of work once you are admitted, but thatā€™s a large part of what makes them so valuable. Colleges want students who are unafraid of hard work, and who are eager to actively pursue their goals; these programs are a great way for you to demonstrate these traits. 

If youā€™re having trouble finding summer programs that match your own interests, or want advice on applying to one of these rather competitive programs, then ³Ō¹Ļ¹ŁĶų can help. Our mentors are masters of helping students find and develop their passions, and in helping them get into the best programs for them. Schedule a free consultation today to learn more about how we can help you.

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Why did this happen? What changed? And what does this mean for you, and your plans for summer? In this article weā€™re going to explore what this program was, and what changed with it recently. Finally, weā€™re going to explore some alternative ways you can spend your summer gainfully. Letā€™s jump right in!

Why Did Bank of America Student Leaders End?

This is a difficult question to answer, especially because if you go to the , it indicates that the program is ongoing, speaking in the present tense. Once you actually begin your application, however, you are greeted by this message: 

• We are looking for the next generation of community leaders. If you are a freshman (rising sophomore) enrolled at an accredited post-secondary educational institution with a passion for improving your community, we want to help you turn that passion into action.

College freshman and high school students are generally mutually exclusive categories, a fact driven home by the list of eligibility requirements the program provides on the application itself (though not one the website): 

• Be at least 18 years of age at the time of application
• Have achieved your high school diploma or equivalent within the last 2 years (24 months)
• Have earned at least 25 hours and no more than 60 credit hours of post-secondary credit

This has been reported, but primarily by . While this is not always the most reliable news source, they have it right this time, and are clear in their consternation and frustration. This is unsurprising; this was done without any advance warning, and many students who were planning on participating in the program have now been left to find alternatives to apply to instead.

But Why is it Ending?

This is the question we have been unable to answer, and Bank of America has been mum on the subject, even when called for comment. We can make guesses, but these will be no more than speculation. This was a clear pivot, even if the program itself hasnā€™t made any announcements on it. 

Our best guess is that the program, for one reason or another, no longer served the purpose that Bank of America had for it. This may have come from reports from partner organizations, or from changing internal priorities. 

What Can You Do Instead?

This is the problem many students are facing right now, since in many ways the Bank of America program presented a somewhat unique suite of opportunities. There are many chances to volunteer in your local community, but these sorts of paid structured internships are much harder to come across, especially with the added leadership opportunities the Student Leaders program afforded.

This is especially true given how opportunities differ across different fields of interest. There are far more structured research internships in STEM fields, for instance, than in business, and for a long while the Student Leaders program has been the premier opportunity for students who are interested in pursuing a business major.

There are other programs of course, but few structured ones which provide the same kinds of hands-on opportunities that Student Leaders afforded. These opportunities are far more valuable than the ones that offer coursework alone. Learning is good, colleges know that, but learning paired with doing is more impactful, even for theory-focused schools like UChicago.

To that end, here are some options which can provide a similar sort of opportunity, though they may take more work to arrange on your part. Part of the appeal of Student Leaders was the structured nature of the program, though the flexibility of other approaches can have advantages, if you work for them.

Individualized Internships

°Ā±šā€™v±š written about finding internships before, and these can very much take the place of Student Leaders, as that is itself an internship program. You can find your own internships, (as we outline in the article) while this does take some doing, these often allow for more work down the road, and donā€™t necessarily end when summer does. This is an approach we often recommend for students interested in business, as the task of finding an internship is in itself good preparation for what youā€™ll be doing in the future. 

High Level Volunteering

Certain volunteering opportunities just require you to show up and work. This is fine and helpful, thereā€™s a lot of work that needs to be done, and it requires hands to do it. Some volunteering, however, is more structured, and lets you use your talents at a higher level. Building a website for a non-profit. Helping a charity organize its data so it can evaluate its effectiveness. Creating a marketing campaign for a student outreach program.

By doing these things, you are able to work on and build real skills, and in so doing also advance the mission of the non-profit you are working with. Universities often look for students who actively seek to give back to their communities, and volunteering conscientiously in this manner is one of the best ways to do so, especially for students with an interest in business.

Final Thoughts

Programs like this are often somewhat inscrutable, even when they do communicate clearly, which Bank of America very much hasnā€™t in this case. We are disappointed that this program is ending; many students weā€™ve worked with in the past have benefited highly from it, as have the organizations theyā€™ve partnered with. Itā€™s not the only option for your summer of course, but it was a great one.

We hope this article has given you insight into how else you can spend your summer constructively, especially if you were one of the students who most stood to benefit from the Student Leaders program. Finding the best ways to spend your time is a constant challenge for high school students, but one you donā€™t need to deal with alone. At ³Ō¹Ļ¹ŁĶų, our mentors are well experienced at helping students find the best ways to spend their summers, and to explore their passions fully, wherever they may lead. Schedule a free consultation today to learn more, weā€™re always happy to hear from you.

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In this article, weā€™re going to explore one field of research in more depth: Economics (and also business, which is like economics, except when it isnā€™t). Weā€™re going to cover some of the peculiarities of publishing in the field of economics, and then go over some professional economics journals that will accept submissions from high school students. Weā€™re also going to cover best practices for publishing economics research. Letā€™s get started!

How Economics Publication Works

Publication has similarities between disciplines, but each has its own quirks as well. Each academic field is distinct, with its own quirks and traditions. This is because despite all being academia, fields tend to be remarkably self contained, and unconcerned with whatā€™s happening in other fields. 

Economics specifically often has very long publication timelines, far more so than many other fields. This is of course journal or conference specific, but in general it takes much longer to publish in economics. Indeed, even tenured professors tend to only publish one article per year or so.

The research done by economists tends to analyze large sets of data; like all other social sciences, this data relates to human behavior and decision making. Economists try to divine why humans act the way they do, especially in regards to market behaviors. 

Literature reviews are also frequently done in economics, where a researcher goes over a significant number of papers on a single topic and synthesizes the results. These were especially popular during the pandemic however, creating a glut of literature reviews, and leaving fewer papers to synthesize. While you can still perform a literature review for your economics research, you must take care to make sure the same topic was not covered before. 

Economics Publication Options

Now weā€™re going to go through a number of journals which specialize in publishing papers in both Economics and Business. These are professional journals, but will accept papers from high school students if the work is of high enough quality. 

This is an international journal devoted to the science of business and management. While not aimed at high school students, they do accept submissions from them, and are one of the few locales to publish high school research on business and management. They accept both reviews and original research. Articles may be on any field or subfield within business.

All submitted articles must conform to their . All works cited must be referenced in the APA style. Articles which do not adhere to their publication guidelines will be rejected without review of scientific merit.

Articles which meet their guidelines will be reviewed by an editor, who will then send it to reviewers. Their review process is single-blind. The editor makes a publication decision based on the comments of the reviewers. Non-reviewed articles are returned within 10 days. Peer reviewed articles may be accepted immediately for publication, or may have revisions required. The peer review process takes four weeks.

There is a $299 submission fee, and articles are accepted on a rolling basis. They accept approximately 15% of submitted articles from high school students. Generally, accepted papers appear online within 3 weeks, and are published in hard copy at a later date.

This is, in spite of the name, an international journal dedicated to publishing research on business management, industrial engineering, information management, and related topics. This journal is not aimed at high school students, but accepts papers from all authors so long as they meet its publication criteria. A full list of topics accepted by the journal may be found .

AJIBM accepts research papers for publication. Reviews are published, but may only be submitted by invitation. All manuscripts must be submitted online, and must conform to their for formatting. AJIBM uses the APA style for citations. Manuscripts which do not follow their style guidelines will be returned to authors without review of their scientific merit.

Articles which meet their guidelines are then reviewed by an editor, who sends them to reviewers. All reviews are single-blind. The editor prepares a response letter to the author in response to the review comments. All decisions are made within four weeks. A paper may be accepted, rejected, or returned with comments for resubmission after revisions. Open access authors retain copyrights of their papers, all papers are published under the Creative Commons Attribution License. 

There is a processing charge for submitted papers of $499. As the journal does not charge for access to published papers, this goes to funding the operations of the journal and ensuring continued access to published materials. 

As the name suggests, this is an international journal dedicated to publishing research from all areas of the social sciences. While they are not specifically catered to submissions from high school students, they will accept them, so long as they are up to their scientific standards. IJSSER publishes monthly, and submissions are always open. 

All papers must be in English. They publish original research, case studies, review articles, and technical notes. All submissions are subject to double-blind review. All submitted papers must conform to their . All papers are reviewed by an editor first to ensure adherence to these guidelines; those that do are then submitted for peer review.

IJSSER accepts slightly over 50% of all submissions for publication. As IJSSER is an open access journal, they do not charge for access to the papers they publish. They charge publication fees to authors to recoup the costs of running the site and paying editors. The fee to publish is $80 if you are from a high income economy, else it is $70. This covers a submission of up to 30 pages, above 30 pages there is an additional charge of $5 per page.

Final Thoughts

Of course, you can also publish your research in journals meant for high school students, many of which will accept papers on economics. Our list here is meant to demonstrate that there are publication options beyond those just meant for students, and to encourage high schoolers doing advanced research to put it out there where it may be seen and reviewed by professionals in the field. The point of research is to contribute to the sum total of human knowledge, and we believe high school students are capable of doing so.

Of course, doing original research is hard, as is writing a proper research paper discussing it. This is not a skill often taught in high schools, leaving students uncertain how to even begin. Our research mentors equip students with the skills and guidance they need to carry out and publish original research, and to showcase this in their college applications. Schedule a free consultation today to learn how we can help you with your own research goals.

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°Ā±šā€™v±š written before about how to best spend your summer, and concluded that anything that lets you explore and grow in your passions and interests is a good use of your time. To that end, weā€™re exploring how students with certain interests can find opportunities that best suit them, and in this article weā€™re looking specifically at summer programs involving business and entrepreneurship. 

Business is rarely something students get to explore in high school, but it is one of the most popular, and competitive, college majors. This means getting any experience with business in high school is excellent, both to see if itā€™s something youā€™d like to spend your time on seriously, and to begin preparing for college admissions. In this article, weā€™re going to cover some programs that help you do just that. This isnā€™t an exhaustive list, but covers some programs weā€™ve found to be worth consideration. Letā€™s get started!

±«±Ź±š²Ō²Ōā€™s Wharton school is consistently ranked as the best business program in the country. That does not mean that the high school programs it offers are inherently better or automatically the right choice for you, but they are interesting, and worth considering. These programs mostly consist of coursework at Wharton; these are good for an introduction to business, but are not as hands-on as some students enjoy. Weā€™ll give a brief introduction to each of their specific programs.

All of these programs have both a priority application deadline, and a final application deadline. The priority deadline is in late January, and gives you a better chance of acceptance, the final deadline is in April. Finally, note that attending one of these programs has no impact on your chances of admission to Wharton. They may appreciate it on its merits, but it does not give you any kind of extra leg up in the admissions process.

This is a three-week program for rising juniors and seniors. Students will learn how to research and design a new product, and the entrepreneurial skills to create a business around that product. Total cost is $9,799.  This is one of the more hands-on options, and a good choice for students with an interest in the intersection of engineering and entrepreneurship. 

and

These are both two-week programs where you take introductory courses on the chosen topic on Whartonā€™s campus. They cost $7,899 apiece. These are not bad programs, but you can find similar coursework at other schools for a longer duration or lower cost. 

This is a three week program which serves as a general introduction to business and leadership. It mixes coursework, guest lectures, group activities, and research. Total cost is $11,399. This is one of the more popular Wharton programs.

This is a three week program where students learn the fundamentals of data science from Wharton faculty, and how those principles apply to the field of finance. Total cost is $9,799. This is a reasonable option for students interested in data science, but there are better options in the same field. 

This is a three week program on sports analytics and statistics, done through a lens of sports. This is primarily a statistics introduction, but also covers some sports management principles. Total cost $9,799. This is a very good program for students interested in sports management and the business of sports, as few programs cover this.

This program is run by the Fisher Program in Management and Technology, and combines elements from Pennā€™s Wharton and Engineering schools. Students spend three weeks attending courses and building their own prototype for a high tech business venture. Total cost is $9,000. This is a good option for students interested in the intersection of business and tech, and wanting to explore both. 

This is a three week program run by Georgetown (as the name implies), where students take business courses on their campus and hear guest lectures from leaders in finance. This program specifically looks at international business and finance, and the importance of multinational organizations such as the World Bank and the IMF. 

You must apply to this program . You must be a current 8th-12th grade student to be eligible to apply; domestic and international applicants are welcome. The application requires a 300 word personal statement. TOEFL scores are not required for international students, but they caution that if you do not have a proficient grasp on English, you may not gain the full benefits of the program. The early deadline is by the end of January, the regular deadline is in April.

The cost of this program is $7,700 for residential students, or $5,800 for commuter students. This program is an excellent choice for younger students who may want an introduction to specific aspects of business, as the age requirements for this program are laxer than at many other schools. 

(HSSIP)

The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) has established this internship program to introduce students to the banking industry, banking regulation, and the role of the government in finance. This is a six week paid internship, and is only open to students in Washington DC and Prince Georgeā€™s County Md. In addition, all applicants must attend a public or charter school. You must be a current high school junior or senior to apply. 

The eligibility requirements make this position more difficult to apply to, but it is an excellent opportunity for those students who qualify. Government internships will teach you a lot, and the fact that itā€™s a paid opportunity is excellent as well. It will give you a slightly different perspective on finance and banking however, and may not be as ideal for students interested in the industry. If you have an interest in economics or public policy, and are eligible for this internship, then we recommend applying. 

The application for this program is due at the end of February. In order to be eligible to apply, you must be nominated by a school counselor or administrator. We recommend reaching out to them about this in the fall; they should have plenty of warning. The application itself requires an online form; finalists are invited to interview with an OCC panel to check for their fit with the program. 

This is a series of one-week programs offered by Bentley University, with a goal of explaining the mechanics and strategies of stock trading to high school students. There are online, commuter, and residential options for these courses. Each of these is presented as a series of lectures, and is intended to convey about 20% of the material you would cover in an equivalent college course. 

There are multiple each summer, which offer different courses in different formats. The is done online. You must be a rising junior or senior to apply, and must be at least 16 by the start of the program to live on campus; younger students may attend as commuters or online. Applications open in January, and are reviewed on a rolling basis, with a final deadline in June. The cost of this program is $1,490 for online, $2,250 for commuters, and $3,180 for residential students. 

This is an interesting program, but does not offer the same depth that some other college coursework programs have, nor the hands-on applications some programs offer. It can be a good choice for an introductory program. 

Babson College is known for being a liberal arts style college with a sole focus on business and finance, and their summer programs reflect this. This is a three week course that lets students take the exact intro course that Babson students take; there are lectures each morning, and an expectation of an additional five hours of work each day (25 hours a week total of work outside the classroom is expected). 

This program is offered both virtually and in-person. The virtual cost is $6,295 for tuition. The in-person program has that same cost, plus an additional $6,500 charge for room and board. Applications are done online. You must be a rising junior or senior, and must be at least 16 by the start date of the program. International students are welcome to apply, but must submit test scores to certify English proficiency. The application opens in December; the early deadline is January 14, and the standard deadline March 14. 

We recommend this program for students who want a thorough introduction to the fundamentals of business and entrepreneurship. It does not offer the same hands-on experience as some other programs, but does offer a very in-depth discussion of the principles of the field. 

This is a two week residential program offered by UChicago, with the express goal of introducing students to what careers in business and finance are like. The school is one of the known feeders for these careers, and the program offers both lectures by UChicago faculty in the mornings, and excursions and career talks in the afternoons. 

This program costs $5,625, and is open to current 9th-11th graders. Applications must be done , and require a writing sample and a letter of recommendation. International students are eligible to apply, but they must submit a test score demonstrating English proficiency if English is not their primary language of instruction at high school. 

This program is good for younger students, especially 9th graders, in order to give them a taste of what these careers entail, and what finance looks like. Older students would do better in a program which gives a more thorough introduction to some of the academic components of these fields. 

(B-BAY)

This is a two week program run by µž±š°ł°ģ±š±ō±š²āā€™s Haas School of Business (as the name suggests). This program has students learn from Berkeley faculty and lecturers, then work in teams to create and present a business plan. The program is fully residential, with students living on µž±š°ł°ģ±š±ō±š²āā€™s campus and hearing from undergraduates about the school. 

The program accepts 50 students each year, and accepts both domestic and international students. The must be done online; it opens in December and closes in March, though applications are reviewed on a rolling basis. The application requires the online form, one essay response, a transcript, and two letters of recommendation. You must be a current high school student to apply. The program costs $6,292 for California residents, and $7,332 for non-residents. 

This is a good program for students, especially younger ones, to get a sense of how business functions, and to begin gaining some practical experience in designing a business. While this is a relatively short program, it still manages to cover a good amount of ground. 

This is a two week program hosted by Indiana University (in Bloomington), with a focus on how business and communication work between the US and various regions around the globe. Students are taught by faculty from the Kelley School of Business, and receive brief introductions to some less commonly studied languages and regions, along with an overview of business fundamentals. 

The program is open to students who are rising sophomores to seniors. The application must be done online, and is due by April 14. This requires the online form and a letter of recommendation. The program costs $2,000 in total. 

This is a good program for younger students, who may have an interest in international business. If you are interested in a specific language or region, then there are better summer programs to explore these in depth; if you have a more general interest in globalized business however, this is a reasonable option. 

(BOSS)

This is a two week residential program run by Penn Stateā€™s Smeal College of Business. The goal of this program is to give students a chance to take both college prep and business fundamentals courses from Smeal faculty, while also experiencing what life at college is like. 

This program is only open to US residents and residents of Puerto Rico. This program is only open to rising seniors. The application must be done online; it opens October 1 and is due in March. The application requires the online form, a 1-2 page personal statement, a transcript, standardized test scores, and one letter of recommendation. The program fee is $250. 

The goal of the BOSS program is to increase diversity in business, and to give students who might not otherwise have a chance to explore some business fundamentals in high school. This is not considered when reviewing applications, but this program is best for students who have not had much of an introduction to business before, and who may be unable to afford one of its costlier counterparts. This is not the best business summer program, but is quite good at what it aims to do. 

This is a three week residential program run by George Washington University, and specifically overseen by their Cisernos Hispanic Leadership Institute. This program is only for rising seniors at US high schools with a history of both strong academic achievement and leadership and service in the Hispanic community. The program allows students to examine the economic and socio-political factors impacting the Hispanic community, and to learn about how policy impacts these. 

The application for this program opens in December, and is due by March 1. The application requires an online form, several short essays, and a letter of recommendation. This is a fully funded program, with no cost to participate to students; the program will also provide assistance for travel to campus.

This is a great program for students who are more interested in economic and governmental policy, especially those who are members of or otherwise active in the Hispanic community. Note that you do not need to be Hispanic to apply; applicants of all backgrounds are encouraged, but you must have shown a strong dedication to the Hispanic community. This is a more niche program, but quite good if it aligns with your interests. 

This is a two week residential program run by (as the name suggests) University of Michiganā€™s Ross School of Business. This program allows students to experience what life is like at Ross, while taking courses and hearing lectures from faculty and researchers. There is no credit offered for this course. 

You must be a rising senior to apply to this program, and must have a cumulative GPA of 3.0/4.0 or higher. International students are welcome to apply, but preference will be given to domestic applicants. The application must be completed online; this requires two short essays and a letter of recommendation. The application is due by January 21. The program costs $5,500 in total. 

This is an ok program for students interested in business, but its shorter duration means it isnā€™t able to go into the same depth as some other programs. It certainly isnā€™t bad, but some other programs offer better value for the cost. 

This is a four week program offered by USC, with the goal of introducing students to business principles, and giving them practical experience with what is required to start a business. Students take courses and attend lectures by USC faculty, then work in groups to plan out a business. The program also includes trips to businesses around Los Angeles, to learn from what business leaders are doing in the real world. 

This program is only open to students who have completed 10th grade or above by the program start date. The program is open to international students, but they must be able to demonstrate English proficiency. This is an in-person program, though students may participate as either residential or commuters. The total cost is $11,347 for residential students and $7,812 for commuter students. The application must be submitted , and requires the form be completed and a transcript be uploaded. The application is due by the start of May for domestic students and mid-March for international students.

This is a good program for students interested in business, as it is long enough to cover topics in some depth, while also including some practical components, giving students a chance to learn about business through doing. 

This is a three week program run by Barnard College, with the goal of giving students what they need to turn ideas into reality, especially in the context of beginning new groups or start-ups. You do not need an idea to apply; indeed, they prefer students arrive with a blank state. You do need to have a strong interest in developing such ideas and working in a group to make these a reality however. You will participate in workshops and attend lectures, and work in a group to create your own plan for a venture launch.

You must be a current high school student to apply, and at least 14 by the start date of the program. Note that Barnard is a women-only liberal arts college, and only accepts young women to their pre-college summer programs. The application itself requires the online form, a transcript, a letter of recommendation, and a 500 word personal statement. The application opens December 1, the priority deadline is in February, and applications are due by April 15. Note that applications are reviewed on a rolling basis, and seats in the program are limited. The total cost of this program is $10,171 for residential students. 

This is a good program for students interested in entrepreneurship, especially younger ones. The eligibility requirements mean not everyone will be able to apply, but it is worth looking into if you are eligible. 

This is a two week long program run by Tufts University, which seeks to introduce students both to various concepts in entrepreneurship, and to Tufts itself. This is an in-person program, but is available to residential and commuter students. Students will attend a variety of workshops and lectures in the first week, and then spend the second week working in groups to design and develop a venture and business case. 

The application for this program must be done online. It opens in December, and is due by May 1. You must be a rising sophomore-senior to apply, and at least 15 to live in on-campus housing. International students are welcome to apply, but if English is not your first language, you will need to submit proof of English proficiency. The application requires an online form, and one letter of recommendation. The program costs $4,225 for commuter students and $5,750 for residential students.

This is a good program for younger students, ones who are looking for an introduction to what business is, and what it looks like to start one. It does not go as in-depth as some other programs, but does provide a good amount of practical experience. 

Final Thoughts

This is a significant number of programs, though it is by no means an exhaustive list. These programs offered by colleges are not your only option if you are interested in business however. What we have found to be far more valuable is undertaking internships or other ventures which give you practical experience with business. From starting a small business of your own to trying your hand at trading stocks, you will often gain more in the way of practical experience, and more to write about in potential essays, then you will from many of these programs. 

This is not to say these college programs are useless; there is something to be said for learning the theories which underlie business, entrepreneurship, and management, and seeing if these are the kinds of things you would enjoy majoring in. The point is instead that these arenā€™t your only option. 

If you are looking for help finding the right kind of program for you, or in applying to any of these summer programs (some of which can be quite competitive), ³Ō¹Ļ¹ŁĶų is here to help. Our candidacy building program specializes in helping students develop their passions and interests, both when applying to existing programs, and on their own initiative. To learn more about this, and how we can help you, schedule a free consultation today. °Ā±šā€™v±š worked with hundreds of students navigating the long days of summer, and are always happy to hear from you. 

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In this article then, weā€™re going to look at what options you have to study business at top 20 colleges in the US. Weā€™ll look at majors, special programs, and other unique offerings some of these schools have. Each of these schools is unique, and we think this overview will help you understand which will best serve your interests. Letā€™s get started!

Business vs. Economics Majors

Before we discuss individual programs, we want to include a brief note on the differences between business and economics majors. This is because many of the colleges we will be discussing only offer an economics major, not a business one. This is because economics is seen as a science, and fits within the schema of a liberal arts education. Business degrees are career focused, and so many top colleges do not deign to offer them. 

In practice, economics is much more focused on understanding how an economy functions at both the macro and micro levels, with a deep focus on math and data, so as to model the behaviour of humans in aggregate. This often involves a significant amount of math, and can overlap with other fields in the social sciences. 

Business degrees are far more practical in their approach, and cover more of the specifics of actually undertaking some aspect of business or a related subfield. These programs cover less math, and are not as heavily based in theory and data gathering. They can be more or less specialized, and focus on different aspects of what you do in business. 

Both degree options can set you up for careers in finance, on Wall Street, or in other business contexts, but the experience you have in the programs will be very different. Which is better suited for you depends on your own strengths and interests. If you like the academic side more, then economics may be better suited, while if you are more practical minded then business may suit your aptitudes well. 

Finally, there are other degree options which can lead to specific business fields, especially Computer Science and applied math. This is specifically for students interested in quantitative finance or related fields, which make an extensive use of high level math concepts. We will not be focusing on the option to pursue these majors in this article, but we did want you to be aware of their existence.

Top 20 Collegesā€™ Business Options

We will be listing these colleges in alphabetical order for convenience. We will cover what majors they offer, and any special programs they have you should be aware of, including dual degree options. 

Brown

Brown does not offer a business major (or any majors, simply because of how they are organized as a school), but they do have an program, with a number of and an option for an . These do all fall more on the side of economics than business itself, as Brown has a very strong liberal arts bent to its curriculum. They do have a graduate business school which offers an MBA program, but undergraduates only have limited access to it. 

They do have a small number of , which are not quite full concentrations, but which do allow you to explore business to some extent. 

Caltech

Caltech offers the (BEM) Major. This is often paired with engineering or CS majors for students who want to begin careers in entrepreneurship; the students at Caltech tend to look more towards SIlicon Valley than Wall Street for inspiration, though plenty go to both post graduation. This program interfaces with the to give students the option to pursue research in these fields, and to take some graduate level coursework. 

Columbia

The primary way to study business at Columbia is to major in . They have a significant econ program, with many options for students to work with professors and to pursue research. There are a number of research fellowships and prizes available to students as well, though these are aimed more at students who want to pursue economics for academic reasons than those who are interested in it for the study of business. 

There is a available to undergraduates; this is not a major, but may be done in addition to your major. You must apply to this program specifically in your sophomore or junior year, and must have at least a 3.4 GPA to qualify. This allows you to take undergraduate business courses, and to network with faculty in Columbiaā€™s graduate business school. This is a popular option to combine with other majors for students who want to enter business in a particular field. 

Cornell

Cornell offers students a path to study business directly through their . This offers a degree in , and is meant to prepare students to directly enter business after graduation. You may choose from among 11 to further focus your experience in the school.

If you are interested specifically in hospitality management, Cornell has an entire devoted to that, and students are encouraged to apply. While this is also a business degree, it is far more focused in scope, and may not be as useful for students who want to focus in other areas of business.

Dartmouth

There is no set major or minor in business at Dartmouth, instead interested students frequently major in . Students are able to take business at the graduate business school while undergraduates, but these do not form a cohesive major or minor. These may be taken in conjunction with the economics major, or in combination with other fields of study. 

Duke

There is no official business major at Duke, instead interested students generally major in , which also offers an option for a concentration in , of interest to students who are considering a career in finance. Duke does have a graduate business program, and there options there for undergraduates, notably the (COLE), which offers internship and networking opportunities to select undergraduates with an interest in business. Finally, Duke has a office to help guide students who are interested in a career in business. We recommend you reach out to them if you are matriculating at Duke, as they have the best grasp of the resources available on campus. 

Harvard

Harvard, as we noted in our introduction, does not offer a business major; students who are interested often study instead. Harvard has a notably strong economics program, one of the best nationally. For students who wish to pursue a career in business, they have an to help you with networking and to find opportunities which match your goals. 

Harvard undergraduates also have some opportunities to work with the graduate business school. These include a , where undergraduates spend their summer working closely with faculty; this program is open to all undergraduates, not just those at Harvard. is a program for Harvard students to give them a preview of the business school. Participating in these programs does not increase your chances of acceptance to the business school.

Johns Hopkins

Johns Hopkins has no business major, though their graduate school of business does offer an undergraduate . There is an , which some Hopkins students avail themselves of. For students interested in continuing their studies at the business school, they do offer some benefits to Hopkins alumni who . These include test waivers, scholarship eligibility, and a chance for direct admission. 

Finally, there is a dual-degree program offered by . This allows you to earn your BS in engineering and an MBA in just five years. You must apply to this program in your third year of study, and it is competitive. This program is especially recommended for students studying Applied Mathematics and Computer Science, both of which transition quite well to positions in finance and business. 

Notre Dame

Notre Dameā€™s offers six different majors in the field to undergraduates, allowing you to explore various facets of the field. The focus in the program is on , giving students the tools and experience of working in the field while still in undergrad. They also offer a pair of dual degree programs, which allow you to earn an MBA and an undergraduate degree in or in only five years. These programs are a great opportunity for students who want to directly enter business in one of these fields, but want a technical background while doing so.

Princeton

Princeton is exceptional amongst Ivy league schools; not only does it not have an undergraduate business major, it also does not have a graduate business school. They do have a very strong , which many students choose to major in. Their proximity to New York, and Wall Street specifically, does help students with networking and securing internships at firms. They offer a which is open to all majors, and which allows you to take some coursework in their graduate center for finance (which is akin to, but is not, a business school). You must apply for the minor by June 1 of your sophomore year. 

Rice

While Rice does have a business school, this is focused on graduate level education. That said, they do have a open to undergraduates, which draws from the same pool of faculty, and covers much of the same material. Undergraduates are also welcome to take the or ; which are meant to pair with other fields of study. 

There are a number of other majors students interested in business can avail themselves of, namely and ; these are both more theoretical than a pure business major, but provide a solid foundation in the same principles. 

Stanford

Stanford does not have an actual business major for undergraduates; instead interested undergraduates generally major in . They do have an for students interested in pursuing advanced degrees in business. 

UC Berkeley

µž±š°ł°ģ±š±ō±š²āā€™s offers an undergraduate business major which is highly competitive; you must apply directly to the major when you apply to Berkeley in order to land a spot. In addition, they have a number of specialized business programs as well, including the (MET) program, a dual degree for students interested in the intersection of technology and business. The offers a similar dual degree for students interested in business and biology. 

Haas also has its own options for business majors, including chances to intern abroad. Further, they have many to help you take the next steps after earning your degree in business. 

UCLA

UCLAā€™s business school is not itself open to undergraduates, but there is a available through the Economics Department. This gives students the chance to take courses in the graduate business school, but does not fully replicate a standard business school curriculum, instead focusing more on the principles of economics which underpin systems of business. Students may also major in itself.

There is a further concentration available through the Economics Department in , which offers undergraduates a special suite of courses to help them understand the principles of investing. 

UChicago

While UChicago has a highly rated graduate business school, they do not offer an undergraduate business major. Most students interested in business major in economics, which does offer a specialized . Undergraduates are also permitted to take select courses in the graduate business program. 

They do offer a joint BA/MS in , which is specifically aimed at students interested in pursuing jobs in quantitative finance. You may complete this program in four or five years, and apply for it while still an undergraduate. Completing this program requires working closely with your advisor and the program administrator to ensure you complete all the required components. 

UPenn

±«±Ź±š²Ō²Ōā€™s is the best undergraduate business program in the country, and is consistently ranked as such. Beyond the simple major, they offer a significant number of , which allow you to focus in your studies on the subject within business which interests you the most. 

Wharton also offers specialized ; these are for students who wish to combine their study of business with another field. These are even more competitive than Wharton for admissions, and must be applied to directly. There are programs in , , , and . 

Vanderbilt

Vanderbilt does not have a set business major, though they do have a for undergraduates. Students who wish to enter business either pursue the minor or major in . Students in the business minor do have the chance to take courses from the graduate business program. 

Students in the school of music have an opportunity to combine their undergraduate degree with an MBA in . This is a very selective program, and only open to students in teh school of music. 

Yale

While Yale does have a top-ranked business school, this is only open to graduate students. Undergraduates interested in business generally major in . You are encouraged, but not required, to complete a as part of this major; this is particularly aimed at students with a research focus. 

Final Thoughts

Business is an incredibly popular program of study for students, and we work with significant numbers of high school students each year who want to pursue business at a top college. We hope this article has given you a solid overview of what business options actually exist at these colleges, and how studying business can differ greatly depending on which school you go to. 

Of course, one thing all of these programs do have in common is how competitive they are for admissions. All of these schools have staggeringly low acceptance rates, and they get lower every year. If you want to maximize your chances of admission, or help deciding what kind of business program is right for you, schedule a free consultation with us today. We have a long experience helping students get into top colleges, and are always happy to hear from you.

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To this end, some colleges offer deferred admission MBA programs. These are refereed to as 2+2 programs generally; as you spend two years working, then two years completing the program. In this article, weā€™re going to explore what these programs are, how they work, and whether theyā€™re a good choice for your goals. Letā€™s jump right in!

What are 2+2 Deferred MBA Programs anyway?

MBAs are generally 1 or 2 year programs, depending on how much material they cover, and how intensive the instruction is. Most MBA programs work the same as college or other graduate programs; you apply and then immediately begin work in the program. Deferred 2+2 programs, however, work differently.

In college admissions, you have the option to defer your attendance for a year. This is a rare choice, but is often done by students who want to work for a year, or have a concrete project they are pursuing which would interfere with their time in college. These students apply as normal, but donā€™t begin attending the school until a year after they normally would. We explore more how this works for undergraduate programs in this article. 

For deferred 2+2 programs, however, this is structural, and a core component. After you apply and are admitted, there is a built-in two-year gap before you enter the MBA program at the university. This is meant for you to gain experience working, either in the private sector, for the government, or with nonprofits, then apply this experience to what you learn in the MBA program. 

This is generally two years, but can be extended to up to four, depending on the program. Harvard, , has a two year gap as the standard, but allows you to defer up to four years if the work you are doing requires it. 

The reason this exists is because many universities have found that having practical experience helps students succeed in MBA programs. Further, many students who plan on doing MBAs want to work for a spell after college anyway; both as a break from academics and to gain the sort of experience these programs like to see. 

These programs allow students to apply for an MBA while still in undergrad, then have a built-in break to pursue a career before beginning the next phase of their education. The actual work done in the MBA program is standard for these programs; the only real variance is in the structure of the program.

Who Offers 2+2 Programs?

MBA programs vary in quality, with those offered by top schools offering significantly more to students in terms of networking ability and job prospects than lower tier programs. We are therefore not going to list out every single 2+2 deferred MBA program, but give a sample of some of the ones offered by top universities. 

Top schools which offer deferred MBA programs include: 

• : 6-7% acceptance rate
• : 9-12% acceptance rate
• (UPenn): 14-20% acceptance rate
• : 20% acceptance rate
• : 12-20% acceptance rate
• : 14% acceptance rate
• : 18-22% acceptance rate
• : 5% acceptance rate
• : 26-35% acceptance rate
• : 13-20% acceptance rate

This is not an exhaustive list of these programs, but gives you a sense of the options available to you. There are subtle variations in what these programs offer, but that is the case for all MBA programs; the broad generalities are the same, while the specifics differ (much like colleges themselves). 

To give you a sense of these differences, weā€™re going to look at a few of these programs in more detail, so you get a more in-depth understanding of what they offer. 

This program is aimed at undergraduate students, and in its specifics is exactly the same as Harvardā€™s regular MBA program. The application is the same as well, though the due date is later. They have preferences for students who come from lower socio-economic backgrounds, those who are first generation students, and those who are planning to enter underrepresented industries. 

The program is open to students in their final year of undergraduate study to apply to. If you are in a joint BA/MA program or another masterā€™s program you are eligible to apply, so long as you have not had professional experience. Students enrolled in PhD or MD programs are not eligible to apply for this. 

A GMAT or GRE score is required to apply. TOEFL or IELTS scores are required if your primary language is not English, and you attended an international university where the primary language of instruction is not English. 

If you are accepted by the program, you must pay a $1,000 deposit to secure your spot, and withdraw from all of the other MBA programs (including deferred ones) you applied to. 

As with undergraduate colleges, similar programs at different universities have different names and descriptions, despite being quite similar otherwise. Thus Whartonā€™s deferred 2+2 MBA program has a different name, despite functioning nearly the same as Harvardā€™s program structurally. 

You apply for this program during the final year of your undergrad program, or during your graduate degree program. Unlike the Harvard program, you may still apply if you have already graduated from your undergraduate program, but it must be recent. A GMAT or GRE score is required to apply. 

You must pay a split deposit; $1,000 is required when you accept your place in the program; another $1,000 is required the year you would enroll. You must submit a yearly declaration of intent to enroll in the program. You must withdraw from other MBA programs you have applied to, including deferred ones.

This program allows you to apply to Stanfordā€™s standard MBA program now, then enroll after one to four years of professional experience. A notable difference between this program and others of this type is the one year option; most of these deferred programs require at least two years and up to four, but Stanford allows you to defer for only a single year should you so choose. 

They are looking for either undergraduates in their senior year or graduate students in their final year to apply. Unlike some other programs, they will accept students who are currently pursuing PhDs, MDs, or law degrees, so long as you entered these programs directly out of undergrad, and you did not work full time before beginning your graduate program (this includes full-time internships). 

The application for the deferred program uses the exact same application as Stanfordā€™s regular MBA program, with all of the same components. You request a certain amount of deferred time when you apply, but they may offer a different amount of time based on your application. A $1,000 deposit is due if you are accepted, with another $1,000 deposit due the year you are set to matriculate. Both are applied to your first yearā€™s tuition for the program. 

UChicagoā€™s deferred MBA program sets itself apart by not including the terms ā€œdeferredā€ or ā€œMBAā€ in its title. The program accepts applicants who are in their final year of undergrad, including joint Bachelorā€™s/Masterā€™s programs, but not students who have graduated or those in other graduate programs. If you transitioned directly from undergrad to a masterā€™s program, you are still eligible to apply.

Unlike other deferred programs, you may defer from two to five years before beginning coursework at the Booth school. In all other ways, the coursework you end up taking is the same as that done by all other MBA students at the school. 

GMAT or GRE scores are required in order to apply. If you are an international student whose primary language of instruction in college was not English, you are required to submit scores from an English proficiency test. You must maintain full time employment during the period of deferral. You must submit a form each year of your deferral which updates the program on your employment. 

Is a Deferred MBA Program Right for You?

This depends entirely on your goals with your MBA. Certain careers and fields require one, especially to advance past a certain level within the corporate hierarchy. Some of these fields have additional requirements, and only look for candidates who have both real work experience and an MBA under their belt when they apply. 

This is true of many consulting firms, plus many management positions across a wide array of industries. You should consider what your own ambitions are in light of getting an MBA, and whether or not having career experience would help you attain your overall goals. If so, then a deferred program offers a number of benefits. 

First, and perhaps most importantly, it saves you the stress of applying again. Applying to graduate programs is stressful enough when youā€™re in undergrad, but when working full time (or more than full time, as is often the case in finance and consulting), finding the time to apply can be a dicey proposition. Having a spot ready and waiting for you already is a major stress reliever. 

Further, having a set time frame to do work then return to an MBA can help you reconfigure your career path, and open new avenues for advancement. There is often a set amount you can advance within one company; having a set deadline where you return to education provides a clean break, often on good terms, and allows you to either pivot the direction of your career, or reinvigorate it in the same setting.

Finally, having real world experience puts a lot of the things you encounter during an MBA into a new light. Having the practical experience with how a business runs, regardless of field, gives you new insights, and lets you take more away from many of the courses you will be taking. This makes the work you do in an MBA far more valuable overall. 

Final Thoughts

MBA programs are a key stepping stone for any number of careers in business and administration, and offer students a wealth of information and experiences. Deferred programs are an avenue of MBAs which many students are unaware of, but which offer a unique set of advantages, especially to students who are already thinking about their long term career goals. 

We hope that this article has given you a good sense of what a deferred MBA program can offer, and the kinds of variance you can find in top programs. If you are looking for help in applying to one of these programs, or advice on planning out just how an MBA can fit into your long term goals, schedule a free consultation with us today. We understand exactly what admissions officers are looking for, and are always happy to hear from you.

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These are very popular with undergraduates, as they combine two already incredibly popular options. Of course, not all high school students know what exactly to study to get into the world of Fintech. In this article, weā€™ll give you the full picture; what your options are, how best you can study them, and the career options once you have. Letā€™s get started!

What is Fintech Anyway?

Fintech is the term for technologies related to finance, both in terms of delivering financial systems to consumers and used by corporations themselves. This is understandably a broad field, covering everything from online banking and smartphone payments to automated trading algorithms to blockchain technology and cryptocurrencies. 

This broadness makes saying things definitively about the field as a whole difficult, because what may be true for one sector may not be for another. That said, this is a rapidly growing field generally, as new technologies give significant new options for both reaching consumers and managing financial resources. 

Fintech is one of the fields of finance most open to growth and disruption, but also one with much uncertainty because of that. Technology often outpaces regulation by several years, but this can mean serious instability in certain market sectors. 

We will speak about the field generally for the rest of this article, with notes as to whether or not certain advice applies either broadly or narrowly. 

What Should You Major in to Pursue Fintech?

There are a with dedicated Fintech majors, minors, and other programs, but these are by far a minority. Further, very few of these are offered by highly ranked schools, and most instead are offered by state or local colleges.

Just because there isnā€™t a major in a field doesnā€™t mean you canā€™t study it; after all, thereā€™s no pre-med major at any Ivy League school, but they send hundreds of graduates on to medical schools each year. In the same way, you donā€™t need a Fintech major in order to enter this field. Hereā€™s what you do need:

Computer Science 

Technology is the second part of the term Fintech, but is the more important one by far. Itā€™s easier to teach someone who already understands coding and higher level math about finance than the reverse. The most important thing for any career in Fintech then is a solid grounding in computer science principles. 

A general CS degree is of use here, or you may specialize if there is a specific subfield you already know you are interested in. At minimum, we recommend minoring in computer science; else you will not have the skills you need for this field. 

The top five CS programs for students interested in Fintech are:

1. . They are well known for the strength of their CS program, and allow all students to take a selection of economics courses as well as business ones.
2. . Stanfordā€™s program is not only excellent, but highly flexible, allowing you to specialize wherever you need to grasp emerging technologies.
3. . As CMU requires all CS majors to minor in another subject, this gives you an excellent opportunity to explore other fields which will be beneficial to a career in Fintech.
4. : Generally regarded as one of the best schools for engineering and technology generally, the preparation you get at Caltech will set you up for any role focused on computers or programming.
5. . On top of a very strong CS program, Harvard has significant alumni connections to many firms using and exploring Fintech, opening up significant opportunities for networking for current students.

Finance

This is secondary; it is entirely possible to get a job in Fintech with only a CS degree, never having taken a business or economics course. That said, having some knowledge of the field is helpful, especially given how important networking is in business generally. 

We recommend taking several courses in economics or business, so that you understand the fundamentals of the field. A minor can also be useful. Further, involvement with business related extracurriculars is incredibly important, as this is a major component of networking for jobs in finance. 

You can of course double major in Computer Science and either business or economics, but this depends on the university you are attending. Double majoring is a good way to get an in-depth understanding of both fields, but the popularity of both can make doing this difficult logistically.

Here are the top five programs to study economics or business in, if your goal is a job in Fintech. Note that we recommend combining these with a CS minor at least:

1. . Pennā€™s Wharton school tops the lists of best business programs for a reason. It gives you everything you need for a successful career on Wall Street or elsewhere.Ā 
2. . Itā€™s not just the great education you get at Harvard; their alumni network and connections are some of the best in the world for students interested in careers in finance.Ā 
3. . Located in the heart of New York, transitioning from Columbia to Wall Street isnā€™t even much of a commute.Ā 
4. . Not only is their program quite good, they have a strong focus on the math and data underlying the study of economics, which is useful for anyone looking to specialize in the data heavy field of Fintech.
5. . Cornell has a top performing business program, and while located on the other end of New York, still sends many students on to careers on Wall Street.

Combined Degree Programs

There are a number of degree programs which allow you to simultaneously study both technology and business. Many of these are designed with a focus on developing new technologies and the entrepreneurship skills needed to launch a successful startup, but the skills they impart are equally useful for students interested in Fintech. 

While these programs are excellent, they also tend to be incredibly competitive for admissions. This makes sense; both computer science and business are among the most popular majors available, and any major which combines them is going to be even more so. While you can also simply double major, these combined degree programs are a step above this, and are definitely worth looking into.

Here are our top five combined degree programs in business and economics:

1. . Students double major in Wharton and the College of Engineering, and learn the tools of both in combination.Ā 
2. . The Management, Entrepreneurship, and Technology program is meant to equip students with the skills they need to be the next Silicon Valley startup, but it translates equally well to Fintech careers.
3. . Brown technically doesnā€™t have majors, but this program allows students to combine their studies of these two fields, preparing them to apply the skills of one to succeed in the other.
4. . UT Austin offers the honors Computer Science and Business program, where students enroll in two separate honors programs, taking courses in each.Ā 
5. . This major combines Economics, CS, and Data Science, and allows you to dive deep in each. Combined with MITā€™s strong alumni network, students with this major have no trouble finding positions in Fintech.

How to Find a Job in Fintech as an Undergrad

Finding a job in Fintech is similar to finding any other job in finance. Note that this is different from finding jobs in tech; while this discipline sits at the intersection of these two fields, the companies which overwhelmingly work in Fintech are based in business and finance adopting new technologies, rather than originating from tech companies. 

Thus finding a job relies not just on what you do in the classroom, but what you do outside of it. All of the following are key to finding a job in Fintech: 

• Pursue finance related extracurriculars. Your resume will be important for finding jobs, and involvement in business organizations will help. Business honors societies can also help a lot here, as alumni from these organizations tend to love helping each other out.Ā 
• Look for internships. Landing an internship with a company often leads to a job offer in the future. Even if it doesn’t, the experience and connections you make will help you secure further opportunities.Ā 
• Work on networking. We have a longer explanation of how and when to do this in our general guide to careers in business, and the same information applies here.Ā 

Employers are going to be looking specifically for your technical ability here; while knowledge of finance and business is incredibly helpful in navigating the industry, it is your technical skills which will land you a position. Most major financial firms are moving into Fintech; with the way the industry is going, they have no way of avoiding doing so. 

How to Explore Fintech in High School

As with many fields of study, you donā€™t need to wait until you enter college to begin exploring Fintech. While the options for exploring this specific intersection are going to be limited in high school, there are still ways you can learn relevant skills or concepts, or gain practical experience. 

The first, and simplest way is by gaining experience with coding and computer science generally. There are many ways to do this, through academic coursework, extracurriculars, and summer programs. While this may not be directly related to the field of Fintech, experience with programming generally will help you build the skills you will need to succeed in the field, and help you when you apply to study technology in college. 

If you are more ambitious, you can look for internships and opportunities which specifically combine business and technology, or make your own. Helping a small nonprofit by coding an app that tracks their purchases or manages donations is a great introduction to how technology can impact the field of business, and make things easier for people to conduct their business.

Final Thoughts

It is unsurprising to find an intersection between business and technology, and the careers in this niche are increasingly popular and prevalent. While majors to study this field specifically are rare, special programs and a growing interest means there are plenty of ways for students to get involved with Fintech in undergrad, or even earlier. 

We hope this article has provided a solid introduction to the field, and what you need to know to pursue both your studies and a job in it. As with many other careers in business, the college you attend has a significant impact on your chances of landing a job with a top firm. If you are looking for advice on applying to one of these top colleges, or want to know which specific major will do the best job of positioning you for a job in Fintech, schedule a free consultation with us today. We have a long experience working with students, and are always happy to hear from you.

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In this article, weā€™re going to examine both why this is, and which undergraduate programs do the best job of positioning you for a job with a top firm. While you can succeed in business outside a top firm, the appeal of working at one is clear. Letā€™s get started!

How Feeder Programs Work for Business

Business, especially at the highest levels, is an incredibly insular field. Many top firms hire exclusively from a short list of undergraduate schools and top MBA programs. Their belief is that the admissions standards for these institutions act as an initial filter system, a pre-screening of candidates if you will.

Not all firms do this of course, but the most notable financial and consulting firms do. The fact that all of the employees of these firms are graduates of these programs already only adds to the insular nature of the field. Alumni of a school are already predisposed towards their fellow alums due to their shared experiences and understandings, and these firms simply enhance this effect. 

MBA programs work in a slightly similar way; many of the students at top MBA programs either come from top undergraduate business schools, or worked previously in business. While an MBA can help your business career generally, most top firms only care about degrees from the top echelon of schools; exactly the way they only recruit from select undergraduate programs.

These MBA programs often have very low acceptance rates, but are still easier to get into than some of the top firms if you did not otherwise attend one of their designated feeder schools. While this system isnā€™t fair, and can be called elitist, there are no signs of it changing. After all, the system seems to function currently, so there is no impetus for change. With that understood, letā€™s look at the undergraduate programs that best position you for top business careers. 

What are the Top Feeder Schools for Business?

To evaluate this, weā€™re going to look at undergraduate university placements both at top 10 MBA programs, and job placements with top Wall Street firms. This data is collected from LinkedIn, and so is not all-encompassing, but does give a good idea of the trends which exist.

Note that these results are not corrected for the size of the college, so larger schools do have an advantage. You can still have a great career in business if you attend a smaller liberal arts college.

One thing to note is that we organized this list based on placements at top firms, rather than acceptances into top MBA programs. First, because getting into a top firm right out of undergrad allows you to get started with your career sooner, and second because it is easier to get into a top MBA program from a less competitive undergraduate program than to gain a seat at a top firm.

You may also notice that a lot of students are attending Wharton, and that there are only a small number of MBA programs mentioned at all. This is intentional; there are only a small number of MBA programs which are considered truly elite, and top students tend to concentrate in these, as they give the largest boost to your career prospects. 

Finally, you will note that most of the colleges above donā€™t offer a business major at all, even among the ones with a top MBA program. As we explain in our guide to business, you donā€™t actually need to major in business to pursue it as a career. 

Is an Attached MBA Program an Advantage? 

There are only a small number of truly elite MBA programs, all of which are attached to top undergraduate programs. The obvious question then is whether attending one of those undergraduate programs can give you a boost when it comes to either applying to the MBA, or when applying for a career in business. 

The answer is yes for both. First, and most importantly, many of these colleges (though not all) offer joint or five year degrees to undergraduate students, where they can directly continue their studies in a Masterā€™s program. Unlike law or medicine, combined masterā€™s programs are quite common, and frequently have much lower barriers of entry for current students, so long as you have shown yourself capable in your current studies. 

In addition to combined degree programs, many of these schools allow undergraduates to take classes directly in the business school. While you usually canā€™t take upper level coursework, you can still enroll in graduate level business courses. Of course, this is not the full MBA experience, but can give you a broader view of business, and valuable tools when applying for a job in the field. 

This doesnā€™t mean you need to attend an undergraduate school with an attached elite MBA program if you want to pursue business, but if you are deciding between two schools that are otherwise equivalent in your eyes, this can be a deciding factor. 

How Does This Impact You?

If you simply want to pursue a career in business to find a stable career, or because the thought of accountancy excites you, then you can and should pursue whichever college best suits your needs. If you have the goal of working at a top financial, investing, or consulting firm, then you may want to narrow your focus. 

A very small number of top undergraduate colleges provide the vast majority of recruits at these firms, and some only recruit from certain select programs. Now that you know this, you know which colleges you need to focus on with your undergraduate applications. 

Of course, these colleges are all very competitive for admissions, but that is a significant reason why these companies recruit so heavily from them. They see this admissions process as a first round of screening for their future employees. If you can succeed here, you can succeed anywhere.

Final Thoughts

Business is a very popular career aspiration for high school students, and business programs are often among the most competitive for admissions at top colleges. While this article does not go over the pros and cons of every great business program, it does demonstrate that the college you attend can influence your chances of ending up working for a top firm.

Itā€™s a lot of pressure to think this far ahead in the future, and think your whole life may be impacted by where you end up going to college. We want to reiterate that you can get a great career in business regardless of where you attend undergrad. That said, if you are looking for advice on applying to one of these top programs, we have a lot of experience in doing so. Schedule a free consultation today to learn about how we can help you with your educational goals.

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Each of these programs allows you to explore computers and business in more depth than is otherwise possible, and affords you expanded horizons. In this article, weā€™ll cover what each program offers, and how to apply to it. Weā€™ll also compare them, so you can determine which program is the best fit for your needs and desires. If you are interested in a broader overview of UT Austinā€™s Honors programs, see our article on the subject.

The ECB Honors program is a joint program, which allows students to earn simultaneous bachelorā€™s degrees in computer engineering and business. Students in the program are part of both Electrical and Computer Engineering Honors and the Canfield Business Honors programs.

Students in the program form a small cohort, and a focus on team-based learning is integral to the experience. During their senior year, students work together on a capstone design project. 

You are enrolled in classes with both Canfield students and ECE Honors students. The schedule is very full, and depending on what credits you enter UT Austin with, you may need to take summer courses to graduate in four years. Many students come into the program with the following course credits (though they are not required for admission): 

• Differential and Integral Calculus
• Microeconomics
• Macroeconomics
• Physics: Mechanics
• Physics: Electricity and Magnetism
• English Literature
• US History
• US Government

You can earn many of these credits in high school through AP courses and exams, or through dual enrollment college credits. They provide a of what your course load may look like in the program. While you do not need to sign up for these exact classes, it does provide you with a sense of scale for the programā€™s requirements for graduation.

While the program is incredibly intense, it provides a solid grounding in computer engineering and business analytics alike, and is aimed at students entering the growing field of tech startups and computer focused entrepreneurial ventures. 

ECB Admissions

To apply to the program, you must put down Unspecified Business and ECE as your two top choice majors. Put down whichever one you like more as your top choice major. You may then apply to either the Canfield Business Honors program, or ECE Honors. Again, you should apply to whichever program appeals to you more. You do not have to apply to either program to apply to ECB, but they do serve as a backup if you are not admitted to ECB.

Canfield Business Honors and ECE Honors both require an additional essay. These are: 

• Canfield: Discuss a single piece of business news in the last year that has affected your view on the need for a high-quality business education, and tell us why this has affected or reinforced your desire for a business education. You do not need to go into detail about this piece of business news ā€” a quick reference to the event will suffice. It can be something that occurred in your community, in the U.S., or internationally. Spend the majority of your response on how this event affected your views. Please limit your response to no more than 250 words.
• ECE: Describe your significant activities, employment, and achievements, particularly those relevant to the study of Electrical and Computer Engineering. Also describe your educational and career goals. Please limit your response to no more than 500 words.

The ECB program itself requires an essay response: 

• Honors Electrical and Computer Engineering and Business (ECB) is a powerful dual degree program looking for students who are dedicated to both an electrical and computer engineering and business honors education. Why do you see this as a combination of skills for your career goals? What have you done in high school, in the classroom and outside, to prepare you for honors engineering and business course work? Please limit your response to no more than 500 words.

All honors applications require you to submit an expanded resume, and an additional letter of recommendation form a teacher in an academic subject. You must indicate your intention to apply for an honors program.

The CSB Honors program is a joint venture between the Canfield Business Honors program and the Turing Scholars program from the Department of Computer Science, in the College of Natural Sciences. Students in the program take classes from both, and master both subjects over the course of four years. 

The program provides a sample to demonstrate what your time there may look like. While you are not required to take these exact classes, you are expected to take classes from the , which combines honors offerings from the CS department and Canfield. You are not required to arrive with any course credits, though doing so may reduce the amount of work you need to do during your time at UT Austin.

The program strives to create a close knit community for its students, and believes that the connections it fosters there are a key part of the educational experience. Due to the small size of the program, cohorts generally get to know each other well, and often form lasting friendships. 

CSB Admissions

You must select Unspecified Business and Computer Science as your first and second choice majors to apply to this program. Your top-choice major should be whichever one you are more interested in of the two. You must then indicate your interest in an honors program; depending on which major you listed as your first choice, you may apply to either Canfield Business Honors or Turing Scholars (you do not have to apply to either, though you are allowed to apply to one). 

Turing Scholars and Canfield both require additional essays, as does the CSB program. We list the prompt for Canfield above, the others are:

• Turing: Describe your significant activities, employment, and achievements, particularly those relevant to the study of computer science. Also describe your educational and career goals. Please limit your response to no more than 500 words.
• CSB: Texas CSB is an innovative dual degree program looking for students who are dedicated to both computer science and business. Why do you see this as a powerful combination of skills for your career goals? What have you done in high school to prepare you for computer science and business course work? Please limit your response to no more than 500 words.

An additional letter of recommendation from a teacher in an academic subject and an expanded resume are required components of your application to CSB. Phone interviews are offered to select applicants by invitation only. These interviews are conducted by alumni of the program. See our article on interviews for advice on completing a successful college interview.

Is ECB or CSB Better for You?

Both ECB and CSB provide a world class education, an introduction to the worlds of business and technology, and a solid grounding for success in either enterprise. Further, both offer all the amenities of UT Austinā€™s honors programs, including expanded access to merit scholarships, the ability to live in honors housing, and expanded on-campus resources for career advising and mentorship. 

The largest difference between the programs come from the differences between computer engineering and computer science, two fields which are superficially similar but vastly different in terms of scope and focus. 

To simplify a very complex topic, computer engineering is generally the study and design of computer hardware. The circuits and chips which build the infrastructure on which modern technology runs. Computer science is the study and design of computer software through programming, creating the code which allows various programs to operate. Computer engineers often do learn coding as well, but it is not the main focus of their training or efforts. 

Thus your own interests in technology should dictate which program you apply to, and which will best serve your needs. If you are interested in hardware, and the physical structures which underpin modern technology, ECB will suit you better. If, instead, you are fascinated by code and the electronic languages which allow computers to run the world, then CSB will fit you better. 

Both programs tie into business, and how to market the various creations equally, as both partner with the well-renowned Canfield Business Honors program. The biggest difference is on the technical side, so this is what should influence your decision between the two.

Final Thoughts

Honors programs are a great way to gain access to additional resources at college. These particular programs are both great ways to gain experience in the intersection of entrepreneurship and innovation, and both turn out graduates ready to change the world with their ideas and inventions. 

We hope this article has given you a good understanding of each program, and provided insight into which will be a better fit for you. Both of these programs are incredibly competitive from an admissions standpoint; equivalent to an Ivy League school. If you want help on your admissions journey, or want to learn more about your options, schedule a free consultation with us today. We have a depth of experience helping students get into amazing programs, and are always happy to hear from you.

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