Business Programming for High School Students

Learn about business while participating in campus life.

Olin offers the following summer program specifically created for high school students to learn about business. In this program, you experience life on campus, meet like-minded college-bound students and learn business fundamentals.

Gateway To Business

This hybrid course introduces you to business, leadership and teamwork skills development and career preparedness. Students have three virtual sessions and a one-week residential experience on Washington University’s campus in St. Louis.

• Earn college credit while developing business savvy.
• Refine professional communications, including resume, cover letters and LinkedIn profile.
• Build your personal brand and develop a personal statement for your college essay.
• Become familiar with different fields within business.
• Problem-solve for a real-world client through an experiential learning project.
• Deepen your leadership and teamwork skills.
• Spend a week on WashU’s campus engaging with faculty and professionals from involved organizations and fellow students.

2026 Dates

The Gateway to Business program consists of a one-week residential experience at Washington University in St. Louis.

Program Dates: July 12–July 17, 2026

Gateway to Business program eligibility:

To be eligible for the Gateway to Business Program, students should:

• Be a rising junior or senior in high school (graduating in 2027)
• Be a resident of the United States, Canada, or Mexico

Program Fees

The $1,800 fee will cover program materials, housing, meals, and other miscellaneous expenses.

Application Requirements

Students must provide a current resume, current unofficial high school transcript, and at least one letter of recommendation from a teacher who can speak to the student’s academic capabilities.

Applications are due in early March.

Admitted students will be notified of their admission in early April.

Scholarship Assistance

A limited amount of need-based scholarship assistance is available for the Gateway to Business program. In order to be considered for a need-based scholarship, we must receive a completed application for scholarship assistance by the deadline of Friday, April 17. Scholarship eligibility is determined based on various factors regarding family income. Scholarships range in amount and awards will be based on demand. Any remaining portion of the program fee is your responsibility to cover. Unfortunately, due to limited program funding, full scholarships are not available.

Please note: scholarships do not cover the travels expenses or personal expenses. Scholarship awards are non-transferrable between WashU pre-collegiate programs.

Priority consideration is given to students with a demonstrated need. These needs include the following circumstances:

• Family annual income is $75,000 or less
• You receive or are eligible to receive an ACT or SAT testing fee waiver
• You are enrolled in or are eligible to participate in the Federal Free or Reduced-Price Lunch Program
• Your annual family income falls within the Income Eligibility Guidelines set by the USDA Food and Nutrition Service.
• You are enrolled in a federal, state, or local program that aides students from low income families (e.g. TRIO programs such as Upward Bound or Gear UP)
• Your family receives public assistance (e.g. TANF)
• You live in a federal subsidized public housing complex, a foster home, or are unhoused
• You are a ward of the state or an orphan
• You can provide a statement of support from a school official or community leader that reinforces your need for assistance

If you meet any of the eligibility criteria listed above, please email brodie@wustl.edu and we will direct you to the scholarship application.

Contact Us

Mailing Address:
Gateway to Business
Olin Business School
Washington University in St. Louis
One Brookings Drive
MSC 1133-124-118
St. Louis, MO 63130-4899

For questions, please contact Dr. Shawn Brodie, Associate Director of Academic Advising & Student Affairs at brodie@wustl.edu.

Student Reflections

I absolutely loved it! I think it gave me a great idea of what consulting would look like as a career.

—Ashley, Rising Senior from Ohio