15 Pre-University Leadership Programs

TL;DR

You’ll find 15 pre-university leadership programs here, from tuition-free options like Notre Dame’s Leadership Seminars and the FBINAA Youth Leadership Program to paid intensives at HEC Paris and the African Leadership Academy. The biggest difference is who can apply, since programs like Subiendo and CU Boulder only accept students from their home state while others welcome applicants worldwide. Most programs run from a few days to two weeks and suit rising juniors and seniors. TED Summer School runs for two weeks in London, New York, Singapore, and Sydney for students aged 15 to 18, with a virtual option from age 14.

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Leading a club or captaining a team is a great start, but pre-university leadership programs show you what leadership looks like when the setting and the stakes get bigger. You might defend a marketing strategy to a panel of judges, design a community project in Johannesburg, or practice decision-making alongside law enforcement professionals. Along the way, you sharpen public speaking, teamwork, and judgment in ways a classroom rarely tests.

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Many of these programs run on university campuses, so you also get a preview of college life before you apply. Several, including Notre Dame, Subiendo, and CU Boulder’s Business Leadership Program, are tuition-free, while others offer bursaries or scholarships. Some even award college credit.

What are pre-university leadership programs?

Pre-university leadership programs are short programs for high school students, usually hosted by universities, business schools, or public institutions, that build leadership skills through case studies, simulations, team projects, and presentations. Most last from a single day to two weeks, and many include campus housing.

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Programs differ in focus. Some, like Ivey and CU Boulder, teach leadership through business cases, while NUS and UNITAR approach it through public policy and diplomacy. Before you apply, check eligibility closely, since several free programs only accept students from a specific state. Deadlines also vary widely, from Notre Dame’s January cutoff to rolling admissions at Mercy University.

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To help you compare your options, we’ve put together a list of 15 pre-university leadership programs!

15 Pre-University Leadership Programs

1. FBI National Academy Associates: Youth Leadership Program

Location: FBI National Academy, Quantico, VA
Cost: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive; 62 students selected each year
Dates: July 9-17, 2026 (2027 dates not yet posted)
Application Deadline: February 2nd, 2026, through your local FBINAA chapter (2027 schedule not yet posted)
Eligibility: High school sophomores and juniors aged 14-16 by the program start date with strong academics, fitness, and community involvement | Open to international students through FBINAA’s international chapters

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The Youth Leadership Program is an eight-day, no-cost leadership training experience hosted by the FBI National Academy Associates, a nonprofit separate from the FBI itself. Courses cover ethical leadership, situational leadership, error management, and staying calm in a crisis, all taught by experienced law enforcement professionals. 

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You’ll also take sessions on fitness, nutrition, resilience, and time management. Field excursions take you to Washington, D.C., the U.S. Capitol, and historic battlefields to see leadership in action. To apply, you contact your local FBINAA chapter, and essays must be written without AI tools.

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Why it stands out: You train in leadership and decision-making under pressure with law enforcement professionals, at no cost.

2. TED Summer School

Location: London, New York, Singapore, Sydney, or Online

Cost/Stipend: Varies; summer school scholarship available through our bursary programme

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; an average of 7 participants per class

Dates: 2 weeks during the summer

Application Deadline: Multiple cohorts with rolling admissions

Eligibility: Students aged 15-18 (14-18 for the virtual programme); strong English proficiency recommended; open to international students

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TED Summer School is a two-week public speaking, communication, and leadership programme developed in partnership between Immerse Education and TED. Designed for motivated high school students, the programme helps participants discover meaningful ideas, develop them through structured reflection and practice, and communicate them with clarity and confidence.

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Across small-group sessions guided by expert tutors trained by the TED team, students learn core frameworks for idea development, storytelling, and presentation. The programme culminates in each student delivering a TED-style talk, which is professionally recorded and yours to keep, alongside a formal certificate and individual feedback. TED Summer School is ideal for students looking to build confidence, sharpen their thinking, and develop communication skills valued by universities and future careers.

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Why it stands out: The programme combines structured academic mentorship, small-group learning, and a final portfolio-based outcome, allowing you to develop transferable skills in communication, critical thinking, and idea development.

3. Young Founders Lab

Location: This program is 100% virtual, with live, interactive workshops
Cost: Varies depending on program type. Full financial aid available.
Program Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year, including summer, fall, winter, and spring
Application Deadline: Varies according to cohort. You can access the application link here!
Eligibility: The program is currently open to all high school students

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The Young Founder’s Lab is a start-up boot camp founded and run by Harvard entrepreneurs. In this program, you will work towards building a revenue-generating start-up that addresses a complex problem. You will also have the opportunity to be mentored by established entrepreneurs and professionals from Google, Microsoft, and X.

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Apart from building the start-up itself, you will also participate in interactive classes on business fundamentals and business ideations, workshops and skill-building sessions, case studies, panel discussions, and more. The program is an excellent opportunity to delve into the world of business in high school and have a space to explore multiple theoretical as well as practical frameworks that lead to a successful business. You can check out the brochure for the program here.

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Why it stands out: You work on building a startup with expert mentorship.

4. University of Notre Dame: Leadership Seminars

Location: University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN
Cost: Tuition, housing, and meals paid by Notre Dame | $75 application fee
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive; about 150 students admitted each year
Dates: June 19-30 or July 10-21, 2027
Application Deadline: January 20th, 2027 (applications opened October 19th, 2026; test scores accepted until January 31st)
Eligibility: Current high school juniors who will be 16 by August 1st, 2027 and show demonstrated leadership | Open to international students, with TOEFL, IELTS, DET, or PTE results for those not attending an English-speaking school

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Notre Dame’s Leadership Seminars is a competitive, 10-day program for academically talented students who lead in their schools and communities. You choose one seminar, with 2027 options including AI and Global Business, Inequality in America, Violence and Peace in the Modern Age, and The Power of Investing. 

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Faculty-led discussions push you to confront complex and sometimes controversial issues and apply what you learn to real problems. You may be eligible to earn one transferable college credit when you complete the program. Admitted students are generally in the top 10% of their class, and you’ll apply with a transcript, counselor report, and teacher recommendation.

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Why it stands out: You spend 10 days on one of the country’s best-known campuses, with tuition, housing, and meals covered.

5. HEC Paris: Youth Leadership Initiative

Location: HEC Paris campus, Jouy-en-Josas, near Paris, France
Cost: Listed on HEC Paris’s application page
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: July 6-10, 2026, 8:30 a.m. - 6:30 p.m. (2027 dates not yet posted)
Application Deadline: 2026 program has reached capacity; pre-registration for 2027 is open
Eligibility: Students aged 15-18 who are proficient in English | Open to students from around the world

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The HEC Paris Youth Leadership Initiative is an intensive leadership experience taught entirely in English on HEC’s 320-acre campus. You’ll build your leadership skills and mindset, strengthen your communication, and learn to work in an international team. 

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The program aims to help you become a self-aware, socially responsible leader who can turn ideas into impact. You’ll earn the HEC Paris Youth Leadership Initiative Certificate on successful completion. The program is non-residential, so you’ll need to arrange your own transport and accommodation, with HEC suggesting hotels in nearby Versailles.

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Why it stands out: You develop leadership skills alongside an international cohort at one of Europe’s top business schools.

6. University of Texas at Austin: Subiendo Academy

Location: McCombs School of Business, UT Austin, Austin, TX
Cost: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: June 13-17, 2027
Application Deadline: November 1st, 2026 - February 1st, 2027
Eligibility: Current Texas high school juniors | Not open to international students

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Subiendo, meaning “climbing” or “going up,” is a free five-day leadership program at UT Austin’s McCombs School of Business. You’ll work on real-world challenges in healthcare, energy and the environment, and education alongside top business, political, and educational leaders. 

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Project-based learning has you analyze current policy issues, and a communications workshop helps you present your ideas. You’ll also network with prominent business and political figures and get mentoring from community and student leaders. You stay in the residence halls during the program, and alumni join a lifelong Subiendo network.

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Why it stands out: You tackle Texas policy challenges with the state’s business and political leaders, completely free.

7. Indiana University: Kelley Women’s Leadership Institute

Location: Kelley School of Business, Bloomington, IN | Virtual sessions available
Cost: Free; you cover travel and housing for in-person sessions
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; seats are limited
Dates: One-day in-person sessions on June 25th, July 9th, July 16th, or July 30th | Two-day virtual sessions in October and April
Application Deadline: January 4th - March 19th (summer and spring sessions) | August 3rd - September 25th (fall virtual session)
Eligibility: High school students with a cumulative GPA of 3.5+; in-person sessions for rising juniors and seniors, virtual sessions for sophomores to seniors | Open to students from around the globe

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The Kelley Women’s Leadership Institute advances the representation of women in business and is open to all students. You’ll attend lectures with Kelley faculty and work with a team to solve a business challenge in a case competition. 

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The program helps you build leadership and communication skills with peers who share your interest in business. It also helps you identify which areas of business fit your career and life goals. Breakfast and lunch are provided, there are no registration fees, and applications are reviewed after the deadline closes.

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Why it stands out: You get a free taste of a top business school through faculty lectures and a team case competition.

8. Mercy University: Summer Leadership Academy

Location: Mercy University, Dobbs Ferry, NY, with a day in Manhattan
Cost: Tuition-free | $695 fee for food and activities
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified; spots are limited
Dates: One-week sessions: June 20-25, July 11-17, or July 25-31, 2027
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions
Eligibility: Current high school juniors with a weighted GPA above 90, demonstrated leadership, public speaking skills, and a passion for business | International eligibility not specified

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Mercy University’s Summer Leadership Academy is a week-long residential program led by executive faculty who have worked at top global companies. The week covers personal branding speeches, a team-building nature hike, and a career exploration day with a Shark Tank challenge. 

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Sessions introduce careers in entrepreneurship, finance, accounting, and marketing. On Thursday, you visit companies in New York City, with past trips to LinkedIn, ESPN, Google, Disney, and Microsoft. The week ends with a career panel, student presentations, and a graduation ceremony.

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Why it stands out: You explore business leadership on campus and inside major companies in New York City.

9. University of Colorado Boulder: Business Leadership Program

Location: Leeds School of Business, CU Boulder, Boulder, CO
Cost: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: June 20-26, 2027
Application Deadline: January 4th - March 7th, 2027
Eligibility: Current high school juniors who are Colorado residents or attend a Colorado high school, plus incoming Leeds first-year students | Not open to international students

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CU Boulder’s Business Leadership Program is a free, week-long case competition hosted by the Leeds School of Business. Working in teams, you’ll create and implement a marketing campaign for a corporate partner, with past partners including EY, Deloitte, and KeyBank. 

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Leeds professors and staff guide you through hands-on activities, and business professionals share their career journeys. The winning team earns a $1,000 scholarship to the Leeds School of Business. You’ll stay on campus for the full program, and adding a recommender gives your application priority.

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Why it stands out: You solve a real corporate challenge and compete for a scholarship at Colorado’s top business school.

10. Ivey Business School: John F. Wood Summer Leadership Program

Location: Ivey Business School, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada
Cost: 2027 cost not yet posted
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: One week in summer 2027 (dates coming soon)
Application Deadline: 2027 applications opening soon
Eligibility: High school students currently in grades 9-11 | Open to students from around the world

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Ivey’s John F. Wood Summer Leadership Program is a week-long academic experience at one of Canada’s leading business schools. You’ll learn through case-based discussions, hands-on workshops, and team challenges led by Ivey faculty, staff, and student leaders. 

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Throughout the week, you work on a capstone project developed with Western’s Morrissette Institute for Entrepreneurship, taking an idea from problem to practical solution. You stay in a Western University residence, with all meals, materials, and evening activities included. Counsellors live in residence with you, and Ivey staff provide 24-hour support.

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Why it stands out: You learn leadership through Ivey’s case method and build an entrepreneurial capstone in one week.

11. NUS Young Leaders and Changemakers Summer Camp

Location: Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy, National University of Singapore, Singapore
Cost: SGD 3,625 (early bird SGD 2,900 until May 4th, 2026), including campus accommodation, lunches, and local transport
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: June 29th - July 3rd, 2026 (2027 dates not yet posted)
Application Deadline: June 1st, 2026 (2027 deadline not yet posted)
Eligibility: Students aged 16+; regional and global high school and university students | Open to international students

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The Young Leaders and Changemakers Summer Camp is a five-day program in public policy, governance, and social innovation. You’ll take sessions on public policy in Singapore, communicating policies, and AI and public policy, plus a panel with young leaders from Singapore and beyond. 

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Three site visits show you policy in action across the city. Throughout the week, you design, prototype, and test a Capstone Project, then present it to a judging panel on the final day. You’ll stay at NUS’s Prince George’s Park Residence for the full program.

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Why it stands out: You tackle a real policy challenge at Asia’s top-ranked public policy school.

12. University of Waterloo: Catalyst Summer Program

Location: University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada
Cost: CAD $747 + HST (2027) | Optional accommodation package extra | Bursaries can cover up to 95% of the fee
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 25 students per session (150 across both streams)
Dates: July 5-16, July 19-30, or August 9-20, 2027
Application Deadline: December 15th, 2026 - February 12th, 2027
Eligibility: High school students entering grade 10 or higher in September 2027 | International eligibility not specified

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Catalyst is a two-week program that takes an interdisciplinary approach to leadership, drawing on Waterloo’s strengths in engineering, science, and innovation. You choose between Traditional Catalyst, built around STEM design and research projects, and Catalyst Early Entrepreneurs, run with Waterloo’s Conrad School of Entrepreneurship and Business. 

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Both streams include talks and workshops from Waterloo faculty and current students. To apply, you complete a short form and a 20- to 30-minute Kira video and written assessment. You can only attend Catalyst once during high school.

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Why it stands out: You build leadership through hands-on STEM or startup projects at one of Canada’s top engineering schools.

13. Rutgers University: Building Leadership Strategies Summer Academy

Location: Rutgers University - New Brunswick, NJ
Cost: Listed on Rutgers’ Summer Academies costs page
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: July 12-18 or July 19-25, 2026 (2027 dates not yet posted)
Application Deadline: Listed on Rutgers’ Summer Academies dates page
Eligibility: Students completing their sophomore or junior year, aged 16-18 | International eligibility not specified

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The Building Leadership Strategies Summer Academy is a one-week, credit-bearing residential program at Rutgers. You’ll take sessions on theories of leadership, ethical leadership, emotional intelligence, working in teams, and parliamentary procedure. 

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Public speaking workshops help you make confident, informative presentations, and a team-building field trip breaks up the week. The academy ends with final group presentations on your own leadership development. You earn 1.5 college credits and a Rutgers Pre-College Digital Badge on completion.

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Why it stands out: You earn real college credit while developing your personal leadership style.

14. African Leadership Academy: Global Scholars Program

Location: African Leadership Academy, Johannesburg, South Africa
Cost: Explore: $2,800 (African residents) or $3,500 (international) | Engage: $4,250 (African residents) or $5,250 (international) | $25 application fee
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Explore: June 28th - July 9th, July 19-30, or August 2-13, 2027 | Engage: June 28th - July 12th, 2027
Application Deadline: 2027 applications are open
Eligibility: Students aged 13-19 | Open to students from around the world

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The Global Scholars Program is a summer leadership experience in Entrepreneurial Leadership, personal growth, and cross-cultural learning. In the 10-day Explore track, you build self-awareness and communication skills and leave with a personal Trajectory Map for the next three to five years. 

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The 15-day Engage track focuses on human-centered design, with teams building a Community Product tied to a Sustainable Development Goal. Both tracks end at the GSP Ideas Festival, where teams present their work to the ALA community. You’ll live in ALA’s Nelson Mandela Residence, paired with a roommate from another country.

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Why it stands out: You practice leadership through community-focused design work alongside peers from around the world.

15. UNITAR: United Nations Young Leaders Online Training Programme

Location: Online
Cost: $750 | Scholarships available by inquiry
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 30 participants per cohort
Dates: Four-week cohorts run during the year; the August 2026 cohort ran July 27th - August 21st
Application Deadline: First-come, first-served until 30 spots fill
Eligibility: High school students, university students, and other aspiring young leaders | Open to participants worldwide

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The UN Young Leaders Online Training Programme is a four-week e-learning course run by the United Nations Institute for Training and Research. You’ll work through modules on the United Nations, conference diplomacy, the Sustainable Development Goals, and cosmopolitan communication, at about four to six hours a week. 

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Live webinars with UN experts accompany each module, plus a weekly 3.5-hour e-workshop on leadership skills. Live sessions run in the afternoon Geneva time and are recorded if you can’t attend. You receive a UNITAR certificate of completion at the end.

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Why it stands out: You learn diplomacy and global leadership directly from UN experts, from anywhere in the world.

Frequently asked questions: Pre-University Leadership Programs for High School Students

What do you do at a leadership program for high school students?

At a leadership program, you build skills like public speaking, teamwork, and decision-making through case studies, simulations, and team projects. CU Boulder has you design a marketing campaign for a real company, while NUS asks you to prototype a policy solution. Most programs end with a presentation, like ALA’s Ideas Festival or Rutgers’ final group presentations, so you practice leading in front of an audience.

Are there free leadership programs for high school students?

Yes, several leadership programs are free. The FBINAA Youth Leadership Program, Subiendo, CU Boulder’s Business Leadership Program, and the Kelley Women’s Leadership Institute charge no tuition. Notre Dame covers tuition, housing, and meals for admitted students, with a $75 application fee. Mercy University is tuition-free but charges $695 for food and activities, and Waterloo’s bursaries can cover up to 95% of Catalyst’s fee.

Do leadership programs help with college applications?

Leadership programs can strengthen your application by giving you concrete experiences and outcomes to describe. Rutgers awards 1.5 college credits, Notre Dame offers one transferable credit, and CU Boulder’s winning team earns a $1,000 scholarship to Leeds. Choose a program for what you’ll learn, not just the name. TED Summer School ends with a professionally recorded TED-style talk that you can share with colleges.

Can international students attend pre-university leadership programs?

Yes, many leadership programs welcome international students. FBINAA accepts applicants through its international chapters, Notre Dame asks for an English test if you don’t attend an English-speaking school, and HEC Paris requires English proficiency. Programs like Subiendo and CU Boulder only accept students from their home state. TED Summer School welcomes students from around the world, and you can browse more leadership summer programs in Asia.

Are there online leadership programs for high school students?

Yes, a few programs on this list run online. UNITAR’s UN Young Leaders programme is a four-week course with live webinars from UN experts and weekly leadership workshops, capped at 30 participants. The Kelley Women’s Leadership Institute also offers two-day virtual sessions in October and April. For more options you can join from home, compare these online leadership programs for high school students.

What skills do you build at a leadership program?

You build communication, teamwork, and judgment, along with skills specific to each program’s focus. Rutgers runs public speaking workshops, Subiendo includes a communications workshop for delivering presentations, and Mercy opens with personal branding speeches. Business-focused programs like Ivey add case analysis, while UNITAR covers negotiation across cultures. If public speaking is your main goal, explore these public speaking programs for high school students.

Find the leadership program that fits you

The right leadership program should stretch you, whether that means pitching a business case, debating policy, or leading a team in a new country.

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As you compare pre-university leadership programs, check eligibility carefully first, since several free options only accept students from a single state or region.

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Deadlines arrive early, with Notre Dame closing on January 20th and Waterloo on February 12th, so start preparing your essays now.

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When you’re ready to show colleges the way you lead, explore our University Preparation blogs for guidance on applications, essays, and interviews.