10 Leadership Opportunities For High School Students

Getting into college takes more than an excellent GPA and standardized test scores.

Most academic institutions now seek to admit students with excellent leadership skills that satisfy other admission requirements.

Several leadership opportunities can enable you to develop your Leadership potential right from high school.

Read this article to the end to find ten leadership programs open to high school students.

10 Summer Leadership Program For High School Students

1. Bank of America Student Leaders Program

The Bank of America Student Leaders Program, is a leadership opportunity for high school students.

This internship is open to high students that want to groom their leadership potential by working with NGOs such as the Boys and Girls Clubs of America and Habitat for Humanity.

Participants are drawn from different cultural backgrounds, making the Program even more captivating. The deadline for applying to this 8-week internship is January 12, 2024.

Students that engage in the Bank of America Student Leaders Program acquire an understanding of how NGOs, governments, and establishments work together to satisfy the needs of society.

They also engage in a series of training that helps them develop valuable skills essential for impacting society.

Participants attend a one-week summit in the final week, facilitating further skill building.

The Bank of America Student Leaders Program is only open to students that can dedicate up to 35 hours per week towards the Program.

Apply Here

2. The University of Pennsylvania Wharton School – Leadership in the Business World

The University of Pennsylvania Wharton School’s business leadership program is highly recommended for high school students. This program is highly competitive.

Wharton School’s business leadership program runs thrice a year, each lasting three weeks. It is open to high school juniors that are enthusiastic about business leadership.

Participants learn about business leadership techniques such as business models, organizational strategy, negotiation modules, and other valuable knowledge areas in the business world.

The University of Pennsylvania Wharton School – Leadership in the Business World program holds in Philadelphia.

Interns take a series of classes coordinated by respected academicians, engage in intensive research and get the opportunity of connecting with business leaders.

They also take part in several field trips within the school’s campus that are highly impactful.

To apply for the University of Pennsylvania Wharton School – Leadership in the Business World program, students must submit the online form, their academic transcript, one recommendation letter, and a couple of content, such as a video or essay about themselves.

Enrolling in the Leadership in the Business World program costs about $10,000.

A full scholarship is available for black students that desire to be part of this Program but lack the finances to handle the expenses.

Apply Here

3. Global Leadership Skills & Agents of Social Change at Georgetown University

Global Leadership Skills & Agents of Social Change at Georgetown University is another leadership opportunity for high school students. The location of this Program is Washington, D.C.

This Program is put together by Summer Discovery which is a brand that funds educational programs for high school students.

The Global Leadership Skills & Agents of Social Change program is open to high school students between 14 and 18.

This program’s participants acquire skills essential for successfully resolving conflict and negotiating with people.

The cost of enrolling is between $3,200 and $5,300 for people who don’t want to live on campus and between $6,600 and $11,300 for those that choose to reside on the campus of Georgetown University.

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5. Lott Leadership Program at the University of Mississippi

The Lott Leadership Program at the University of Mississippi is another excellent leadership opportunity open to high school students.

Throughout the Program, participants debate trending societal issues and activities that will make them more effective leaders.

Participants take three courses each that are very resourceful.

They also embark on a field trip to Washington, D.C., that lasts for a week, where they get to connect with politicians and leaders from the non-profit sector.

To get into the Lott Leadership Program, applicants must acquire a letter of nomination from their school. However, the selection criterion is also based on passion and academic grades.

Lott Leadership Program lasts for only four weeks, and enrolling in this Program costs about $1,000.

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6. University of Notre Dame Leadership Seminars

The University of Notre Dame Leadership Seminars is another opportunity for high school students to develop their leadership potential.

The University of Notre Dame puts together this program, which lasts ten days.

Students that take part in this program get exposure to college-level training, acquire more training for community service, and develop practical skills that will enable their leadership potential to flourish no matter where they are.

However, to get into the University of Notre Dame Leadership Seminars, students must submit the following documents; an academic transcript, a counselor report, a recommendation letter from their teacher, and a standardized test scores sheet (discretionary).

The cost of applying to this Program is $60, while the cost of enrolling in this Program if accepted, is $150.

The University of Notre Dame covers the cost of learning, accommodation, and food for students.

Apply Here

7. Indiana University – Young Women’s Institute

Young Women’s Institute is a leadership opportunity for high school students. The Indiana University Kelley School of Business puts this program together.

It is only open to female high school students. Participants receive training on how to excel as women in the business world.

The Young Women’s Institute program lasts for just four days.

Students that successfully make it into this highly competitive Program take a series of lectures from the Kelley School of Business instructors and engage in a collective task that boosts their teamwork ability.

Applications into the Young Women’s Institute commence in early February, and all interested students are to send in their resumes, short essays, and academic transcript.

Unlike most programs on this list, enrolling in the Young Women’s Institute is entirely free of charge. However, students still have to carter for their transportation costs.

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8. Mercy College – Summer Leadership Academy

The Summer Leadership Academy program is open to high school seniors who want to acquire the foundational knowledge of management and business.

Getting into this Program is very difficult; applicants must have an excellent GPA to stand a chance.

Students that take part in the Summer Leadership Academy learn how to put together a successful team and some valuable tips that bring about professional success.

They also embark on trips to several firms within New York City.

The Summer Leadership Academy runs for just a week. Students must receive a nomination from their counselor or instructor to get in.

Apply Here

9. Sadie Nash Leadership Project Summer Institute

The Sadie Nash Leadership Project Summer Institute is a leadership opportunity open to mainly female high school students who desire to learn about diversity regarding Leadership.

This Program runs for six weeks, and participants engage in seminars and field trips that are highly impactful. They also enjoy listening to guest speakers and leaders from the greater NYC area.

Application into Sadie Nash Leadership Project Summer Institute commences in February, and there is a provision for online applications.

This Program lasts six weeks, and students receive a stipend at the end of the training.

Apply Here

10. Yale Young Global Scholars

The Yale Young Global Scholars program is open to junior high school students who want to boost their leadership qualities.

Participants engage in lectures and chat sessions that enable them to learn about the following several knowledge areas; global literature and culture, politics, STEM, and global challenges solution.

Every student in this Program is expected to work on a significant project. This Program has an online application platform.

The cost of enrolment is a $6,500 enrolment fee. Students that cannot afford the fee can apply for financial support if they are qualified for the Program.

The Yale Young Global Scholars program runs for two weeks and holds in New Haven, CT.

Apply Here

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) on Leadership Opportunities For High School Students

What are the leadership roles that are open to high school students?

Some leadership roles open to high school students include; sports team captain, drum major, club president, club executive, and student newspaper editor-in-chief.

How can students grow leadership skills?

Working hard, maintaining a compassionate heart, staying positive, and communicating well with people from all walks of life will make one a better leader.

What are the duties of a student leader?

A student leader helps to organize the activities in the group they lead, helps teachers to plan competitions, and represents students at special functions.

What are the five levels of Leadership?

According to John Maxwell, the five levels of Leadership are Position, Permission, Production, People Development, and Pinnacle.

Conclusion

In addition to the programs above, the Bella Abzug Leadership Institute Summer Program, Brown University Pre-College Leadership Institute, and Global Leadership Adventures are other leadership opportunities that will benefit any high school student.

However, to secure a spot in any of the programs above, students must submit a robust application before the deadline.

Awesome one; I hope this article answers your question.

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Abasiofon Fidelis
Abasiofon Fidelis

Abasiofon Fidelis is a professional writer who loves to write about college life and college applications. He has been writing articles for over 3 years. He is the Content Manager at School and Travel.

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