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Do you have what it takes to innovate? Enhance your abilities in entrepreneurship, leadership, and global citizenship as part of an international network of emerging leaders from across the U.S. and around the world at the Iacocca Global Entrepreneurship Intensive.

IGEI is an immersive, hands-on program that combines experiential learning and intercultural connection. After completing the program, IGEI graduates can:

  • evaluate the potential of ideas to become successful innovations
  • create functional business/marketing plans and compelling pitches
  • navigate cultural differences and collaborate to succeed as a team

The 2024 program runs June 23 to July 20, 2024.

Applications are being accepted on a rolling basis until all program spaces have been filled.

Apply Now!

How It Works

Students in classroom

Develop and test your design thinking, entrepreneurship, and global leadership skills

Students visiting Just Born

Devise, refine, and present solutions for real world problems faced by U.S. or international client companies

Students socializing

Work within a culturally diverse team of high school students (ages 15-17) from around the world and form friendships that will last a lifetime

Visit area businesses and learn from entrepreneurs and CEOs sharing real-life stories of successes and lessons learned

Program Details

The Iacocca Global Entrepreneurship Intensive includes:

The 2024 program runs June 23 to July 20, 2024.

The program fee is $5995. This cost includes program fees, room and board, instructional materials, field trips, and all curriculum-related activities.

Questions? Contact us at gesummer@lehigh.edu.

Applications are being accepted on a rolling basis until all program spaces have been filled.

Apply Now!

 

How to Apply

Step 1

Click on the “Apply Now” button above to complete a brief survey that will confirm your eligibility to attend the IGEI program, let you choose the application deadline that is best for you and your family, and submit the names and contact information of three teachers who have agreed to write letters of recommendation. Consider the application cycle options described below:

  1. The Sponsored Admission Deadline is January 15, 2024. Applicants should choose this application cycle if they want to take advantage of special Early Bird pricing or if they wish to apply for need-based financial assistance from the Iacocca Institute. Our financial resources are limited and we cannot guarantee to meet the demonstrated need of all accepted participants.  Early Bird pricing is available to all applicants who submit by January 15, regardless of their family’s financial status.
  2. The Priority and International Admission Deadline is February 12, 2024. More spaces remain available at this point in the application cycle, meaning there is less competition for admission. We strongly suggest that international applicants choose the February admissions cycle due to the extra time needed for visas and flight arrangements.
  3. The Regular Admission Deadline is March 11, 2024. Applicants submitting through this application cycle have more time to prepare their applications, but are competing for the few remaining spaces available after the first two cycles. Once all available spaces are filled with qualified applicants, additional admitted applicants will be placed on a waitlist and notified if a space opens.

Step 2

Once your eligibility is verified, applicants will receive an email with a link to the IGEI admissions application. Each eligible applicant receives a unique link, so make sure to save both the email and the link! The admissions application includes basic questions about the applicant, their family, and their school, and requires applicants to upload a resume of extracurricular activities and a 1-2 page statement of interest, detailing why the applicant wants to attend the IGEI program, what they hope to gain from their participation, and what they expect to contribute as a participant. All materials must be submitted by the application cycle deadline chosen in the preliminary survey. If an application is received after the deadline, it will automatically be included for review in the next cycle. Applications received after March 11, 2024 will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis should space become available in the program.

Program Eligibility

Academically talented U.S. and international high school students who are current sophomores or juniors at the time of the application deadline may apply. Participants may not be younger than 15 or older than 17 at any point during the program dates of June 23 - July 20, 2024.

Applicants must demonstrate academic achievement, an interest in entrepreneurship, and a record of leadership and service activities. A selection committee of Lehigh University faculty and staff and business leaders reviews applications for academic achievement and commitment, leadership initiative, ability to contribute to a living/learning community, and excellent written expression.

CAMPUS LIFE

IGEI participants stay in Lehigh University housing under the supervision of program guides and a residence life coordinator. Rooms are double occupancy, with shared bathrooms on single-sex floors, in co-ed dorms. Self-serve laundry facilities are available for participant use.

Participants will enjoy food from campus dining services, area restaurants, and dorm kitchens. Dietary restrictions (medical and religious) and preferences (where possible) will be accommodated.

Pre-college exposure, including admissions information, financial aid guidance, and college major/career exploration, is included in the IGEI curriculum.