Business Bootcamp at the University of Rochester - Should You Apply?
If you’re considering pursuing a career in business, gaining some knowledge and important business skills is an incredible way to begin or grow your interest and expertise. Especially before applying to college, having exposure to important skills in this field through a summer educational program can yield a great advantage.
In this blog, we’ll detail an opportunity to expand this interest through a pre-college program offered by the University of Rochester, the Business Bootcamp. We cover the program's key details, such as eligibility, cost, dates and deadlines, and some pros and cons to participation that you should consider.
What is the Business Bootcamp?
The University of Rochester offers a variety of pre-college programs to offer summer enrichment for students interested in exploring different career fields. Students participate in a series of online courses, complete assignments in modules, and even devise a final project in the design of their choosing. In business, there are five main courses offered by the program. The titles are as follows:
Innovation Management: The Business of New Ideas
Language and Advertising
Introduction to Business
The Basics of Investments and Careers in Finance
Generative AI in Business
The courses include multiple module assignments and end with the completion of a final project. Assignments in each module aim to solidify and reinforce the content of the course. The final project asks students to demonstrate what they have learned in the program through a unique medium– be it text, video, photography, or PowerPoint. Upon completing a course, students receive a Certificate of Completion from the University of Rochester.
How much does this program cost?
The program fee is $8,520, and minimal financial aid is available for applicants with demonstrated financial need.
Who is eligible for the Business Bootcamp?
The classes offered by the University of Rochester Pre-College programs, like the Bootcamp, are available to high school and U.S. high-school-equivalent students. All student participants must be at least 13 years of age. Students may still need to be enrolled in college and no more than one-year post-high school graduation.
What are the dates for the Bootcamp?
During the summer, each course lasts two weeks. The course can be completed at one’s own pace, so long as all work is completed prior to the end of the two-week period. After the course is completed, participants will have view-only access to the content for one month.
The actual dates are dependent on the session and module you opt for - more information can be found here!
How do you apply for the Business Bootcamp?
Applications for all of the University of Rochester’s pre-college programs are online. Applying is relatively easy, as neither transcripts nor letters of recommendation are required. Only basic information about the applicant and their interest in the program is required, including a personal statement. The personal statement can be completed through a short essay, video, or other form of media. You can complete your application in multiple settings, so long as you save your progress before logging out on each use. The program office approximates that it would take 20-30 minutes to complete.
You can apply to one program or to multiple programs through one application. Consideration for each program is considered independently. Within five business days, students will be notified about their admissions decision. However, if you are a returning student, you do not need to re-apply to the program. Simply contact support@precollegeonline.rochester.edu for assistance in getting enrolled.
What are some pros and cons of participating in the program?
Pros:
You will take official courses from an accredited university.
Though the courses offered by the University of Rochester’s pre-college program are non-credit bearing, they are real courses officially meant for high school students. Their faculty teaches the courses through pre-recorded videos and designs the curriculum.
Every day in the program looks different.
Courses are designed with flexibility in mind, as the curricula are asynchronous. The content, consisting of roughly 30 total hours, can be completed in any manner between the assigned start and end day. Should you have a conflict, you can even switch your enrollment to any available cohort as long as you request the change prior to your scheduled start date.
You can explore different subfields through multiple courses.
There is no limit to how many courses you can take at the University of Rochester through the Pre-Collge program. Therefore, you can take advantage of this to explore your interests in various business specializations fully.
Cons:
The program is neither prestigious nor rigorous.
The University of Rochester’s summer programs are not difficult to get into, as the application is relatively short, and decisions are made quickly on a rolling basis. So long as you can afford the fee for each course, there is a high likelihood that you will be accepted into the program. Acceptance into the program does not yield any preferential treatment for admission to the University of Rochester. Furthermore, the assignments, including the final project, are all graded on a complete/ incomplete scale.
You cannot connect with other students in the program.
Since the courses are taught completely online, there is no in-person interaction that participants will share with other students. Additionally, the asynchronous component of the class further emphasizes this separation, as students will not be online viewing the class at the same time as their peers. Assignments are to be completed individually, and feedback is limited to guidance from a mentor through email, discussion boards, and assignments.
Should You Apply?
Ultimately, if you are interested in business and in search of some flexible summer enrichment opportunities, the Business Bootcamp at the University of Rochester is a suitable opportunity! However, do keep in mind that this program is relatively individual in the experience, as it takes place online and through an asynchronous schedule. Furthermore, the program does not offer preferential admission to a university, nor is it particularly prestigious or difficult to get into.
If you’re looking to build a project/research paper in the field of AI & ML, consider applying to Veritas AI!
Veritas AI is founded by Harvard graduate students. Through the programs, you get a chance to work 1:1 with mentors from universities like Harvard, Stanford, MIT, and more to create unique, personalized projects. In the past year, we had over 1000 students learn AI & ML with us. You can apply here!
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You can find the application link here.
Aisha is a student at Princeton University, studying Anthropology and Global Health. On campus, she is involved with student groups centered around health equity and cultural affinity. In her free time, she enjoys podcasting, learning languages, and trying new recipes.