Harvard Ventures-TECH Summer Program (HVTSP) - Is It Worth It?

Participating in high-quality summer programs can be a game-changer for high school students looking to strengthen their college applications. These programs often offer invaluable experiences through hands-on work and practical experience beyond the regular school curriculum. One such summer program is the Harvard Ventures-TECH Summer Program (HVTSP). Programs like these allow you to expand your talents and prove your dedication to your field of interest. In this blog post, we will go through the program’s structure, pros and cons, and other details so you can determine if it is the right fit for you!

How is the Harvard Ventures-TECH Summer Program structured?

The Harvard Ventures-TECH Summer Program is a virtual program that connects high school students with a six-week internship at an innovative startup. As a participant, you will work directly with CEOs and founders, gaining real-world experience in industries like AI, financial technology, biotechnology, art, media, and more.

You will engage in several online networking events where you’ll get the chance to interact with entrepreneurs, investors, and Harvard University faculty. You will also have the opportunity to attend classes and workshops covering topics like innovation, strategy, operations, and investing, run by Harvard professionals and other industry experts. While the HVTSP is held virtually, it maintains an immersive experience.

The internship has two six-week summer sessions for you to choose from. They are as follows:

Session I: June 10, 2024 – July 19, 2024

Session II: July 8, 2024 – August 16, 2024

Who is eligible for the program and how do you apply?

All current high school students who demonstrate scholarly merit and interest in early-stage startups are eligible to apply to the HVTSP. The internship is open to international high school students as well.

Applications for the Harvard Ventures-TECH Summer Program open in March, after which students are accepted on a rolling basis. So make sure you apply early for a higher chance of getting in. Admission to the internship is competitive and your application will be judged based on academics as well as your sense of motivation and desire to work at a startup.

The following are all the important dates you need to keep in mind:

• Applications open: March 14, 2024

• Priority Applications close: April 15, 2024

• Applications close: May 12, 2024

• Decision release date: May 20, 2024

The application process includes an online application form where you must answer a few questions. In some cases, this could be followed by an interview round. 

How much does the program cost?

The program’s tuition fee is $4,250, which covers all components of the program. There is also a $15 application fee required at the time of submission. Financial aid is available based on need.

Is it prestigious?

The HVTSP is a highly prestigious program for several reasons. For one, it is backed by a reputable, globally recognized university like Harvard — it is supported by the Technology and Entrepreneurship Center at Harvard (TECH) as well as Harvard College Ventures, a student-run organization. Further, it’s extremely rare for high schoolers to get the opportunity to intern with VC-backed startups and directly with the CEO/founders. In combination with the highly selective nature of the program, this makes the HVTSP a very prestigious summer program.  

Pros and Cons

Pros

1. Rare internship opportunity: There aren’t many internships out there that allow you to work under the leaders and founders of a VC-backed startup. The HVTSP gives you access to a rare insight into your chosen industry and a rewarding opportunity to learn.
   

2. Networking: By providing access to entrepreneurs, investors, and industry experts, the program offers multiple opportunities to build a strong network. These connections not only provide mentorship opportunities but could also be valuable in the long term.
   

3. Enhanced college applications: Since the HVTSP is a highly prestigious program, having the program on your profile will be a testament to your talent and capabilities in the eyes of college administrators and can improve your chances of college admission.
   

4. Easily accessible: As a fully online program, the HVTSP offers a great learning opportunity for those who are unable to attend summer programs in person due to geographical/travel restraints.

Cons

1. Cost: The high tuition fees could be a barrier for some families, even with the availability of financial aid​​.
   

2. No in-person elements: While the program does offer plenty of learning opportunities and exposure, it is an entirely virtual program and some students might prefer internships with more in-person interaction.
   

3. Competitive admission: The highly selective nature of the admission process means that not all applicants will be accepted. Some students might want to spend that time applying to programs with a higher probability of admission.

Should you do it? – Our Review

Overall, the Harvard Ventures-TECH Summer Program is a lucrative opportunity for most high school students. The internship’s structure offers a blend of practical experience, academic learning, and incredible mentorship that is difficult to find elsewhere. As an intern, you will learn a lot about business, technology, innovation, and leadership, while honing your problem-solving skills and networking with industry leaders. While this will particularly benefit students who are aspiring VCs or interested in entrepreneurship in general, these factors will also be an advantage in most other career fields. 

Other programs might offer a more hands-on, in-person internship, but even then, not many internships offer the prestige that this Harvard summer program does. Ultimately, you must weigh your goals, interests, and resources to decide if this program is a good fit for you.

If you’re looking for an incubator program that helps you establish a developed startup in high school, consider the Young Founders Lab! 

The Young Founders Lab is a real-world 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 real-world problem. You will also have the opportunity to be mentored by established entrepreneurs and professionals from Google, Microsoft, and X. 

You can access the application link here!

If you’re looking for a competitive mentored research program in subjects like data science, machine learning, political theory, biology, and chemistry, consider applying to Horizon’s Research Seminars and Labs! 

This is a selective virtual research program that lets you engage in advanced research and develop a research paper on a subject of your choosing. Horizon has worked with 1000+ high school students so far and offers 600+ research specializations for you to choose from. 

You can find the application link here

One other option - the Lumiere Research Scholar Program

If you’re interested in pursuing independent research in STEM, you could also consider applying to one of the Lumiere Research Scholar Programs, selective online high school programs for students founded with researchers at Harvard and Oxford. Last year, we had over 4000 students apply for 500 spots in the program! You can find the application form here.

Also check out the Lumiere Research Inclusion Foundation, a non-profit research program for talented, low-income students. Last year, we had 150 students on full need-based financial aid!

Stephen is one of the founders of Lumiere and a Harvard College graduate. He founded Lumiere as a PhD student at Harvard Business School. Lumiere is a selective research program where students work 1-1 with a research mentor to develop an independent research paper.

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