UW Foster School of Business

A two-week immersive experience designed for rising high school juniors and seniors.

Campus Overview

UW Foster SSB

The University of Washington is ranked #2 best global public university in the world by US News and World Report. Students will be in the center of this diverse urban campus with a rich history of innovation and research, featuring advanced facilities where they will enjoy the Summer Springboard experience in beautiful surroundings. Main campus is situated in Seattle, a vibrant and dynamic city known for its thriving global business community with numerous Fortune 500 and global IT companies such as Amazon, Microsoft, Starbucks, Costco, and Boeing.

Tuition:

Residential tuition:
$7,498

Commuter Tuition:
$4,498

Dates:

Session 1:
July 13, 2025 July 25, 2025

Location:

University of Washington Foster School of Business
Seattle, WA

Testimonials

  • "I loved how friendly everyone here was and how it was really easy to fit in because ssb makes sure their are activities that involve connecting with others. I also loved the courses as a whole and how they teach you very important lessons not just about that specific topic but about life."

    Noah B.

  • "Summer Springboard was truly the best way to experience a college lifestyle without actually being in college. The mentors were extremely kind and the courses themselves were beyond interesting. I met great people, and would do it all over again if I could!"

    Amanda M.

Academic Courses

The UW Foster School of Business Youth Program is a new initiative aimed at providing rising junior and senior high school students with a transformative educational experience. This first pilot year will launch in July 2025 in collaboration with Summer Springboard (SSB) and will combine rigorous academic content, engaging college preparation activities, excursions to global companies in the Seattle region, and cultural exposure to deliver a unique and impactful experience. The program will be open to both domestic and international students.

Business & Leadership

The UW Foster School of Business High School Program is a two-week immersive experience designed for rising high school juniors and seniors. Taught by UW Foster Faculty, the program topics are carefully designed to provide essential critical thinking skills in a short amount of time, culminating in a team-based case competition. Through this systematic approach, students will learn important written, oral, interpersonal, leadership, and problem-solving skills that could be applied to various challenges in their college lives and future careers.

This program offers:

Academic Rigor: Classroom learning led by Foster faculty, culminating in a case competition.
College Preparation: Workshops, activities, and excursions focused on critical thinking, collaboration, and readiness for college life.
Collaborative Partnership: Combining the academic excellence of UW Foster with the operational expertise of Summer Springboard (SSB).

More on the Case Competition:

At the end of the two weeks, students will apply concepts learned throughout the program by participating in a case competition, just like our undergrad and MBA students at UW Foster do.

During this team-based project, students will tackle a real-world business problem from an iconic global coffee company headquartered in Seattle. They will learn to ideate multiple solutions as a group, weigh the pros and cons of each idea collaboratively and constructively, use critical thinking to select the best option, and make a persuasive presentation to a panel of experts. Students will also watch their peers’ presentations to learn how different teams approach the same situation, expanding their perspectives on problem-solving strategies.

Students will develop leadership skills as they examine business problems, share their ideas with peers, work effectively in teams, propose well-reasoned solutions, and deliver presentations with confidence—all skills that will help them in their future endeavors. As a bonus, students will go behind the scenes of the featured company during one of the included excursions!

 

sign up

Activities & Trips

Students will have great access to both academic and non-academic trips and opportunities outside of their Business and Leadership course on campus due to University of Washington’s close proximity to top attractions. Off the beautiful campus, students will have the opportunity to explore the sights of Seattle, the Emerald City, with their peers from class and Summer Springboard Team Members.

Academic Excursions

Students will participate in academic excursions and opportunities within the Seattle area, a region known for its technological advancements, business ventures, and range of businesses

Case Study

All students will complete a case competition, tackling a business challenge from a renowned Seattle-based coffee company. They’ll brainstorm solutions, evaluate options collaboratively, select the best approach, and present to a panel of experts. This gives students the experience one would have if they were in an MBA program.

Weekend Excursions

Weekend excursions will take students to iconic Seattle destinations like Pike Place Market, the Museum of Pop Culture, a scenic ferry tour, and Wild Waves Theme Park. The weekend is perfect for exploring the city on foot, enjoying the lively atmosphere and mild weather.

On-Campus Time

Students will enjoy themselves on the University of Washington’s campus by exploring with friends, taking a guided tour led by UW Husky Tour Guides, playing games and bowling at the Husky Student Union like a college student, and discovering the vast green spaces on over 700 acres.

Ferry Tour

A Seattle ferry tour is a wonderful way to experience the waterfront and enjoy scenic views of the surrounding area. The guide will provide informative narration about the history and culture of the region while the group takes in the of the Seattle skyline, the iconic Space Needle, and the Olympic Mountains in the distance.

Student Life

During the Summer Springboard program, you'll live in residence halls at the University of Washington and engage with the Foster School of Business. It's one of the most picturesque backdrops in Seattle to live, learn, and create memories.

Housing Information for Students

During their stay, students will be housed in comfortable and secure on-campus accommodations designed to foster a sense of community. Madrona Hall is a newly renovated dorm that provides students with comfortable living, access to large common spaces, and proximity to their Business course and the dining hall.

Room Setup: Students will stay in double rooms, typically with two students per room and a shared en-suite bathroom. Rooms are equipped with Twin XL beds, desks, wardrobes, and basic furnishings.

Community Support: Dedicated Summer Springboard program staff live in the dorms to provide guidance, plan clubs and evening activities, and assist students throughout their stay.

Gender Separation: Students are assigned rooms by gender.

Facilities

This program gives students access to the University of Washington Foster School of Business’s renowned academic spaces and state-of-the-art facilities, housed in modern, beautifully designed buildings that provide an exceptional learning environment.

The university is committed to providing a healthy, smoke-free environment for students, faculty and staff. Accordingly, no smoking or vaping is permitted in student rooms or inside buildings, including lounges and balconies.

Security

All dormitories have 24-hour security and use electronic keys to enter each building and dorm room. University security is on 24-hour patrol and available to any student that may need assistance during the program.

Dining

Most meals will be enjoyed in the on-campus dining hall, conveniently located near the Foster School of Business and the student dorms. The dining hall features a buffet-style setup with a wide variety of food options, including accommodations for vegetarian and vegan diets. However, Kosher and Halal options are not available.

Get started today

Summer Springboard Pre-College Summer Program