Immersion-HUVTSP

Turn Ambition Into Action: Build, Pitch, and Launch Your Startup

A premier program for ambitious high school students ready to innovate, make an impact, and gain real-world experience.

Immersion-HUVTSP is a collaboration between

Ivy Immersion and the Harvard Undergraduate Ventures-TECH Summer Program (HUVTSP).

HUVTSP is supported by the Technology & Entrepreneurship Center at Harvard (TECH) within the John A Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Science (SEAS) at Harvard University. HUVTSP is also supported by Harvard Undergraduate Ventures, the largest student entrepreneurship and venture capital organization at Harvard.

Program Highlights

Learning

Classes Taught By Founders and Executives

Attend daily sessions with multimillion-dollar founders, top investors, and Harvard professors, learning innovation, tech, and solving MBA-level case studies.

Pitch Ideas

Personalized Mentorship From Experts

Learn directly from mentors who’ve raised $300M+, scaled to millions of users, invested in OpenAI, and joined Y Combinator.

Collaboration

1-week, In-Person Immersion on Jeju Island

In-person exposure is invaluable—pitch to real investors, launch your startup, and build lifelong career connections.

Partnerships

Hands On Experience At VC-Backed Startups

Intern at top startups, working directly with founders on real-world challenges in roles aligned with their interests.

Immersion-HUVTSP is a selective initiative designed for high-achieving high school students eager to explore the intersection of technology, innovation, entrepreneurship, and business. This unique experience pairs participants with cutting-edge startups for real-world internships across diverse industries.

Guided by Ivy League mentors, founders, and C-suite executives, students gain practical experience, industry insights, and personalized mentorship—all within a dynamic, technology-driven environment. No prior experience is required—just a passion for learning, problem-solving, and exploring the world of startups.

Learn From Elite Instructors

Immersion-HUVTSP is proud to feature speakers and mentors who are leaders across industry, business, and academia. In addition to startup internships and daily lectures, students participate in regular fireside chats, workshops, and classes designed to foster personal and professional growth. These sessions cover topics like innovation management, business strategy, operations, and investing across a range of industries. Below is a partial list of past and incoming speakers.

  • Lila Snyder: CEO of Bose Corporation

  • Thomas Deng: Former Managing Director at Goldman Sachs

  • Cory Levy: Founder of Z Fellows, Forbes 30 Under 30

  • Shogo Hayakawa: Founder of Coefont, Forbes 30 Under 30

  • Akash Malhotra: Partner at Necessary Ventures, Forbes 30 Under 30

  • Sid Sridhar: Venture Partner at Draper Associates, 2x Exited Founder

  • Dhruv Kulkarni: Venture Partner at Tower Research Capital, Exited Founder

  • Tim Xiong: Senior Director at Plug and Play, ex-AWS, ex-Microsoft

  • Sean Strong: Head of Strategic Parnterships at Anthropic

Admissions

Eligibility

The Immersion-HUVTSP admissions process is highly competitive, evaluating applicants based on their ambition, motivation, interest in early-stage startups, and academic preparedness. The program welcomes applications from all high school students and international candidates, with early applicants receiving priority due to limited spots. Students currently enrolled in undergraduate or graduate programs are not eligible to participate. However, individuals who have completed high school but are taking a gap year or have yet to begin their undergraduate studies may apply.

Process

There are two admissions tracks: Invite-Only and Regular Admission. Invite-Only Admission is exclusive to alumni and partner organizations via a private link or code. Admitted students can enroll immediately or defer, though deferrals are treated as re-applications with no guarantee of future admission. Regular Admission is open to all eligible applicants and follows the standard admissions timeline.

Interviews

For all admission programs, students may be requested to participate in an interview. Interviews are conducted on Zoom and are designed to be an informal chat between an admissions officer and the candidate, allowing the candidate to share more about their interests as well as ask the admissions officer any questions they may have. Receiving an interview request is not a requirement to be admitted nor a guarantee of admission.

Timelines

Immersion—HUVTSP is a blended online and in-person program that spans two six-week summer sessions, each culminating in a one-week in-person immersion on Jeju Island. Session I runs online from June 9 to July 18, 2025, and Session II from July 7 to August 15, 2025. Both sessions conclude with the in-person experience on Jeju Island from August 10 to August 16, 2025.

Before the official start date, admitted participants will gain early access to a range of pre-program activities, including virtual networking opportunities, fireside chats with entrepreneurs, investors, and Harvard University faculty, and private networking sessions with fellow participants.

Tuition

Immersion—HUVTSP is a six-week online program followed by a one-week in-person experience on Jeju Island. Tuition for the full program is $8,995, regardless of whether a student enrolls in Session I or Session II. There is no application fee to apply.

Financial Aid

Immersion-HUVTSP is able to offer a financial aid program, providing scholarships each year on a case-by-case basis to accepted high school students with demonstrated need. HUVTSP is dedicated to making education accessible to all.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Ivy Immersion is an intensive academic and leadership program designed for high-achieving students who aspire to gain acceptance into top universities and develop real-world skills. Our programs provide hands-on learning experiences, expert mentorship, and exposure to rigorous academic challenges.

  • Ivy Immersion is ideal for students who:

    • Aspire to attend Ivy League and other top universities

    • Want to develop leadership, critical thinking, and research skills

    • Are highly motivated and looking for an academic challenge

    • Need guidance on crafting a compelling college application

  • We offer a range of programs tailored to different academic and career interests, including:

    • Research & Publication: Work alongside professors to publish original research

    • Entrepreneurship & Leadership: Hands-on business development and leadership training

    • Professional Externships: Real-world experience in various industries

  • Yes. Our programs help students build standout applications by providing unique academic and extracurricular achievements that admissions officers value. Students who complete our programs have a stronger profile compared to peers who only focus on GPA and standardized tests.

  • Admission to Ivy Immersion is highly selective. We seek students with strong academic backgrounds, leadership potential, and a commitment to personal and intellectual growth. Applications are reviewed holistically to ensure the best fit for our programs.

  • Program lengths vary depending on the track:

    • Short Intensives: 1–4 weeks

    • Semester-Long Programs: 8–12 weeks

    • Year-Round Mentorship: Ongoing support for research, externships, and leadership training

  • We offer both online and in-person programs, depending on the track. Online programs provide flexibility and access to global mentors, while in-person programs offer immersive, hands-on experiences in major cities and university settings.

  • Yes. We provide limited scholarships and financial aid for students with demonstrated need. However, as a highly specialized program, availability is limited, and we encourage early applications.

  • Due to the nature of our selective programs, tuition is generally non-refundable once a student is admitted. However, under extenuating circumstances, partial credit may be applied toward future programs.