Attending a top business school such as Wharton, Cornell’s SC Johnson College of Business, or UMich’s Ross School of Business has become synonymous with prestige and professional success. Given the prestige and rigor of these schools and the popularity of business and entrepreneurship amongst high school students, it is critical for students to differentiate themselves and show the unique perspective they will bring to their program and campus in their applications. As the Penn application website notes, admitted applicants are those that “present the most compelling cases and distinguish themselves from other applicants.”
One of the most effective ways for students to set themselves apart from thousands of other applicants is through a compelling hook. A strong business hook will refine your specific niche within the broad field of business and demonstrate your hands-on skillset to admissions officers at top schools. Rather than building a hook in “business” more generally, students should use their hook as an opportunity to explore and demonstrate their core passion for finance, entrepreneurship, economics, or another related subdiscipline.
Additionally, students should consider how they might combine their interest in business with another unique passion—students interested in music and business might build a hook around music management; those interested in graphic design and business might carve out their niche in advertising; a student who has spent years learning languages might consider how to use their linguistic skills to develop a hook in international relations. Getting specific about their interests and showing their unique and dynamic approach to business will go a long way in distinguishing them from thousands of other business applicants with more superficial profiles.
Tips from Our Mentors:
If you’re interested in business or economics, you should join a related club at your high school or online. Even though clubs related to entrepreneurship, economics and business are not offered by all high schools, check out the list of clubs your high school does offer and join one or two, even if they are only tangentially related to your primary interests. Any of the following clubs will help you to develop leadership, public speaking, and professional skills:
Business is a broad field—find your niche!
“Broadly speaking, I’d say avoid saying ‘business’ in general and instead present yourself as being interested in a certain niche. Even better, being passionate about a certain cause is usually a better place to start if you are interested in business, because then you can demonstrate that you have some personal motivation to go into business rather than a desire to make money.” —Ibrahim
Make an impact in your community.
“The field of business doesn’t necessarily lend itself to community service or community impact very well, but students absolutely have to figure out how to incorporate social responsibility into their business interest (at least for the purpose of college applications). Whether it’s through some sort of financial education initiative, tutoring, or meeting a need in their community, there should be some aspect of volunteering involved.” —Kelly
Show admissions officers your “why.”
“To truly stand out as an applicant, it’s crucial to tie your passion for business to your personal background and experiences. Think back to the first time you heard about business—whether it was a family conversation, a class, or a personal experience—and how that moment sparked your interest. Reflect on how your understanding of business has grown since then and pinpoint the specific areas within the field that truly excite you, whether it’s finance, marketing, or social entrepreneurship. Admissions officers want to see that your motivations come from a genuine place, not just a desire for success, but a drive to learn and make an impact within a specific aspect of the business world.” —Rosy
For more advice on setting yourself up for success when applying to top business programs, check out this Q&A with our Senior Mentors!
There are many ways to develop an entrepreneurship, economics or business-related hook. Below are a few of our top suggestions for you to follow. Regardless of the path you take, you should think outside the box as you develop a passion project and pursue opportunities that reflect your unique interests!
What Our Mentors Have to Say:
“Unlike undergraduate admissions, there is no such thing as “Undecided” in business school admissions. While some flexibility is permitted, business schools will expect candidates to be confident about their trajectory and have a clear understanding of how an MBA can help them achieve their goals. Top business schools expect candidates to have solid and measurable leadership skills with a resume of business results that parallel those skills.
Though business schools will look at your academic history and extracurricular affiliations, they will be far more invested in your background as a business professional. They will look for more polish, professionalism, and leadership potential than undergraduate admissions, which tend to focus on intellectual curiosity, community engagement, and extracurricular involvements.”
To learn more about how our Senior Mentors can help you compile a standout business school application, check out our Q&A with Min!
Start Your Own Business
There is no better way to develop your hook in business than to start a business yourself. Whether you launch a small e-commerce store, a tutoring service, a dog-walking business, or a social impact venture, engaging in entrepreneurial endeavors will equip you with hands-on experience in the field and help you refine your particular interests and skillset within business.
Start by identifying a problem you want to solve in your local community or a product or service you’re passionate about. Rather than thinking about flashy impact, consider how you might use your business interests to address a need or cause you care about. Ideally, your endeavor will lend further insight into your personality and background to admissions officers. If you’re interested in finance, you might start creating financial literacy content or consulting with local businesses; if sustainability excites you, consider selling eco-friendly products or launching a community-based initiative. Even small-scale ventures—like reselling thrifted clothing, designing websites for local businesses, or monetizing a YouTube channel—can help you build critical business skills such as budgeting, marketing, and customer service.
What Our Mentors Have to Say:
“One of the best ways to test out different niches is to develop a passion project. Start brainstorming solutions to a problem that interests you, then break down what you don’t know and identify the skills you need to develop further in order to solve it. Doing so will not only help you practice your business acumen in real-world settings, but it will also indicate the particular methodology and approach you gravitate to most. Do you find yourself getting lost in the fun of designing a website or putting together flyers for your venture? That might be your first indication that marketing is for you!”
Check out our Q&A with Ian to find out more about how our Senior Mentors can help you develop an eyecatching hook in business!
Join Clubs at School
If you’re interested in business or economics, you should join a related club at your high school or online. Even though clubs related to entrepreneurship, economics and business are not offered by all high schools, check out the list of clubs your high school does offer and join one or two, even if they are only tangentially related to your primary interests. Any of the following clubs will help you to develop leadership, public speaking, and professional skills:
Business Professionals of America (BPA)
“Our mission at Business Professionals of America is to develop and empower student leaders to discover their passion and change the world by creating unmatched opportunities in learning, professional growth and service.” You can either join your school’s chapter of BPA or you can join an online chapter of the organization.
DECA (Distributive Education Clubs of America) (In Schools and Online)
“DECA prepares emerging leaders and entrepreneurs in marketing, finance, hospitality and management in high schools and colleges around the globe.” This club aims to help empower and encourage future entrepreneurs as they prepare for their future careers and college studies.
Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) (In Schools and Online)
“FBLA helps high school students prepare for careers in business through academic competitions, leadership development, and educational programs.” The organization holds state, regional and national conferences.
Many high schools commonly offer the following clubs, but their particular objectives and activities will vary by school.
Intern
Thousands of applicants will list multiple clubs or other commitments on their activities lists. An internship is a unique opportunity that will stand out on your application, as it is far less common for high school students to intern. The successful completion of an internship will demonstrate that you know how to operate in a professional environment and are informed about the field. The following programs are great options for high school students:
Bank of America Student Leaders
This 8-week program connects students with nonprofits and corporations and offers them opportunities for employment and service. Students work full time for seven weeks and attend leadership training in Washington DC for one week.
Ladders for Leaders
Ladders for Leaders is a New York-based program that offers exceptional high school and college students with prior work experience and who reside in one of the five boroughs the opportunity to intern for leading corporations, non-profit organizations and government agencies over the summer.
Forage
Forage connects students with companies and organizes short 5-6 hour virtual work experiences to help the next generation of talent explore career paths and gain an advantage with Fortune 500 companies.
The benefits you will reap from interning are long-lasting, as the skills you develop will serve you throughout college and beyond. The process of applying for an internship is similar to that of applying for a job. You will need to submit a cover letter explaining your past experience and why you’re qualified for and interested in the internship, as well as a resume.
You can also search for an internship through your existing connections, or you can apply to job postings online. You don’t have to rely on Google to find an internship that fits you. Linkedin, Idealist, and Angelist are useful sites where you can search for additional internship opportunities.
You can either apply to an existing job posting, or if the company is not currently seeking an intern, you can take the initiative and reach out to a hiring manager and inquire about the possibility of interning. This can be accomplished by doing a bit of digging about the company on Google or LinkedIn to find the hiring manager’s name and contact information. Not all companies’ hiring managers will have their contact information readily available. Next, you need to draft a short outreach email selling yourself to the hiring manager. The cover letter is usually written as an email to the hiring manager, and it should be short and sweet. This email should include:
An example of a cold email for an internship within the business industry should look like:
Subject: Unpaid Summer Intern
Dear Mr/Ms/Mrs. X,
My name is Gina Collins, and I’m currently a junior at San Francisco High School intending to study business and marketing in college.
This past semester, I took an advanced digital marketing course online, and became the head of my school’s Business Club. There, I have developed marketing skills, advertising events we are hosting in collaboration with our National Honor Society and developing decks for our annual DECA competition.
I am looking for a summer internship opportunity and am wondering if you are in need of a summer intern? I would be thrilled to bring my skills to your marketing or media teams!
Thank you so much for taking the time to read this email! If a summer internship would be a possibility, I am available by phone at 555-555-5555, anytime on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Fridays after 3 p.m. or by email at [email protected]. I look forward to hearing from you.
Thank you again,
Gina Collins
Participate in a Contest or Competition
For students passionate about business, economics, or entrepreneurship, competitions offer an excellent opportunity to put their skills to the test and gain recognition for their achievements. Participating in high-level contests not only helps students refine their problem-solving, leadership, and innovation abilities, but it also provides tangible accomplishments to showcase on college applications. The Common App allows students to list up to five honors and awards at the local, state, national, or international level. Listing multiple awards in business or entrepreneurship demonstrates a student’s commitment to their field and helps them stand out among applicants with similar interests. By engaging in competitions, students can showcase their ability to think critically, develop innovative solutions, and work effectively in teams—qualities that top universities and business schools look for.
If you want to add accolades to your application profile, consider entering one of these prestigious business competitions:
World Series of Innovation
Organized by NFTE (Network for Teaching Entrepreneurship), the World Series of Innovation challenges students to solve some of the biggest global problems while advancing the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. This competition is perfect for students who want to apply their business acumen to social impact initiatives and develop solutions that address real-world issues like climate change, poverty, and inequality.
Conrad Challenge
The Conrad Challenge is an entrepreneurial innovation competition that encourages students ages 13-18 to develop innovative solutions to pressing global challenges. Participants work in teams and apply their knowledge of science, technology, engineering, and business to create marketable solutions, all while receiving mentorship from industry professionals. This competition is ideal for students interested in business, STEM, and social entrepreneurship.
Blue Ocean Student Entrepreneur Competition
The Blue Ocean High School Entrepreneurship Competition is one of the most prestigious virtual business pitch competitions for high school students worldwide. Individuals or teams of students develop and present innovative business ideas to a panel of experienced entrepreneurs and industry leaders. Along the way, students receive valuable feedback on their ideas, connect with like-minded peers, and compete for thousands of dollars in cash prizes. This competition is a fantastic opportunity for aspiring entrepreneurs to gain real-world experience pitching business concepts and refining their strategic thinking skills.
KEY TIP
Students can elect to study business at the undergraduate or graduate level—or both! The path to studying business in college differs from earning a masters in business in graduate school.
Sophia’s Success Story
When Sophia* began working with Command Education Senior Mentor Min, she was a high-achieving freshman with a strong interest in business—but she felt uncertain about how to distinguish herself in the highly competitive world of college admissions. Coming from a family with roots in corporate finance, private equity, and consulting, Sophia initially assumed that her path would follow a similar trajectory. She excelled in her coursework at her rigorous all-girls high school and even took the initiative to supplement her studies with an online accounting course from a local community college. Despite these efforts, however, she struggled to articulate her niche in the business world.
Rather than feeling energized by statistics and business strategy, she found herself most engaged when she attended business conferences at Harvard and Barnard, where she had the opportunity to connect with professionals and hear their stories. Seeing this trend in her interests, Min encouraged Sophia to explore a hook in networking, mentorship, and leadership development. With Min’s guidance, Sophia applied to and was admitted to Indiana Kelley School of Business’ Young Women’s Institute, where she began to build a network of professionals she planned to leverage in the future. Out of this network, she worked with Min to build a passion project aimed at providing select high school students with internships and shadowing opportunities that would teach them about business and leadership.
Min helped Sophia to build a balanced college list that aligned with her goals and showcase her work helping other young women access opportunities and discover their sub-interests in business on her college applications. Ultimately, her efforts paid off, and she was accepted to NYU’s Stern School of Business, where she continued to take on leadership roles on campus with the goal of uplifting other women in business.
*The representations made are compilations of real-life stories and experiences. Names, identifying information, stories, and experiences have been changed to protect privacy. We cannot guarantee a specific outcome, and your results may vary.
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I develop a business hook if I have no professional experience?
You can develop your business hook through a mix of professional and in-school experiences. Start by identifying your interests—whether in entrepreneurship, investing, or marketing—and put them into actions in large and small ways. Outside of school, you can intern at a small company, start consulting on or even creating marketing materials for local businesses, launch a finance blog, or conduct market research on an industry you’re passionate about. In school, join business oriented clubs, attend entrepreneurship competitions, take business classes, and orient your school projects around business topics.
What high school classes should I take if I want to go to study business in college?
There are a wide array of classes that could be beneficial, depending on your subdiscipline within business. For instance, a student interested in finance or economics could take a mix of math (AP Calculus and/or AP Statistics), economics (AP Micro/Macroeconomics), and business-related courses like accounting or entrepreneurship; a student interested in marketing should plan to take graphic design or other digital art courses alongside AP Statistics and creative writing courses.
How can I start a business as a high school student?
Students should start by targeting a problem in their community that they want to solve or a product that meets a need they’ve identified. Aim to start small and scale up over time. Use the resources at your disposal—whether your local network or online platforms (Etsy, Youtube, Shopify)—to get your idea off the ground, and gradually consider how you might expand your product or initiative over time.
Should I major in business, finance, or economics in college?
This depends on your career goals and your particular skills and interests within business. The best way to determine which path is right for you is to gain some hands-on experience through a passion project, internship, or coursework.
How can I get a business internship as a high school student?
Students should begin by leveraging their local network—reach out to friends and family members, as well as local business leaders at firms that align with your interests and passions. From there, students can expand to LinkedIn or other professional networking sites such as InternMatch and Chegg. For more on sourcing internship opportunities, check out Command Education’s complete internship guide!
Should I do finance research as a high school student?
Conducting finance research demonstrates analytical skills and deepens your technical skills in the field. You could initiate your own research project analyzing stock market trends or studying economic policies or you could reach out to a professor in your field to collaborate on research initiatives.
