Wake Forest Summer Immersion: Finance and Investing

Wake Forest Summer Immersion: Finance and Investing is an overnight pre-college institute for current 9th–12th grade students, approximately ages 14–18. The program is designed for teens who want an early look at finance, investing, markets, and career paths in financial services.

The institute introduces students to how investing works and how finance affects both personal and professional life. Students learn about popular investing approaches, financial products, market analysis, benefits and risks, financial statement analysis, compounding, time value of money, and the role of fundamental analysis in valuation.

The experience is practical, not just theoretical. Students may visit a financial institution and trading floor, learn from Wake Forest School of Business faculty and financial leaders, hear from companies and firms, discuss current events, and participate in a mock investment competition. They also practice public speaking by pitching prospective investments and explaining their thinking.

This institute is a strong fit for teens who like numbers, business, markets, strategy, or big-picture economic questions. It can also help students who are considering business, finance, economics, entrepreneurship, accounting, investing, or consulting as future college or career paths.

Typical Daily Schedule

    8:00 am – Morning Meeting and Breakfast
    9:00 am – Welcome and Program Introduction by Academic Leader
    9:30 am – What is Finance?
    10:30 am – Introduction to Private Equity
    12:00 pm – Lunch
    1:00 pm – Workshop: Introduction to Investing
    2:00 pm – Buying and Selling Stocks and Bonds
    3:30 pm – ‘How to Pick a Stock’ Group Project
    4:00 pm – Debrief
    5:00 pm – Dinner
    6:30 pm – Evening Activities
    7:30 pm – Free Time
    9:00 pm – Prepare for Bed
    10:30 pm – Lights Out

*The “A Day in the Life” sample schedule is subject to change.