Applications for Summer 2026 are now open - invite-only round closes December 19 at 11:59 PM EST. Apply here now.
At VTSP, we believe that a clear and transparent admissions process is essential to supporting every student who considers applying. From the moment you begin exploring the program to the day you enroll as one of our selected scholars, our goal is to ensure you feel informed, confident, and guided throughout the journey.
Our admissions review is holistic and grounded in understanding each applicant as a whole person. We look beyond traditional metrics to consider curiosity, motivation, initiative, and potential for growth in a real-world innovation setting. Below, you will find key information on dates and deadlines, eligibility requirements, tuition and financial details, and an overview of how our admissions process works. We encourage you to review these sections as you prepare your application.
Overview
Eligibility
Our admissions process is competitive and considers each applicant’s ambition, motivation, interest in early-stage startups, and academic readiness. All high school students, along with international equivalents and those taking a gap year before university, are encouraged to apply, with early applicants receiving priority due to limited spots.
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While no prior entrepreneurial experience is required, we look for motivated self-starters who are eager to explore new industries, contribute meaningfully to early-stage ventures, and build real-world skills beyond the classroom. Demonstrated interest in startups, technology, business, or a related field is strongly encouraged.
Application Rounds
There are five admissions rounds: Invite-Only, Priority Consideration, Early Action, Regular Decision, and Rolling. The Invite-Only round offers admissions benefits and is accessible only through a special link or code provided to program alumni and vetted partners. Applicants may also request Invite-Only access by email with an explanation. The Priority Consideration and Early Action rounds that follow provide general applicants with the earliest review opportunities, allowing submissions to be considered ahead of the larger applicant pool. After these early rounds, applications proceed through Regular Decision and then Rolling Admissions. A full admissions timeline can be found below.
Interviews
For all admission rounds, students may be extended an invitation to interview. Interviews are conducted asynchronously and involve a recorded video response to a few questions from our admissions team, to help us learn more about the student's interests, ideas, and motivations. Receiving an interview request is not a requirement to be admitted nor a guarantee of admission.
Decision
Throughout the application cycle, decisions will be released via email in waves, by the date listed below correlating to the current application round. We receive a high volume of applications and have a highly selective process, so unfortunately we are only able to accept a small number of students. However, we always encourage those who are not selected to re-apply the following year, if eligible.
Tuition & Financial Aid
Tuition for the full 6-week program is $4,750, regardless of whether a student enrolls in Session I or Session II, and there is a non-waivable $35 application fee. VTSP offers a robust financial aid program that provides a combination of need-based and merit-based scholarships, awarded on a case-by-case basis to admitted students, including a limited number of full-tuition awards for exceptional high-need candidates. Admissions decisions are made through a holistic review process, and financial aid is evaluated only after a student has been admitted.
Timeline
Invite-Only Round
Application Window: Nov 24 - Dec 19, 2025
Interviews: December 2025 & January 2026
Decision Notification: By Jan 16, 2026
Enrollment Deadline: 7 days from admission
Priority Decision Round
Application Window: Jan 1 - Jan 31, 2026
Interviews: January & February
Decision Notification: by February 27, 2026
Enrollment Deadline: 7 days from acceptance
Early Action Round
Application Window: February 1 - February 28, 2026
Interviews: February & March
Decision Notification: by March 20, 2026
Enrollment Deadline: 7 days from acceptance​
Regular Decision Round
Application Window: March 1 - March 28, 2026
Interviews: March & April
Decision Notification: by April 17, 2026
Enrollment Deadline: 7 days from acceptance​
Rolling Admissions
Application Window: March 29 - Early May, 2026
Interviews: April & May
Decision Notification: Rolling
Enrollment Deadline: 7 days from acceptance​