Thought I would start a thread for this year’s program. Anyone else apply?
Hi, LaunchX 24 alumni here, I’d be careful with this program given the price. The curriculum is light, usually only 2-3 hours of classes a day, which are long lectures/presentations. No problems with residential life, especially since the classwork is light. Also, it is very ambitious to create a start up within 4 weeks, and even more so for high schoolers to do so within that timeframe.
The teachers were two International Relations majors from Yale, which is impressive but does not suit the program. It felt like they were learning the curriculum at the same time we were. We had weekly meetings with mentors, who actually had experience in business. I wish we had more time with the mentors becuase they were very helpful.
Your experience/progress depends a lot on your team, which may vary significantly in quality. There are many amazing and dedicated students and some that are not as much. The program brings a lot of students from across the world (many from central asia). It is great since you get to meet diverse people but also bad because the start ups can’t make much progress after the teammates return home and are more disconnected. There is not a single start up from my session that lasted more than 2 months out from the program.
However, this is all just my experience from last year. LaunchX just got a new president, Forest, who shows the drive to make the program great and has already made substantial progress.
For the application, I recommend just being yourself in the video. Try to structure your video similar to the ones in the playlist of videos LaunchX provided. The students in the videos are exceptional and have lots of background, but trust me, LaunchX is looking more for interest than experience. Editing the video to include graphics and other media definitely makes the video better, but is optional since I know many who got in without lots of editing experience. I suggest requesting for financial aid even if you don’t think you will get it. It’s always worth a shot especially with programs that are 5 figures. After the first round of applications, there was an interview with a LaunchX alumni, which goes over some standard questions. For last year’s process, I applied the normal rolling deadline, which meant I only got 2 weeks to decide if I wanted to the program after LaunchX accepted me.
Feel free to ask me anything about LaunchX!
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Thanks for the fantastic feedback and insight. I am initially nervous, because they do not even know where the program will be held next year. I am sure there are many factors involved.
I applied early, hoping to hear back early. I received an email stating it should take no more than six weeks. Currently at the halfway mark and nothing as of yet.
What did everyone do with so much “downtime?”
It should be fine for them to not have a location set for 2025. For me, since I applied during the normal deadline, I mentioned how the location (Ann Arbor) was good fit for me.
For the application result, I’d be happy to chance you if you send your video. I’ll note to be aware that LaunchX may want a confirmation early if you applied early (i.e. you might have to decide if you want to go or not just 2 weeks after they accept you). One tip to guess your application status is to track your video analytics on YouTube Studio. They emailed me for an interview shortly after my video got 2 views. This only works if your video is “Unlisted” because otherwise the video is public.
Different people used free time differently, depending on group. A lot of kids mismanaged the down time, but I was fortunate to be in a good group that worked hard outside of class. There are plenty of things to do even though there are not that many classes every day. You just may not always have a structure to help you work, which is what deterred many from starting. For me, I talked to the teachers about International Relations, which I am interested in, and also the Residential Advisors about AI (many were in college studying these and other topics). You can also spend a lot of time exploring Ann Arbor (within a defined border) which offers a lot of nice food and study spots (in the UMich libraries and buildings).
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snoynac,
My video was viewed four times. Still no update regarding a decision or interview. Going on week 4. Do you remember what time of day your decision email came through? Do they release decisions at 5pm on a Friday or at any random time?
I am applying to a few other programs. Still no update for a location either.
Still no answer and it has been 4.5 weeks since I applied. Has anyone heard back or gotten an interview?
Well now it has been more than Six weeks and still no decision. I know it is is the holidays, but the LaunchX team said that a response would be given by 6 weeks. Anyone else get an update?
This post has had more that 200 views so I am surprised that no one else has responded. Anyways … update: I received an invitation to interview the second week of January. I had to pick a time slot and and a LaunchX team member of my choice. Had the interview, later that week, early in the morning at 7am! Went very well. A nice relaxed conversation. I received my application acceptance the following Wednesday.
Would be nice to chat with others thinking about participating in this year’s program.
@kajl71 What happened after that?
Am here just now. Have my interview later today.
Hope you got in.
@kaji71 Sorry, I meant to ask if you chose LaunchX or some another program.
Haven’t decided yet. Good luck!
LaunchX will be in Boston this year. Mainly held at the BU campus.
Anyone else get accepted?
Does LaunchX give full financial aid?
Because they made my tuition price higher than my family income, even with the financial award that gave a $2000 discount.
My son got into LaunchX 2025 at BU. We are debating between LaunchX and Georgetown University Summer Academy. He is a high school freshman and is interested in majoring in business/finance in college. Really appreciate inputs that would help us in the choice
depends if he get scholarship in georgetown university it is better to go there , also it will be more luxury because launchx is more commercial company
does somebody knows about that ?
i will recommend your son to go wharton summer program next year because is best for business major
does somebody knows a summer program with full scholarship for international students ? in sphere of engineering , business , math ,coding ?
I am sure if you send them a message or call they can answer that for you.
Good Luck
hey there, do u mind sharing details about ur interview? I will be having my interview tmr