Your First Startup

ADMISSIONS

Dates & Deadlines

Application Opens: Wed, January 17, 2024

Early Application Deadline: Fri, March 15, 2024

Regular Application Deadline: Fri, May 10, 2024

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until courses reach capacity. In most cases, you should be informed of an admissions decision within 15 business days of receiving your completed application.

Interested in applying?

Complete an inquiry form and we’ll be in touch.

Eligibility

  • The Columbia program admits high school students including rising 9th graders and graduated seniors.

  • To reside in Columbia’s residence halls, students must be aged 14 years or older.

  • The Lisbon program admits high school students who are rising 10th graders and older.

As part of your application, you will be asked to share your work styles and preferences. Your responses will serve as your profile for other HLV students during our team formation process.


Application Checklist

  • All applicants must complete and submit an application form.

  • Applicants must complete this survey about your preferences, strengths, and characteristics that influence team dynamics. Your responses to this survey will be shared with other HLV students as part of the team formation process.

    When choosing team members, consider your own set of strengths and weaknesses and look for individuals with complementary talents, working styles, communication abilities, and preferences.

  • $25 fee for early applications submitted by March 15, 2024.

    $50 fee for regular applications submitted on or after March 16, 2024.

    This nonrefundable fee can be paid by credit card within the application form.

    You may request an application fee waiver if:

    • You attend a U.S. school that provides need-based school-wide free lunch.

    • You attend a U.S. school and are eligible for individual free or reduced lunch for the current academic year.

    • You are home-schooled and eligible for SNAP benefits.

    • You attend a U.S. private school where meals are included in the tuition fee and you receive a need-based scholarship 75% or greater.

    If you qualify for an application fee waiver, please email hlv@hudsonlabschool.com. The application fee waiver eliminates the application fee only; it does not waive the actual cost of the program.

  • Recommendations are required for students applying to residential programs and optional for commuting students.

    Within the application, please provide the name and email address of a teacher, administrator or employer who can attest to your social maturity, innovative thinking, academic abilities, communication skills, initiative and drive, collaboration and teamwork, adaptability, and work ethic. Upon entering this information into the application form, an email containing a recommendation form will be sent to the recommender. Applications will not be considered complete until we receive the recommendation.


How We Assess Applications

When reviewing applications, we take the same approach we’d use to hire a startup team.

  • Are you adaptable and resilient? Starting new ventures is hard and failing is the most efficient path to learning.

  • Do you have an entrepreneurial mindset that makes you proactive, resourceful, and comfortable with taking calculated risks?

  • Are you a problem solver who identifies and solves complex problems with creative solutions?

  • Are you a team player or leader? A cohesive team requires both for working effectively.

  • Are you an effective communicator? Good communication is essential for teamwork, pitching to investors, and building relationships with customers.

  • Do you have a track record of past experiences and achievements to demonstrate the above characteristics?


Admitted Students

If admitted, you must confirm your attendance by submitting a signed Agreement and a $350 Tuition Deposit.

Get Started

Begin your application today.