14 Economics Programs for High School Students in Illinois
If you are a high school student interested in exploring economics beyond the school curriculum, consider participating in an economics program! Economics programs offer you the chance to gain practical skills, industry exposure, and experience in the field while learning about core economic concepts. As a participant, you will also get to learn more about the intersection of economics with other fields like business, accounting, finance, and investment.
Illinois is home to many renowned colleges and institutions, such as the University of Chicago and the Chicago Summer Business Institute, that offer economics programs. These programs allow you to start developing your network early, as you work and connect with industry professionals, professors, and peers who share your interest in the field. Additionally, the experience can be a valuable addition to your resume and college application, as it highlights your willingness to explore your interests before committing to a degree.
In this blog, we have highlighted 14 economics programs for high school students in Illinois that you can explore.
1. Bank of America Student Leaders Program
Location: Various nonprofits in the U.S., including in Illinois
Stipend: Paid
Dates: Eight weeks in the summer (including the Student Leaders Summit in Washington, D.C.)
Application deadline: January 15; applications open on October 14
Eligibility: High school juniors or seniors legally authorized to work in the U.S.
The Bank of America Student Leaders Program provides high school students with opportunities to gain work experience and leadership skills while working with local nonprofits. Over eight weeks, you will gain insights into the daily operations and community-focused work of local nonprofits, organizations, or businesses. You will gain firsthand insight into your community’s needs and the role nonprofits serve. You will also find opportunities to develop civic, social, and business leadership skills. The program concludes with the Student Leaders Summit, held in Washington, D.C., where you will learn about how government, business, and nonprofit sectors collaborate to address community needs.
2. Veritas AI: AI + Finance Deep Dive
Location: Remote
Cost: Varies; financial aid available
Dates: Varies by cohort; multiple 10-week cohorts are available in a year.
Application deadline: Varies by cohort
Eligibility: Students in grades 8 – 12
Veritas AI, founded and operated by Harvard graduate students, offers various artificial intelligence-focused learning experiences to high school students. Its AI + Finance Deep Dive is a 10-week virtual program covering the AI concepts and their applications within finance and economics. As a participant, you will learn through lectures, code walkthroughs, and hands-on projects. Your project could focus on the use of AI and machine learning models to analyze historical data, forecast stock prices, and identify future financial trends. To learn more about the program, you can check out its brochure and application form.
3. Economic Awareness Council: On the Money Internship
Location: In person and online in Chicago, IL; location details shared with applicants
Stipend: Paid
Dates: Varies by session; the upcoming fall session runs from September to December.
Application deadline: Varies by session; September 14 for fall internship
Eligibility: High school students in Chicago
On the Money, a magazine created by teens for teens, offers high schoolers the opportunity to gain experience working for an economics-based publication through its internship program. As an intern, you will spend three months conducting research and publishing articles on topics related to finance and entrepreneurship. In addition to improving your writing skills, you will also learn how to build a resume and work on your public speaking and interviewing skills. The internship also offers mentorship to help you improve financial literacy, research skills, and business and entrepreneurship skills.
4. Lumiere Research Scholar Program: Economics Track
Location: Remote
Cost: Varies; financial aid available
Dates: Varies by cohort (multiple sessions conducted in a year)
Application deadline: Varies by cohort
Eligibility: High-performing high school students
The Lumiere Research Scholar Program offers rigorous research programs to high school students interested in exploring a field or topic of interest in absolute detail. You can choose topics from a wide variety of fields, including economics, international relations, business, and so on. As a participant, you will be paired with a Ph.D. mentor who will offer support and guidance as you work on an independent research paper. The program tends to run for 12 weeks or more, depending on the format you choose. By the end of it, you will have a research paper that could be considered for publication. You will also get to present your work at the Lumiere Research Symposium.
5. Chicago Summer Business Institute
Location: Chicago Summer Business Institute, Chicago, IL
Stipend: Paid
Dates: Six weeks in the summer
Application deadline: March 31; applications open on February 1
Eligibility: High school sophomores and juniors with a GPA of 3.0 and a family household income below $80,000/year
The Chicago Summer Business Institute offers high school students the chance to engage in paid internships in the financial services sector. As a participant, you will gain practical experience and the opportunity to further your education while preparing for a career in the business, economics, and finance sectors. You will also learn how to create a strong resume, effectively communicate during interviews, and build confidence in your leadership abilities. In past internships, students have undertaken tasks such as working with spreadsheets, assisting with administrative responsibilities, and completing accounting journal entries.
6. UChicago Summer Session: Career Insight: Business and Entrepreneurship
Location: University of Chicago, Chicago, IL
Cost: $5,625; need-based financial aid offered
Dates: June 14 – 27
Application deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: Students in grades 9 – 11
UChicago’s Career Insight: Business and Entrepreneurship pre-college course covers the key concepts in entrepreneurship, finance, leadership, and economics. Led by UChicago professors, lecturers, and researchers, the program offers lectures, group activities, discussions, and practical learning experiences. You will also have opportunities to engage with practitioners through presentations, informational interviews, and field trips around the city. Additionally, you will maintain a journal and complete assignments, which will be compiled into your portfolio upon the program's completion. The program offers insights into skills required for pursuing careers in entrepreneurship and business in the future.
7. Junior Economic Club of Chicago : Careers in Business Internship Program
Location: Various businesses in Chicago, Illinois
Cost/Stipend: Not specified
Dates: Multiple sessions in a year
Application deadline: Rolling until filled
Eligibility: Chicago high school students
The Junior Economic Club of Chicago is a nonprofit that connects high school students with startups and businesses in finance and economics through its Careers in Business Internship Program. During the internship, you will get the chance to gain real, relevant work experience. You may perform tasks related to investment analysis, business strategy, market research, etc., and develop professional skills in the process. Some partners you may get to work with include FinLit, Dekos Capital, and the Zell Fellows Program at Northwestern’s Kellogg School of Management.
8. UChicago Summer Session: Economics from an Experimental Perspective
Location: University of Chicago, Chicago, IL
Cost: $8,900 for residential participants | $5,850 for commuters; need-based financial aid offered
Dates: July 7 – 26 (three weeks)
Application deadline: Rolling deadlines
Eligibility: Students in grades 9 – 11
A part of UChicago’s Summer Session pre-college program, the Economics from an Experimental Perspective course focuses on examining key economic questions using an experimental approach. During this course, you will explore the concept of experimental economics and how it uses experimental methods to analyse current economic systems. You will also gain insight into the factors that influence individuals' decisions related to environmental conservation and charitable giving. The course provides opportunities for practical learning through hands-on lab-based experimentation, allowing you to use these methods individually or in groups to address specific economic challenges.
9. College of DuPage’s Youth Academy High School Classes: Career Academy
Location: College of DuPage, Glen Ellyn, IL
Cost: $379/semester (tentative)
Dates: Summer program; length varies by course/program
Application deadline: One week before classes start
Eligibility: High school students
The College of DuPage’s Youth Academy High School Classes are designed to support your academic growth all year round. The Career Academy, a part of this initiative, offers one-week hands-on summer camps to introduce you to various career pathways and college majors. You can choose from various Career Academy offerings, including the Business and Entrepreneurship Boot Camp and the Stock Market Boot Camp. During the Business and Entrepreneurship Boot Camp, you will explore key aspects of business, including finance and management, accounting, and marketing. In the Stock Market Boot Camp, you will learn about the various kinds of stocks and practice stock analysis. You will also learn how to determine the risks and benefits when settling on your stock and portfolio.
10. UChicago Summer Session: Introduction to Macroeconomic Models
Location: University of Chicago, Chicago, IL
Cost: $8,900 for residential participants | $5,850 for commuters; need-based financial aid offered
Dates: July 7 – 26 (three weeks)
Application deadline: Rolling deadlines
Eligibility: Students in grades 9 – 11
UChicago Summer Session’s Introduction to Macroeconomic Models course is an opportunity to explore a range of neoclassical macroeconomic models. The course is divided into five key modules: economic growth and production, consumption and savings, business cycles and unemployment, fiscal policy, and monetary policy and forecasting. As a participant, you will explore these concepts through lectures, readings, and discussions. You will rely on relevant data to enhance your understanding of theoretical concepts. Additionally, you will develop skills in interpreting macroeconomic news and analyzing policies through a model-based framework.
11. Rice University Pre-College Program: The Business of Economics
Location: Virtual
Cost: $1,795; financial aid available
Dates: Multiple sessions of varying lengths available throughout the year
Application deadline: Varies by session; typically a week before the session starts
Eligibility: Students, ages 13 and up
The Rice University Pre-College Program offers several online courses for high school students, including the Business of Economics. This course gives you the chance to explore the relationship between economics and business and learn about market fluctuations and how businesses navigate them. You will learn about the significance of predicting these disruptions, the influence of energy and labor markets, and the impact of government-mandated policy changes. You will also examine basic economic concepts like the effect of inflation on the economy and loanable funds. The course also offers insights into careers that combine both economics and business, like financial planners, research analysts, account executives, etc.
12. Economics for Leaders Virtual (EFL Virtual)
Location: Virtual
Cost: $900; scholarships available
Dates: Multiple one-week sessions from June to July
Application deadline: Opens in December
Eligibility: High school sophomores and juniors
The Economics for Leaders Virtual program allows high school students to learn about important economic concepts through a combination of lectures, group activities, and real-world projects. You will have the opportunity to connect with economics professors and leadership instructors online. The program focuses on helping you explore the concept of the “economic way of thinking.” Additionally, you will learn how various economic concepts shape the global economy. The program also offers opportunities to build leadership skills and learn how to apply economic analysis to evaluate complex public policy decisions.
13. Stanford Pre-Collegiate Summer Institutes: Principles of Macroeconomics
Location: Virtual
Cost: $3,080; financial aid available
Dates: June 16 – 27 | July 7 – 18
Application deadline: March 20
Eligibility: Students in grades 9 – 11 who have finished at least one algebra course
Stanford offers summer online courses in various disciplines to high school students. The Principles of Macroeconomics course focuses on the status of the broader economy. You will explore vital macroeconomic concepts and understand the government’s role in the nation’s monetary policy, price stability, and employment rates. The course covers concepts like inflation, Gross Domestic Product (GDP), and labor markets. You will learn through online lectures and assignments as well as office hours, where you can get additional help with coursework or other queries.
14. Brown University Pre-College Program: Principles of Economics
Location: Virtual
Cost: $8,586 (tentative); financial aid available
Dates: June 16 – August 1
Application deadline: May 9; applications open on January 15
Eligibility: High school students
Brown University’s Pre-College Program offers several online courses to help high schoolers explore a field of interest before committing to a degree. The Principles of Economics course covers economic issues and the concept of economic analysis, helping you learn how to examine current social problems. As a participant, you will also explore the various economic institutions and the vocabulary used in the field. This course is designed to serve as a foundation for pursuing an economics major in college or just as an introduction to the field if you are debating your options.
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