Since 2015, UW’s Lead Forward (formerly known as the Young Women’s Leadership Summit) has been dedicated to empowering rising high school seniors across Washington state to explore what it means to be a woman in the business world. The program is designed to increase their knowledge of the business world by providing them with access to the resources to do so. Students engaged in the five days of programming will have the opportunity to learn about business through company visits, various workshops, and networking with professionals, faculty, and staff.
Lead Forward was created with six goals in mind.
- Increase Knowledge of Business Subjects
- Gain Leadership Skills
- Understand How to Work Effectively in a Team
- Obtain Professional Skills
- Explore Options for Programs of Study
- Discover Career Options
Over the course of a few days, students will have the opportunity to meet these goals through workshops, lectures, site visits, roundtable discussions, and more.
Who Can Apply?
This program is for current juniors attending high schools in the state of Washington, and those who want to explore what it means to be a woman in the business world. Students who are first-generation and/or come from economically disadvantaged backgrounds are strongly encouraged to apply. Prior business experience or knowledge is not required; only a curiosity to learn more! A UW NetID will be required for logging into the application.
Eligibility for this program is not exclusionary on the basis of race, color, sex, age, religion, national and ethnic origin, disability, veteran status, socioeconomic background, sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression.
Program Details: Click on each heading to learn more.
The 2025 Lead Forward will take place between August 3rd – August 8th, 2025. It will take place in-person at UW-Seattle. By joining this program, you will take your first step into the business world at one of the top public universities in the country. The Lead Forward programming is filled with team-building activities, seminars with faculty and professionals, leadership development workshops, and student and alumni connections. Join us and connect with other like-minded young women exploring the world of business!
Note: Students applying for the program who attend a high school outside of Washington state will automatically not be considered for the program.
- Rising High School Senior (Class of 2026)
- Extracurricular Activities (As Showcased in Resume)
- Demonstrated Interest in Learning About Business Preferred (Either Through Activities, Coursework, or Personal Statement)
- Applications for the next cohort will open in February 2026.
Q: If I participate in Lead Forward, is it guaranteed I will get into UW?
A: Participation in Lead Forward does not guarantee admission into UW. However, Lead Forward is a recognized leadership activity by the UW Office of Admissions.
Q: Can I submit my Lead Forward Application after the deadline?
A: No, late applications will not be accepted. The application will automatically close at 11:59 PM on April 30.
Q: Can I save my application online and return to it at a later time?
A: Yes, you can save your application and return to it at a later time. If you are in the application, you will find a “Save” button at the bottom of the application page.
Q: What are my chances of acceptance?
A: Every application submitted by April 30th will receive the same treatment. Each year, the Lead Forward program admits an extraordinary group of students. We have carefully designed our review process to ensure quality and fairness. Admission into the Lead Forward Program is highly selective and based on a comprehensive review of all applicants.
Q: Can I call or email to check on my admission status?
A: We will not accept or return any calls nor respond to any emails regarding admission decisions. All applicants will be notified by email of their admission decision by Summer. To verify that your complete application was received, please login to your online application to check the status.
If you have any additional questions, please feel free to email [email protected].