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Young Women’s Leadership Summit

Since 2015, UW’s Young Women’s Leadership Summit (YWLS) has been dedicated to empowering female-identifying rising high school seniors across Washington state to increase their knowledge of the business world by providing them with access to the resources to do so. Students engaged in the four days of programming will have the opportunity to learn about business through company visits, various workshops, and networking with professionals, faculty, and staff.

YWLS 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.

Applications NOW OPEN

Who Can Apply?

This program is specifically targeted towards rising high school seniors who identify as female currently attending high schools in the state of Washington. Students from underrepresented backgrounds (American Indian/Alaska Native, Black/African American, Hispanic/Latino, Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander, and Southeast Asian) & First Generation 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.

If you do not have a UW NetID yet, please request one HERE and say that you are applying to the “YWLS Program”. Please note that this NetID will follow you if accepted into YWLS and/or the University of Washington. Please keep it professional

Program Details: Click on each heading to learn more.

The 2024 Young Women’s Leadership Summit will take place between August 11 – August 15. 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 Young Women’s Leadership Summit 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 2025)
  • Extracurricular Activities (As Showcased in Resume)
  • Demonstrated Interest in Learning About Business Preferred (Either Through Activities, Coursework, or Personal Statement)
  • Historically Underrepresented Groups (Black/African-American, American-Indian/Alaska-Native, Latinx, Pacific Islander/Native Hawaiian, and/or Southeast Asian) and First-Generation Students (Strongly Encouraged to Apply!)

Applications NOW OPEN

  • YWLS Application Opens in February
  • Application Stays Open Until 11:59 PM on April 30
  • A UW NetID will be required for logging into the application. If you do not have a UW NetID yet, please request one HERE and say that you are applying to the “YWLS Program”. Please note that this NetID will follow you if accepted into YWLS and/or the University of Washington. Please keep it professional.
  • Admissions Decisions are Released in May

Q: If I participate in YWLS, is it guaranteed I will get into UW?

A: Participation in YWLS does not guarantee admission into UW. However, YWLS is a recognized leadership activity by the UW Office of Admissions.

Q: Can I submit my YWLS 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 YWLS program admits an extraordinary group of students. We have carefully designed our review process to ensure quality and fairness. Admission into the YWLS 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].