Gear up for college with Tippie's Gateway Summer Program

We look forward to having rising high school seniors apply Spring 2026!

I am interested in applying, notify me when the Gateway application opens. Application opens March 2-April 17.
 

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Heading into your senior year in high school? Come live on a college campus for a week in the summer and get a sense of what you can do with a business degree. Meet Tippie students, professors, alumni, and business professionals. And most importantly, get a head-start on the transition to college.

Get a taste of life on campus

You can read all the college brochures in the world, but there is nothing like spending a week on a college campus to give you a sense of your future community. The Gateway Summer Program brings high school juniors to campus during the summer before their senior year to get a glimpse of life as a college student.

The program is free—including housing, meals, and activities—thanks to donations from our program sponsors. Your only expense will be travel costs to and from the program. You’ll learn about different aspects of business. Participants will receive three college credits.

You will engage with students who could become your mentor once you decide to come to the University of Iowa, meet with Tippie professors in a college classroom, act as a business consultant with local businesses, be supported by Tippie staff, and see your future with Tippie alumni.

Join us to explore Iowa City, the University of Iowa campus, and life as a business student.

Participation

Participation is by application only. The program is open to all who will be seniors and graduate in spring/summer 2027.

Application questions? Contact upo-tippie-gateway@uiowa.edu.

Application guidelines

  • Application opens March 2-April 17.
  • Applications are reviewed in April.
  • Students will be notified by email.
  • A thoughtful essay of 300-500 words and high school GPA will be factors in the selection process.

Tippie Gateway Scholars

Tippie Gateway students who are admitted to Tippie receive scholarship support with the possibility of earning a competitive award that covers the full tuition cost.

Meet your support network

Gabriela Rivera

Gabriela Rivera

Associate Director, Student Experience

Monica Hughes

Monica Hughes

Assistant Director, High School Outreach and Engagement

Justine Retz

Justine Retz

Administrative Services Coordinator

Gateway Program Sponsors

Thank you for generous donations from PricewaterhouseCoopers and John Deere!

Student writing.

College experience

 

"I got a feel for what college is like, I made a great group of new friends, and got to learn from so many interesting people."

Gateway team building activity.

Confidence

 

"I had so much fun learning new things about myself and about business. Now I feel more confident as I start making college decisions."

Group of Gateway students standing on a patio

Learning about business

 

"I really didn't know much about business. I learned that I really like business and plan to study it when I go to Iowa next year."

Support the Gateway Summer Program

Gateway mentors.

The Tippie Gateway Summer Program is delivered at no cost to our participants and relies on the support of donors to continue. Donations go toward summer costs, scholarships, and grants for students to have access to more opportunities during their four years at Tippie including internships, mentoring, study abroad, research, and academic experiences.

For many students, Gateway has been life-changing in their decision-making processes around going to college and ultimately, their comfort in choosing a major and career in business.

Consider supporting the Gateway Summer Program with your financial gift.

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