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This page informs high school freshmen, sophomore, junior, and rising senior students about the different opportunities available to connect with colleges in and outside of Washington state.
This page informs high school freshmen, sophomore, junior, and rising senior students about the different opportunities available to connect with colleges in and outside of Washington state.
You don't have to wait until you are a high school senior, start now and see how you can travel, learn, and explore colleges as a high school freshmen, sophomore, and junior!
You don't have to wait until you are a high school senior, start now and see how you can travel, learn, and explore colleges as a high school freshmen, sophomore, and junior!
College Conferences
College Conferences
Conferences at colleges typically bring together high school students from historically underrepresented backgrounds to motivate students to seek higher education (i.e. a college degree). These leadership conferences celebrate diversity and mentor/inform students about the many opportunities, programs, and resources to help them succeed in college.
Learn more about how you can travel, tour, and explore their campus at a very low cost (or even free)!
Note: Clickable links can be found throughout the page. Click on the drop down button next to the desired college/university for more information.
OCTOBER
SHAPING stands for Shaping High School Asian Pacific Islanders for the Next Generation.
This conference is an annual leadership event on the Pullman campus that specifically targets junior and senior high school level students of Asian-American/Pacific Islander descent and address the needs of higher education among the Asian-American/Pacific Islander community. While high school seniors and juniors receive priority, all high school students are encouraged to apply.
Instagram: @shapingconference
OCTOBER
CASHE stands for Children of Aztlan Sharing Higher Education.
This annual leadership conference put on by MECHA de WSU on the Pullman campus encourages high school students of all Chicanx/Latinx backgrounds to pursue higher education. While high school seniors and juniors receive priority, all high school students are encouraged to apply.
Instragram: @cashe_wsu
NOVEMBER
VIBES stands for Visionaries Inspiring Black Empowered Students.
This annual leadership conference is sponsored by the Black Student Union of Washington State University and aims to motivate and encourage high school students to seek higher education opportunities. While high school seniors and juniors receive priority, all high school students are encouraged to apply.
Instagram: @vibeswsu
MARCH, JULY, AUGUST, & SEPTEMBER
It is a one-day student conference available in-person and virtually for underrepresented minority high school seniors in Washington who are interested in applying to the University of Washington as freshmen (first year students).The workshops prepare students for the UW admission process, learn about campus programs, meet admissions staff and much more.
Note: Participation is open to all students regardless of race or ethnic background.
JANUARY 17, 2025
Readiness for Islander Success in Education (RISE) is a one-day conference for Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander in 9th,10th, and 11th grade high school students who are interested in the University of Washington Seattle. RISE was created to encourage, motivate, and empower Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander students to pursue higher education, as well as give them the opportunity to experience the UW. Attendees will meet current UW staff & students as well as future classmates, learn about campus programs, attend a UW admissions presentation, and discover the diversity and unity that exists in the UW community.
Note: Participation is open to all students regardless of race/ethnic background.
FEBRUARY 13, 2025
Young, Gifted, & Black (YGB) is designed to engage African American 9th and 10th grade high school students interested in the University of Washington. The purpose of this conference is to promote positive self-esteem, social consciousness, and cultural awareness, while simultaneously emphasizing the importance of higher education. The workshops and interactions with current African American UW students, staff, and the community will provide both the resources and role models to help students make a commitment to pursue higher education.
Note: Participation is open to all students regardless of race/ethnic background.
MAY 2, 2025
Rising SEAs is a conference designed for Southeast Asian students in grades 9 - 11 who are interested in applying to the University of Washington Seattle. This conference encourage students to pursue higher education as well as to give them the opportunity to experience the University of Washington. Participants will meet UW staff and current UW Southeast Asian students, receive information on college admission, campus programs, and resources.
Note: Participation is open to all students regardless of race/ethnic background.
APRIL 14, 2025
Native American Student Day (NASD) is one-day conference for American Indian and Alaska Native 9th, 10th, and 11th grade high school students who are interested in attending the University of Washington Seattle. NASD was created to encourage Native students to pursue higher education as well as give them the opportunity to experience the UW. Attendees will meet current UW staff & faculty as well as future classmates, learn about campus programs, attend a UW admissions presentation, and discover the diversity and unity that exist in the UW community.
Note: Participation is open to all students regardless of race/ethnic background.
MAY 29, 2025
The Esperanza En Educación (E.E.E.) Conference is a one-day event for 9th and 10th grade Hispanic and Latino students, designed to encourage, motivate, and empower them to pursue higher education, as well as to give them the opportunity to experience the University of Washington. Participants meet with current Latino UW students, interact in workshops, and prepare to be competitive applicants to the UW.
Note: Participation is open to all students regardless of race/ethnic background.
University of Idaho Conferences
University of Idaho Conferences
Hispanic Youth Leadership Summit
Hispanic Youth Leadership Summit
OCTOBER
University of Idaho welcomes high school students from various regions in Idaho to explore the campus and learn about their post-secondary options through the Hispanic Youth Leadership Summit (HYLS).
NOVEMBER
This conference is a three-day event hosted at the University of Idaho that supports and encourages high school juniors and seniors to pursue higher education.
College Virtual Events
College Virtual Events
Not able to physically attend college conferences due to time, distance, or other reasons? Click on the drop down button next to the desired college/university to see how you can register for their college virtual events.
Learn more about the respective colleges' application process, holistic review, and steps you can take now to prepare to apply for college!
University of Washington
University of Washington
APRIL 2025 | MAY 2025 | JUNE 2025 | JULY 2025
This virtual program is created to empower and motivate high school students who are interested in pursuing higher education. Co-led by NH/PI UW staff and students, each session will cover a different college or career-related topic such as the admissions process, essay preparation, cultural storytelling, identity exploration, how to get involved in your communities, professional panels, and cultivating skills for wellness and post-secondary success. High school students of all grades are welcome to participate. This program is open to all high school students. However, students from Native Hawaiian/ Pacific Islander backgrounds may find this program of particular interest. Native Hawaiian/ Pacific Islander students include but are not limited to Samoan, Tongan, Tahitian, Fijian, Māori, Chamorro, and other Micronesian, Melanesian and other Pacific Islander heritages. This community also embraces students from mixed-race backgrounds. .
Note: People of all identities are welcome.
FEBRUARY 5, 2025 | MARCH 2025 | APRIL 2025 | MAY 2025
This FREE bilingual (Spanish + English) program was created for Latinx/Hispanic high school students like you. This is your chance to prepare for college, connect with others who share your journey, and celebrate the culture and identity that make you unique! Our mission is to provide a welcoming and identity-affirming space where you can connect with UW students and staff, celebrate your roots, and gain valuable tools to achieve your educational aspirations. This program is open to all students in grades 9-11. However, students from Hispanic and Latino backgrounds may find this program of particular interest.
Note: People of all identities are welcome.
JANUARY 14, 2025 | FEBRUARY 11, 2025 | MARCH 4, 2025
SEA Dawgs is a virtual program created to empower and motivate Southeast Asian high school students who are interested in pursuing higher education. Co-led by Southeast Asian UW staff and students, each session will cover a different college or career-related topic such as cultural storytelling, identity exploration, how to get involved in your communities, professional panels, and cultivating skills for wellness and post-secondary success. Attendance is free!
Note: People of all identities are welcome.
SPRING OF JUNIOR YEAR
This virtual event is for all high school juniors who are wanting to learn more about the UW application process and how to prepare for when they apply in the fall of their senior year.
SUMMER BEFORE SENIOR YEAR
These live webinar series are for rising high school seniors (juniors going on to their senior year) to learn more about the University of Washington, find answers to questions, and get a head start on the freshmen application. Register for each event separately.
MARCH, JULY, AUGUST, & SEPTEMBER
It is a one-day student conference available in-person and virtually for underrepresented minority high school seniors in Washington who are interested in applying to the University of Washington as freshmen (first year students).The workshops prepare students for the UW admission process, learn about campus programs, meet admissions staff and much more.
Note: Participation is open to all students regardless of race or ethnic background.
Summer Academic Programs
Summer Academic Programs
Don't confuse college summer programs with summer school. They are not the same! College summer programs unites students from various backgrounds and develops their leadership skills through lectures, seminars, fun activities, trips, and more. It's a way for high school students to learn more about the college, make connections, and grow confident in themselves.
QuestBridge: College Prep Scholars Program (11th Graders)
QuestBridge: College Prep Scholars Program (11th Graders)
Opens: Early February | Regular Deadline: Thursday, March 20, 2025
Get a head start to a top college as a high school junior with scholarships, awards, and resources designed to help you stand out in college admissions.
Yale University (10th & 11th Graders)
Yale University (10th & 11th Graders)
Yale Young Global Scholars (YYGS)
Early Action Deadline: October 20, 2024 | Regular Deadline: January 10, 2025
Current high school sophomore or juniors can apply to a two-week academic summer program and participate in a STEM, social sciences, humanities, or cross-disciplinary track for summer 2025. There are three sessions available to choose from ranging from mid-June to late July.
The full program tuition for one, 2-week session is $6,500 USD. The tuition covers all on-campus components of the program (housing, meals, curriculum materials, etc.), but travel is not covered. YYGS offers Need-Based Financial Aid (covering up to the full cost of tuition) for all domestic and international students, and then all students coordinate and pay/fundraise to cover their transportation needs.
This 2-week summer academic program serves about 2,000 students from all over the world including the US and distributes over $3Million USD in need-based financial aid.
Click on the flyer below to open it in a new tab.
YYGS Flyer Summer 25.pdfOther Leadership Development Events
Other Leadership Development Events
Get access to resources that will help you in your professional, career, educational, and personal development. Opportunities highlighted can include mentoring, career opportunities, and more.
Moses Lake Soroptimist: Dream It, Be It Career Conference for Girls
Moses Lake Soroptimist: Dream It, Be It Career Conference for Girls
Registration Deadline: Monday, March 3, 2025
EVENT PASSED
Registration/Attendance is free.
Dream It, Be It targets girls in secondary school who face obstacles to their future success. It provides girls with access to professional role models, career education and the resources to live their dreams. The topics covered include career opportunities, setting and achieving goals, overcoming obstacles to success and how to move forward after setbacks or failures.
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