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Center for Financial Services

Program Questions

Can I register for two courses in a session?

No.  You can take only one course in a session.  Each course lasts one week.  You will be busy between 7:30 am and 5:30 pm (EDT) with course activities.   

What meals are included in the different programs?

Commuter Students-

Lunch will be provided Monday through Friday during the student’s program week, with accommodations for food allergies as needed. Parents and students are invited to dinner on Sunday for a welcome orientation dinner with a campus tour and an end-of-program celebration dinner and awards ceremony on Friday evening. Event details will be sent after registration.

Residential Students-

Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner will be provided Monday through Friday, with accommodations for food allergies as needed. Parents and students are invited to dinner on Sunday night for a welcome orientation dinner with a campus tour and an end-of-program celebration dinner and awards ceremony on Friday evening. Event details will be sent after registration.

What do students who register for back-to-back residential programming do between courses?

Students will be provided housing on campus between their two weeks of registration and meals on Saturday and Sunday. In addition, students will get a chance to do laundry and make a short field trip with a small group.  These amenities are provided at no additional charge.

How will Wall Street 101 help me prepare for college?

Attending Wall Street 101 has many benefits. Students will attend college-level lectures, enhance their personal portfolios through executive engagement, and elevate their professional portfolios with new investment ideas, presentation skills, and business strategies. Wall Street 101 participants will connect with fellow high school students from across the globe, developing strong global perspectives and friendships. Commuter and residential students are further exposed to a traditional college campus environment and have opportunities to connect with admission officers and current students outside of class time.

How will I apply my knowledge?

Students will work in small teams to utilize the financial technology of the Bentley Trading Room to learn about capital markets. Assignments are carefully developed that will allow you to apply your analytical mind, your leadership skills, your ability to work cohesively in a group, your interpersonal skills, and your communication skills to solve group tasks. You will learn about financial analysis, risk management, trading and investment process, and the link between macroeconomics and capital markets. Finally, through interactions with Wall Street professionals, students will be exposed to various careers on Wall Street.  

How competitive is the program?

WS101 is a rigorous program taught by Bentley faculty with industry background. Each course is nearly equivalent to a college-level course. It is also one of the only interactive programs to teach these concepts at the pre-college level, and our capacity is limited. As such, the program is highly competitive.  

What can I do to prepare for the program?

We do not have advanced assignments; however, there are several interesting books on financial literacy and the role of computer science in the future of investing, etc. It is always helpful to watch financial news (like CNBC) to understand better how world news affects the global markets. Familiarity with MS PowerPoint for presentations and MS Excel or Google Sheets for calculations is helpful.  

Do I get college credit for taking a WS101 course?

Sorry, we do not issue any college credit, but the knowledge you gain in a course will certainly help you in taking college-level finance and economics courses. Even if you do not take any finance or economics courses in college, WS101 provides life-long learning tools.  

Does attending the Wall Street 101 Pre-College Program guarantee admission to Bentley University?

Attending Bentley’s Wall Street 101 program does not guarantee admission to a for-credit program, but it does demonstrate your advanced interest in business and in Bentley.  Additionally, Wall Street 101 offers many opportunities to help you navigate the college application process and enhance your performance in a college setting. Finally, Wall Street 101 training can also help prepare for summer employment and internships.  

How diverse is the program?

The program attracts a broad range of participants from a variety of backgrounds, interests, and locations around the globe.  

What is the average percentage of females in the program?

This can vary widely, especially when specific schools contract with us for group enrollment in a particular course. Last year, the average percentage of females overall was 35 percent.  

How many students are in the class?

Residential and commuter classes are strictly capped at 30.  The Trading Room has a maximum capacity of 45 seats.  Each desk allows 3 students to sit together.

What is the dress code?

The dress code during class sessions is business casual. One nice outfit (often a suit or dress) is appropriate for final presentations. Residential students may dress more casually outside of class times. 

Are the facilities air conditioned?

Yes, all of our classrooms and residence halls are fully air conditioned. 

What is the cell phone policy?

We understand that cell phones are an essential part of your life for communicating with your friends and family. However, we will enforce the following rules regarding your phone usage during academic sessions: keep phones in silent mode; texting and playing games are prohibited; talking on the phone is not allowed unless in an emergency.   

Are there prizes?

Monetary prizes (Amazon gift certificates) will be awarded based on your performance in course and team activities (quizzes, debates, stock pitch competition, and trading simulation).  

 Can I meet with an admissions counselor while I am attending Wall Street 101?

Yes, we will have a session during Wall Street 101 with an admissions counselor, and you will be able to register for an interview. We can also arrange for you to meet with a professor. 

Can I meet with one of the athletic coaches while I am on campus?

Yes, we recommend that students reach out to the coach before arrival to make an appointment, keeping in mind that students have rigorous academic commitments during the day, and appointments should be scheduled Tuesday or Thursday evening from 6:30-9:00 pm where possible.

Application Questions

What are the eligibility requirements?

Applicants should be preparing to enter their Junior or Senior year of high school in the 2023-2024 school year and have completed at least two years of college preparatory coursework at the high school level before entering the program. Residential Students must turn 16 years old by September 1st of the year of the program in order to be eligible to live on campus during the Pre-College Program We do not require any prior background on valuation and investing.  We do not require a minimum GPA. We look at all components of your application to evaluate your skills in complex problem-solving, critical thinking, creativity, and leadership. 

Can I apply to the program if I am a rising high school sophomore?

The program is designed for rising high school juniors and seniors. Admission is competitive. We have made exceptions in the past for rising high school sophomores who exhibit exceptional drive and interest in the global financial markets. Feel free to apply as a rising high school sophomore, but note that priority is granted to rising juniors and seniors. Tell us why we should make an exception for you. 

Can I apply to the program if I graduate from high school in May or June 2024?

We have made exceptions in the past for students who have recently graduated from high school and who exhibit exceptional drive and interest in the global financial markets. Feel free to register as a graduating (May/June 2024) high school student, but please note that priority is granted to the rising high school juniors and seniors.  

May I apply if I am homeschooled?

Yes, we welcome applications from homeschooled students.  

May I apply as an international student?

Yes, all students who are proficient in English are welcome in our online and on-campus courses. You will be asked to provide standardized test scores to demonstrate language proficiency. If admitted to a commuter or residential program, you must be able to arrive in person in the U.S. to participate; we do not issue student visas for this program. Please refer to your local U.S. Embassy for deadline for receiving visas.  Online students should be mindful of differences in time zones, as participation is mandatory during all class times. 

How should I report my GPA?

Report your GPA based on your most recent grading period. Please convert your GPA to a 4.0 scale for easier comparison. A (4.0), A- (3.7), B+ (3.3), B (3.0), B- (2.7), C+ (2.3), C (2.0), C-(1.7), D+ (1.3), D (1.0), D- (.7), and F (0). 

Do I need to provide an official transcript, or can I send a copy?

 A copy of your unofficial transcript is acceptable. 

Do you require an official SAT/ACT score report?

We do not require SAT/ACT or equivalent tests to attend the program. However, if you have already taken SAT/ACT or equivalent tests and you have the scores, please submit a copy of your report(s).  

What are you looking for in my essay?

An essay is optional, however, there will be a place for you to submit an essay.  Your essay helps us assess your writing skills and gives you an opportunity to demonstrate your qualifications and your interest in attending this program. We believe you are much more than a GPA and will give equal consideration to your passion for the topic as to all other components of your application.  

How can I submit a recommendation letter?

A recommendation is optional and is provided via a secure online form. You will enter the name and email address of your recommender (teacher, guidance counselor, employer, and socially connected person), and a link will be sent directly to them to complete the online form. Recommendations are confidential, and you will be required to waive your right to view a submitted recommendation.