Aspire High School

Applications are now closed

The application period for this program will open in February 2024!

Aspire High School is our core program dedicated to outstanding high school students from all over the world. It aims to help you define your academic and professional journey and connect you with mentors who will inspire and challenge you. Members of our alumni community will share their educational experiences and prepare you for successfully navigating the college admission process.

Our five-day program takes place every July at Ana Hotels in Poiana Brasov. Each and every one of our 50 participants is one of best and brightest high school students from all over the world and is not afraid to challenge themselves and strive for excellence.

Aspire differentiates itself through elective courses which will allow you to create your own Aspire experience and a personalised curriculum, tailored to your needs and interests.

The candidates we are looking for are at the beginning of their academic and professional journey. They need motivation from people of their age, mentors who can guide their future steps and role-models who can inspire them. Thus, they must demonstrate that they are curious and enthusiastic enough to assimilate the high-level information provided, but, in the same time mature in order to discern which information is relevant and matches their academic objectives. In this way, the Aspire High School experience would be able to unleash their potential and unveil itself as a motivational and inspirational life experience.

Aspire High School is based on four pillars:

Leadership – A mix of Harvard Business School case studies and interactive sessions with leaders from various professional fields
Academic guidance – Professional university admissions counselling and interactive workshops with successful college students and graduates
Personal development – Communication and self-development sessions paired with self-awareness team-based projects which offer you the opportunity to discover the factors that motivate and drive you
Networking with Aspire Alumni – Workshops and panels on professional and academic guidance with Aspire alumni from all over the world

A glimpse of the lectures and workshops that make up Aspire High School:

Your Academic Journey:

Admissions at top universities in Europe and the US
How to define your college path
Writing a stellar college application

Exploring case studies with Ivy League instructors:

Examining stories of leadership and management
Creating an environment for learning and innovation
Measuring the success of your team

Engaging with notable speakers across key sectors:

Exploring the full potential of social media
Discovering how to set goals and how to stay the course of your dreams
Social entrepreneurship and the impact you can have on the world

Personal Development and Networking:

Introduction to negotiations
Understanding the art and science of communication
Outdoor team-building competitions

Who are we looking for at Aspire High School?

You must be enrolled in or on track to graduate high school
Demonstrated leadership track: You should be genuinely committed to bringing about positive change in your community, school and respective country, be it through entrepreneurship, policy, student clubs, NGOs, sports, or others
Intellectual maturity and academic excellence: Candidates will be in the position to interact with university professors and other real-life professionals, therefore they must be able to engage in debates, conversation and understand the core message. We do not look for candidates with perfect scores, but for those who can prove that progress, ambition and hard-work are part of their day to day life. Candidates demonstrate a high level of intellectual curiosity, are committed to learning and discovering and show passion for a particular field.
Emotional maturity: Candidates must be willing to connect with their peers and open up to discussions, debates, and storytelling. They must demonstrate an ability to purposefully engage with others in ways that help foster a climate of mutual understanding and support.
Driven personality: Our students show a willingness to go outside their comfort zone, take risks and learn from them. We seek young people who have demonstrated energy and determination during both individual and group projects and assignments.
Last but not least, it is imperative that applicants have a strong command of English, as the program is entirely English-based.

If the above elements seem to describe you, we gladly invite you to apply and become part of our amazing community!

*In 2023, Aspire will organize its flagship summer program physically in Poiana Brasov, Romania while adhering to the Romanian and European Union health and safety guidelines. The wellbeing of our students, professors and staff are our primary concern and we will take take all necessary measures to comply with all local, national and international requirements. We are closely monitoring the situation and are in contact with authorities to assess and implement any additional guidance, of which we will keep all participants informed.

Our Other Programs

Aspire Professionals

Aspire Academy

APPLY NOW

Applications are now closed

The application period for this program will open in February 2024!

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the application deadline?

We accept application for the early phase that come in until Sunday, February 26^th 2023 at 23:59 GMT+2. We also accept applications for the regular phase that come in until Sunday, March 19^th 2023 at 23:59 GMT+2. The late phase of applications will be accepted until April 17^th 2023 at 23:59 GMT +2.

When will Aspire High School take place this year?

The official dates for Aspire High School 2023 are July 27^th – 31^st.

Where are the meetings and courses held?

All events will take place at Ana Hotels in Poiana Brasov, Romania.

What is the cost to attend if I am selected?

Early Phase: 550 EUR.

Regular Phase: 600 EUR.

Late Phase: 650 EUR.

The fee covers all program-related costs – workshops and lectures with Ivy League professors, full board (accommodation and meals), personalised materials and many more surprises. We offer full and partial scholarships should you provide evidence of financial hardship (more details below).

*The full price of the Aspire High School program is 1400 EUR/participant, the difference being covered by our partners and supporters.

Are there any scholarships that Aspire provides?

Yes! Our application process is need-blind. We are doing our best to offer partial and full scholarships to all participants who prove a need of financial support. After you go through the application process and receive an offer to join us, you will be able to submit an application for financial support. An interview may be also held, to better understand your motivation for requesting the scholarship and adjust accordingly.

If you are from Ukraine, Armenia, the Republic of Moldova, or Georgia, we have some special scholarships for you that cover travel costs, as well as the participation fee. Make sure to mention your citizenship in the application.

While we are trying to accommodate as many scholarship requests as possible, our external funding is limited and so is our capacity to respond positively to all such applications.

Are travel costs also covered by the Aspire scholarship?

Sadly, at this moment we are not able to cover any costs regarding transport. We do help you with transportation from Bucharest to Poiana Brasov and return, where the programs take place. As for the rest of the travelling costs, you will have to handle them yourself.

However, many of our participants have managed to secure some funding from the Career Centres from their universities and other personal development grants awarded by their universities. We therefore encourage you to check with your university.

If you are from Ukraine, Armenia, the Republic of Moldova or Georgia, we have some special scholarships for you that cover travel costs, as well as the participation fee.

Will you help me with my visa?

Yes. The Aspire team provides support to all international students in order for them to get their visa in time. Keep in mind that Romania is a European Union member state. If you are an EU citizen, you do not need a visa to enter Romania. We encourage you to reach out to our team for visa support as soon as you receive a positive offer from our side.

Am I required to attend all sessions?

Yes. We expect our participants to attend all sessions.

What commitments are expected of the alumni?

After the program ends, participants join the ever expanding community of Aspire alumni that is present and active across the globe. Alumni are encouraged to remain involved in the Aspire community in a variety of ways. These include recruiting and mentoring new participants, promoting Aspire and its programs, becoming part of the organizing team and sharing their experiences and knowledge with future generation of alumni. They will also be encouraged to stay connected with each other, and provide support to the projects and initiatives pursued by their fellow “Aspirers”.

Is there an age limit for participants?

Yes. Candidates must be high-school students exclusively. If you are younger than 27 years old, then we encourage you to visit our Aspire Academy page. If you are between 27-35 years old, please consider applying for Aspire Young Professionals.

I’m interested in the program, but can’t attend this year. How can I receive information about the program in the future?

Please visit our website again when this year’s application period ends. Visit the Home page and follow the instructions to join the notification list!

If I graduated another Aspire program previously, can I apply to another module?

Yes, we encourage you to continue your Aspire journey by following and completing another Aspire program. We believe that the most impactful Aspire journey starts with High School, is followed by Academy and then by Professionals

How will the Aspire 2023 programs be organized considering the corona virus pandemic?

In 2023, Aspire will organize its flagship summer program physically in Poiana Brasov, Romania while adhering to the Romanian and European Union health and safety guidelines. The wellbeing of our students, professors and staff are our primary concern and we will take take all necessary measures to comply with all local, national and international requirements. We are closely monitoring the situation and are in contact with authorities to assess and implement any additional guidance, of which we will keep all Aspire High School participants informed.