Application Information & FAQs

Prospective Scholars will begin their application on our website. Sophomores can apply to the GWI Scholars Program and opt into consideration for the Internship Track. First-year students are eligible to apply to the GWI Scholars Program and cannot opt in to the Internship Track.

Preferences for the Summer Intensive Program (SIP) or the Online Intensive Program (OIP) are not part of the application process. All Scholars begin their GWI experience as a unified community within the GWI Scholars Program.

The priority deadline to apply to the 2027 GWI Scholars program is September 15, 2026. The final deadline to apply is October 15, 2026.

Applicants who submit by the priority deadline of September 15 can expect to hear back from the GWI team by October 15, though timing may vary depending on application volume. 

Prospective Scholars applying to the GWI Scholars Program by the final deadline of October 15 will hear back from the GWI team by early December. 

Please note that the timing of decision release is at the discretion of the GWI Recruiting & Admissions team. Due to the holistic and committee-based nature of our review process, we cannot accommodate requests to accelerate admissions decisions.

The GWI Scholars Program is an inclusive training program for undergraduate first-years and sophomores of all gender identities, including male-identifying students, who have demonstrated a commitment to GWI's mission. If you meet these requirements, you are encouraged to apply.

To apply to the 2027 GWI Scholars Program, you must be attending or transferring to a four-year, accredited U.S. or U.S.-style college or university in the fall of 2026. All applicants must hold first-year or sophomore status, with an expected graduation date between fall 2028 and spring 2030.

Note: Program eligibility is determined by anticipated college graduation date, not by accumulation of credit.

Prospective sophomore applicants can opt into consideration for GWI's Internship Track, which places Scholars in a pool of candidates for GWI-facilitated matching to frontline investing internships at leading GWI Partner firms. Scholars on the Internship Track will also receive additional resources for interview preparation and professional skill development. Please note that being selected for the Internship Track does not guarantee a GWI-facilitated internship. Prospective applicants are notified of their Internship Track status at time of application decision. Internship notifications, if applicable, will be released on a rolling basis throughout April 2027.

No. Admission to the Internship Track is not a guarantee of an internship match through GWI. Internship availability depends on GWI Partner firm capacity in a given year, and only a portion of Internship Track Scholars will ultimately be matched with a GWI-facilitated internship. Scholars who are not matched will progress into the Online Intensive Program (OIP), while those matched with internships will generally continue into the Summer Intensive Program (SIP). Over the last few years, GWI Partners have hosted anywhere from 175 to 200 GWI interns each summer.

Scholars admitted to the GWI Scholars Program AND placed on the Internship Track are eligible for but not guaranteed GWI-facilitated internships at Partner firms. For the portion of Scholars ultimately matched with internships, most will participate in the on-campus component of the Summer Intensive Program (SIP) held at the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton campus in June.Their GWI-facilitated internship will immediately follow the on-campus experience and is expected to last through mid-August.

However, as noted below, some GWI-facilitated internships are instead affiliated with the Online Intensive Program, depending on host firms’ needs and timelines.

Applicants are not able to directly apply to the Summer Intensive Program.

Prospective Scholars who are interested in the Summer Intensive Program should apply to the GWI Scholars Program and opt into consideration for the Internship Track. Admitted Scholars on the Internship Track will have the opportunity to be considered for internships at GWI Partner firms. For the portion of Scholars ultimately matched with internships, most will participate in the on-campus component of the Summer Intensive Program (SIP) held at the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton campus in June prior to their internship, though a small number may participate in the Online Intensive Program, depending on host firms’ needs and timelines.

Please note that being selected for the Internship Track does not guarantee an internship through GWI, nor does it guarantee participation in the Summer Intensive Program. The number of internships available through GWI’s Partner firms varies from year to year. Internship availability depends on GWI Partner firm capacity in a given year, and only a portion of Internship Track Scholars  will ultimately be matched with a GWI-facilitated internship.

Scholars on the Internship Track can expect to hear about their internship status through GWI on a rolling basis from January through April 2027. As internships are not guaranteed, Scholars may continue to recruit for external roles during this time.

Most Scholars will transition directly from the GWI Scholars Program to the Online Intensive Program in the spring at the conclusion of the unified curriculum. This will generally be the experience for Scholars with any of the following statuses:

• Did not opt into consideration for the Internship Track at time of application

• Were not selected for the Internship Track at time of admission

• Were placed on the Internship Track but not ultimately matched with a GWI-facilitated internship*

*Note: Some GWI-facilitated internships are affiliated with the Online Intensive Program, depending on host firms’ needs and timelines.

All first-year Scholars will transition directly into the Online Intensive Program.

Sophomores currently attending two-year U.S. colleges who are transferring to a four-year college or university for their junior year are eligible to apply to the GWI Scholars Program. At the time of application, students must submit one of the following:

• a letter of transfer admission/conditional admission; or

• confirmation of enrollment in a direct transfer program; or

• a detailed transfer application plan that includes school names and respective transfer application timelines.

Please note: admission to the GWI Scholars Program is contingent upon transfer to a U.S. or U.S.-style four-year college or university for the fall 2027 term. Confirmation of enrollment will be required of admitted Scholars by no later than June 1, 2027.

GWI does not limit or exclude applications according to citizenship status. The GWI Scholars Program is largely a remote, educational experience, and has no participation restrictions related to work authorization.

If opting into consideration for the Internship Track, please be advised that the majority of internship matches facilitated by GWI require unrestricted authorization to work in the U.S. and will not be filled by students on Curricular Practical Training (CPT), or by those who would otherwise need visa sponsorship in the future (i.e., STEM OPT, H-1B, TN, E-3, etc.).

Yes! We encourage students from all majors to apply. More than 100 distinct majors are represented in our Alumni community of over 4,000 individuals. 

Applicants do not need to have prior experience in finance or investment management.

As part of your application, you will need to submit the following:

• Complete online application form including two short answer prompts

• Up-to-date resumé detailing work experience and extracurricular involvement

• One written essay of 350–500 words (prompt within the application)

• One-minute pre-recorded video (instructions within the application)

• (Sophomores) Most recent college transcript

• (First-Years) Complete high school transcript

• (Internship Track applicants only) Two feedback forms from applicant-designated references

Unofficial transcripts can be considered in the application review process.

No, you can save your application and come back to it as many times as you need, as long as it is completed and submitted by the appropriate deadline.

Applicants opting into consideration for the Internship Track must designate two references at the time of application submission. However, you can submit your online application before your references complete their feedback forms. All materials must be submitted by the final application deadline - October 15, 2026.

Please note that applications will be reviewed once all required materials are received, including reference feedback forms. We recommend that you inform your references when you have submitted your application and of the final application deadline to ensure that your application can be reviewed without delay.

Please consider the following expectations when identifying your two references.

• A feedback form will take your reference approximately 30 minutes to complete.

• References will be asked to provide information including, but not limited to:

  • Context of your relationship

  • Assessments of your intellectual, personal, and professional qualities and skills, including strengths, teamwork, problem-solving, and adaptability

Reference feedback forms can be submitted by anyone who can speak to these qualities. Examples of appropriate references include:

• Current or past academic instructors (e.g., professors, teaching assistants, tutors, recent high school instructors - these do not need to be related to finance)

• School administrators (e.g., college or club advisors, school counselors, principals, deans, or similar roles)

• Current or past employers or supervisors

• Coaches or mentors

• Religious, political, or other community leader

At least one reference should be a person you have interacted with while enrolled in college. We encourage a variety of perspectives but do not have a preference for particular combinations of relationships, provided that both references fall into the above categories.

We do not request standardized test scores.

No, you can apply to the GWI Scholars Program free of charge.

A one-minute introduction video is required for all applicants. Videos should be natural and conversational, and reflect minimal production value (i.e., no music, backgrounds, filters, or other special effects). Applicants are asked to respond to a general prompt about themselves and their experiences within the allotted time frame, and should not plan to speak to individual internships or asset class preference. More details about requirements and formatting, as well as a sample video, can be found within the application.

First-year applicants are required to submit a complete high school transcript for an application to be considered for the program, including any national examination results that are considered a graduation requirement in the country where you attended high school, if applicable. Unofficial transcripts (high school or college, as required) can be considered in the application review process. 

If you do not have access to your complete high school transcript, please reach out to your high school Registrar's Office to request a copy. Digital transcripts may be sent to you, or directly to the GWI Recruiting & Admissions team at application@girlswhoinvest.org. Most schools are required to keep records of students even after they graduate. 

If you are unable to get a copy of your high school transcript, we may accept alternative documentation including report cards, on a case-by-case basis, as approved by the GWI Recruiting & Admissions Team.

Note: For sophomore applicants, only a complete college transcript is required. You have the option to upload a high school transcript within the application, if desired.

Through our online application, you will provide email contacts for your references, who will receive instructions directly from GWI on how to submit their feedback forms. Note: references submit only the GWI Reference Feedback Form. Separate letters of recommendation are not accepted.

First-Year applicants are required to submit a complete high school transcript (grades 9-12 or equivalent coursework), including any national examination results that are considered a graduation requirement in the country where you attended high school, if applicable.

Sophomore applicants are required to submit a complete college transcript.

Unofficial transcripts (high school or college, as required) can be considered in the application review process.

GWI uses a holistic application review process to consider context, preparation, experience, character, interest, and many other factors from submitted materials. As such, there is no minimum GPA that determines eligibility for admission to the GWI Scholars Program.

GWI takes a holistic approach to application review, and believes that those with intellectual curiosity, research and analytical skills, the ability to receive and incorporate feedback into continuous improvement, strong oral and written communication skills, and the ability to work in team-based environments can be successful in the investment management industry, especially when paired with the training, mentorship, opportunities, and community offered by GWI.

Through your application, the GWI team hopes to get to know you as an applicant, hear why you are interested in exploring the investment management industry, and understand how our programming and community may help you reach your short and long term goals.

During the December - April period of the unified curriculum, commitments will vary from week to week. Participants will be required to attend one or more live virtual sessions each month as well as complete approximately 20+ hours of asynchronous academic training and professional development over those months. There will be some live sessions during the program that are typically scheduled for evenings (ET) to minimize conflicts with class schedules as much as possible. Some sessions are recorded for access to make-up sections.

Once Scholars transition into the Summer Intensive Program (SIP) or Online Intensive Program (OIP), time commitments will vary by program, but participants can expect continued live virtual sessions and asynchronous training throughout the spring and summer. 

SIP participants must commit to attending the full program, including the 4-week in-residence training at the Wharton School (generally late May through late June) and the internship that follows, without interruption or other commitments.

The GWI Scholars Program begins with a unified curriculum for all Scholars. As the program progresses, Scholars will continue their education in either the Summer Intensive Program (SIP) or Online Intensive Program (OIP) - depending on factors including but not limited to availability of internships at our Partner firms, Scholar internship preferences, and in-program performance. Scholars who did not opt into consideration for the Internship Track or are not matched with an internship during the GWI-facilitated process will transition into OIP at the conclusion of the unified curriculum.

Applicants who submit their completed applications in advance of the September 15 priority deadline can expect to receive an admissions decision by October 15, pending application volume. We encourage you to submit your application as soon as it is complete so our team can begin reviewing your application. However, the timing of decisions will be at the sole discretion of the GWI Recruiting and Admissions team and will depend on a number of factors. 

Please note that the GWI team will utilize a contextual, holistic, and comprehensive application review process, regardless of application submission date.

Applicants are welcome to provide updates throughout the application review process as they arise, either by email to application@girlswhoinvest.org or by uploading new material through the application management page.

Quarter students are eligible to apply for and participate in the GWI Scholars Program. If ultimately selected for the Summer Intensive Program as the program progresses, we will work with each student on an individual basis to determine the plan that will work for their particular academic calendar and to ensure that they are caught up on any GWI learning they may not be able to attend in person. GWI strongly prefers that all quarter system students commit to arriving on campus by June 5, 2027.

Yes. If you're not admitted to the GWI Scholars Program during your first-year, you're welcome and encouraged to reapply as a sophomore. Each application is evaluated on its own merits, so a prior application doesn't affect your eligibility or candidacy in a future cycle.