Frequently Asked Questions
Who should attend the JA Entrepreneurship Summit?
The Summit is open to rising 9th-12th graders in the Greater Washington region. There are no academic requirements for participating; however, all students must come with an eagerness to learn and a willingness to work hard with their team.
Whether you are interested in business, want to start your own fashion line, see yourself managing teams of people someday, or want to increase your chances of successfully landing a job interview, the JA Entrepreneurship Summit is right for you.
Why are rising 9th graders required to interview in order to participate?
Rising 9th graders may apply and be accepted based on an interview with JA Staff. Due to the nature of a virtual environment, the 2021 JA Entrepreneurship Summit resembles the type of learning that high school students will be most familiar with. This environment will require students to demonstrate excellent motivation and self-direction, therefore JA will speak with rising 9th grade applicants to determine if this learning environment is right for them this year.
How will students collaborate virtually?
All student teams will collaborate through Microsoft Teams. This software is free to students and can be accessed through a browser. That being said, JA does recommend students download the software.
I’ll be graduating high school in June of 2021. Can I still participate?
Unfortunately, the Summit is only open to rising 9th-12th graders. However, if you would be interested in volunteering, please e-mail Patti Senft at Patti.Senft@JA.org.
What if I do not have access to a computer and/or internet?
Due to the nature of activity during the Summit, a computer and internet access is required for all students to effectively participate in the program.
Do I have to attend for the entire Summit?
Yes, your full attendance is necessary for the success of your team’s presentation! Each team will be working on a business challenge throughout the course of the 5 days, so we will expect that each participant is able to attend all five days. Students should be logged into their computers on Microsoft Teams each day between 9:00 am and 3:30 pm. Additional work may be required outside of those times.
Are the rules strict?
The JA Entrepreneurship Summit is similar to a professional conference or business meeting. We recognize that you are a leader, and we also value your safety. All participants will be required to sign and adhere to a code of conduct.
What should I expect after I register?
JA staff members will be in contact with a welcome packet and the pre-work to be completed prior to the summit.
Are refunds available?
The 2021 JA Entrepreneurship Summit is non-refundable. In extreme circumstances, refunds will be issued on a case-by-case basis.