Essentials of Finance

Daily Schedule

Change: Classes are held Monday–Friday. Here’s a sample weekday schedule:

• 8 AM: Check-in and Debrief or Kahoot
• 8:10 AM: Lecture
• 9 AM: Groupwork
• 10:30 AM: Second Lecture
• 11:30 AM: Activity and Presentation
• 12PM: Office Hours

What You’ll Learn

Core Topics Covered:

• Personal finance fundamentals
• Corporate finance
• Valuation and investing
• Fixed income and equities

Who Should Apply

Students currently in grades 8–11 who are:

• Curious about finance, investing, or accounting
• Motivated to explore real-world business concepts
• Eager to collaborate and challenge themselves a pre-college setting

International applicants are welcome.

Admissions Criteria

Admission to Essentials of Finance is highly selective. Each application is carefully reviewed to ensure a strong match with the program’s academic rigor and collaborative learning environment.

What We Look For:

Academic Excellence

• Strong performance in math, economics, or business-related coursework

A Genuine Interest in Finance

• Thoughtful, well-written essays that reflect your curiosity and passion for the subject
• Clear alignment between your interests and the program content

Personal & Extracurricular Achievements

• Involvement in school clubs, competitions, service, or creative projects
• Signs of initiative, leadership, teamwork, and diverse perspectives

Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis throughout the admissions cycle.

Once a decision is made, you’ll receive an email notification.

Program Faculty & Instructors

Our summer program is led by a distinguished team of high schoolers with in-person experience at Wharton Global Youth’s Essentials of Finance. These individuals bring deep expertise in finance, economics, and education, and are committed to delivering a dynamic and rigorous learning experience.

Academic Director

Alina Markutsya

Program Leaders

Agrim Jain

Parth Shah

Instructors

Samuel Ma

Samuel Ma is a dedicated student instructor with a strong background in finance, developed through the Wharton Global Youth Essentials of Finance program and reinforced by achieving 20% annual growth in his personal investment portfolio. He placed 2nd in Northern California at the National Economics Challenge and has taught core business and finance concepts to over 500 students through Bridge For All and Silicon Valley Youth. His ability to communicate complex ideas clearly is supported by a 4th place finish at the California State Speech and Debate Championship. Samuel combines financial acumen with a passion for education to inspire the next generation of learners.