Young Entrepreneurs and Scholars Competition

YES Competition (Young Entrepreneurs and Scholars) is a national business plan competition for high school students that challenges participants to develop comprehensive business proposals addressing real-world problems. The competition requires teams of 3-5 students to create detailed business plans, financial projections, and marketing strategies over a 6-month period, culminating in regional and national presentation rounds. Approximately 12,000 students from 800+ high schools participate annually, making it one of the largest youth entrepreneurship programs in the United States. This article examines YES Competition's structure, its role in college admissions, participation strategies, and practical considerations for students evaluating this extracurricular option.

The competition operates through 45 regional chapters, each hosting preliminary rounds between October and February. Regional winners advance to state competitions in March, with state champions competing at nationals in May. Prize pools total $250,000 annually, distributed across scholarship awards ranging from $1,000 for regional finalists to $25,000 for the national grand prize winner.

The competition emphasizes practical business skills and social entrepreneurship. Participating teams must identify a community problem, develop a viable business solution, and demonstrate financial sustainability. Judges include venture capitalists, corporate executives, and successful entrepreneurs from sponsoring organizations including Goldman Sachs, Microsoft, and Deloitte.

Competition Structure and Requirements

YES Competition operates on a two-track system: the Traditional Track for comprehensive business plans and the Social Innovation Track focusing on nonprofit or social enterprise models. Teams register by September 30th and submit initial concept papers by November 15th. The concept paper requires a 500-word problem statement, proposed solution overview, and preliminary market analysis.

Full business plans, due February 1st, must include executive summary, market analysis, competitive landscape assessment, marketing strategy, operational plan, management team bios, and three-year financial projections. Plans typically run 25-35 pages with additional appendices. Teams also create a 10-minute pitch presentation and prepare for 15-minute Q&A sessions with judges.

Regional competitions occur during February and early March at host universities or corporate venues. Each team presents to panels of 3-5 judges in preliminary rounds, with top teams advancing to finals. Regional events typically involve 20-40 teams competing over one or two days. Winners receive trophies, certificates, and advancement to state competitions.

State competitions follow similar formats but with enhanced judging panels and media coverage. The national competition in Washington, D.C. spans three days and includes workshops, networking events, and multiple presentation rounds. National finalists present to audiences of 200-300 people including potential investors and college representatives.

Time commitment averages 8-10 hours weekly during active competition months (October-March), increasing to 15-20 hours in weeks before major deadlines. Registration costs $195 per team, with additional expenses for professional printing ($50-100), travel to competitions ($200-2,000 depending on location), and optional coaching or consulting ($500-1,500).

Impact on College Admissions

Admissions officers at top universities recognize YES Competition as a substantial extracurricular demonstrating leadership, analytical thinking, and real-world problem-solving. The competition appears most frequently in successful applications to business programs at Wharton, MIT Sloan, Berkeley Haas, and Michigan Ross. Engineering and computer science programs also value YES Competition participation when projects involve technical innovation.

Regional finalist status or above distinguishes applicants in the admissions process. Participation without advancement carries minimal weight unless accompanied by demonstrated leadership roles or innovative project concepts. National finalists gain significant advantages, particularly at universities emphasizing entrepreneurship like Babson, Carnegie Mellon, and Stanford.

YES Competition ranks similarly to other major academic competitions like Science Olympiad or Model UN in admissions evaluation. The extended time commitment and collaborative nature demonstrate sustained engagement valued by selective colleges. Projects addressing genuine community needs align with institutional priorities around social impact and civic engagement.

Admissions readers specifically note evidence of project implementation beyond the competition. Students who pilot their businesses, secure funding, or create measurable community impact strengthen their applications substantially. Quantifiable results such as revenue generated, jobs created, or people served provide concrete evidence of achievement.

The competition proves most valuable for students targeting business, engineering, or social innovation programs. Liberal arts colleges show less specific interest unless projects align with institutional missions or demonstrate exceptional creativity. State universities often provide specific scholarship opportunities for YES Competition participants, particularly in-state winners.

Getting Started and Building Success

Ideal participation begins in sophomore or junior year, allowing time for skill development and potential multiple attempts. Students should first assess their school's existing YES Competition infrastructure. Schools with established programs provide coaching, funding, and experienced mentors. Students at schools without programs can register independent teams or advocate for program creation.

Initial team formation proves critical for success. Effective teams combine diverse skills: analytical thinking, creative design, public speaking, and financial modeling. Many winning teams include members with complementary academic strengths across business, technology, and communications. Team chemistry and commitment matter more than individual expertise.

Successful topic selection balances innovation with feasibility. Winning projects from recent years include app-based food waste reduction systems ($15,000 in seed funding raised), affordable prosthetics using 3D printing (partnered with local hospitals), and peer tutoring platforms for underserved communities (adopted by three school districts). Topics should demonstrate clear problem understanding, scalable solutions, and realistic implementation plans.

Preparation strategies include studying previous winning plans available on the YES Competition website, attending summer entrepreneurship camps ($500-2,000), and seeking mentorship from local business owners or alumni. Many regions offer free workshops during fall months covering business plan writing, financial modeling, and presentation skills.

Competition success requires systematic preparation. Teams should establish weekly meeting schedules, assign clear roles and deadlines, and practice presentations extensively. Mock presentations to teachers, parents, and community members provide valuable feedback. Video recording practice sessions helps identify presentation weaknesses.

Strategic Planning and Considerations

YES Competition demands significant time investment conflicting with other major commitments. Peak preparation months (December-February) overlap with academic deadlines, standardized testing, and winter sports seasons. Students should evaluate their full activity portfolio before committing. Those already engaged in time-intensive activities like debate, research, or varsity athletics may struggle to balance responsibilities.

Geographic location affects participation feasibility. Urban and suburban areas typically offer stronger competitive ecosystems with more mentorship opportunities and lower travel costs. Rural students face additional challenges but can leverage unique perspectives on local problems. Virtual mentorship programs partially address geographic disparities.

Financial considerations extend beyond registration fees. Competitive teams often invest in market research tools ($100-300), professional design services for presentations ($200-500), and prototype development (varies widely). Some schools provide funding, but many teams fundraise through local business sponsorships or crowdfunding campaigns.

YES Competition aligns strongly with business, engineering, and social science career paths. Students interested in entrepreneurship, consulting, or venture capital gain directly applicable experience. The competition provides less relevant preparation for pure sciences, humanities, or arts careers, though interdisciplinary projects can bridge these gaps.

Strategic timing matters for college applications. Junior year participation allows inclusion in applications with concrete results. Senior year participation may conclude after application deadlines, limiting impact. Some students participate sophomore year for experience, then lead teams as juniors for maximum application benefit.

Application Integration and Presentation

Common Application activity descriptions should emphasize leadership, innovation, and impact. Effective descriptions quantify achievements and highlight unique contributions. Example: "Led 5-member team developing AI-powered literacy app for dyslexic students. Conducted user research with 50+ students, raised $3,000 in funding, and placed 2nd at state competition. App now piloted in 2 elementary schools serving 150 students."

Essay topics naturally emerging from YES Competition include overcoming challenges (navigating team conflicts or pivoting strategies), intellectual curiosity (researching complex problems), and community impact (implementing solutions). Avoid generic entrepreneurship essays focusing on profit or business success without deeper meaning.

Interview preparation should include specific examples demonstrating problem-solving, leadership, and collaboration. Prepare to discuss project evolution, team dynamics, and lessons learned from failures. Quantify impact through user numbers, funds raised, or partnerships established. Connect business skills to intended major and career goals.

Common application mistakes include overemphasizing competition rankings versus actual impact, using excessive business jargon alienating admissions readers, and failing to explain technical concepts clearly. Students should also avoid presenting team achievements as solely individual accomplishments or minimizing collaborators' contributions.

Program Evolution and Opportunities

YES Competition adapted significantly during COVID-19, developing robust virtual presentation formats and online judging systems. These changes increased accessibility for remote participants and reduced travel costs. The competition now offers hybrid options combining in-person networking with virtual presentations.

Advanced opportunities include the YES Alumni Network providing college mentorship and internship connections. National finalists gain access to accelerator programs and seed funding opportunities through corporate sponsors. Several universities offer dedicated scholarships for YES Competition participants, ranging from $2,500 to full tuition at entrepreneurship-focused institutions.

The competition recently launched specialized tracks for technology innovation and sustainable development, reflecting evolving business priorities. International expansion continues with partnerships in India, Brazil, and Kenya, creating global collaboration opportunities. College-level participants can serve as mentors or judges, maintaining involvement beyond high school.

Recent rule changes allow solo participants in exceptional circumstances and permit mid-year team modifications with approval. The competition added sustainability metrics to judging criteria and requires diversity statements in team compositions. These changes reflect broader educational and business trends emphasizing inclusive innovation.

Related Activities and Alternative Pathways

Students drawn to YES Competition's blend of analytical thinking and creative problem-solving often excel in complementary activities that develop similar competencies. Those interested in the research and innovation aspects frequently pursue opportunities like the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Research Internship, which provides hands-on experience in scientific problem-solving and professional research environments.

The presentation and argumentation skills central to YES Competition translate well to activities emphasizing persuasive communication. High-achieving students often find success in Model G20 Best Delegate competitions, where they develop policy proposals and negotiate complex international issues. Similarly, those who enjoy the creative and expressive elements of business pitches might explore Poetry Society of America Top Winner competitions or pursue National Shakespeare Winner recognition, both requiring compelling narrative construction and performance skills.

For students particularly interested in technology entrepreneurship and innovation, the NCWIT Aspirations National Winner program offers recognition for young women in computing and provides a supportive community for technical innovation. Students passionate about accessibility and social entrepreneurship might also consider the Braille Challenge State Winner competition, which combines technical skill development with meaningful community impact, paralleling YES Competition's emphasis on solving real-world problems through innovative approaches.