Tips from the LaunchX Team & Alumni on Applying to LaunchX

Ready to make your mark in the LaunchX entrepreneurship program? Entrepreneurship is all about YOU, so make sure to let yourself shine. Hear from the CEO of LaunchX, application interviewers, alumni, and more from our team to uncover their top tips for crafting a standout application.

Lead Instructor: Guillaume Catella

Guillaume notes the importance of illustrating how your hobbies and extracurricular activities have honed your entrepreneurial skills. Differentiate yourself by highlighting your unique projects and sharing your experiences, then relate how these skills have transferred to leadership, creativity, or problem-solving capacities. “Connect these experiences to your entrepreneurial goals to show a well-rounded and practical understanding of how diverse interests can fuel business success.”

LaunchX CEO: Forest Richter

“The single biggest thing I personally care about is the ability to execute independently,” Forest says. A key trait of a Launchie is their ability to jump right into action and their commitment to do what it takes to build a business. “Thinking of it like a cake. LaunchX provides the recipe. But, it is  on students to get the right ingredients, bake it effectively, and decorate it so that it will sell.” The most successful LaunchX students are all extremely active in their success.

‍Alumna & Program Interviewer: Rachel K Zhang

Rachel’s favorite part in reviewing hundreds of applications is the video portion. Don’t be afraid to show off your personality! “I love getting to know the real you—what makes you tick. It doesn’t need to be overly polished or unique; just be authentically yourself.” Make your video engaging by including personal touches, like playing your favorite song or wearing your favorite outfit. Authenticity can be your greatest asset in making a memorable impression.

HR Supervisor & Longest LaunchX Team Member: Hailey Moore

Hailey’s top 3 tips: 

1. Take your time with the application
2. Take the opportunity to answer all the questions (including the optional ones)
3. Showcase your passions and how they relate to entrepreneurship.

Hailey notes how one of the beautiful things about entrepreneurship is that it can look so different for everyone. “You could be interested in social justice or in arts, wanting to create experiences for those in the art world. It doesn’t have to look like a tech startup – there are so many ways it can look. Don’t put yourself in a box; give us what you want to hear. We want to see entrepreneurship in all of its different forms. We honor and appreciate your individuality, and this is why the program is successful.”

Admissions team supervisor: Sydney Han

Make sure to apply early! It shows that you’re genuinely interested and keeps you ahead of deadlines, especially if you seek financial awards. “Help us give you the best chance to get the support you need!” Sydney adds.

The interview portion can feel scary but try to have fun with it. “Treat it like meeting a fellow entrepreneur and networking, so relax and enjoy your chat!” Remember that your interviewer is an alum who was a student once before, and their main job is to get to know you better, not to interrogate you. 

BONUS TIP ON WRITING YOUR APPLICATION: Guillaume on how to show “hacker spirit” and humility on your application

A key trait LaunchX looks for is a "hacker spirit"—your ability to solve problems creatively. Guillaume advises, “Highlight any instances where you identified obstacles and came up with innovative solutions, even on a small scale.” Did you find a clever way to overcome a challenging situation? Show how you proactively seized opportunities that others might overlook. This demonstrates your resourcefulness and ability to turn challenges into advantages.

Guillaume also emphasizes the importance of humility and resolve in leadership. “Great leaders don’t take sole credit for success; they elevate their team and take responsibility during setbacks,” he explains. Share examples of demonstrating humility by learning from peers or taking accountability in challenging situations. Additionally, showcase your resolve by illustrating how you maintained unwavering faith in your goals despite difficulties. This balance of humility and perseverance is crucial in a leader and will resonate well with the LaunchX team.

Make your application shine

Standing out in your LaunchX application isn’t just about showcasing what you’ve done; it’s about demonstrating who you are and how you approach entrepreneurship. Focus on your independent execution, highlight what makes you unique, and don’t be afraid to let your true personality shine through. By integrating these insights from our team, you’ll not only create an incredible LaunchX application, but we guarantee that you will learn a thing or two about yourself. Good luck!