Cornell CICER Summer Program 2025: Economics and Business for High School Students

Why the Cornell CICER Summer Program Stands Out

For ambitious high school students interested in economics, business, and data science, few summer programs can match the combination of academic rigor, Ivy League prestige, and practical career preparation offered by the Cornell CICER Summer Program in Economics and Business. Hosted by the Cornell Institute for China Economic Research (CICER) within the SC Johnson College of Business, this program has run annually since 2017, building a track record of transformative educational experiences.

What makes CICER exceptional is its positioning at the intersection of academic research and practical application. Unlike many summer enrichment programs that offer watered-down survey courses, CICER provides undergraduate-level instruction from active Cornell faculty who bring their own cutting-edge research into the classroom. Students don’t just learn economic theory — they learn to apply it using real data, Python programming, and business simulation exercises that mirror the analytical challenges facing today’s economists and business leaders.

The program’s connection to Cornell University — one of the eight Ivy League institutions, founded in 1865 by Ezra Cornell and Andrew White — provides a credibility and resource base that standalone summer camps simply cannot replicate. With 61 Nobel laureates among its alumni and a founding principle of providing “instruction in any study” to “any person,” Cornell embodies the academic excellence and inclusivity that define the CICER program’s approach. Similar to how the CMU undergraduate CS program provides early exposure to computational thinking, CICER introduces high schoolers to economic and business analysis at a university level.

Program Overview and Key Details

The 2025 CICER Summer Program runs from July 14 to July 26, 2025, offering two intensive weeks of learning, exploration, and personal growth on the Cornell campus in Ithaca, New York.

CICER is co-sponsored by the Cornell College of Business, the College of Arts and Sciences, and the Office of the Vice Provost for International Affairs, bringing together 21 faculty members from 6 different Cornell colleges. This interdisciplinary foundation ensures that students receive diverse perspectives on economics and business, grounded in rigorous academic research while remaining accessible to pre-college learners.

Curriculum: Four Courses in Economics and Data Science

The 2025 curriculum features four complementary courses designed to provide both theoretical foundations and practical skills:

Applied and Behavioral Economics

This course introduces students to economic principles through the lens of human behavior. Moving beyond traditional rational-actor models, behavioral economics examines how cognitive biases, social influences, and psychological factors shape economic decisions. Students learn to analyze real-world markets, policy outcomes, and consumer behavior using frameworks from Cornell’s research ecosystem that integrate classic economic theory with modern behavioral insights.

Finance and Management

Covering fundamental concepts in corporate finance and strategic management, this course equips students with the analytical toolkit used by business leaders to make investment decisions, evaluate corporate performance, and develop competitive strategies. The course connects financial theory to real-world applications, drawing on case studies and current market conditions.

Big Data and Business Analytics

In an era where data drives every business decision, this course introduces students to the methods and tools used to extract insights from large datasets. Students learn statistical analysis techniques, data visualization principles, and the fundamentals of making data-informed decisions — skills that are increasingly essential across every professional field.

Introduction to Python and Data Visualization

This hands-on technical course provides students with practical programming skills using Python, one of the world’s most widely used programming languages. Students learn to write code for data analysis, create compelling visualizations, and build simple analytical tools. No prior programming experience is required, making this an accessible entry point for students who want to develop computational skills alongside their economics education.

World-Class Faculty from Cornell and Beyond

The teaching quality at CICER reflects the caliber of its instructors. The 2025 faculty roster includes active researchers and professors from Cornell’s Johnson College of Business and peer institutions:

• Prof. Jawad Addoum — Associate Professor at Johnson College of Business (PhD Finance, Duke University). Expert in asset pricing and financial economics.
• Prof. Jura Liaukonyte — Professor at Johnson College of Business (PhD Economics, University of Virginia). Specialist in empirical industrial organization and marketing analytics.
• Prof. Ariel Ortiz-Bobea — Associate Professor at Johnson College of Business (PhD Economics, University of Maryland). Research focus on environmental and agricultural economics.
• Prof. Sarah Jacobson — Professor of Economics at Williams College (PhD Economics, Georgia State University). Expert in environmental economics and behavioral approaches to policy.

The program is directed by Prof. Shanjun Li, Co-Founder and Director of CICER, Kenneth L. Robinson Professor at Cornell’s College of Business. Prof. Li’s research in environmental and energy economics and empirical industrial organization sets the intellectual tone for the entire program. The advisory board includes faculty from Harvard, Yale, University of Pennsylvania, MIT, and the IMF — reflecting CICER’s position within a global academic network. This caliber of instruction rivals what students might encounter in programs at other top institutions like the BU Questrom Executive MBA.

College Application Preparation and Mentorship

Beyond academic coursework, the CICER program provides structured support for the college application process — a critical differentiator for high school students who are beginning to think seriously about university admissions.

Direct Access to Cornell Admissions

The program includes a college admission talk led by Cornell admission committee members, providing insider perspectives on what Ivy League schools look for in applications, how to craft compelling personal statements, and how to present extracurricular activities effectively. This direct access to admissions decision-makers is rare and extraordinarily valuable.

Faculty Consultation

Students can participate in group or individual meetings with Cornell faculty to discuss college majors, application strategies, and research opportunities. These consultations help students understand how different academic programs align with their interests and career goals, and can result in meaningful recommendations for their applications.

Peer Mentorship

Connections with current Cornell students provide authentic perspectives on the college experience, including what daily life looks like, how to navigate the transition from high school, and what research and extracurricular opportunities are available at top universities. These peer relationships often extend beyond the program, creating a support network for the college application process.

The Cornell Campus Experience

The residential experience at Cornell is a highlight of the program, immersing students in Ivy League campus life while providing access to the natural beauty that makes Ithaca unique.

Living on Campus

Students stay at Cornell’s newest residence halls, experiencing authentic college living with modern facilities. All meals are provided at Cornell’s dining halls, which are consistently ranked among the best campus food in the nation. The all-you-can-eat format ensures students are well-nourished throughout the intensive academic program.

Cultural and Natural Activities

The program balances rigorous academics with enriching extracurricular experiences:

• Hiking on Ithaca’s famous waterfall trails — the region features over 150 waterfalls within 10 miles of campus
• Visiting the Johnson Museum of Art, Cornell’s world-class art museum designed by I.M. Pei
• Exploring the Cornell Botanic Gardens, spanning 4,300 acres of natural areas
• Attending Cornell’s summer outdoor concerts
• A day trip to Niagara Falls — one of the natural wonders of the world

These activities are included in the program fee and provide a well-rounded experience that goes far beyond classroom learning. The combination of academic intensity and outdoor adventure reflects Cornell’s founding philosophy of education that engages the whole person. Cornell’s campus in the Finger Lakes region is one of the most beautiful Ivy League settings.

Business Simulation Competition

A standout feature of the CICER program is the business analysis simulation team competition, which integrates the analytical skills learned across all four courses into a practical, competitive exercise.

In this simulation, student teams:

• Apply marketing strategy and business finance principles to a simulated business environment
• Make strategic decisions about pricing, investment, market positioning, and resource allocation
• Analyze the outcomes of their decisions using the data analytics and Python skills developed in class
• Present their strategies, results analysis, and learning reflections to faculty judges

This experiential learning component transforms theoretical knowledge into practical competency. Students leave the program not only understanding economic and business concepts but having demonstrated their ability to apply them under competitive conditions. The team-based format also develops collaboration, communication, and leadership skills that are valued both in college applications and future careers. Programs at institutions like McGill’s MEng programs similarly emphasize project-based learning that bridges theory and practice.

Costs, Deadlines, and Application Process

Program Fee

The all-inclusive fee of $5,600 covers:

• All meals and accommodation at Cornell’s newest residence halls
• Course fees, materials, and instructional resources
• Entrance fees to all program activities and excursions
• Transportation for CICER-organized events including the Niagara Falls day trip

Not included: International and domestic travel to/from Ithaca. An early bird discount of $200 is available for applications submitted on or before November 30, 2024.

Application Timeline

Required Materials

1. Online application form at business.cornell.edu/centers/cicer
2. Personal statement (350 words maximum)
3. Transcript
4. Optional: English proficiency scores (SAT, TOEFL, IELTS, DuoLingo)

Admission decisions are emailed within 15 business days of receiving the application. For questions, contact cicer@cornell.edu.

Student Testimonials and Program Impact

The CICER program’s impact is best captured by the voices of its alumni:

“We spent three weeks together with other students from different backgrounds and had an excellent opportunity to get in touch with the world-class professors in marketing, finance, applied economics.” — Huilin Li, NYU-Shanghai

“For the first time, I experienced taking an undergraduate level course in an Ivy league school and witnessed several research seminars held by prominent scholars.” — Jiarui Qian, China Agricultural University

“The courses are not just about theories; the instructors included lots of examples and data in real life, which came from their research.” — Mian Liang, University of Arizona

“The 21 days spent in the CICER summer program is the most meaningful and memorable summer in my college experience.” — Yuan Yao, Beijing Normal University

These testimonials highlight the program’s unique ability to bridge high school and university education, providing students with an authentic taste of Ivy League academics while building skills and connections that serve them throughout their academic careers.