The new gold standard for college admissions is no longer research papers — it's impact. We connect high-achieving high schoolers with internships at premier venture-backed startups.
Trusted by companies backed by
The Problem
Independent research papers. Self-started non-profits. Passion projects. These used to set students apart. Today, they're everywhere — and admissions officers know it.
“Real legitimacy comes from a third party hiring your child because they have valuable skills — not because they started a project on their own.”
The Solution
We don't just connect students with any company. We vet, train, mentor, and guarantee outcomes. We don't get paid until you do.
We work with hundreds of venture-backed companies vetted by our team. These startups — backed by YC, a16z, Sequoia, and more — trust College Lift to send them exceptional student talent.
Students are never thrown in the deep end. Each is paired with a dedicated mentor from a top university — Stanford, MIT, Berkeley — who provides technical and professional guidance throughout.
Every student receives a guaranteed 3-month internship at a vetted startup. Many students love the experience so much they continue for a year or more.
Guided by those who've been there. Our team consists of current students and recent graduates from Stanford, MIT, UC Berkeley MET, and UPenn Wharton — people who understand exactly what it takes to get in.
How It Works
A streamlined, six-step process designed to set your child up for success from day one.
Student submits a brief application detailing their interests, skills, and goals. Takes less than 15 minutes.
We conduct a one-on-one consultation to assess fit, understand your child's strengths, and identify the perfect role.
We present curated internship options from our network of venture-backed companies. Your child selects their top choice.
Once matched, the student signs the necessary paperwork (NDA, etc.) and the program fee is due. Payment is only collected after the internship contract is signed — completely risk-free.
A ~1 week intensive training program — technical skills, professional communication, and startup culture — to ensure your child hits the ground running on day one.
The internship begins. Your child works alongside real teams building real products, gaining experience no classroom can replicate.
Success Stories
Real students. Real internships. Real outcomes. Here's what happens when potential meets opportunity.
200+
Students Matched
98%
T-20 Acceptance Rate
20+
T-20 Mentor Schools
150+
Partner Companies
Arjun K.
Software Engineering Intern
Built a customer-facing analytics dashboard used by thousands of users. His Stanford interviewer specifically cited his startup experience as "the most genuine extracurricular on your application."
Admitted to Stanford CS, Class of 2029
Sarah L.
Growth & Marketing Intern
Led a user acquisition campaign that grew the student user base by 40%. Wrote her college essay about navigating real business trade-offs with real stakes — not hypothetical ones.
Admitted to Wharton, Class of 2029
Marcus R.
Product Design Intern
Redesigned the onboarding flow, increasing conversion by 25%. His portfolio of production product work set him apart from thousands of applicants with theoretical projects.
Admitted to MIT, Class of 2028
Emily P.
Operations Intern
Optimized supplier onboarding, reducing process time by 35%. After her internship, she was offered a part-time role and continued for 18 months — a story admissions loved.
Admitted to Columbia, Class of 2029
James T.
Data Analyst Intern
Built the company's first customer churn prediction model. The founder wrote him a personal recommendation letter that he credits as the differentiator in his application.
Admitted to Harvard, Class of 2029
Riya N.
Engineering Intern
After interning, she was inspired to build her own product. Applied to YC at 19, got in, and raised a $2M seed round. The internship gave her the playbook.
YC Founder, Raised $2M Seed
FAQ
Everything parents ask before enrolling their child.
The program fee ranges from $3,000 to $4,000 depending on the internship complexity, skill set required, and level of pre-internship training needed. Critically, payment is only due after the internship contract is signed — so there is zero financial risk until your child has a confirmed placement.
High-growth, venture-backed startups invested in by Silicon Valley's most respected firms — Y Combinator, Andreessen Horowitz, Sequoia Capital, Accel, and top angel investors. These are real companies with real products, real customers, and real teams.
Internships are typically remote and require 10-15 hours per week, making them compatible with school schedules. Students work on real projects — not busywork — alongside full-time employees. They attend team meetings, ship deliverables, and receive ongoing feedback.
We accept students in 9th through 12th grade. Younger students may be placed in roles with more mentorship support, while older students may take on greater responsibility. We tailor the experience to each student's maturity and skill level.
We accept approximately 20% of applicants. We look for students who are curious, coachable, and genuinely motivated — not just those with perfect GPAs. Fit with the right company matters more than credentials.
Many of our placements are non-technical — growth, marketing, operations, content, design, and business development roles are all available. Our bootcamp provides tailored training for whatever role your child is placed in.
Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis. Secure your child's spot before placements fill up.
No payment until the internship contract is signed. Zero risk.