Unlocking Opportunities: The 2026 Seeds of Fortune College Partners Fly-In Programs
Updated: Aug 27
The journey to college can be full of uncertainty and challenges, especially for students seeking guidance and access to top institutions. These programs open doors for motivated students by providing immersive visits to partner colleges, helping them make informed decisions and build confidence in their college choices.
Why Fly-In Programs Matter for Students?
Many students face barriers when researching colleges, such as limited access to campus visits due to distance or financial constraints. Fly-in programs remove these obstacles by offering a structured, all-expenses-paid opportunity to explore colleges in person.
Visiting a campus can reveal details that online research cannot capture, such as:
The atmosphere and community vibe
Quality of facilities like libraries, labs, and recreational centers
Interaction with students and faculty that reflects campus culture
Local environment and nearby amenities
These insights help students make better decisions about where to apply and enroll. For students from underrepresented or low-income backgrounds, fly-in programs can be especially transformative by leveling the playing field.
1. Babson College | Access Babson
Located in Wellesley, Massachusetts
Status: Open
Application Deadline: Friday, July 31, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. EDT
Access Babson is designed for high-achieving high school seniors from diverse backgrounds to experience Babson's renowned entrepreneurial environment. Participants will have the chance to stay on campus, attend classes, and engage with faculty and students. If you are passionate about entrepreneurship and innovation, this is the program for you!
2. Bates College | Prologue to Bates
Located in Lewiston, Maine
Status: Open
Application Deadline: August 7, 2026
Prologue to Bates is an immersive overnight fly-in program for high-achieving students from underrepresented and first-generation backgrounds. Participants will attend classes, connect with current students and faculty, and get a firsthand look at life at Bates. This is a wonderful opportunity to explore a close-knit academic community committed to inclusion and excellence.
3. Bowdoin College | Explore Bowdoin 2026
Located in Brunswick, Maine
Status: Open (EB 1: September 17-19, 2026 or EB 2: October 22-24, 2026)
Application Deadline: August 11, 2026 at 11:59 PM EST
Explore Bowdoin invites high-achieving students from underrepresented backgrounds to experience life at one of the nation's top liberal arts colleges. Participants will stay on campus, attend classes, meet faculty, and engage with current students. Bowdoin's commitment to access and inclusion makes this a must-apply program!
4. Bryn Mawr College | Lantern Scholars Fly-In Program
Located in Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania
Status: Open
Application Deadline: July 15, 2026
The Lantern Scholars Fly-In Program is designed for high-achieving students from underrepresented backgrounds to experience the academic and social life at Bryn Mawr College. Participants will stay on campus, attend faculty-led seminars, and engage with the college community. This program offers a comprehensive look at what makes Bryn Mawr a uniquely empowering place for scholars.
5. Bucknell University | Journey to Bucknell
Located in Lewisburg, Pennsylvania
Status: Open
Application Deadline: June 15th, 2026
Eligibility: High school seniors with a minimum unweighted GPA of 3.5, enrolled in an academically rigorous program, residing in Delaware, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia, or Washington D.C.
Journey to Bucknell is built for high-achieving, underrepresented seniors ready to experience a rigorous and welcoming academic community firsthand. You will sit in on classes, spend time with current students, and get an authentic feel for life in Lewisburg. With a strong emphasis on leadership and intellectual curiosity, Bucknell is looking for students who are as driven as they are diverse!
6. Claremont McKenna College | CMC Fall Preview Program
Located in Claremont, California
Status: Open
Application Deadline: August 9, 2026
Eligibility: High school seniors in the Class of 2027 who are U.S. citizens, permanent residents, or undocumented students residing in the United States or Puerto Rico. Priority is given to first-generation college-going students and those from rural or low-income backgrounds.
CMC Fall Preview invites high-achieving students from underrepresented backgrounds to experience life at Claremont McKenna. Participants will attend classes, meet faculty, and engage with current students. Workshops may include financial aid, resume building, and more. A truly comprehensive preview of what CMC has to offer!
7. College of the Holy Cross | Perspectives Overnight Program
Located in Worcester, Massachusetts
Application Deadline: July 6, 2026
Status: Open — September and November Programming available
Perspectives Overnight brings high-achieving students from underrepresented backgrounds directly into the Holy Cross experience. Over the course of the program, you will sit in on classes, participate in workshops, and hear directly from students and faculty about what life at Holy Cross truly looks like. Two programming windows in September and November give you flexibility in when you apply.
8. Colorado College | Discover Colorado College
Located in Colorado Springs, Colorado
Open Date: Open
Application Deadline: Monday, July 13, 2026
Discover Colorado College is your chance to experience one of the most distinctive academic models in the country. The Block Plan, where students study one course at a time with deep focus and immersion. Students from diverse backgrounds will attend classes, explore campus, and connect with a community that values creativity and independence. Colorado Springs provides a stunning backdrop for a truly unique college visit.
9. University of Rochester | Meliora Visit Program (MVP)
Located in Rochester, New York
Status: Open — Programming takes place October 22-24, 2026
Application Deadline: September 15, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time
The Meliora Visit Program (MVP) is the University of Rochester's fully funded fly-in experience for high-achieving high school seniors who may not otherwise have the financial means to visit campus. Accepted students receive free round-trip travel, two nights in a residence hall with a current student host, and specialized programming designed to give you an authentic look at life at University of Rochester. Over the course of the weekend, participants will attend class visits, financial aid and admissions overviews, a current student panel, and Rochester's open house; Research Rochester. The program also highlights campus resources specifically designed to support first-generation and underrepresented students, including the David T. Kearns Center for Leadership and Student Success. Guided by the university's motto Meliora, meaning "ever better," URochester is looking for students who lead with integrity, openness, and a drive to grow. Apply today!
10. Washington University in St. Louis | WashU FLI-In
Located in St. Louis, Missouri
Status: Open
Application Deadline: May 15, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. CT
WashU FLI-In is specifically designed for first-generation and low-income (FLI) students to experience WashU through classes, workshops, and interactions with faculty and students. High school seniors will learn about academic programs, student support services, and campus life. Don't miss this deadline, apply today!
11. Wellesley College | AWE: Access the Wellesley Experience
Located in Wellesley, Massachusetts
Status: Open
Application Deadline: September 1st, 2026
AWE (Access the Wellesley Experience) is designed for high-achieving high school seniors to experience life at one of the nation's most prestigious liberal arts colleges. Participants will stay on campus, attend classes, and engage with the Wellesley community. The program is specifically for students living or going to school in New England area (Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, or Vermont). Apply today!
12. Washington and Lee University | Path
Located in Lexington, Virginia
Status: Open for Class of 2027
Application Deadline: August 2, 2026 at 11:59 PM EST
Path at Washington and Lee is an overnight fly-in program for high-achieving students from underrepresented backgrounds. Participants will experience academic and social life at W&L, meet faculty and current students, and explore the university's beautiful campus in the Shenandoah Valley. Apply today!
13. Mount Holyoke College | Mosaic 2026
Located in South Hadley, Massachusetts
Status: Open
Application Deadline: September 25th, 2026 at 11:59 PM
Mosaic is Mount Holyoke's dedicated fly-in experience for high-achieving students from underrepresented backgrounds. Students will have the opportunity to live on campus, sit in on classes, and connect with the Mount Holyoke community firsthand. As one of the historic Seven Sisters colleges, Mount Holyoke has a long legacy of empowering scholars from all walks of life. Mount Holyoke College will prioritize applicants who apply by August 1, 2026!
14. Smith College | Women of Distinction Program
Located in Northampton, Massachusetts
Status: Application open on August 3rd, 2026 — October 16-17 and November 6-7 Programming available
Application Deadline: TBA
The Women of Distinction Program is designed for high-achieving students from underrepresented backgrounds to experience the academic and social life at Smith College. Participants will stay on campus, attend classes, and engage with the Smith community. Stay tuned for upcoming application dates and join the mailing list to stay up to date on important dates and deadlines.
15. Williams College | Windows on Williams (WOW) Program
Located in Williamstown, Massachusetts
Status: Application open now — October 4-6, 2026 Programming available
Application Deadline: August 1st, 2026
The Windows on Williams (WOW) Program is a selective, fully funded fly-in open to high school seniors in the U.S. and Puerto Rico who may not otherwise have the opportunity to visit campus. Participants stay in dorms with current students, attend classes, meet with professors, and learn about Williams' admissions process and All-Grant financial aid program. All transportation, meals, and accommodations are fully covered. Apply by August 1st and receive your decision by August 31st. Students who have applied to the QuestBridge College Prep Scholars program may reuse that application. For questions, contact WOW@williams.edu.
16. Villanova University | NOVA UP CLOSE Program
Located in Villanova, Pennsylvania
Status: Application open now — October 22-23, 2026
Application Deadline: October 2nd, 2026
Nova Up Close is an overnight visit program that gives prospective students the opportunity to experience a day in the life of a Villanovan. Attendees will be paired with a current student, attend class, and experience residence and dining halls. Villanova will sponsor travel and attendance costs for students from Eastern Pennsylvania, New York City, New Jersey, Delaware, and the Metropolitan D.C. area. To be considered, all students must complete the Nova Up Close interest form and submit their most recent high school profile and transcript by October 2, 2026. For questions, contact the Office of Undergraduate Admission.
ATTENTION:
If you're looking for other fly-in programs outside of our college partners, check here.
Learn more about our colleges partners, scholarships, and more on our platform: https://www.seedsoffortune.org/login
At Seeds of Fortune, we believe every student deserves the chance to see themselves on a college campus. These programs exist to open doors and give students like you the opportunity to walk through them. Ask questions, take notes, and trust that you belong in every room you enter!
Note: Deadlines and program details are subject to change. Be sure to visit each official program link for the most up-to-date information before applying.
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