Apple Launches First-Generation College Student Mentorship Program - MacRumors
Skip to Content

Apple Launches First-Generation College Student Mentorship Program

Apple this month announced a new Launch@Apple mentorship program that's designed for first-generation college students, with the program set to launch in early 2021.

apple launch student program
According to a PDF describing Launch@Apple, it is aimed at first-generation college freshmen and sophomores who are majoring in finance, mathematics, economics, business, data analytics, and accounting.

It matches college students one-on-one with Apple mentors who are able to provide resources for learning and opportunities for professional growth, with the possibility of job shadowing, paid externships, and paid internships.

Apple has not publicly announced Launch@Apple, and it's not entirely clear how the word is being spread. MyHealthyApple shared details this morning, and last week, a LinkedIn post highlighted the program. Ahead of when Launch begins in early 2021, Apple is accepting applications from students with a wide range of GPAs.

Students must be in their first or second year of college with a parent or legal guardian who has not obtained a college degree. Students must want to learn about finance in a "fast-paced, innovative environment" and must be intending to major in one of the accepted disciplines.

Apple is accepting applications through Friday, January 8, 2021, and students who want to participate must provide details on school, GPA, resume, and more, and are required to answer personal questions on life challenges, why they should be accepted, and what gives them joy. Applications must be sent to launch@apple.com.

Popular Stories

M5 Vision Pro Thumb 2

Apple Has Given Up on the Vision Pro After M5 Refresh Flop

Wednesday April 29, 2026 11:31 am PDT by
Apple has all but given up on the Vision Pro after the M5 model failed to revitalize interest in the device, MacRumors has learned. Apple updated the Vision Pro with a faster M5 chip and a more comfortable band in October 2025, but there were no other hardware changes, and consumers still weren't interested. The Vision Pro has been criticized for its high price tag and its uncomfortable...
Four iPhone 18 Pro Colors Mock Feature

iPhone 18 Pro to Launch in September With These 10 New Features

Tuesday April 28, 2026 9:35 am PDT by
While the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max are not launching until September, there are already plenty of rumors about the devices. It was initially reported that the iPhone 18 Pro models would have fully under-screen Face ID, with only a front camera visible in the top-left corner of the screen. However, the latest rumors indicate that only one Face ID component will be moved under the...
airpods pro 3 design

'AirPods Ultra' Rumored to Feature a Major Upgrade Over AirPods Pro

Thursday April 30, 2026 8:40 am PDT by
In a social media post this week, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman reiterated that Apple is planning to release new AirPods with cameras "for Siri." Last month, Gurman said these AirPods will likely be priced above the current AirPods Pro 3, which Apple sells for $249. As a result, he said Apple is likely considering using "AirPods Ultra" branding for the camera-equipped AirPods. "AirPods Ultra"...

Top Rated Comments

70 months ago

This is offensive to me as a first-gen in the country and college graduate. Every student has the same level of access to counseling and 1-1 with advisors. We aren’t stupid.

Wish I had this when I went to school but I’m doing alright without it or any gender/race based grants/scholarships. Really hope Apple doesn’t have a quota for this...
1st gen as well here. The tough part seems to have been knowing how to put together a traditional career when your parents hadn’t. Having a mentor at a big company would probably help. Also let’s stop being offended when we disagree. Talking things over is okay.
Score: 13 Votes (Like | Disagree)
dannyyankou Avatar
70 months ago
Good on Apple for doing this. First generation college students often lack the resources and guidance to succeed. Hopefully this will help.
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)
70 months ago

This is offensive to me as a first-gen in the country and college graduate. Every student has the same level of access to counseling and 1-1 with advisors. We aren’t stupid.

Wish I had this when I went to school but I’m doing alright without it or any gender/race based grants/scholarships. Really hope Apple doesn’t have a quota for this...
How nice for you!

You may not be aware that every family's immigration story is different. And what worked for you and your circumstances may not work for others and their circumstances.

Rather than be seriously offended, try and find happiness that Apple in stepping up to help.
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Pilot Jones Avatar
70 months ago

Why do you need parents? Honestly my parents sucked. Divorced and poor. Very low chance of succeeding but I understood their limitations. You know what I did? Found friends that could be my “mentor”, asked questions and made plans. Basically I was as an adult.

The mentor ship is nice. I just feel like it’ll be targeted to “underprivileged” (ie minorities) people and not the once hungry/eager/etc. I like that GPA doesn’t necessarily qualify you, but being someone who almost failed HS, had no studying habits first couple years in a community college and then taking myself seriously at a university - GPA does definitely determine hunger/eagerness/etc.
good on you mate. truly, i'm genuinely glad you made it out of a bad situation.

but everyone is not you. a lot of people don't have anyone (yes, even friends, counsellors & supportive teachers) or the resilience, guidance & fortitude to power through it. They NEED that major boost at a critical time in their lives to take them from nothing to something.

it's really quite myopic of you to argue for a universal application of your logic with such a specifically personal anecdote.

Some people have the talent but not the drive. They do not always occur together and a lot of the time, even if they had it, life has just beaten it out of them. Yes this also isn't universally true, but why be so negative at even the smallest chance to make people's lives better?
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
rtomyj Avatar
70 months ago

1st gen as well here. The tough part seems to have been knowing how to put together a traditional career when your parents hadn’t. Having a mentor at a big company would probably help. Also let’s stop being offended when we disagree. Talking things over is okay.
I don’t like people looking down on others because of “privilege” or other buzz words that just mean they think they are superior in one way or another. You know, bigotry of low expectations.
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
dannyyankou Avatar
70 months ago

This is offensive to me as a first-gen in the country and college graduate. Every student has the same level of access to counseling and 1-1 with advisors. We aren’t stupid.

Wish I had this when I went to school but I’m doing alright without it or any gender/race based grants/scholarships. Really hope Apple doesn’t have a quota for this...
And good on you for working hard and doing well. But my point was more that other families are privileged to have structures in place to give their kids tons of extra resources, private tutoring, etc to give their kids a head start. First generation college students usually come from poorer families and they don’t have the extra resources.
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)