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

Apple TV Sans Remote Feature

New Apple TV 4K Leaked

Friday September 25, 2026 8:16 am PDT by
MacRumors contributor Aaron Perris has uncovered an image file from Apple for an unreleased Apple TV 4K, suggesting that a new model will finally be released soon. The image is specifically for an "Apple TV 4K (4th generation)" model. Apple TV 4K (4th generation) image (on a gradient) The image reveals that the Apple TV will have the same external design as the current model, with all of its...
m5 pro macbook pro launch day

Amazon Just Knocked $900 Off Apple's Latest 16-Inch MacBook Pro

Sunday September 27, 2026 8:30 am PDT by
Amazon has introduced a major discount on the 16-inch MacBook Pro with the M5 Max chip, 32-Core GPU, 36GB RAM, and 2TB SSD, now available for $3,499.00, down from $4,399.00. This is a massive $900 markdown on the high-end MacBook Pro, and it's joining a few other MacBook Pro discounts on Amazon this week. Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with Amazon. When you click a link and make a...
iPad mini 7 feature

iPad Mini 8 Leaked: A20 Pro Chip, Landscape Camera, and More

Friday September 25, 2026 8:18 am PDT by
Apple's next-generation iPad mini will feature the A20 Pro chip, a rearranged front-facing camera, and a new speaker system, leaked code reveals. The information originates from Apple's own code (spotted by MacRumors contributor Aaron Perris) and also shows clear product images of the new iPad mini. Although images of the device only show the front, leaving any design changes of the rear or ...

Top Rated Comments

75 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
75 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)
75 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
75 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
75 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
75 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)
Latest Stories
iPhone Duo StandBy Leak Reveals Five Unannounced Faces
iPhone Duo StandBy Leak Reveals Five Unannounced Faces
9 hours ago
Apple Releases watchOS 27.0.1 for Additional Models
Apple Releases watchOS 27.0.1 for Additional Models
12 hours ago
iPhone 18 Pro First Impressions: What Do You Think So Far?
iPhone 18 Pro First Impressions: What Do You Think So Far?
14 hours ago
iOS 26.7.1 Fixes Vulnerability Used in Targeted Attacks
iOS 26.7.1 Fixes Vulnerability Used in Targeted Attacks
14 hours ago
Early Prime Day Deals Offer Up to 65% Off Anker and Jackery Power Stations
Early Prime Day Deals Offer Up to 65% Off Anker and Jackery Power Stations
15 hours ago
Apple Releases macOS Golden Gate 27.0.1 With Bug Fixes
Apple Releases macOS Golden Gate 27.0.1 With Bug Fixes
16 hours ago
Apple Releases iOS 27.0.1 With Face ID Bug Fix
Apple Releases iOS 27.0.1 With Face ID Bug Fix
16 hours ago
Last Chance: OWC's Best Mac Accessories Are on Sale Just for MacRumors Readers
Last Chance: OWC's Best Mac Accessories Are on Sale Just for MacRumors Readers
19 hours ago
12 New Things to Expect From Apple This October
12 New Things to Expect From Apple This October
19 hours ago
AirPods 5 vs. AirPods Pro 3 Buyer's Guide: Which Should You Buy?
AirPods 5 vs. AirPods Pro 3 Buyer's Guide: Which Should You Buy?
20 hours ago
Apple Ordered to Pay $5.7 Billion Over Haptic Patent Infringement
Apple Ordered to Pay $5.7 Billion Over Haptic Patent Infringement
21 hours ago
New Vision Pro Headset: Apple Considering Four Different Concepts
New Vision Pro Headset: Apple Considering Four Different Concepts
22 hours ago
Amazon Just Knocked $900 Off Apple's Latest 16-Inch MacBook Pro
Amazon Just Knocked $900 Off Apple's Latest 16-Inch MacBook Pro
2 days ago
Top Stories: Apple Leaks, Siri AI Settlement, and More
Top Stories: Apple Leaks, Siri AI Settlement, and More
3 days ago
watchOS 27: 12 New Things To Check Out on Your Apple Watch
watchOS 27: 12 New Things To Check Out on Your Apple Watch
3 days ago
Banks and Credit Unions to Team Up Against Apple Pay Fees
Banks and Credit Unions to Team Up Against Apple Pay Fees
4 days ago
Apple Finally Shares tvOS 27 Release Notes With List of New Features
Apple Finally Shares tvOS 27 Release Notes With List of New Features
4 days ago
Amazon's $199 Discount on Apple Watch Ultra 3 Returns to Help Clear Stock
Amazon's $199 Discount on Apple Watch Ultra 3 Returns to Help Clear Stock
4 days ago
MacRumors Giveaway: Win an Apple Watch Ultra 4 From Lululook
MacRumors Giveaway: Win an Apple Watch Ultra 4 From Lululook
4 days ago
Apple Code Confirms iPad 12 Specs: A19, 8GB RAM, N1, C1X Modem
Apple Code Confirms iPad 12 Specs: A19, 8GB RAM, N1, C1X Modem
4 days ago
Some iPhone 18 Pro Max Users Experiencing AT&T Cellular Issues
Some iPhone 18 Pro Max Users Experiencing AT&T Cellular Issues
4 days ago
Launch Week Deals Hit Latest Macs, Apple Watch Ultra 4, and Apple Accessories
Launch Week Deals Hit Latest Macs, Apple Watch Ultra 4, and Apple Accessories
4 days ago
The MacRumors Show: Tyler Stalman Talks iPhone 18 Pro's Camera
The MacRumors Show: Tyler Stalman Talks iPhone 18 Pro's Camera
4 days ago
iPad Mini With A20 Pro, New HomePod Mini Colors, and New Apple TV 4K All Just Leaked
iPad Mini With A20 Pro, New HomePod Mini Colors, and New Apple TV 4K All Just Leaked
4 days ago
iPad Mini 8 Leaked: A20 Pro Chip, Landscape Camera, and More
iPad Mini 8 Leaked: A20 Pro Chip, Landscape Camera, and More
4 days ago
Exclusive: First Look at HomePod Mini 2 in Three New Colors
Exclusive: First Look at HomePod Mini 2 in Three New Colors
4 days ago
New Apple TV 4K Leaked
New Apple TV 4K Leaked
4 days ago
Create a Custom Pass in the Wallet App on iPhone
Create a Custom Pass in the Wallet App on iPhone
4 days ago
How to Check Your Mac's Manufacture Date in macOS 27
How to Check Your Mac's Manufacture Date in macOS 27
4 days ago
What's Gone in macOS Golden Gate and What's Next in macOS 28
What's Gone in macOS Golden Gate and What's Next in macOS 28
4 days ago