Studying abroad spring term? We're open to you too. Interviews will be conducted online.
Spring 2026 Application

Apply to the Connolly
Entrepreneurship Society

We're looking for builders, thinkers, and ambitious students ready to turn ideas into reality. No experience necessary, just initiative.

Connolly Entrepreneurship Society members

What is CES?

The Connolly Entrepreneurship Society is Washington and Lee's premier student-run organization for entrepreneurship, innovation, and building. We connect students with mentors, resources, and a community of peers who are actively working on ventures, products, and ideas that matter.

Members get access to workshops, founder talks, funding opportunities, and a tight-knit network of builders on campus and beyond. The society has over $25,000 in funding to support student ventures and programming.

Greg Barrow giving a talk at the E-Summit

Timeline

April 7
Applications open
May 4
Application deadline (midnight EST)
TBD
Interviews with selected applicants

Who should apply?

You don't need to have started a company. We're looking for students who are curious, driven, and eager to build things, whether that's a startup, a campus initiative, a creative project, or something entirely new.

  • You've built something on your own
  • You're working on a business idea
  • You want to learn how startups work
  • You think creatively about problems
  • You take initiative without being asked
  • You want to surround yourself with builders

Frequently Asked Questions

No. We value ambition, curiosity, and initiative over a polished resume. If you've ever built something (a website, a club, a side project) or simply want to start, you belong here.

Members meet for a 1-hour window three times a week on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. We respect your academic schedule and other commitments.

Absolutely. We welcome students from all class years. Some of our most active members joined as first-years.

New members are onboarded at the start of the term and placed into a group led by a board member. You'll also have the opportunity to be mentored by an alumni working in the startup world. From day one, you're integrated into our programming, events, and community.

Reach out to us at plironderobles@mail.wlu.edu. We're happy to help.

Ready to apply?

Review your answers before submitting.

Application

All fields marked with * are required. Your answers are not saved until you submit, so please complete the application in one sitting.

Basic Information
Tell us who you are.
Projects & Experience
Tell us what you've built, created, or worked on, big or small.
Websites, businesses, nonprofits, 3D printing projects, products, organizations, apps, research, initiatives, anything you've built or helped build.
Add links to anything you'd like us to see: websites, GitHub, portfolios, press, etc.
Upload anything relevant: pitch decks, demos, mockups, etc. (PDF, PNG, JPG, max 10MB)
Click to upload or drag and drop
Resume
Upload your resume in PDF format.
Click to upload your resume (PDF)
Essays
This is the most important part of your application. Take your time, be specific, and be yourself.
1 of 3
What is a field you understand better than most people your age, and where do you see the biggest opportunity for innovation within it?
0 / 250 words
2 of 3
Describe a time you committed to something that required sustained effort over weeks or months.
0 / 250 words
3 of 3
If you had to start a business tomorrow with $0, what would you do in the first 7 days? Be specific.
0 / 250 words
Review Your Application
Double-check everything before submitting. Click "Edit" to go back to any section.

Application Submitted

Thank you for applying to the Connolly Entrepreneurship Society. We've received your application and will review it carefully.

You will be contacted via your school email regardless of the outcome, whether you are selected for an interview or not. Questions? Reach out to plironderobles@mail.wlu.edu.