Author: Taylor Warfield, Former Bain Manager and interviewer

Last Updated: March 23, 2026

Expedition EY is a free, virtual program for college freshmen and sophomores to explore careers at EY, build professional and technical skills, and compete for scholarships up to $5,000. The program runs from roughly March to May each year and requires no prior experience, GPA minimum, or application fee.

 

If you are thinking about applying to Expedition EY, this article covers everything you need to know. We will walk through what Expedition EY is, the two program tracks, eligibility, how to apply, common misconceptions, and the exact next steps you should take after the program to position yourself for an EY internship or full-time offer.

 

But first, a quick heads up:

 

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What Changed in 2026?

 

EY updated several details for the 2026 Expedition cycle. According to Cornell University’s career services page, the eligibility window shifted to students who are two or more years away from graduation, slightly broader than the previous three-year requirement. The interest form deadline for Expedition EY 2026 was February 20. Sustainability was also added as a qualifying field of study alongside accounting, business, computer science, and information systems.

 

Scholarship prizes for 2026 are listed as tuition scholarships up to $5,000, down from the $25,000 maximum referenced in earlier years. All program content remains virtual, app-based, and self-paced.

 

What Is Expedition EY?

 

Expedition EY is an interactive, virtual learning experience designed for undergraduate freshmen and sophomores to explore careers in professional services at EY. The program launched in 2021 with roughly 460 students and has grown every year since. It is app-based, gamified, and completely free to join.

 

Participants complete on-demand learning modules, work through skill-based challenges, and attend optional live sessions with EY professionals. As you finish tasks, you earn points that accumulate throughout the program. Top performers become eligible for tuition scholarship prizes.

 

Expedition EY has been primarily focused on providing underrepresented groups with exposure to professional services, including consulting and accounting. Target groups include Black, Latinx, Native American, LGBTQ+, veterans, students with disabilities, and women in technology. However, the program is open to all students who meet the academic criteria.

 

All Expedition EY events are optional and have no impact on your candidacy for other EY programs or positions. There is zero cost and zero risk in participating.

 

What Are the Two Expedition EY Tracks?

 

Expedition EY offers two tracks: the Business Track and the Technology Track. Both tracks include professional development modules on topics like virtual interviewing, presentation skills, and mindfulness. The key difference is the technical depth of the challenges.

 

The Business Track focuses on building business acumen, structured thinking, and client engagement skills. It is designed for students interested in consulting, accounting, tax, and advisory roles at EY.

 

The Technology Track adds technical content such as machine learning, predictive analytics, data visualization, and digital transformation. It is designed for students interested in technology consulting or tech-focused roles at EY.

 

What Can You Expect During the Program?

 

Expedition EY runs from roughly March to May each year. Here is what you can expect as a participant:

 

• On-demand learning modules covering topics like virtual interviewing, presentation skills, and practicing mindfulness

 

• Skill-based challenges that apply real-world business or technology concepts, such as analyzing data with predictive analytics tools

 

• Team-building exercises and collaboration with other students from across the country

 

• Optional live sessions with EY professionals where you can ask about roles, culture, and career paths

 

• Points accumulation through the app, with top performers eligible for tuition scholarship prizes

 

The entire program is self-paced and virtual. You can complete modules on your own schedule and attend as many or as few live events as you want. There is no required time commitment or minimum participation level.

 

Which Expedition EY Track Should You Choose: Business or Technology?

 

Your choice comes down to your academic interests and long-term career goals. Neither track is better than the other, and both offer professional development and networking. The table below breaks down the main differences.

 

Category	Business Track	Technology Track
Focus Areas	Business acumen, structured thinking, client engagement, professional communication	Data analytics, machine learning, predictive analytics, digital transformation, cybersecurity basics
Best-Fit Majors	Accounting, Finance, Economics, Business Administration	Computer Science, Information Systems, Statistics, Engineering
Career Alignment	Consulting, audit, tax, business advisory	Technology consulting, data science, cybersecurity, digital strategy
Diversity Emphasis	Black, Latinx, Native American students especially encouraged	Black, Latinx, Native American, women in tech, trans, nonbinary students especially encouraged
Shared Features	Professional development modules, live sessions, team exercises, scholarship eligibility	Professional development modules, live sessions, team exercises, scholarship eligibility

 

If you enjoy working with data and emerging technologies, the Technology Track is the better fit. If you are more drawn to business strategy, client-facing work, or accounting, go with the Business Track. In my experience coaching students, the best approach is to pick the track that aligns with the EY service line you would eventually want to intern in.

 

Who Is Eligible for Expedition EY?

 

Expedition EY eligibility requirements are intentionally low to make the program accessible. According to EY’s official program listings, you must meet the following criteria:

 

• Be a current undergraduate student at a four-year institution

 

• Be two or more years away from graduation (typically freshmen or sophomores)

 

• Be pursuing or considering a degree in accounting, business, computer science, economics, finance, information systems, math, statistics, sustainability, or a related field

 

• Have a genuine interest in professional services

 

There is no minimum GPA requirement and no prior internship experience is needed. EY strongly encourages students who self-identify as Black, Latinx, Native American, LGBTQ+, veterans, women in tech, nonbinary, or persons with disabilities to apply.

 

In practice, most students who meet the basic eligibility criteria are accepted. Expedition EY is not a selective program in the way that formal internships are. Having coached hundreds of candidates for Big 4 recruiting, I always recommend applying to programs like Expedition EY because there is essentially no downside.

 

How Do You Apply to Expedition EY?

 

The Expedition EY application process is straightforward. Applications typically open in the fall semester and close in December, January, or February depending on the year. For the 2026 cycle, the interest form deadline was February 20.

 

To apply, you complete an interest form through EY’s campus programs portal. The form asks about your academic background, intended major, graduation year, and interest in professional services. There is no essay, no interview, and no technical screening. Some cycles also allow you to upload a resume, though it is typically optional.

 

Accepted participants are notified via email. Once accepted, you will get access to the Expedition EY app where all modules, challenges, and live sessions are housed.

 

Check the EY student programs page or your school’s career services site for the most current deadlines. Deadlines can shift from year to year, so it is worth checking early in the fall semester.

 

Why Should You Apply to Expedition EY?

 

Expedition EY is one of the lowest-risk, highest-upside programs available to underclassmen interested in professional services. Here are the four main reasons to apply.

 

Learn About EY and Professional Services

 

EY is one of the Big 4 professional services firms, with over 400,000 employees in more than 150 countries. The firm serves nearly 80% of the Fortune Global 500. Expedition EY gives you a firsthand look at what EY’s consulting, tax, audit, and technology teams actually do. This kind of exposure is hard to get as a freshman or sophomore.

 

Build Professional and Technical Skills

 

The on-demand modules and challenges develop skills that matter beyond EY. You will practice virtual interviewing, improve your presentation abilities, and work with technology tools like predictive analytics. According to EY, these skill-building components are designed to prepare students for real-world work environments.

 

Grow Your Network

 

Live sessions give you direct access to EY professionals who can answer questions about day-to-day work, career progression, and firm culture. You also meet peers from across the country who are on a similar career timeline. These connections can become case interview practice partners, referral sources, or future colleagues.

 

Compete for Scholarship Money

 

As you complete modules and accumulate points, you become eligible for tuition scholarship prizes. For 2026, scholarship amounts are listed at up to $5,000. Previous years referenced amounts as high as $25,000, though EY does not publicly disclose how many participants receive scholarships or exact selection criteria.

 

What Are Common Misconceptions About Expedition EY?

 

A lot of confusion about Expedition EY shows up in student forums and campus career chats. Here are the most common misconceptions and the facts behind them.

 

Is Expedition EY an Internship?

 

No. Expedition EY is not an internship. It is a learning and exploration program. You will not be placed on a client project, and you will not receive compensation (outside of potential scholarship prizes). It is designed as a first touchpoint for students who want to learn more about EY before applying for formal internships later.

 

Does Participation Guarantee an Interview or Job Offer?

 

No. Completing Expedition EY does not automatically give you an interview or offer for an EY internship or full-time role. However, participating does give you resume-worthy experience, firm knowledge, and professional connections that can strengthen your candidacy when you apply to formal EY roles later.

 

Does Skipping Expedition EY Hurt Your Future EY Candidacy?

 

No. Expedition EY is entirely optional and is not tracked by EY recruiters during later application reviews. Choosing not to participate will not count against you. That said, there is no downside to joining, so I recommend applying if you meet the eligibility criteria.

 

Is Expedition EY Highly Selective?

 

No. Unlike formal internship programs where only a small percentage of applicants are accepted, Expedition EY accepts most students who meet the basic eligibility requirements. There is no interview, no GPA cutoff, and no technical screening. The program is designed to be inclusive and accessible.

 

How Can You Maximize Your Expedition EY Experience?

 

Getting into Expedition EY is the easy part. What separates students who benefit most from the program is how intentionally they participate. Here are specific tips to get the most out of it.

 

• Complete every module and challenge. Students who finish all content earn the most points and have the strongest shot at scholarship prizes. Even if you are not a top scorer, completing every module builds skills you will use in real interviews later.

 

• Attend every live session you can. These are your best opportunity to interact directly with EY professionals. Come prepared with questions about the work, career paths, and culture. The relationships you build during these sessions can turn into valuable networking contacts during recruiting season.

 

• Connect with your peers. Your fellow Expedition EY participants are on the same recruiting timeline as you. Exchange contact information, form study groups, and find partners to practice case interviews together.

 

• Take notes on what you learn about EY. Write down details about EY’s service lines, the types of projects teams work on, and what EY professionals say they enjoy about the firm. You will use this information when answering “Why EY?” in future interviews.

 

• Update your resume immediately after. Add Expedition EY to your experience section. Quantify your involvement when possible. For example, “Completed 10+ interactive modules on data analytics, communication, and teamwork as part of EY’s virtual learning program for underclassmen.”

 

What Should You Do After Expedition EY?

 

Expedition EY is a starting point, not a destination. After the program ends, you should immediately begin preparing for the upcoming EY recruiting cycle. Here are the four most important next steps.

 

How Should You Perfect Your Resume?

 

Your resume is the single most important factor in whether you receive internship or full-time interview invitations at EY. According to Glassdoor, EY receives over 2 million applications globally each year, so your resume needs to stand out. Spend several days refining it before applying.

 

Follow these guidelines for a strong consulting resume:

 

• Keep it to one page. No exceptions.

 

• Start every bullet with a past-tense action verb to show completed accomplishments

 

• Include a number or metric in every bullet to quantify your impact

 

• Show a mix of quantitative skills (data analysis, financial modeling) and qualitative skills (leadership, teamwork)

 

• Avoid jargon, unfamiliar abbreviations, and vague buzzwords

 

• Prioritize work experiences, especially brand-name companies

 

• Include personal interests at the bottom to give reviewers a conversation starter

 

If you want expert feedback on your resume, check out our resume review and editing service. It includes unlimited revisions and 24-hour turnaround so you can submit a polished resume with confidence.

 

How Should You Prepare for Behavioral Interviews?

 

You are guaranteed to face behavioral or fit interview questions during EY interviews. These questions ask you to draw on a past experience to demonstrate a quality like leadership, teamwork, or resilience. Roughly 30% to 50% of your EY interview time will focus on behavioral questions.

 

Common examples include:

 

• Tell me about a time when you led a team

 

• Give an example of a time when you went above and beyond

 

• Tell me about a time when you failed

 

• Describe a problem you solved using data

 

• Tell me about a time you resolved conflict on a team

 

Prepare 6 to 8 stories in advance that are diverse enough to cover leadership, teamwork, problem solving, integrity, and communication. Structure your answers using the STAR method: Situation, Task, Action, Result. Spend most of your time on the Action and Result portions.

 

If you want to learn how to answer 98% of behavioral and fit questions in just a few hours, check out our fit interview course.

 

How Should You Prepare for Case Interviews?

 

If you are targeting consulting roles at EY (especially EY-Parthenon), you will need to pass case interviews. A case interview is a 20 to 40-minute exercise where you work through a hypothetical business problem with the interviewer and develop a recommendation.

 

Typical case interview topics include profitability analysis, market entry decisions, new product launches, company acquisitions, and competitive response strategies. No prior industry knowledge is required. Cases can come from any industry, ranging from retail to healthcare to financial services.

 

Candidates typically spend 60 to 80 hours preparing for case interviews, which translates to about 6 to 8 weeks of dedicated practice. The keys to success are learning how to build case interview frameworks, practicing math calculations under time pressure, and developing clear, structured communication.

 

If you want to learn case interviews quickly, my case interview course walks you through proven strategies in as little as 7 days. 82% of students who take the course land consulting offers.

 

How Should You Network with EY Professionals?

 

Networking is one of the most underrated parts of consulting recruiting. Building genuine relationships with EY recruiters and professionals can increase your chances of getting an interview because some professionals have a direct line to the hiring process and can push your resume forward.

 

After Expedition EY, follow up with any EY professionals you connected with during live sessions. Send a short LinkedIn message thanking them and expressing your continued interest in EY. Attend every EY event that your campus hosts, including info sessions, coffee chats, and career fairs.

 

Even beyond getting referrals, networking gives you firsthand knowledge about EY’s culture and work that you can reference in interviews. When an interviewer asks “Why EY?” you will have real conversations and experiences to draw on rather than generic talking points.

 

How Does Expedition EY Connect to Other EY Programs?

 

Understanding where Expedition EY fits in the broader EY recruiting pipeline helps you plan your next moves. EY has multiple programs designed for different stages of your college career.

 

Expedition EY is the earliest entry point. It is a non-competitive learning experience for freshmen and sophomores. After completing Expedition EY, the natural next step is the EY Launch Internship, a paid summer internship for students who are two or more years from graduation and identify as members of underrepresented groups. Launch is a rotational program where you work on real client projects across EY’s service lines.

 

After Launch (or for students who did not do Launch), the next step is a formal service-line internship during your junior year. These are 4- to 8-week paid summer internships in Assurance, Consulting, Tax, or EY-Parthenon. Strong interns typically receive return offers for full-time positions.

 

The typical progression looks like this: Expedition EY (freshman/sophomore) → EY Launch Internship (sophomore/junior) → Service-Line Internship (junior) → Full-Time Offer. Each step builds on the previous one, but none of them is a prerequisite. You can enter the pipeline at any stage.

 

Frequently Asked Questions

 

Is Expedition EY Selective?

 

Expedition EY is not selective in the traditional sense. Most students who meet the eligibility requirements are accepted into the program. There is no interview, no GPA cutoff, and no technical assessment. It is designed to be inclusive and accessible to students early in their college careers.

 

Does Expedition EY Lead to an Internship or Job Offer?

 

No. Expedition EY does not directly lead to an internship or job offer at EY. It is a learning program, not a recruiting pipeline. However, the skills, firm knowledge, and professional connections you gain can give you an advantage when you apply for formal EY roles like the Launch Internship or service-line internships.

 

How Much Time Does Expedition EY Take?

 

There is no required time commitment. The program is self-paced and entirely virtual. You can complete modules whenever it fits your schedule and attend live sessions on an optional basis. Most participants report spending a few hours per week over the March to May program window.

 

Can You Put Expedition EY on Your Resume?

 

Yes. Expedition EY is a legitimate EY-sponsored program and belongs on your resume. List it in your experience or leadership section and quantify what you did. For example, mention the number of modules completed, live sessions attended, or specific skills developed during the program.

 

What Is the Deadline for Expedition EY?

 

The deadline varies by year. For the 2026 cycle, the interest form deadline was February 20. Typically, applications open in the fall and close in December, January, or February. Check the EY student programs page and your school’s career center for the latest dates.

 

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