Summer is an extremely important time as colleges want to know what the student is doing during their spare time. Based on your own interest, you can do just about anything. The sky is the limit – online courses, summer programs, internships, etc. Another great option is a research project; especially if you are aiming to get into the Ivy and elite colleges from India and other Asian countries. Here are some of the best-in-classin-person and online summer research programs for high school students in 2022.
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College is a giant academic leap from high school, and as such, it requires careful preparation, often beyond what high school can provide. Thus,students (and their parents) often spend the summer after senior yearbrushing up on skills that will give them the competitive edge they need to succeed in college and in their future careers.
A research programis one of those critical extracurricular activities that can demonstrate that you willingly take on challenging material and that you thrive amid competition. Your activities list will tell colleges that not only are you ready for college, but you also have experience in the research field.
The opportunity to have your scientific findings from a summer program published or presented in the scientific community is the ticket to sending your college applications to the next level.
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Since many summer research programs themselves are selective, they provide you with experience as they mimic the college application process. They can range anywhere from one week to last the majority of your summer break (and even 6 months).
The prices range greatly too, with some free options alongside programs that cost thousands of dollars. A few of them (e.g. Lumiere and SHRM) also provide financial aid for deserving candidates with financial constraints.
Table of Contents
How does a Research Project Help in College Admissions?
A research project on your resume can help you to demonstrate:
Self-motivation and Initiative
Long-term comitmment
Consistency and Depth within Interests
Connection to Academics
Creativity and Originality
You can use this list as a starting point for finding an online research program or summer pre-college program that matches your intended major.
Best Online Summer Research Programs for High School Students 2022
Why Undertake Online Research Programs in 2022?
The pandemic is still around. We are not 100% sure if there is going to be any other variant in the near future. So, we have prioritized the online research programs for high school students. After all, safety is more important.
Summers in 2020 and 2021 showed us that students will be able to find activities that work in a virtual environment, and in doing so, they’ll learn a little more about themselves. With some creativity, they can find new ways to engage in their interests and develop new skills. Bonus points if they make a positive impact on others in their community in the meantime.
Online research programs for high school students offer a unique opportunity to demonstrate their skills in research and pursue the possibility of having their findings published.
Lumiere Education
Founded by Harvard & Oxford researchers, the Lumiere Research Scholar Program is a selective research program for high school students. Students work 1-1 with a research mentor from a top university to develop a full-length, undergraduate-level research paper. The program offers the opportunity to do research in any academic field of your choice, ranging from machine learning and economics to physics and history.
In the 2020-2021 school year, over 1500 students applied to the program. An analysis of ED/EA admissions of former Lumiere students showed that alumni were 26% more likely to be accepted to the top ten universities in the US.
Lumiere also helps students with the publication process for their research. Students’ past research projects have gone on to be finalists at MIT Think, published in journals like the Cornell Undergraduate Economic Review, and have won competitions like Regional ISEF Regeneron fairs.
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Lumiere also provides scholarships to students whose families make less than $35,000 per year (US applicants) or 15 lakh rupees per year (Indian or non-US applicants).
Interested in the Lumiere Research Scholar Program 2022?
Horizon Academic (HARP) is a trimester-long online research program for extraordinary high school students to refine their interest in an academic subject. Students will develop a college-level research project under the individualized guidance of a professor from a globally renowned university.
Students choose their own subject area and work with a professor, post-doc, or Ph.D. student to develop a unique research proposal. After a trimester of reading, writing, and exploring, students finish their final projects, most often a 20-25 page research paper.
By showcasing a student’s very best work, Horizon gives students the opportunity to get letters of recommendation, seek outside recognition of the quality of their work, and demonstrate their exceptional talent to universities.
SHRM Biotech is an affiliated training institute under the Life Science Skill Sector Council, Govt. of India. It is dedicated to providing training to students coming from life science backgrounds and high school students passionate about science. They provide a wide range of services including Research Projects, Training (both offline and online), contract research facilities, assistance in the development of project reports, and so on.
Research projects are usually of longer tenure, like 12-16 weeks, and involve the participation of the students in gathering data, analyzing it, and then coming to a fruitful conclusion. There are other reasons why students must opt for dissertation projects, they are mentioned here:
Performing investigation while dealing with a research problem and simultaneously collecting and organizing information (or data).
Checking the validity of the data by performing required experiments in the laboratory under experienced faculty
Application of data analysis by application of technology and intellect to critically evaluate information
Showcase the findings of the dissertation as a well-explained report by aligning it with the present scientific knowledge
Present the research in your institution or an audience.
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Pioneer Academics
It’s a great option to do a research project online and earn credits from a US college. Pioneer is well respected for its rigorous academic standards which apply to both the faculty members and the students.
The Pioneer Research Program provides undergraduate-level research opportunities to talented, intellectually motivated high school students (and college students) from around the world. It is the only online credit-bearing research program for high school students that offers STEM, social sciences and humanities disciplines.
In the Pioneer Research Program, selected students to work one-on-one with leading US university professors in advanced study and research of a topic of their interest, culminating in a full-length research paper. The program is conducted entirely online, allowing high school students from all over the world to participate.
It’s another platform that provides opportunities to high school students to conduct research projects online. The platform allows students to connect with an expert mentor online and develop a college-level research project. The projects allow students to showcase their work through a publication, conference presentation, or creative piece.
Students need to have a solid idea of what they want to study and preferably some research ideas as well. Here are some of theprojects done by previous students.
CrowdMath (a joint program by the Art of Problem Solving and MIT Primes)
It’s a massive online collaborative year-long research project open to all high school (and college) students around the world.
Students get a unique opportunity to collaborate on a large research project with top-tier research mentors and an exceptional peer group. MIT PRIMES and Art of Problem Solving are working together to create a place for students to experience research mathematics and discover ideas that did not exist before.
Yes, summer programs are definitely worth it! They present a perfect opportunity to explore your field of interest in greater depth, develop relevant skills, meet like-minded students, and – perhaps most importantly – increase your chances of getting into the Ivies.
Admission to these programs is extremely competitive and it is sensible to apply to many in 1 year to improve chances of success. If successful, these programs can skyrocket your experience in the research environment and are a fantastic boost for your curriculum vitae (CV).
Did you know summer activities can push your college application to the “yes” pile? Colleges want to see that you are committed to extracurriculars throughout the school year, but they also love it when you are making the effort to expand and stretch yourself over summer vacation.
Summer programs such as the Garcia Summer Research Program can be just as prestigious and highly selective as the college that sponsors it, with a lengthy application process that includes several steps and essays.
Nationwide, these are the three top schools with the most graduates who registered at Harvard, Princeton or MIT from 2015-18: Thomas Jefferson High School in Alexandria, Virginia: 96; Stuyvesant High School in New York City: 94; and Phillips Exeter Academy in Exeter, New Hampshire: 87.
There's no absolute ACT requirement at Harvard, but they really want to see at least a 33 to have a chance at being considered. A university with Harvard's stature has equally high ACT standards.
If you are seeking summer research experiences, most application deadlines are late fall to early spring. Every college student should have an updated resumé/CV.
A summer job or internship shows maturity, responsibility and financial planning. Both look impressive on an application and your work experience will make it easier to apply for jobs and pursue professional opportunities in your undergraduate career and beyond.
That's right, you do actually earn real credits there. If you get accepted (this summer they had about a 68 percent acceptance rate, so don't think you don't stand a chance - you certainly do), you will receive a large booklet containing courses from Sanskrit to Cell Biology.
Taking summer classes may seem like a drag, but it is one of the best things you can do to boost your GPA. When you retake a course during the summer, you are likely to be in a smaller class.
While letting an elective class go and not retaking it is an option, summer school grades replace the failing grade already earned. That will raise your teen's GPA.
Summer classes affect GPA in the same way that other courses do. The only exception is if you take a summer class for credit/no credit. In this case, you would receive a non-letter grade (CR or NC). Since only letter grades factor into the GPA calculation, the summer class would not impact your GPA.
As you can imagine, admission to Columbia's summer programs for high school students is highly selective. Though there are no specific GPA requirements, all application materials should establish that the student has the appropriate academic background and ability for the academic focus for which he or she is applying.
Harvard Summer School is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education. Courses are approved each year by Harvard's Faculty of Arts and Sciences.
In total, one out of every 20 Harvard freshmen attended one of the seven high schools most represented in the class of 2017—Boston Latin, Phillips Academy in Andover, Stuyvesant High School, Noble and Greenough School, Phillips Exeter Academy, Trinity School in New York City, and Lexington High School.
You should also have a 4.18 GPA or higher. If your GPA is lower than this, you need to compensate with a higher SAT/ACT score. For a school as selective as Harvard, you'll also need to impress them with the rest of your application.
It's possible for Harvard to accept a student with a 3.0 GPA but with a compelling story. Similarly, it's possible for Harvard to reject a student with a 4.0 GPA but with qualities that do not impress the Ivy League's admissions officers.
Cold emails are definitely a bit weird to send out the first few times, but if you spend some time on them, they can be a very effective manner of getting research positions. Though many professors might not even respond as they are extremely busy, all it takes is one yes!
Applying for a Summer Research Scholarship is a two-step process: read our guide on how to apply. Applications for 2022-2023 are now closed. If you wish to apply for projects in two or more faculties you must complete a separate scholarship application for each relevant faculty (Step 2).
Don't include your GPA unless it is exceptional or the employer specifically asks. In general, if you need a certain GPA to apply, recruiters look for applicants with a 3.0 or greater.
While top tier summer programs and competitive internships are definitely great to have on your college application, they sometimes aren't enough to impress the Ivy league. If you really want to impress the Ivy league admissions committees, you'll need to be more creative than that.
a strong GPA has never been detrimental when applying for jobs and internships. It can demonstrate that an applicant is intelligent, has a good work ethic, and takes his/her role as a student seriously.
Harvard applicants must be at the top of their class and meet the minimum GPA requirements for acceptance into the college. While there are a small number of exceptions, students with GPAs of 4.0 - 4.18 have the best chance of getting accepted.
Yale ranks as one of the hardest colleges to get into with a 4.47% acceptance rate for the class of 2026, down just slightly from its 4.62% acceptance rate for the class of 2025.
Does attending the Secondary School Program guarantee admission to Harvard? No. However, attending Harvard Summer School and performing well will strengthen your application to any college or university.
Penn SAS Summer High School Programs are a great addition to any resume and, combined with a strong high school record, will provide undergraduate admissions officers with information regarding a student's academic potential.
Summer is a good opportunity to tackle the things that didn't go perfectly the first time. By doing a make-up course over the summer, you'll have the chance to earn the credit and be ready for any follow-up courses in the fall or winter semesters, because you'll already have the prerequisites done.
Summer schools are definitely worth it. The chance to have high-quality teaching in subjects you might not encounter at school, and accelerate your confidence and skills in a challenging setting, offer huge positives for the future. The summer school you choose depends on the experience you're looking for.
You should also have a 4.18 GPA or higher. If your GPA is lower than this, you need to compensate with a higher SAT/ACT score. For a school as selective as Harvard, you'll also need to impress them with the rest of your application.
Most students admitted to Harvard have an unweighted GPA of 4.18 or above, so you'll need to have at least a 4.2 to be seriously evaluated. To meet the Harvard requirements, you'll have to score primarily A's on your high school courses.
Taking summer classes may seem like a drag, but it is one of the best things you can do to boost your GPA. When you retake a course during the summer, you are likely to be in a smaller class. That will give you more one-on-one time with the instructor.
While letting an elective class go and not retaking it is an option, summer school grades replace the failing grade already earned. That will raise your teen's GPA.
Working during your summer vacation is also impressive to Ivy League schools. It is not just for financial support; it also shows that you are willing to spend your free time working on skills in your areas of interest. Check out these three work opportunities and internships.
As mentioned previously, I would recommend not taking more than two 8-week or 10-week courses and limiting yourself to one Maymester (2-week) or one 4-week course. However, you can mix and match your summer courses to fit in 3 or even 4 college classes without burning yourself out.
They're more intense and you'll be expected to cover a large amount of material in a short period of time. You'll be taking tests and quizzes more frequently. Class options are limited due to the number of students requesting them.
Summer schools are a great way to add more substance to any CV, especially if the course is relevant to the graduate job that will eventually be applied for. It will give new perspectives on the focus of the job, as well as build up soft skills, such as communication, teamwork and leadership.
If the academics are taught to a high level by qualified professionals in an inclusive and safe setting, students can gain university-level academic skills that will benefit them throughout their time at school and beyond.
Introduction: My name is Arielle Torp, I am a comfortable, kind, zealous, lovely, jolly, colorful, adventurous person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.
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