From High School Research to Wharton: A Student’s College Admissions Success Story

Student J, an ambitious young scholar from a private school in New Jersey, approached us with a mission. He had a strong interest in participating in a meaningful high school research program that combined his extensive community service experience with his academic interests in economics, public policy, and cultural studies. His goal was to curate a unique extracurricular project that would strengthen his college admissions profile while making a real-world impact. He suspected that enrolling in one of our research programs, which would pair him with a Faculty Advisor (FA) and a Teaching Assistant (TA) whose expertise aligned with his passions, was the best pathway to achieving his goals. As it turns out, he was right.

“A former Scholar Launch participant pointed out that participating in the customized 1-on-1 research program really demystified the world of collegiate academia, allowing him to enter college with more confidence in how to approach professors and

collaborate with peers,” wrote Student J in his intake form. “I’m hopeful Scholar Launch can do the same for me while advancing my research goals on the cross-section of economics and culture.” At first, he didn’t understand the ins and outs of university-level research methodology, nor did he have much clarity about which research topic to focus on for his project. After working with our education team to decide on the right solution for his needs, Student J decided that two research programs were better than one.

How Advanced Extracurricular Research Helped Our Student Get Into A Top Business School

“Through my service work and interactions with my local Hispanic community, I’ve seen a large section of the population that lacks financial literacy,” explained Student J. “I’d like to help research the economic policies that impact these and similar populations, to try and learn more to make a difference in these communities.” His goal to help empower underserved communities relied on his understanding of the broader forces affecting them. So, for his first cohort, “The Determinants of Financial Literacy Programs in the US”, we paired Student J with an economics professor at Tulane University. 

Although his educational journey had not yet invited him to explore econometrics, this program introduced him to foundational concepts in statistical analysis, including descriptive statistics and regression modeling. With the professional guidance of his FA, our scholar was able to articulate his project’s goal more clearly and learn how to pursue it through a methodology centered on empirical analysis using a national dataset. This work helped him conceptualize the complex, high-level forces that were shaping the local Hispanic community’s financial literacy struggles, which he spoke about so passionately.

One of Student J’s key milestones was compiling a comprehensive dataset on financial literacy, a challenging, time-consuming task. However, the direct mentorship he received from Scholar Launch’s ecosystem of support helped him overcome each hurdle, and he completed the empirical section of his research paper with a flourish. 

After he’d spent weeks studying the technical machinations driving financial literacy gaps in specific communities, Student J was able to narrow his focus even more. A visiting scholar from Oxford University taught his second research program, titled "Economic Policies and Standards of Living in Mexico," which focused on theory rather than data. Student J initially chose Argentina as his country of interest, but shifted his focus to Mexico halfway through the program, unintentionally demonstrating resilience and flexibility as he transitioned seamlessly from one research topic to the next. 

His FA provided him with numerous readings and educational videos to bolster his knowledge and skills and to expand his access to necessary resources. He gathered historical data, refined his hypothesis, and deepened his understanding of macroeconomic theory. He also expanded his analytical toolkit by learning how to run regression models in Excel and use pivot tables. By the end of his research journey with us, Student J had shown significant progress in applying economic theory to real-world data. His professor praised his intellectual curiosity, initiative in sourcing data, and ability to overcome setbacks. And both of his FAs confirmed that they would “wholeheartedly recommend him to selective U.S. colleges.”

Student J took on two challenging research programs and impressed both professors with his hard work, curiosity, and strong writing. He demonstrated deep focus, academic excellence, and determination. Ultimately, he successfully published one paper in a reputable research journal and showcased another at an academic conference. He even applied his skills and knowledge in the real world by launching an initiative to help improve financial literacy among first-generation immigrants. His ability to engage in deep, multidisciplinary learning and to apply his newfound knowledge to tangible, impactful projects beyond academia helped him gain admission to the University of Pennsylvania’s prestigious Wharton School of Business.

The success Student J achieved stands out as a testament to his intellectual curiosity and proactive approach to learning, both of which suggest he’ll thrive in the diverse and demanding academic settings that Wharton offers. Extracurricular research programs invite students to expand the reach of their academic interests and prove to top schools how dedicated they are to their field. 

To learn more about how Scholar Launch can help you pave the way to your dream college, contact us.