Short Answer: Scholar Launch is worth it if you want a structured, faculty-guided path to a finished research project. If you are aiming for a competition such as ISEF, John Locke or HIR, our competition prep programs add targeted coaching on top of your research. You work with university faculty or industry experts, depending on your field of study, and you own your project from the first question to the final draft. It is a weaker fit if you are searching for a guaranteed publication, a guaranteed recommendation letter, or a free, in-person lab placement, as we do not provide those services.
What Is Scholar Launch?
Scholar Launch is a research mentorship organization, founded in 2019 in New Haven, Connecticut, that pairs middle school, high school and college students with university faculty to complete original research. Our 420+ faculty advisors are professors and experts from top universities as well as industry experts. We offer two kinds of programs:
Research programs, where you build a research project around your own question, in a small group or one-on-one.
Competition prep programs, where you build your research and prepare it for a specific competition, such as the John Locke Essay Competition, the HIR Academic Writing Contest or Regeneron ISEF.
Research Programs
Every research program gives you expert guidance and ends with finished work product, from a research proposal to a college-level paper.
| Program | Grades | Format | What you finish with |
|---|---|---|---|
| Research Interest Exploration Program | Middle school | Explore several disciplines with a Program Advisor | A tailored portfolio and a research proposal |
| Junior Group Research Program | 7 to 9 | Small group of up to 10 with a faculty advisor | An entry-level research paper or product |
| Small Group Research Program | 9 to 12 | Small group of up to 5 with a faculty advisor | A college-level research paper |
| Custom 1-on-1 Research Program | 9 to 12 | One-on-one with a faculty advisor, built around your schedule | A college-level research paper or product |
| Accelerated Research Program | 7 to 12 | 1v1, condensed into 4 weeks | A college-level research paper or product |
Group programs run 10 to 12 weeks at about 5 hours a week. Custom 1-on-1 programs run 12 to 14 weeks, and the Accelerated Research Program fits the work into 4 weeks.
Competition Prep Programs
Competition prep programs combine one-on-one research with coaching for a specific competition, so your project is built to that competition's standards from the start.
| Program | Competition | Grades | Format | What you finish with |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Distinguished Humanities and Social Science Program | John Locke Essay Competition or HIR Academic Writing Contest (you choose one) | 6 to 12 | One-on-one research plus contest prep | A research paper and a competition-ready essay |
| Science Fair Elite Research Program | Regeneron ISEF and other science fairs | 9 to 12 | One-on-one with mentors who have science competition experience, including former ISEF judges | A competition-ready project, poster and abstract, plus mock judging practice |
What It Costs and How Aid Works
High school programs start at $3,800, and junior programs start at $800 with the Research Interest Exploration Program. Your exact tuition depends on the program you choose, and our team will walk you through it in a free consultation before you apply. Need-based aid of 5% to 30% is available for team programs. Customized premium programs and competition prep programs are not eligible for aid.
When you weigh the cost, look at what you finish with: a complete research project, built with a university faculty advisor reviewing your drafts along the way.
How the Research Works
You lead your research, and your faculty advisor guides it. Here is how a typical program runs:
You narrow a broad interest into a research question you can actually answer.
Your advisor teaches you the methods your field uses, from reading and synthesizing the literature to collecting and analyzing evidence.
You draft your project in stages and revise it based on your advisor's feedback.
You finish with work you can explain, defend and build on.
Your advisor teaches methods, gives feedback and reviews your drafts. Your advisor does not write your paper, generate your data or run your analysis for you. These expectations are spelled out in the Scholar Launch Honor Code.
Owning your process matters beyond the program itself. Admissions officers increasingly ask students to talk about their research in depth, which we cover in Can Colleges Tell If You Did Your Own Research?
Publication: What to Expect
Scholar Launch provides publication guidance, and publication is never guaranteed. Journals make their own independent decisions about what they accept. Your advisor helps you identify venues that fit your topic and prepare a strong submission, and the decision stays with the journal.
Your project has value whether or not it is published. You will have a finished piece of original work, real research skills, and a project you can describe with confidence on your applications. Be cautious of any program that promises publication, because no program controls that outcome.
Results
Among Scholar Launch alumni, 95% were admitted to top 50 universities and 74% to top 30 universities. You can see the full breakdown on our College Admissions Results page.
Research is one part of a strong application. These students also brought solid grades, thoughtful essays and meaningful activities. Research gave them something specific and personal to write about, which we explain in How to Write About Research in College Applications.
Who It's a Great Fit For
You want structure and deadlines that turn an interest into a finished project.
You want feedback from university faculty on your actual drafts.
You are committed to your work and willing to put time and effort to achieve your goal.
You have a competition goal such as ISEF, John Locke or HIR and want targeted support.
Who Should Look Elsewhere
You need a guaranteed publication or a guaranteed recommendation letter.
You want a fully independent project with no set schedule or check-ins.
You are looking for a free or funded in-person placement in a university lab.
The tuition would stretch your family too far, even with need-based aid.
Questions to Ask Any Research Program
Use this checklist on any program you are considering, including ours:
Who will mentor me, and what will they do and not do?
How many hours a week will this take, and for how many weeks?
What will I have finished at the end?
What does it cost, and is aid available?
Does the program promise publication? The honest answer should be no.
Does the program promise a letter of recommendation? The honest answer should be no.
Are the integrity rules written down where I can read them?
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Scholar Launch worth it?
Scholar Launch is worth it if you want faculty guidance and a structured path to a finished research project, and you can commit about 5 hours a week. If you need guaranteed publication or a free in-person lab experience, another option may suit you better.
Can Scholar Launch help me prepare for a competition?
Yes. The Distinguished Humanities and Social Science Program prepares you for the John Locke Essay Competition or the HIR Academic Writing Contest, and the Science Fair Elite Research Program prepares you for Regeneron ISEF and other science fairs. Both combine one-on-one research with competition coaching.
Will I get published?
Publication is never guaranteed. You receive publication guidance from your advisor, including help choosing journals that fit your work and preparing your submission. Each journal makes its own decision.
Is the research really mine?
Yes. You develop the question, do the work and write the paper, while your advisor teaches, guides and reviews. The Scholar Launch Honor Code puts these expectations in writing.
How much time will this take each week?
Group programs take about 5 hours a week over 10 to 12 weeks. The Accelerated Research Program runs for 4 weeks, and Custom 1-on-1 programs are planned around your schedule.
How much does Scholar Launch cost?
High school programs start at $3,800, and junior programs start at $800. Need-based aid of 5% to 30% is available for team programs, while customized premium programs and competition prep programs are not eligible. Ask us for exact pricing in a free consultation.
Can I join if I'm in middle school?
Yes. You can start with the Research Interest Exploration Program or the Junior Group Research Program, and the Distinguished Humanities and Social Science Program is open from grade 6.
Ready to Find Your Fit?
Bring your interests and your questions to a free consultation. We will help you figure out whether Scholar Launch fits your goals and which program makes sense for where you are right now.
