Online Research Programs and the Expansion of Academic Possibility
To say it’s not easy to get into top schools like Harvard, Yale, Princeton, Stanford, and MIT is to understate the situation dramatically. With general acceptance rates that virtually never surpass 5%, the vast majority of Ivy League applicants are not admitted. Competition is consistently formidable, and in addition to near-perfect grades and test scores, a student’s activity outside of the classroom is often the key to earning one of those coveted acceptance letters. This is where research programs come in.
The Benefits of Participating in Extracurricular Research
There are many different forms an extracurricular activity can take. Sports, school clubs, pre-college programs, and volunteer work are all beneficial for high school students seeking to develop new skills, meet new friends, and add depth to their resumes. However, nothing quite enhances an academic profile like advanced extracurricular research. According to Dr. Nick Strohl, a former Senior Assistant Director of Admissions at Yale University who led one of our webinars a few months back, there are several stand-out traits top schools look out for when vetting applicants:
Passion
Intellectual curiosity
Skill development
Academic rigor
Initiative, independence, and leadership
Unique contributions or standout experiences
Students who participate in extracurricular research programs and study advanced subjects have a premium opportunity to demonstrate not only these traits, but also their commitment to the major they plan to pursue in college. And by connecting their research experience to other extracurriculars, they can weave a cohesive narrative in their academic profile that paints a unique picture for admissions officers, thereby showcasing intellectual flexibility and academic creativity. In short, participating in high school research programs is a win-win. But which programs are worth pursuing?
With COVID-19 considered to be in the rearview mirror for most people, the desire to return to in-person learning full-time is rising. It should be noted, however, that defense against a global pandemic has never been the sole reason for participating in virtual courses. There are several advantages to online research programs that students should consider when weighing their options, not the least of which is the democratizing impact that virtual learning has made on the world. Students in all four corners of the globe can now access advanced education, and using technology to further this type of accessibility is the future.
How Online Research Programs Expand Academic Opportunities
In-school research programs, such as AP Research and the AP Capstone Diploma Program, introduce students to fundamentals by teaching them how to curate research topics, conduct literature reviews, compare and contrast different perspectives, and more. These skills are undoubtedly beneficial, and we cover the same methodology in our programs. However, these school-sanctioned courses are designed, by necessity, to accommodate a wide range of students, interests, and topics over the span of the school year, leading to larger cohort sizes. Some schools may also experience a lack of resources, like reduced faculty availability and university-level expertise, that limit young scholars’ exposure to niche subjects beyond general STEM and humanities education. Scholar Launch research programs are curated to fill those gaps.
Students participating in our programs have the freedom to explore practically any niche interdisciplinary research topic that aligns with their passions, thanks to our extensive network of educators. They can choose to join a group research program or one of our customizable one-on-one cohorts if the available group sessions don’t represent their academic interests. Additionally, each cohort lasts just 10 to 12 weeks, an essential feature that ensures scholars can obtain tangible results without overwhelming their academic schedules.
To make all of this possible, we maintain partnerships with an increasingly diverse array of over 300 Faculty Advisors and Teaching Assistants from around the world whose elite credentials span academia and business. Our FAs, who are either esteemed professors from prestigious universities or industry experts with decades of experience, design unique curricula for each course. They teach college-level research practices, lead lectures and class discussions, and provide students with the exclusive resources they need to explore complex questions and complete their projects. The TAs, who hold advanced degrees from top schools, offer dedicated, one-on-one support in academic writing, methodology, publication, and more. This type of direct mentorship is a feature of our research programs, which are characterized by small class sizes that never exceed 6 to 8 students.
In addition to the support Scholar Launch students receive from their mentors, we also have a professional team of education experts that’s trained to provide full-time support to students and their families.
Ultimately, pursuing research opportunities is never a bad decision for high school students, regardless of whether they opt for an online program or choose to stick with in-school options. We’re here to help young leaders make the choices that are best for them. For more information on what we can offer the next generation of scholars, contact us.