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Student Research opportunities
Turn Your Teen's Curiosity Into Real Research
One-on-one mentorship with PhD-level researchers from our national research partners, coordinated with your student's college plan from the first question to the finished paper.
A Coordinated Team, Built Around Your Student
Admissions Architect partners with Launch, a national network of vetted academic providers, to bring students one-on-one research mentorship with PhD-level researchers from leading universities.
Our partners' mentors guide the research. Dr. Neimeyer makes sure it fits the plan: the right pathway, the right timing, and a finished project that strengthens your student's story in essays, activities and interviews.
THE WORK
What Makes Our Research Pathways Different
One mentor, one student.
Every student works one-on-one with a PhD candidate, postdoc or advanced-degree researcher. No group classes.
Their question, not a template.
From neuroscience and AI to philosophy, economics and history, students research what they care about.
Structure from idea to finish line.
Mentor meetings, writing coaching and milestones keep the project moving, even in a busy school year.
Something real at the end.
An original paper or research-grounded project, with guided support for students who want to pursue publication.
Part of one plan.
We fit research into your student's larger college strategy, so it strengthens their story instead of becoming one more thing on the list.
Do you have a research idea?
Click the button below to schedule a zoom call and learn more about our research options that can help you achieve your goals.
the skills
Why Research Matters for College Admissions
Selective colleges look for intellectual depth: a student who followed a question further than the classroom required. A well-mentored research project shows that like few other things can. It also gives your student something genuine to talk about in essays and interviews.
The bigger payoff is what happens to the student. They learn to ask a good question, work alongside an expert, manage a long project and write at a college level. Many discover what they want to study, or what they don't, before they choose a major.
"This is not just about a final product. It is about building the habits and maturity students will use in college and beyond."
IS IT FOR YOU?
Is Research Right for Your Student?
RESEARCH IS A GREAT FIT IF YOUR STUDENT:
is intellectually curious and has asked questions a class never quite answered
wants to explore a possible major or career before committing
would benefit from one-on-one mentorship with an adult expert
is aiming for selective colleges, honors programs or merit scholarships
is still searching for a direction, since some pathways begin with idea discovery
Not sure yet? That's what the free call is for. If research isn't the right move this year, we'll tell you, and we'll talk about what is.
RESEARCH PATHWAYS
Every pathway is fully virtual and one-on-one. They differ in depth, length and final outcome, and we'll help you choose the right one.
Choose Your High School Research Pathway
Research Scholar Program
A focused research program built around publication
- About 10 weeks, roughly 5-6 hours a week
- Weekly sessions with a PhD mentor, plus a dedicated writing coach
- A Student Success Manager, with progress updates every two weeks
- Goal: a publication-ready paper submitted to a peer-reviewed journal, with support to revise and resubmit
- Start any time, with no application. Best for grades 10-12.
$3,249*
Research & Passion Projects
★ Most Flexible
For students still shaping their question, or who want to build something
- Begins with three idea-shaping sessions with three different mentors
- 10 core mentor sessions with written feedback, then 3 showcase sessions to publish, present, compete or launch
- Ends in a research paper or a project such as a podcast, app, business plan, nonprofit, portfolio or op-ed
- About 3-6 months, starting any time. Students can pause for AP exams, sports or vacation.
- Mentor-match guarantee: if the first match isn't right, your student is rematched at no cost
$6,000*
Mentored Research & Publication
★ Most Comprehensive
A university-level paper with a full support team
- 15 one-on-one sessions with a PhD mentor from a leading research university
- 4 writing-coach sessions and 4 sessions with a publication specialist
- A 15-20 page original research paper, a written evaluation from the mentor and a certificate of completion
- About 3-4 months of research, then publication support that includes up to three journal submissions
- Groups start in spring, summer and winter, and our students are guaranteed a spot
$6,999*
Advanced Research Mentorship
★ By application
This pathway is for a student who has already done serious STEM research and wants to go further. It's offered through the International Research Institute of North Carolina (IRINC), founded at Duke University with 22 partner universities.
- Students work one-on-one with a graduate mentor and a university faculty Principal Investigator toward peer-reviewed publication.
- Fields are biology, chemistry, physics, math and engineering.
- Admission is selective and includes interviews.
$9,950* / trimester
Then a reduced fee each trimester until publication. Let's talk first: we'll tell you honestly whether it's the right next step.
No rigorous research program can promise publication, and we won't either.
Every pathway includes structured support for students who choose to pursue it.
*Prices are typical for most projects and are subject to change.
INCLUDED IN EVERY PATHWAY
What Every Research Student
Receives
Regardless of discipline or project scope, every student is backed by rigorous mentorship, customized milestones, and comprehensive strategic support.
- One-on-one virtual mentorship with an advanced-degree researcher
- A mentor matched to your student's field of interest
- Structured milestones from topic to finished product
- Writing and communication coaching
- Guidance on presenting, publishing or competing with the finished work
- The chance to earn a letter of recommendation from the mentor
- Strategic guidance from Dr. Neimeyer on how the project fits into your student's activities list, essays and interviews
THE ROADMAP
From Curiosity to Finished Research
Step by Step
A structured, mentor-guided progression designed to turn natural intellectual curiosity into concrete, defensible academic scholarship.
Free call
We talk through your student's interests, schedule and goals, then recommend a pathway, or tell you if research can wait.
Enroll and match
Your student is matched with a mentor in their field, usually within 2-3 weeks.
Shape the question
Student and mentor turn a broad interest into a focused research question.
Research and write
Weekly mentor meetings, writing coaching and independent work between sessions.
Finish and share
A final paper or project, with optional support to publish, present or compete.
Put it to work
We help your student turn the experience into a strong activity entry, essay material and interview stories.
TIMING TIP: Many families start in late winter or spring to make the most of the summer, and pathways without fixed start dates can begin any time. Starting in 10th or early 11th grade leaves room to finish, and possibly publish, before applications are due.
STUDENT RESEARCH SUCCESS
What Students Have Accomplished
Students in our partner research programs have published in journals such as the Cornell Undergraduate Economic Review and Intersect: The Stanford Journal of Science, Technology, and Society. They have also won or placed in competitions including MIT THINK, the LSE Undergraduate Political Review essay competition, and Regeneron ISEF.
"The program fueled my passion for biology. My mentor was amazing and supportive throughout my research journey."
Grace B.
Research Scholar Program student
"The mentor was really friendly and provided support until the publication was completed."
Mike W.
Research Scholar Program student
Outcomes shared by our research partners. Results vary, and no outcome is guaranteed.
Prefer to Talk First?
Research is a big commitment, and the right pathway depends on your student. Let's find it together.
Have a specific question before starting? Call (312) 725-3279 or email [email protected].
CONNECTED STRATEGY
Research Is One Part
of a Bigger Plan
Research works best when it connects to everything else: the courses your student takes, the activities they lead, the essays they write and the colleges where they'll thrive. Many families start with research and stay for:
- a right-fit college list, balanced academically, financially and culturally
- an application strategy and timeline, with no scrambling
- essay coaching that helps your student tell their own story, research included
- scholarship and financial-aid strategy
Research pathways are also available as add-ons to our Foundation, Framework and Master Builder plans.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Still Have Questions?
Everything you need to know about our mentors, scheduling flexibility, research deliverables, and how Dr. Neimeyer coordinates your student's pathway.
Who actually does the mentoring?
PhD candidates, postdoctoral researchers and advanced-degree professionals from leading universities, through our national partner network. Dr. Neimeyer coordinates the plan, recommends the pathway and helps your student use the finished work in their applications.
Does my student need a research topic already?
No. Many students start with a broad interest, and Research & Passion Projects begins with idea-shaping sessions for exactly this reason.
Is publication guaranteed?
No, and be cautious of any program that promises it. Every pathway includes structured support for students who want to pursue publication.
Does it have to be a research paper?
Not always. Research & Passion Projects can end in a podcast, app, business plan, nonprofit, portfolio or another project grounded in research.
How much time does it take each week?
About 5-10 hours, depending on the pathway.
What if my student is busy with sports or exams?
Pathways without fixed start dates can be timed around your student's calendar, and Research & Passion Projects can be paused.
Is it all virtual?
Yes. Your student can work with an expert anywhere in the country, or the world.
What grade should my student be in?
Grades 9-12, with 10th and early 11th grade the sweet spot.
What if the mentor isn't a good fit?
Let us know. Research & Passion Projects includes a free rematch, and we stay involved in every pathway.
How will I know how it's going?
Students work toward structured milestones. Depending on the pathway, families and Dr. Neimeyer receive regular progress updates.
Does research help with college admissions?
It can, when it's genuine. Selective colleges look for intellectual curiosity and depth: evidence that a student followed a question beyond what a class required. A well-mentored research project shows that in a way grades alone can't. It also gives your student real material for essays, interviews and recommendations from teachers or mentors.
What matters most is authenticity, not prestige. Admissions officers can tell the difference between a project a student cared about and one done to fill a line on an application. That's why we match research to your student's real interests and fit it into their larger college plan. Research strengthens an application, but no single activity guarantees admission anywhere.
How can my student get research experience in high school?
There are a few paths. Some students reach out to university professors or local labs directly. That can work, but it often means many unanswered emails and limited mentorship. Others join summer programs, school science fairs or independent study.
A mentored research program offers the most structure. Your student is matched one-on-one with a PhD-level researcher in their field and supported from choosing a topic to finishing the paper. They also get guidance on publishing, presenting or entering competitions with the work. Through our national research partners, students can start with just a broad interest. On a free call, we'll help you decide which path fits your student's goals, schedule and grade level.
No commitment required : 45-minute introductory consultation with Dr. Neimeyer
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