Three ways to write your first research paper

No experience is needed at all. All three programs are designed for high school students who have never written a research paper before. You will be guided through every step — from choosing a topic and reviewing existing literature to designing your methodology, writing your paper, and preparing it for submission. Many of our students start with no idea what a research paper even looks like, and finish with a completed, publishable paper.

Topics span a wide range of fields, including computer science, machine learning, data science, engineering, mathematics, biology, public health, and social sciences. Your mentor will help you identify a focused research question that aligns with your interests, is feasible within the program timeline, and has a realistic path to publication. Past students have researched everything from AI language models to airport queuing theory to cancer data analysis.

An original research paper presents new findings — you design an experiment or analysis, collect or work with data, and draw conclusions that add something new to your field. This is the goal of the 1-on-1 and Full Hybrid programs.

A review paper synthesizes and critically analyzes existing research on a topic, identifying patterns, gaps, and open questions in the literature. It does not require original data collection, making it more achievable in 8 weeks. Both types are publishable in peer-reviewed journals and are strong additions to a college application.

Plan for roughly 3–5 hours per week, including your session and the work between sessions. This varies depending on the stage — early weeks focused on reading and topic refinement tend to be lighter, while writing and revision weeks can be more intensive. The programs are designed to fit around a full school schedule, and your mentor will help you pace the work realistically.

Many of our students have had their papers accepted for publication or competition recognition — but we cannot guarantee acceptance, as that is ultimately the decision of the journal or competition reviewers. What we do guarantee is that you will finish the program with a complete, polished paper and hands-on guidance on the best venues to submit it to. Your mentor will help you identify journals, conferences, and competitions that are the right fit for your work and give you the best chance of acceptance.

All three programs include post-program support to help you submit your paper. This includes identifying the right journals and competitions for your topic, formatting your paper to meet submission requirements, and guidance through the submission process itself. If a journal requests revisions, you will receive help addressing reviewer feedback. This support continues until your paper has been submitted — we don't consider the program complete until your work is out in the world.

The best way to find out is through a free 1-on-1 call, but here is a quick guide:

Choose 1-on-1 if you want the most direct, flexible mentorship and the deepest engagement with your research topic.

Choose Full Hybrid if you prefer a structured, self-paced async program and want monthly mentor check-ins over 16 weeks without committing to weekly live sessions.

Choose Short Hybrid if you have a tighter timeline, want to start with a review paper, or are exploring whether research is right for you before committing to a longer program.

The program is open to high school students in grades 9–12, typically between the ages of 14 and 18. Students at any stage of high school are welcome — though many students choose to start in 10th or 11th grade so their research experience is fresh when applying to college. That said, students as young as 9th grade have completed original research papers in our programs.

The hybrid programs follow a structured weekly curriculum delivered asynchronously — each week you receive materials, reading, and a task to complete offline at your own pace. You then submit your work and receive written feedback before the next week's materials arrive. Live interaction is limited to 1-on-1 check-ins with your mentor (monthly for the Full Hybrid, once for the Short Hybrid), so you get expert guidance without needing to be available at a fixed time each week.

Yes — and it's one of the most distinctive things a high school student can do. Most applicants have grades, test scores, and club involvement. Very few have published or submitted an original research paper. Admissions committees at competitive universities notice independent research because it demonstrates intellectual curiosity, the ability to see a long project through, and genuine academic depth. Several of our past students have cited their research experience as a key part of their college applications — and gone on to admissions at schools like Carnegie Mellon, UC Berkeley, and University of Michigan.