If you’re a high schooler who is intellectually curious, self-motivated, and academically driven, there is one experience you shouldn’t be missing out on – doing independent research.
If this sounds like something you are interested in, there are multiple ways you can go about it! One of the most promising ways to engage in research is to participate in a research mentorship program.
Why should I apply to a research mentorship program in high school?
- If you are academically ambitious, pursuing research in high school can be a great idea. It can be challenging to go through the entire research lifecycle by yourself, and that’s where research mentorship programs can be beneficial!
- The advantage of a research mentorship program is that you’ll receive guidance from ideating a research topic all the way to finalizing your research paper, publishing or participating in competitions.This type of consistent mentorship will ensure that you’re investing your time and focus on the right things.
- If you’ve done meaningful research in a field you’re passionate about, it will also give a solid boost to your academic profile for college admissions—not only for the rigor research demonstrates, but also for the clarity it provides in your academic and career interests.
One research mentorship program you could consider is the Horizon Academic Research Program!
In this blog, we’ll take you through what Horizon’s all about, the type of students we’re looking for, and how you can strengthen your application to Horizon as a budding researcher!
What is Horizon Academic?
Horizon Academic is an intensive online research program where high school students work with PhD researchers and professors from top US schools to produce college-level research papers. Founded in 2016, Horizon is one of the oldest and most selective programs for high school students globally.
Our program offers mentorship in a wide range of fields—from economics, physics, psychology, and medicine, to history, political science, and data science. Students can apply for the Fall, Winter, Spring, or Summer cohorts. The final deliverable is a 20–25 page academic research paper or literature review, often used as a supplement in college applications or submitted for publication.
With an acceptance rate of just 26%, and an average admitted GPA of 3.93, Horizon only admits the most academically excellent and ambitious students. Each year, we only enroll approximately 150–200 students from a highly competitive pool of applicants.
What Makes Horizon Unique?
Several features distinguish Horizon from other research opportunities for high school students:
- Mentorship with Top Scholars: We carefully match students with instructors from top universities based on subject interests.
- Subject-Driven Matching: Unlike other programs, we admit students only if we believe their desired research area is a strong fit. If accepted, they work on exactly the topic they care about.
- Flexible but Rigorous: Horizon accommodates students with demanding school schedules, while still holding them to college-level academic standards.
- College Admissions Impact: Many students submit their Horizon paper as part of their college application or secure Letters of Recommendation (LoRs) from their mentors.
- Opportunities for Publication: Horizon offers both in-house publication through the Horizon Scholar Journal (10% acceptance rate) and guidance from a dedicated publication specialist for external submissions.
How Do I Apply to Horizon Academic?
Applying to Horizon is a multi-step process that mirrors the application process at the most prestigious U.S. colleges.
Step 1: Online Application
Applicants need to first fill out the online application form available on the website. This usually takes 2-3 hours and requires scholars to identify research topics of interest, explain their motivation for the program, detail their academic and co-curricular background (GPA, SAT/ACT scores, classes attended, projects done). This also requires students to attach a school transcript.
Students are shortlisted based on their academic excellence and alignment with their chosen research areas. We are looking for students who can demonstrate that they are prepared to work on a research paper which is a substantial undertaking.
Step 2: Interview with Our Academic Team
Shortlisted students are invited to a formal 30-minute interview with a Horizon admissions committee member. The interview is designed to assess three main areas:
- Academic Background – You’ll be asked about relevant coursework, interests, and your academic preparation for the research topic you’ve selected.
- Critical Thinking – Expect to be asked how you think through problems, approach research, and evaluate ideas.
- Bias to Action – What have you already done that reflects your academic interests? For example, do you blog about neuroscience? Tutor younger students in math? Attend summer camps?
Pro tip: Treat the interview like a college seminar. Be ready to engage in an academic conversation, not just answer basic questions.
Step 3: Admission Decision
We typically roll out decisions within two weeks of the interview. Horizon has a ~26% acceptance rate, and our admissions team is deeply focused on fit: we admit students who are academically prepared and truly motivated to pursue the specific research topic they’ve proposed. We only have the best PhD scholars and faculty from top universities as instructors and are limited by their availability so we can only take 150-200 students a year.
Ninth graders are rarely admitted—less than 5% of our admitted students are in Grade 9—while most students are in Grade 10 or 11. We do welcome re-applicants and view improvement from a previous application positively.
Step 4: Mentor Matching & Topic Development (For 1-1 PhD Labs students)
Once admitted, our academic team carefully matches each student with a mentor who has deep expertise in their area of interest. Students work closely with this mentor to refine their topic and begin developing their research project.
Here are a few real examples of research topics students have pursued:
- “A Comparative Analysis of Environmental Justice in the U.S. and India”
- “Predictive Modeling Using Deep Learning for Cardiovascular Risk Factors”
- “The Evolution of Women’s Legal Rights in Postcolonial Africa”
- “The Role of Behavioral Economics in Investor Decision-Making”
Mentors challenge students to sharpen their arguments, incorporate advanced sources, and produce work of college-level quality. 70% of Our Mentors Come from the Ivy League, Stanford, Oxford & Cambridge
5 Tips to Strengthen Your Horizon Application
- Be Specific in Your Statement of Interest
Vague essays don’t work. Instead of writing, “I like biology,” write, “I’m interested in CRISPR and its legal and ethical implications, especially in pediatric medicine.” You should also include what got you interested and what your future plans may look like. - Do Your Homework on Research Topics
You don’t need a finalized topic, but come in with a few ideas that genuinely excite you. Read articles, listen to academic podcasts, or check out past student topics on our site. - Show Academic Rigor
A strong transcript matters. We look for students who’ve challenged themselves academically—honors classes, APs, IBs, Olympiads, or advanced electives. - Treat the Interview Seriously
Review your academic background in the subject you’re applying for. If you’re applying to do research in international relations, be ready to discuss relevant current events, books, or coursework. - Show You’re Ready for Independent Work
Horizon students work one-on-one with professors and are expected to lead their research projects. Evidence that you’re self-driven—like passion projects or leadership roles—helps your case.
Final Thoughts
Horizon is best suited for students who are deeply curious, academically driven, and are ready for the intellectual challenge of independent research. It’s a time-intensive program, requiring 8–10 hours per week and at least 100 total hours over the course of a term. Students will need to balance their school, extracurriculars, and test prep, with their Horizon Academic work.
And even if you’re unsure of a final topic, don’t worry—we’ll help you refine your ideas and connect you with a mentor who can guide you from ideation to paper submission.
Joining Horizon means becoming part of a small, selective group of high school students who want to go beyond their textbooks and create knowledge. You’ll walk away not just with a polished research paper—but with a deeper understanding of your academic interests and a story worth telling in college essays, interviews, and beyond.
If that sounds like you, we encourage you to start your application today! You can apply here.
All the best!
