Polygence Scholar Pathways | Research Mentorship Programs

Mentored Research

Work with one or two expert mentors in your field over time.

Multiple Outcomes

Write a paper then build a model (or other tangible work).

Flexible Schedule

Work on your project between each session based on your mentor's advice.

Layered Topics

Choose to evolve or build onto your project.

20-26 Sessions

Hour-long 1-on-1 Zoom meetings to discuss your progress, readings, etc.

6-15 Months

These longer term projects lead to deeper insights & the most impressive results.

What are Polygence Scholar Pathways?

Modeled after the journeys of our most successful students, Pathways are extended programs designed to unlock profound insights and drive your most ambitious achievements.

The Power of Pathways

Research projects show what sparks your curiosity. Pathways show how far you’re willing to take it—demonstrating commitment, depth, and a meaningful evolution of your ideas.

Nearly one-third of the admitted students [of the class of 2026] engaged in academic research during their time in high school, many earning national and international accolades for research that is already pushing the boundaries of academic discovery.

E. Whitney Soule, Vice Provost and Dean of Admissions

University of Pennsylvania

Ethan’s Polygence Journey

June 2022 - Ethan, a robotics enthusiast from CA, joined Polygence after his sophomore year.
He aimed to build expertise in AI and Machine Learning to apply to top CS programs.
Project 1 (Jun 2022–Feb 2023):
- Studied Extended Kalman Filters and research methods; paper published in a peer-reviewed high school journal.
Project 2 (Summer before Senior year):
- Applied Machine Learning and Computer Vision to improve self-driving car perception in simulated weather; trained segmentation models and tested data augmentation for real-world reliability.
Accepted to UC Berkeley’s prestigious EECS program.

Customize Your Pathway

Key Components

Optional Add-ons

Scholar Pathway Packages

Duration: 6-12 months | 20 sessions

You'll be matched one-on-one with an expert mentor (or mentors) who will guide you through creating two unique projects that highlight your dedication to your field.

What's included?

Core Foundation

Core Investigation

Success Manager

Duration: 8-14 months | 26 sessions

Go beyond skill mastery and add recognition to your portfolio. Share your work in two formats, choosing from Publishing, Presenting or Multimedia support.

What's included?

Core Foundation

Core Investigation

Showcasing Support

Success Manager

Duration: 9-15 months | 26 sessions

Complete your research portfolio with official endorsement of the quality of your work via 3 transferable college credits from UC Irvine.

What's included?

Core Foundation

Core Investigation

Showcasing Support

Success Manager

Transferable College Credits

Scholar Pathways are tuition-based research programs that offer structured mentorship and a project-based learning experience, with academic experts compensated for their time, guidance, and mentorship. Discounts may be available. Apply to learn more.

Apply here to begin your journey.

Apply here