Polygence Pods | Polygence

Why Pods?

Deepen Your Passion. Explore your Passion.

Polygence Pods are a focused, organized exploration on popular career and research topics. You will build a foundation in your research and career goals through a structured research experience with thoughtfully designed lessons and customizable projects. You will be guided by our world-class mentors and meet like-minded peers who share your passion.

See upcoming Pods!

In this program you will...

Student success through group learning and collaboration

Build a meaningful outcome

Project outputs vary project-to-project, but all students produce their own, unique final product at the end of the 6 weeks.

Explore an exciting topic of your interest

We have expert mentors available in topics ranging from Computer Science and ML, to Finance, to Literature and Storytelling!

Student setting project timeline on his calendar

Do more with a condensed timeframe

Highly concentrated content that doesn't drag out over months. The sessions occur weekly over 5-6 weeks so you can easily incorporate them into your busy schedule.

Choose Your Pod

Our Winter 2025 Pods Schedule will be released in the coming weeks, with the first cohorts beginning in January. Sign up for the waitlist for your favorite topics by clicking "Learn more & Apply", and you'll be the first to know when new dates are released!

Exploring the Stock Market: Understanding the fundamentals of investing and stock portfolios

Next cohort January 5, 2025

4 cohorts have open seats

3 seats remaining

Designing the Future of Healthcare: A deep dive into innovation and problem-solving

Next cohort January 5, 2025

2 cohorts have open seats

Treating Cancer: Learn about cancer immunotherapy and explore where the field is headed

Next cohort January 8, 2025

1 cohort has open seats

Explore gene editing: Learn about genetics and its uses in healthcare

Next cohort January 8, 2025

4 cohorts have open seats

2 seats remaining

Planning Your Financial Future with Harvard Economics Professor Jeffrey Miron

Next cohort January 9, 2025

2 cohorts have open seats

Neuroscience and Alzheimer's: Learn about modifiable lifestyle factors that increase risk for Alzheimer's disease

Next cohort January 15, 2025

6 cohorts have open seats

Molecular Evolution: Tracing Genetic Footprints Through Time

Next cohort January 16, 2025

2 cohorts have open seats

AI in STEM: How Artificial Intelligence is revolutionizing Science and Engineering

Next cohort January 18, 2025

6 cohorts have open seats

2 seats remaining

Understanding Dementia: Exploring neurodegenerative disease through real world case studies

Next cohort January 20, 2025

2 cohorts have open seats

3 seats remaining

Forecasting Futures: Learn data analysis and visualization by exploring the changing habitats of rare species

Next cohort February 23, 2025

1 cohort has open seats

Backboards & Dashboards: Using analytics to understand sports performance

Next cohort February 27, 2025

Cells Gone Rogue: Understanding the Biology of Cancer and potential treatments

Next cohort April 3, 2025

2 cohorts have open seats

Coming soon

Environmental Sustainability: Using nature-based technologies to help sequester carbon and fight climate change

Coming soon

The Future Changemaker’s Guide: Understanding and influencing government's impact on your life

Coming soon

Research and Statistics: An Introduction to using statistics and data analysis in research projects

Coming soon

Exploring Everyday Economics: Understanding the economic forces shaping our world

Coming soon

Neuroscience and emotions: how are internal states generated and shaped?

Coming soon

Healthcare Economics: Explore the business of America's healthcare system and its pressing challenges

Join the waitlist and be the first to hear about our new Pods!

Submit your interest for a Pod, and we’ll reach out as soon as it launches. We'll also let you know if a related Pod becomes available.

Are Pods Right For You?

Polygence Pods short courses are best if you:

Want to get a foundational understanding in a new research area

Are curious about a topic but not sure where to begin

Are looking for a fun project you can finish quickly

Want to confirm your interest in a future career option

Benefits of Pods short courses

1. Accomplish a Lot Quickly

Pods are designed to expose students to new topics in a quick 6-week course that covers the basics of research in the topic and culminates in a customizable project outcome.

2. Structured Schedule

For students needing more accountability in their schedule, Pods are a great way to begin research exploration with set meetings, assignments and a defined project structure designed to keep students and their research on track.

3. Learn with Peers

Pods bring together 6 passionate students to learn and work together about a topic they’ll explore together. This collaborative experience brings students into conversation with one another.

4. Get Inspired by an Expert Mentor

Pods are designed and led by experts in the field and crafted to engage students in learning the newest developments in the most popular fields for young scholars. This means pods are a great way to test interest in competitive fields without needing prior research or a concrete idea of what to explore.

Why Polygence?

Polygence alumni reported a 91% acceptance rate to R1 universities

Success starts with following your passion

We believe students achieve their best outcomes when they follow their authentic passions. We help you discover and grow in topics of your interest!

Expert mentors from top universities

Polygence mentors are selected based on their exceptional academic background, teaching experience, and unique ability to inspire the next generation of innovative thinkers.

84% of Polygence students reported being more optimistic about their academic future

Develop your academic confidence

Polygence students reported that work with their mentor made them feel more optimistic and more in control of their academic future!