New for StrivePath families
Turn Your Student's Curiosity Into a Real Research Project
StrivePath now works with Polygence, a mentored research program, so students can build an original project one-on-one with an expert mentor. Your StrivePath advisor helps decide if research fits your student's goals, then shows how to use it in their college applications.
A project, start to finish
Same grades. Very different stories.
Strong grades and test scores are common among applicants to selective colleges. What helps a student stand out is showing real curiosity and the skills to follow it through. Here is how two students with the same numbers can look very different on paper.
Student A
4.0 GPA, 1520 SAT, 5 on AP Biology
Completed a research project on CRISPR gene editing.
A good project, but it reads like one more box checked.
Student B
4.0 GPA, 1520 SAT, 5 on AP Biology
Studied microplastics, published the results in a scientific journal, presented at a research symposium, entered a science fair , and built an app that teaches people about microplastics in drinking water.
Real engagement, shown in more than one way.
Example profiles provided by Polygence.
How it works with your StrivePath plan
Polygence runs the research program. StrivePath makes sure the project fits your student's bigger plan for high school and college.
01
StrivePath
Find the right fit
Your advisor looks at your student's interests, schedule and goals to decide if a research project makes sense, and when.
02
Polygence
Meet a 1:1 mentor
Students are matched with an expert mentor from a network of more than 3,000, many of them graduate students and PhDs who were recently in their shoes.
03
Polygence
Build the project
Ten one-on-one sessions move the project from idea to finished work, with three milestones along the way.
04
StrivePath
Use it in applications
Your advisor helps your student talk about the work in essays, activity lists and interviews, so it adds to their story.
The work doesn't sit on a shelf
With showcasing support, students share their finished project in a way that fits it. The process itself builds skills colleges look for: writing, public speaking and independent thinking.
Publishing
Submit a research paper to an academic journal, from pre-print to peer-reviewed.
Science Fair
Get the project competition-ready for local, state and national science and engineering fairs.
Presenting
Present at symposiums and conferences, or talk through the work in college and internship interviews.
Multimedia
Turn the research into a podcast, short documentary, website, game or app.
Program options
Students can complete one project or build a two-project research portfolio. Your StrivePath advisor can help you choose.
One project
Core programs
Core Basic
13 sessions. A unique project plus support to showcase it in one format.
Core Essential
16 sessions. Showcase the work in two formats.
Core Advanced
16 sessions plus 3 transferable college credits from UC Irvine.
Two projects
Scholar programs
Scholar Basic
6 to 12 months, 23 sessions. Two projects that show depth in one field.
Scholar Essential
8 to 14 months, 26 sessions. Adds showcasing in two formats.
Scholar Advanced
9 to 15 months, 26 sessions, plus 3 transferable college credits from UC Irvine.
Optional add-ons
Launchpad. Three sessions with three different mentors to find the right project idea.
UC GATI. UC's Gifted and Talented Institute: college credit, faculty support and library access.
Work Lab Internship. Industry projects in healthcare, economics, sustainability and technology.
Lab Fundamentals Bootcamp. Foundations of genetic engineering, taught by a UC Berkeley microbiologist.
Where Polygence alumni have been accepted
89%
acceptance rate at R1 research universities, including UC Berkeley and UCLA
60%
acceptance rate at top 10 engineering schools, including MIT, Stanford and Caltech
51%
acceptance rate at U.S. News Top 25 universities
Figures reported by Polygence for its alumni. Individual results vary.
What this means for your family
Is a research project right for every student?
No, and it doesn't have to be. Research is one option among many. Your StrivePath advisor will help you decide if it fits your student's interests, workload and goals.
Does my student need a project idea first?
No. Students can start with a general interest. The optional Launchpad sessions let them explore ideas with three different mentors before choosing one.
How long does it take?
Core programs run 13 to 16 sessions. Scholar programs, with two projects, take about 6 to 15 months.
How do we get started?
Talk with your StrivePath advisor, or schedule a complimentary consultation below. We will walk through the options and help with enrollment.
Ready to Explore a Research Project?
Schedule a complimentary consultation to talk about your student's interests and see whether a Polygence project fits their plan.
Already a StrivePath family? Ask your advisor at your next meeting.
