Explore your passion through research.
A virtual research program for high school students.
The Oriel Ignite Research Program provides high school students with the opportunity to develop college-level research skills. Under personalized mentorship from PhD candidates, students explore their chosen research topics while mastering the academic research process, fostering critical thinking and intellectual growth.
Why complete research?
There are over 146 institutions classified as R1*, the highest designation for research activity in the United States. This prestigious group includes Ivy League universities, as well as world-renowned institutions like MIT, Stanford University, and Johns Hopkins University.
Public universities such as the University of Michigan, UVA, the University of Florida, and UCLA are also among the top-tier research institutions. Once on campus, students have numerous opportunities to engage in hands-on research, gaining valuable experience and contributing to groundbreaking discoveries.
Students who have prior research experience demonstrate exceptional intellectual curiosity, positioning themselves to make meaningful contributions and a lasting impact on their campus communities.
*The classification is made by the Carnegie Classification.
Why the Oriel Ignite Research Program?
Our PhD mentors, coming from top-tier universities, are incredibly passionate about working with high school students. Our mentors provide individualized support, ensuring students have the tools to succeed with their research. Students are encouraged to explore various data-collection methodologies, including original approaches such as conducting surveys or performing lab-based experiments.
As an extension, as part of our Research Program+, we also assist students in preparing their research for publication in scientific journals or submission to competitions, helping them showcase their work and make a meaningful impact.
We offer 2 program options
Every student has different goals, which is why we offer two research program options. Both are designed to help students develop original research with expert mentorship, but with varied levels of depth and support. Our signature research program is perfect for students looking to complete a guided research project while our Plus Program takes it a step further, with enhanced writing support and guidance through submission to top journals and competitions.
Oriel Ignite
Research program
- Academic mentor meetings
- 2 writing and editing sessions
- Paper or project
- Journals and competitions
- 3-5 hours a week
- 3-4 month duration
Oriel Ignite
Research program
+PLUS
- Academic mentor meetings
- 5 writing and editing sessions
- Paper or project
- Journals and competitions
- 3-5 hours a week
- 5-6 month duration
Project Areas
Humanities
- Anthropology
- Art History
- Economics
- English Literature
- Environmental Studies
- History
- Linguistics and Languages
- Philosophy
- Political Science
- Psychology
- Sociology
STEM
- Astrophysics
- Biochemistry
- Biology
- Chemistry
- Computer Science
- Engineering
- Genetics
- Mathematics
- Neuroscience
- Physics
- Public Health
Ready to Apply?
-
step 1
Fill out the application
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step 2
Complete an interview
Within 1 week
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step 3
Get your decision
Within 1-2 weeks
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step 4
Begin your research
Within 1 month
Student Stories
Madison had wanted to become a doctor since elementary school. Determined to achieve her goal, she set her sights on competitive BS/MD programs, which offer direct entry into medical school. Knowing that these programs value candidates with robust research experience, Madison applied to the Oriel Ignite Research Program.
In order to explore her passion in public health, Madison collaborated with her mentor to explore healthcare inequalities in her city. She began by analyzing publicly available data and soon realized the importance of incorporating primary research into her study. Eager to gain firsthand insights, Madison identified several local programs addressing healthcare disparities and reached out to their administrators. Several were willing to share their experiences and perspectives, which significantly enriched her research.
Alex's passion for astrophysics led him to embark on an ambitious research project that combined his curiosity with hands-on scientific discovery. Guided by a mentor with expertise in astrophysics, Alex identified a project focused on analyzing light curves from stars to detect potential exoplanets (planets orbiting stars beyond our solar system).
This project provided an invaluable opportunity for Alex to strengthen his computer programming skills while applying his academic knowledge to a real-world scientific challenge. This project not only deepened Alex's understanding of astrophysics but also equipped him with valuable skills in data analysis and coding. It served as a stepping stone toward further exploration in the field.
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When can you begin the Oriel Ignite Research Program?
The Oriel Ignite Research Program can begin at any time of the year. We work with students to accommodate their schedules and academic calendars, ensuring they can start their research journey when it best suits them.
Why should I complete the Oriel Ignite Research Program?
Completing the Oriel Ignite Research Program provides students with valuable research experience, skills that colleges are increasingly looking for in applicants. Completing research demonstrates intellectual curiosity, initiative, and the ability to engage deeply with a topic of interest, which are all qualities that stand out in the admissions process. The program also allows students to develop academic literature review skills, critical thinking and analysis skills, and computer programming skills (either in R or Python).
How are students matched with their mentor?
Students are matched with their mentor based on mutual interests and areas of academic focus. We take the time to understand each student’s passions and goals, then pair them with a mentor who has expertise in that particular field. This personalized matching process ensures that students work with mentors who can provide meaningful guidance and help them explore their chosen topic in depth.
What is the time commitment required for the Oriel Ignite Research Program?
The Oriel Ignite Research Program requires a one-hour virtual meeting with a mentor each week, during which students receive guidance on their project. In addition to these meetings, students are expected to dedicate several hours of independent work each week to complete tasks discussed during the mentorship meetings.