Summer Research Programs
Summer may seem like a time for fun, sun, and relaxation — and, of course, it should be! However, many motivated students use their summers to expand their knowledge or hone an intellectual curiosity or area of interest. Summer research opportunities allow students to pursue their academic passions, guiding them as they partake in a group or independent project. With in-person, virtual, and hybrid options, there are countless summer research programs for every kind of student.
While they’re a great resume booster, simply seeking out summer research opportunities because they’ll look good on your college applications isn’t the goal. The best research projects ideas are the ones you’re truly passionate about, so look for programs that align with your interests, like a future college major or potential career.
Summer research programs for high school students are expansive. You’ll find an abundance of both virtual and in-person opportunities, exploring everything from biology projects ideas to mechanical engineering projects. To get a better sense of what these programs offer, let’s start by answering an important question: what exactly are summer research programs?
What is a summer research program?
Are you interested in attending a top university? Do you have your heart set on a competitive program? Or perhaps you’re just curious about further exploring your academic interests? If so, summer research opportunities are an excellent way to expand your knowledge and make your resume stand out.
Summer research programs for high school students typically include a mentor, usually an expert in their field. Students may work alongside professors or researchers, gaining hands-on experience as they build relationships and develop their research skills. Some programs have a specific project on which students will work, while others are more open-ended, allowing students to pursue any number of research projects ideas.
But, what’s the difference between a summer research program and simply googling your curiosities? Well, a lot! Structured summer research opportunities provide you with guidance along the way, including mentorship and possible collaboration with peers. Additionally, since formal research needs tangible results, most summer research programs culminate in a final project such as a research paper or presentation. With specific goals and support systems in place, participating in summer research programs can hold you accountable to finish what you started!
Types of summer research opportunities
There is no one way to complete a research project. Indeed, the summer research opportunities you seek out will be based on your interests, availability, and future academic goals. The good news is that there are ample opportunities for every type of student, no matter your interests. Let’s take a look at the different types of summer research opportunities you could partake in.
In-person, virtual, and hybrid
Students are often busy, especially with extracurricular activities, part-time jobs, and family commitments. Thankfully, there are plenty of summer research programs for high school students to accommodate their individual needs and preferences.
In-person summer research programs allow students to go to a different setting, usually a college campus, to work with peers and mentors on their research projects. These in-person programs are great opportunities to truly immerse yourself in a school’s academic research and environment. You’ll be able to make contacts in your field and learn from experts. At the end of these in-person programs, you’ll walk away with a completed research project and maybe even a mentor and future recommender.
On the other hand, remote research opportunities for high school students allow you the flexibility to complete research projects on your own time. Virtual summer research programs require more independent work. However, you’ll likely still have a mentor guiding you through the process. Another plus? Virtual programs can sometimes be more affordable since there are no residential fees.
One way to get the best of both worlds is to complete a hybrid summer program. These programs have both an in-person and virtual aspect. For example, you might go to an in-person program for a couple of weeks, learn a new skill or insight on a certain type of research, and then complete your project on your own!
Pros and Cons of In-person vs. Virtual
Different summer research programs will offer different benefits. There are a myriad of summer research opportunities for all types of students, from internships to STEM research programs and everything in between. Therefore, when choosing your program, you’ll want to narrow it down by what’s important to you. Choosing between a virtual or in-person program will definitely shorten your list. And, if you’re interested in hybrid summer research programs, you’ll have an even shorter list!
In the end, there is no right or wrong route to go. You simply need to consider what’s important to you. Let’s take a look at some pros and cons of in-person vs virtual summer research programs to put things into perspective.
Virtual programs
A popular choice in our digital age, remote research opportunities for high school students are now abundant.
Pros and Cons of Virtual Programs
| Pros | Cons |
| Flexibility Students perform research on their own time, meaning these virtual programs easily fit into a busy summer schedule. | Less peer interaction Some virtual programs offer peer collaboration, others do not. Most programs will have a mentorship aspect. However, remote research opportunities for high school students will lead to less interaction with peers and mentors overall. |
| Diverse Offerings You have the power to take the reins when it comes to your research projects. Look for opportunities to create your own, or find the right program to meet your specific interests. | Personal accountability For students who lack motivation, virtual programs can be challenging. These types of summer research opportunities require a lot of independent work, time-management, and perseverance. |
| Affordable In most cases, remote research opportunities for high school students have a lower cost than in-person programs. This is because you won’t be using any physical facilities, and there’s no housing fee. | Technology issues While navigating the world of on-screen interactions has become normalized, there is still always the possibility of technical malfunctions. These issues can mess up the flow of a meeting or cause student frustration if they can’t quickly resolve the issue. |
There are plenty of in-person summer research programs available. Often, these programs take place on college campuses and have specific research and result goals.
Pros and Cons of In-person Programs
| Pros | Cons |
| Hands-on experience In these programs, students have the opportunity to conduct research in professional lab facilities. This can be an exciting glimpse into your future and a chance to learn first-hand from expert instructors. | More expensive In-person programs often incur higher costs. For example, you may need to pay for accommodations and transport. Local in-person programs with commuter options can be a more affordable option. |
| Peer collaboration In these programs, students have the opportunity to conduct research in professional lab facilities. This can be an exciting glimpse into your future and a chance to learn first-hand from expert instructors. | Lack of flexibility If you have a jam-packed summer schedule, then an in-person research program may cause you more stress than anything else. You’ll need to be present during a certain schedule for at least a couple of weeks. |
| Set program These programs stick to a schedule. You’ll usually have a set end date when your research needs to be completed, but you’ll also have others holding you accountable. | More competitive Summer research programs can be competitive and in-person programs tend to have higher criteria when evaluating applicants. While partaking in these programs can certainly make you stand out in college applications, they accept very few students. |
As you can see, both in-person and virtual programs have their benefits and drawbacks. Finding the best summer research opportunities for you will depend on cost and availability, as well as your interests and preferences.
Examples of Summer Research Programs
To better understand the summer research opportunities available to you, let’s take a look at some examples of summer research programs. Keep in mind that you should know the type of research projects you wish to pursue. For example, biology projects ideas could lead you to certain opportunities in a college lab, while mechanical engineering projects could lead you to an internship with a reputable company.
University-affiliated summer research programs
There are many summer research programs for high school students offered through universities. These programs are quite competitive, however, they can be excellent opportunities to make connections, expand your academic research skills, and immerse yourself in an academic environment.
For example, the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign offers a variety of summer research opportunities. The Young Scholars Summer STEMM Research Program specifically focuses on research projects and culminates in the presentation of these projects. This is a full-time, in-person opportunity where students can expect to conduct research and have professional development about 30-35 hours each week. The program is about six weeks long.
Other summer programs
There are also organizations that offer summer research programs for high school students, both virtual and in-person. Polygence is one organization that is well known for mentoring remote research opportunities for high school students.
In Polygence programs, students choose a passion project to pursue. A mentor guides them through their research, culminating in a final project of their choosing — students have written academic research papers, created apps, and even completed art exhibits to present their final discoveries. These programs are remote research opportunities for high school students that allow flexible timetables to meet students’ schedules. Projects can vary from sports marketing to art history research. What you study is truly up to you!
For students considering in-person summer research opportunities, Polygence and Envision have collaborated on a hybrid program focusing in Medicine, Health Care, or Engineering. This is a combined campus immersion and research program. To start, students participate in an on-campus experiential learning program sponsored by Envision. After gaining hands-on research experience in the field of their choice, students return home and are paired with an expert mentor at Polygence. Students then work with their mentor to build an independent research project, inspired by and expanding on their in-person summer experience.
If you’re torn between an in-person or virtual program, then this hybrid option could be the perfect choice!
Choosing the best summer research opportunities
Whether you’re interested in exploring biology projects ideas or solving real-world problems through coding, there are summer research programs to meet your needs and preferences — you just have to find them!
Your goals, interests, and availability will play a huge role in determining the right programs for you. However, when looking for the best summer research programs for high school students or remote research opportunities for high school students, you’ll always want to look to reputable companies. Read reviews and look at their offerings — is what you’ll gain worth the cost?
Also, consider if the program offers a mentor. The most valuable part of participating in summer research programs for high school students is gaining guidance from an expert in your field of interest. Otherwise, you’ll just be researching on your own.
5 Tips to Finding Summer Research Programs
To help you get started in your search for summer research opportunities, we’ve compiled five useful tips for finding a program.
5 Tips to Find Your Best Program
Identify your interests
Research projects ideas should be based on something you’re passionate about. Otherwise, the whole experience may just feel like a drag. Consider your academic interests or other curiosities. Are you excited by mechanical engineering projects, or are you more interested in art and history? What would you like to spend hours a week researching on your own time?
Decide between in-person vs. virtual
As we’ve seen, there is a hybrid option for students who want the best of both worlds! However, if that’s not an option, you’ll need to decide if an in-person or virtual program will fit best into your summer plans.
Search for programs
Now that you know what you’d like to research, and you’ve decided on an in-person, virtual, or hybrid option, start looking for programs that support your research projects ideas. Polygence allows you to create any project, but other programs don’t have the same flexibility.
Check the cost
Some university-affiliated summer programs and other opportunities may offer scholarships or financial aid for their summer programs. However, the majority of research programs still incur a cost. Be sure to check the costs, talk with your parents, and figure out what you can afford.
Apply in time!
Once you’ve decided on the best opportunity for you, you’ll likely need to complete an application. Some have a set application deadline, usually between March and early May, while others admit students on a rolling basis. In either case, be sure to submit your application before the deadline.
Finding the right summer research program takes time, so don’t wait until the last second to start exploring. And, be sure to plan ahead, as some programs have more involved applications than others. For example, a more competitive program might require you to write a short essay or personal statement and submit transcripts and letters of recommendation. For programs like these, try to give yourself at least a month before the deadline to gather all of your application materials.
Why should you complete a research project?
Some students may scoff at the idea of completing a research project, thinking, “We can ask AI our questions and have an answer in seconds.” But, as we know, AI does get it wrong sometimes. And, now more than ever, having the ability to conduct research and gain in-depth knowledge on a subject is extremely valuable.
Pursuing research projects give students the confidence to follow their passions, explore their curiosities, and create something of their own. Doing research teaches them to work in a professional setting, and how to communicate their questions, perspectives, and ideas to others. These soft skills, in addition to the expertise and knowledge gained through their research, offer invaluable growth that will help them succeed in their college courses and beyond.
Structured summer research programs have many benefits — hands-on experience, guidance from experts, and tangible results. Additionally, pursuing research projects ideas and completing a program can help you stand out in your college applications—an absolute necessity when applying to competitive schools.
In-Person vs. Virtual Summer Research Programs – Takeaways
Participating in summer research programs is an excellent option to bring your research projects ideas to life. These programs guide students through the research process and end in a tangible result, allowing students to grow as individuals and scholars and share their findings with the world.
However, when it comes to deciding on a program, you’ll need to consider what’s important to you. Among the most important decisions is choosing between in-person or virtual programs. Both types of programs have their pros and cons. Therefore, carefully consider your options before deciding. Think about your interests, needs, and goals — and, if you simply can’t decide on a virtual vs in-person program, check out the Envision and Polygence hybrid program!
Pursuing research projects ideas can be exciting, but it can also feel overwhelming at times. Organized summer programs can help you get the experience and knowledge you need, without feeling like you have to do it on your own.
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