Pioneer | Admissions Requirements for Online Research Programs
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Sammer Marzouk
College: Harvard University
High School: University of Chicago Laboratory High Schools, United States
Pioneer Research Paper: The impact of Emotions, Ambiguity, and Apathy on Decision Making in Individuals with Alzheimer’s Disease: A Proposal to Facilitate Diagnosis of Alzheimer’s Disease

“[Pioneer will] definitely push you to your limits academically and what you think you can do but it’s totally worth it. I never regretted doing the program and it was definitely a big stepping stone and in terms of my skills as a researcher and to what it pushed me to do into the future.“

Admission

Pioneer’s rigorous academic system and accreditation qualifies us to grant college credit through collaboration with Oberlin College.

2020-2021 Admission Statistics

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Pioneer Journal

Online Information Session

Learn more about our program and how to apply at our weekly online information sessions
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Important Dates and Deadlines

Pioneer accepts applications for both the Spring-through-Summer and Summer-only terms starting in August of the previous year. Please click the below links to learn about the ultimate deadline for each term.

Pioneer terms

Important dates

Spring-through-Summer

The 2023 application season has started. The final deadline will be announced later.

Summer-Only

The 2023 application season has started. The final deadline will be announced later.

It is important to be aware that Pioneer balances the limited availability of positions in each discipline and the volume of the applications received. Submitting applications earlier can improve one’s chances of getting selected for the program.

Click here to register for an information session to learn more about Pioneer.

How To Apply

Admissions process 200907

1Info Session

Attend an info session online or at school.

2Application Submission

Submit your application online. The application consists of the following sections:
– Basic Info
– Interest Areas
– Short Essays
– Long Essay

3Initial Screening

Admitted Pioneer students will go through three rounds of reviews to reach a final admission decision. Initial screening kicks off the process. Applications are screened to determine which applicants will move on to the interview round. Application components considered include:

– Transcript
– Standardized Test Scores (if available)
– Short Essays
– Long Essay

4Required Interview

After the initial screening, you may be invited to a required interview, consisting of:
– Video conference
– Timed writing

5Application Under Review

Your entire application will be reviewed holistically:
– School counselor / teacher feedback
– Official transcript
– Application materials
– Interview

Pioneer has a rigorous admission process. The admission cycle is typically 6-8 weeks long. We appreciate your patience.

Decision Outcomes

Results progress 200907

Pioneer Admissions Principle

Pioneer’s founding board insisted that Pioneer commit to a professor-blind policy during the application process, ensuring that applicants have authentic field interest and a genuine desire to conduct authentic research. As a result, no information about professors is released before admission to the program. This policy is appreciated and respected by universities.

Pioneer Admission System

High Caliber Transcript: Transcript scores must be among the best

  • Applicants are recommended by counselors as top in their class

Real Interviewees: Pioneer applicants must bring their school ID to their interview

Real School Grades: School counselors provide student feedback and grade verification

  • All applicants need to submit school feedback
  • All school counselors outside of Pioneer academic network are verified by Pioneer’s admission staff

True Writing Ability: Pioneer’s admissions process includes a proctored essay writing component

  • Applicants’ SAT and TOEFL scores are cross-checked

Your Authentic Interests: Pioneer adheres to a Professor-blind policy to ensure all applicants show genuine interest in the research program itself

  • Pioneer does NOT release professors’ information to applicants before they are admitted
Group class

Need-based Scholarship

As an important part of its social mission, Pioneer Academics dedicates funds every year to need-based scholarships for students to participate in the Pioneer Research Program. These funds are very limited and their use is restricted to cases in which the existence of financial need of the student’s family can be reliably verified.

Students are eligible for these scholarships only in countries and cases in which need can be assessed or if they are part of a partner non-profit organization or a partner educational institution that can assess need. Students who are awarded a full scholarship will be required to pay a deposit, which is refunded after successful completion of the program.

Pioneer Alumni Testimonial

Sammer Video
Increase your chances of getting admitted by applying early! The Pioneer 2023 Spring-through-summer application season starts.
Click here to register for an info session. Click here to apply.
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  • Considering students have significantly fewer options for their summer enrichment, Pioneer adjusted the cohort size from maximum 5 to maximum 6 so that we can offer the opportunity to more students. Please be aware that Pioneer will only expand cohorts which we feel sure will not be compromised in any way by a slight increase in participation. Some areas, therefore, may stay at a maximum of 5 because the nature of the course requires heavier coaching.

 

  • Pioneer admissions still requires the same application materials, but we may adjust the timing in response to current realities. If you can work with your counselor to collect your official transcript and counselor evaluation and submit them soon after you submit your application, it will speed up the process. Pioneer admissions requires an official transcript and counselor evaluation to process applications for the final round. If these items won't be available during the process due to COVID-19, applicants must submit evidence that the school's counseling office is closed. Pioneer admissions will then decide what adjustment shall be granted.
Application Deadline
Spring Through Summer January 10, 2021
Summer Only April 25, 2021