Pioneer’s academic placement process assigns Pioneer scholars to cohorts with a specialized research concentration. These cohorts are very small––no more than six students and a faculty mentor––yet they are truly international, welcoming students from all over the globe. In these cohorts, Pioneer scholars have the chance to interact with peers with diverse backgrounds and perspectives,...Read More

“Whenever I paint, I think about colors and wonder about how we see color and how it’s perceived, and that has a lot to do with the brain and the sense of sight.” Pioneer scholar Catherine’s first love, art, led her to her Pioneer Research Program in her current field of interest, neuroscience. Catherine, from...Read More

Andrew (neuroscience, 2020), a Pioneer scholar from Canada, was devastated when his first application to the program was rejected. But a year later, he reapplied and was accepted. Joining Pioneer at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, he decided to write his research paper on the neuroanatomy of grief. “When I look back, it’s kind...Read More

Anyone can observe that genuine interest makes learning more stimulating, and there are neurological studies to attest to the fact that people are better at learning and remembering information they are curious about.① Pioneer Academics differs from most high school academic programs because it not only allows but requires young scholars to craft their own research...Read More

“I think research is crucial because of the potential that every single person on this planet has to offer to contribute to the knowledge that is in this world.” Pioneer scholar Andrew, from Los Angeles, California, wanted to be a better filmmaker, so he applied to research areas in the humanities for his Pioneer Research...Read More

The breadth of majors at most universities far exceeds the subjects taught in high schools. This can make it difficult for students to choose a major at the beginning of their undergraduate career, since they may have never had the chance to get immersed with the subjects they think they wish to pursue. Pioneer Academics...Read More

“Whenever I look at something and I have an idea that might seem far fetched, I don’t completely knock it off. I’ve realized that I’m an individual, I’m entitled to have my own passions, and I’ll use them as inspiration.” When Pioneer scholar Johnelle, from New York City, was in the third grade, she used...Read More

Pioneer admissions appreciates every applicant’s interests and ambitions. In 2021 limited to offering about 1100 admissions for 4500 applications. We believe that all motivated students deserve quality academic opportunities. Therefore we have assembled this list of widely respected online academic and research programs and summer programs that accept both US students and international students: Broadly...Read More

For most of his life, Jack (astronomy, 2020), a Pioneer scholar from China, didn’t think much about the night sky. Living in a city, the stars he could see were always dimmed by light pollution. A trip to New Zealand changed everything. Suddenly, he was able to see brilliant constellations, and his interest in astronomy...Read More

After Pioneer applicants undergo fierce competition through the admission process, it is common that they may feel nervous about getting started in a program famous for its rigorous system. Mentorship by a university professor is one of the components of Pioneer’s academic system. Transitioning from small group cohort sessions to one-on-one meetings with their professor,...Read More