High school students interested in social science research often ask: Which programs offer experiences most like undergraduate or graduate research?
This guide highlights the most rigorous, research-intensive opportunities available in 2025–2026, focusing on sociology and social science research or methodologies where available. In these programs, high school students will encounter key concepts such as social structures and social factors, which are essential for analyzing how societies are organized and how societal influences shape individual and collective behaviors, and for articulating those interests effectively on a college application form to institutions such as Cornell University and other research-intensive universities.
Social science research can take many forms, including quantitative surveys, experiments, qualitative interviews, case studies, and observational studies. It is inherently interdisciplinary, often drawing on fields such as political science, economics, psychology, anthropology and even pop culture to take a deep dive into complex social issues, from governance and inequality to culture, identity, and collective behavior.
For example, sociologists may analyze data on community involvement and crime statistics to inform public policies aimed at enhancing safety, while market researchers use social science methodologies to help businesses better understand consumer behavior and foster economic growth.
All programs below require intellectual engagement, original inquiry, and mentor-guided work far beyond typical summer courses, with clearly defined program dates that reflect the depth and intensity of the research experience. These opportunities not only provide hands-on research and a deeper understanding of society, but also help students develop a sociological imagination, a core concept introduced by C. Wright Mills that connects personal experiences with broader social structures. In some programs, students engage in fieldwork, allowing them to interact directly with diverse populations and gain firsthand insight into pressing societal issues.
To further explore your interests, consider participating in classes, community service projects or extracurricular clubs like debate, sociology, or psychology, and read books, articles, and documentaries to deepen your understanding of social science topics.
Pioneer’s flagship program is one of the few globally recognized accredited research tracks for high schoolers, accessible online with faculty mentorship, rigorous methodology, and real college credit. Students are encouraged to present their findings in diverse formats, which can enhance their portfolios and college applications. While publication in a peer-reviewed journal is not a formal requirement, highly motivated students may pursue publication with additional revision and mentorship, and successful publication can further strengthen the credibility of the research.
Clark Scholars is a prestigious residential research intensive, with strong hands-on mentorship and public output — ideal for students ready to commit full-time to research.
Participants work closely with faculty in a supportive environment that emphasizes intellectual curiosity, collaboration, and independence. In addition to one-on-one research, students take part in weekly seminars that expose them to research ethics, academic writing, and interdisciplinary thinking, with some projects engaging topics such as historical events, social change, and the forces that shape people’s daily lives. The immersive residential format allows students to experience the rhythms of university research while developing confidence, discipline, and scholarly depth.
UCSB’s RMP delivers true university research immersion with academic coursework, rigorous mentor engagement, and professional research practices. Participants will attend lectures, workshops, and engage in hands-on projects, and offers mentorship opportunities with experienced researchers, including graduate students, faculty, and postdocs. Students can choose a research project in sociology and earn university credits.
Although traditionally STEM research, Aspirnaut’s deep, authentic research model is an exemplar for social science programs to emulate; students gain critical research practice with real faculty scientists.
SROP is primarily designed for undergraduate students and is not designed for high school students, but outstanding candidates may secure placements at select universities — a rare but powerful research experience. Undergraduate internships and summer programs provide hands-on experience in sociology.
The Telluride Association Summer Seminar (TASS) is a very selective program that focuses on social issues and includes coursework relevant to sociology. TASS offers rigorous training in critical social thought, inquiry, and theory—essential skills for sociological research. Students often explore topics in critical Black studies and gender studies, with seminars sometimes held at locations like College Park, further emphasizing its connection to leading academic environments.
DSI is a paid, immersive 10-week program where students apply data science and computer science skills to address social challenges, working closely with faculty on data science and social science research. Participants engage in cutting edge research in the social sciences, using the latest methodologies and technologies—ideal for high school students interested in interdisciplinary and innovative research experiences.
Pathways to Science isn’t a program itself, but a gateway to otherwise hard-to-discover research placements in social sciences and related fields. Students are encouraged to reach out to local sociologists, social workers, urban planners, anthropologists, or market analysts to learn more about different careers in the field.
High-quality sociology and social science opportunities give students far more than resume value. A well-designed research program trains students to frame a clear research question, evaluate evidence, and interpret research findings with rigor and integrity. Through this process, students strengthen creative writing, problem solving and critical thinking skills that are essential for understanding human behavior, social movements, societal structures, social inequality, and complex systems ranging from local communities to international relations.
Across the programs highlighted here, students are expected to attend classes, engage in sustained inquiry and public speaking, and collaborate closely with faculty mentors, often producing work that mirrors undergraduate-level scholarship. Many programs also emphasize ethical responsibility, public engagement, or community service, reinforcing the idea that social science research should connect knowledge to real-world impact.
For international students, these programs offer rare access to U.S.-style academic research cultures, mentorship, and collaborative learning environments. Whether a student is exploring sociology, political science, public policy, psychology, or global studies, participating in an authentic research experience can clarify academic interests, sharpen analytical thinking, and prepare students for future university-level research. Ultimately, these programs help young scholars move from curiosity to contribution, transforming questions about society into meaningful, evidence-based insight.
Based on a recent survey from Pioneer alumni, 71 percent were admitted to the top 20 US colleges and universities. Six percent of Pioneer’s alumni attended university-affiliated summer programs.
If you’re interested in conducting the highest level of research for high school students, consider joining a Pioneer information session to learn more about the Pioneer Research Institute.
If you are a 9th or 10th grader, you should check out the Global Problem-Solving Institute today. You’ll have the rare opportunity to study current world problems in an interdisciplinary approach and earn college credits from UNC-Chapel Hill at a young age.
Doing research is commonplace. How do you choose the research opportunity that makes a difference?
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