Reviews & Insights
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Reviews & Insights

High schoolers, why wait until college to make your mark on the world of knowledge? As a Pioneer Scholar, you can conduct original research that contributes to global understanding. Hear from students and leading educators as they share their experiences with the Pioneer Research Institute.

Experts and Leaders

  • Tezen

    Francisco J. Tezen

    President & CEO, A Better Chance
    “Former Pioneer scholar Kennedy would never have considered her dream to earn a PhD in computer science had she not participated in Pioneer, which she learned about through A Better Chance. Kennedy is now working towards her undergraduate degree at Columbia.”

  • Matthew Pohl

    Former Associate Director of Admissions 
University of Pennsylvania and Wharton
    “Pioneer is one of very few selective summer undergraduate research opportunities, and that’s something that’s known among college admissions officers at top universities.”
  • Warren Berger

    Warren Berger

    Author and Expert on Innovation and Creativity
    “Pioneer Academics is on the cutting edge in terms of bringing a higher level of student inquiry into education. I am particularly impressed with the way Pioneer encourages students to tackle big, meaningful questions–and take ownership of those questions.”
  • Mary Hetlage

    Mary Hetlage

    Former Senior Associate Director of Admissions University of Chicago
    “The more we saw the quality of the work, Pioneer has become, simply, a trusted entity in the admissions market.”

Students

  • Zeynep

    Zeynep

    Pioneer Scholar Zeynep’s favorite Pioneer experience was talking with her professor which gave her a perspective she couldn’t have accessed through reading textbooks.
  • Wanyu

    Wanyu

    Pioneer scholar Wanyu conducted research in biology and was proud of obtaining a scientist’s mindset after the Pioneer Research Program.
  • Talula

    Talula

    University of Southern California
    Pioneer scholar Talula, now a pre-law student at USC, shared how having conversations with her Pioneer professor gave her confidence for college.
  • Rithi

    Rithi

    Pioneer scholar Rithi conducted research in neuroscience, and highlighted the rigorous Pioneer community where she was able to meet other very academically qualified students.
  • Rebecca

    Rebecca

    Stanford University
    Pioneer scholar Rebecca, now a student at Stanford, describes how her first research experience in STEM led to pursuing research in music.
  • Mahima

    Mahima

    Pioneer scholar Mahima, who conducted research in environmental studies, says most crucial learning from her Pioneer experience was effective time management.
  • Kayley

    Kayley

    University of Virginia
    Pioneer scholar Kayley, is now a pre-med student at the University of Virginia, majoring in neuroscience and intending to explore humanities subjects.
  • Jeremias

    Jeremias

    Harvard University
    Pioneer scholar Jeremias, now a student at Harvard, is concentrating on neuroscience and government, hoping to understand medical problems and policy solutions.
  • Jada

    Jada

    Pioneer scholar Jada, was very thankful for Pioneer opening doors for her to receive guidance from her professor and learn much about college-level research.