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Polygence Core Program

Build a high-quality, differentiated project that opens doors to college admissions, competitions, and beyond—with expert mentorship guiding you every step of the way.

Apply now
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Mentored Research Projects

You build something real—a research paper, app, podcast, or prototype—that reflects your ideas and intellectual depth.

Work That's Worth It

The most impressive projects take time to develop. Students who invest in their work consistently produce something they're proud to present.

Expert Mentorship, Tailored to Your Project

The number of sessions depends on how far you want to take your work. Stronger, more competitive outcomes come from going deeper.

A Timeline That Fits Your Goals

Your project moves at the pace your ambitions require—not a fixed deadline.

What is Polygence Core?

Core is the program where students go from a spark of curiosity to a polished, tangible project — the kind of work that stands out in applications, competitions, and interviews. Expert mentors guide you through the entire journey, at whatever depth your goals require.

Get started

Why Research Projects Matter

Most students leave high school knowing things. Polygence students leave having built something that matters. And it shows.

When you do real research, you don’t just walk away with a project—you walk away with a story. One that’s yours: what you chased, what you discovered, what changed your mind, and why it mattered.

That experience doesn’t just make you impressive. It changes how you think, how you write, and how you show up. And that’s what actually makes you stand out.

College Admissions Advantage

99% of Polygence alumni feature their research on their college applications. Independent research allows you to demonstrate intellectual curiosity, initiative, and depth of interest — helping you craft a compelling personal narrative that goes beyond grades and test scores.

College admissions stats for Ivies and Top 25 universities

The Effect Of A National Stance On Reproductive Rights On The Protection Of Child Rights

The Effect Of A National Stance On Reproductive Rights On The Protection Of Child Rights

Symposium Winner

Re-Imagining San Francisco's Pier 70 Building 12

Re-Imagining San Francisco's Pier 70 Building 12

Coping During Covid-19: How Locus Of Control Influences Coping Response

Coping During Covid-19: How Locus Of Control Influences Coping Response

Regeneron Science Talent Search

The Effect of Dance on Memory and the Proprioceptive Ability of the Elderly

The Effect of Dance on Memory and the Proprioceptive Ability of the Elderly

The Effect Of A National Stance On Reproductive Rights On The Protection Of Child Rights

The Effect Of A National Stance On Reproductive Rights On The Protection Of Child Rights

Symposium Winner

Re-Imagining San Francisco's Pier 70 Building 12

Re-Imagining San Francisco's Pier 70 Building 12

Coping During Covid-19: How Locus Of Control Influences Coping Response

Coping During Covid-19: How Locus Of Control Influences Coping Response

Regeneron Science Talent Search

The Effect of Dance on Memory and the Proprioceptive Ability of the Elderly

The Effect of Dance on Memory and the Proprioceptive Ability of the Elderly
Is Memory A Necessary Component Of Consciousness?

Is Memory A Necessary Component Of Consciousness?

Is Memory A Necessary Component Of Consciousness?

Symposium Winner

What you'll create

and more!

Examining Locomotive Behavior To Classify “Moonwalker” Stalling In Drosophila Melanogaster

Examining Locomotive Behavior To Classify “Moonwalker” Stalling In Drosophila Melanogaster

Examining Locomotive Behavior To Classify “Moonwalker” Stalling In Drosophila Melanogaster

Regeneron Science Talent Search

Predicting the Happiness of a Nation: The Factors of Country Morale

Predicting the Happiness of a Nation: The Factors of Country Morale

Keeping Up With The Immortal Jellyfish: Biological Immortality In The Animal Kingdom

Keeping Up With The Immortal Jellyfish: Biological Immortality In The Animal Kingdom

Symposium Winner

Investigating Ai-Powered Innovations In Cardiovascular Healthcare

Investigating Ai-Powered Innovations In Cardiovascular Healthcare

Crispr-Based Therapeutic Targeting Of ADHD

Crispr-Based Therapeutic Targeting Of ADHD

International Youth Neuroscience Association

Predicting the Happiness of a Nation: The Factors of Country Morale

Predicting the Happiness of a Nation: The Factors of Country Morale

Keeping Up With The Immortal Jellyfish: Biological Immortality In The Animal Kingdom

Keeping Up With The Immortal Jellyfish: Biological Immortality In The Animal Kingdom

Symposium Winner

Investigating Ai-Powered Innovations In Cardiovascular Healthcare

Investigating Ai-Powered Innovations In Cardiovascular Healthcare

Crispr-Based Therapeutic Targeting Of ADHD

Crispr-Based Therapeutic Targeting Of ADHD

International Youth Neuroscience Association

Skill Growth for the Future

Over the past five years, we’ve helped thousands of students develop eight essential academic and professional skills — including critical thinking, research methodology, analytical writing, project management, and independent problem-solving. Students consistently tell us these skills gave them a meaningful head start in college-level coursework and beyond.

Polygence Skill Wheel for College-Readiness

Your Journey to a Meaningful Project

Core is a guided process, not a fixed program. Here's how students go from curiosity to something they're genuinely proud of.

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Find Your Focus

Get matched with the right expert

You'll be paired with a mentor who's done the kind of work you want to do — a PhD-level expert in your area of interest. Together, you'll shape a project idea that's specific, ambitious, and genuinely yours.

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Build Something Real

Go from early ideas to finished work

Session by session, you'll move from rough ideas to a full draft — conducting research, testing your thinking, refining your argument or prototype, and producing work with real intellectual depth. Your mentor pushes you further than you'd go on your own.

Arrive at an Outcome Worth Sharing

Create something that opens doors

You don't just finish a project — you end up with something you can present. A published paper, a competition entry, an app, a podcast. Work that represents what you're capable of and stands out wherever you share it.

Program pace
Students typically work 3–5 hours per week between sessions. The right number of sessions depends on your goals — we'll guide you on the depth your project needs.

Every Core student gets
One-on-one sessions with a PhD-level mentor · Two rounds of writing support · Access to the Thinking Lab · A database of showcasing opportunities — everything you need to take your project all the way.

Polygence Core Program Options

Core Program image

Turn your one of a kind idea into a tangible project under the guidance of an expert mentor.

What’s included:

  • 10 one-one-one sessions with a PhD-level mentor

  • 2 rounds of writing support

  • Mentor chat on the industry’s only research scholar platform

  • Access to the self-serve Showcasing Opportunity database

  • Exclusive access to the Thinking Lab- Polygence’s mentor-run workshops on the Art of Thinking

What our students say about us

97% of Polygence students say the program met or exceeded their expectations

Sophia
Nehal

How to get started

Application

Fill out our step-by-step application so we can learn about your interests and ideas!

Interview

A 30 min call with one of our Associate Directors of Admissions to get to know you more.

Enroll

Lock in your spot if you are accepted!

Get matched

We find the perfect mentor for you and for your project goals!

Apply now

Core Program Bundles

Core Basic package header image

Duration 13 sessions | 3-6 months

Build a polished, mentor-guided research project on a topic that genuinely excites you.
Walk away with a finished piece
of work you can present in applications, competitions, or interviews — and the skills to back it up.

What's included?

Core Program

Showcasing Support

Core Essential package header image

Duration 16 sessions | 3-7 months

Build a standout research project and take it all the way to a real audience — through publication, competition, presentation, or multimedia. Walk away with a polished piece of work showcased in two formats that matter to your goals, backed by expert mentorship at every stage.

What's included?

Core Program

Showcasing Support

Showcasing Support

Core Advanced package header image

Duration 16 sessions | 3-7 months

Build a high-caliber research project and earn official academic recognition for the quality of your work — including 3 transferable college credits from UC Irvine. Walk away with something rare: a project that's impressive on applications and credentialed by a top university.

What's included?

Core Program

Showcasing Support

Showcasing Support

Transferable College Credits

This is a tuition-based research program that offers structured mentorship and a project-based learning experience, with academic experts compensated for their time, guidance, and mentorship. Financial Aid may be available. Polygence’s original 10-session mentored research program is also available for students whose primary goal is exploration rather than showcasing. Apply to learn more.

Have bigger ambitions for your project? 

Scholar Pathways is designed for students who want to go further — deeper research, longer timelines, and outcomes that compete at the highest levels.

Check out Scholar Pathways

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