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    Research Scholars Program for High School Students

    Ambitious high school students aiming for elite college programs know that research experience sets them apart from other applicants. Designed by a Harvard-trained neuroscientist, the MedSchoolCoach Research Scholars program connects students with leading physicians and scientists to engage in meaningful, guided research that strengthens both their academic foundation and their admissions profile.This isn’t just another summer program – it’s a prestigious, one-of-a-kind mentored research experience built for future physicians and high-achievers bound for top universities.

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    High school student working on research

    The Importance of Research

    High schooler with microscope
    High school happy to be part of a reserach program
    High school student with a backpack
    Research Experience Sets Students Apart
    Build Critical Skills Early
    Demonstrate Commitment to Medicine

    In today’s hyper-competitive admissions landscape, top colleges want more than strong grades and test scores. They’re looking for students who show initiative, intellectual depth, and the ability to think critically about real-world problems.

    High school is the ideal time to go beyond textbooks and begin developing the skills that top colleges expect from serious applicants. Research not only strengthens applications, but it also equips students with the core competencies they’ll use throughout their academic and professional careers.

    Admissions committees want to see more than grades and test scores. They look for proof of genuine passion and resilience. Research provides exactly that, demonstrating scholarship beyond being a "good student.” After all, research is at the heart of the field, as it is how we learn about diseases and drives the discovery of new cures and treatments.

    • Research Experience Sets Students Apart

      In today’s hyper-competitive admissions landscape, top colleges want more than strong grades and test scores. They’re looking for students who show initiative, intellectual depth, and the ability to think critically about real-world problems.

      High schooler with microscope

      Demonstrates Intellectual Curiosity

      Research shows admissions committees that your student goes beyond classroom learning to explore unanswered questions in science and medicine.

      Builds Persistence and Resilience

      Conducting research requires problem-solving, iteration, and grit – all of which are qualities that elite programs know are essential for future physicians.

      Proves Analytical Thinking

      From forming hypotheses to interpreting results, research highlights your student’s ability to analyze complex information and communicate findings effectively.

    • Build Critical Skills Early

      High school is the ideal time to go beyond textbooks and begin developing the skills that top colleges expect from serious applicants. Research not only strengthens applications, but it also equips students with the core competencies they’ll use throughout their academic and professional careers.

      High school happy to be part of a reserach program

      Design Experiments With Purpose

      Students learn how to ask the right questions, create hypotheses, and design experiments that generate meaningful insights.

      Analyze Data Effectively

      From organizing results to identifying trends, students gain hands-on experience working with real data sets, including building analytical skills that transfer to any field of study.

      Communicate Findings Clearly

      Students learn to write full research papers with the potential for publication in peer-reviewed journals, demonstrating their ability to contribute meaningfully to the scientific community.

    • Demonstrate Commitment to Medicine

      Admissions committees want to see more than grades and test scores. They look for proof of genuine passion and resilience. Research provides exactly that, demonstrating scholarship beyond being a "good student.” After all, research is at the heart of the field, as it is how we learn about diseases and drives the discovery of new cures and treatments.

      High school student with a backpack

      PhD-Guided Experience from Top Institutions

      Ph.D. mentors from leading research universities and institutes provide personalized guidance that helps students design and complete rigorous research projects. They ensure that each student develops critical scientific skills while gaining authentic insights into the research process.

      Authentic Dedication

      Hands-on research demonstrates persistence and motivation, which are qualities admissions officers view as essential for success in medicine.

      Stronger Applications

      Committees gain confidence knowing your child has already shown the maturity and drive required to excel in rigorous medical pathways.

    What Sets MedSchoolCoach Apart

     

    Not all research experiences are created equal. The MedSchoolCoach Research Scholars Program goes far beyond classroom science projects or generic internships. Every element is designed to provide your child with meaningful research that stands out to admissions committees and shapes them into a stronger, more confident applicant.

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    Your student will be guided by Ph.D. mentors from the top research institutions in the world. This mentorship provides personalized guidance that helps students develop authentic insights, strong research skills, and professional credibility from the very start of their medical journey.

    We don’t believe in cookie-cutter projects. We match each student with a research mentor who aligns with their academic interests and personal background. For example, a student might explore Alzheimer’s disease because of a family connection or investigate lead levels in soil out of a passion for environmental health. These tailored projects help students build a unique story that strengthens their college applications.

    All students in the program write a full research paper under the guidance of their Ph.D. mentor, developing advanced skills in scholarly writing and critical analysis. Students who enroll in the Gold package receive additional publication support, where mentors help guide the manuscript through submission to reputable peer-reviewed journals. Publishing at this level demonstrates achievement at a high academic standard that significantly enhances a student’s college applications.

    MedSchoolCoach Research Scholars consistently translate their experiences into powerful essays, standout resumes, and confident interviews. The result: Stronger applications and higher acceptance rates at selective colleges and BS/MD programs.
    Two high school students in a lab doing an experiment

    HOW IT WORKS

    Apply Online

    Get started by applying here. The application process takes about 15 minutes. Once submitted, the application will be reviewed by our Director of Research. If approved, and after the program fee is paid, your child will be matched with a Ph.D. mentor whose expertise aligns with their specific area of interest.

    Begin Hands-On Research

    Your child engages directly in their research project, designing experiments, analyzing data, and drafting findings while building skills they will use in college, medical school, and beyond.

    Define Research Focus

    Together with their mentor, your student will identify a research pathway designed to highlight intellectual curiosity, critical thinking, and commitment to medicine, ensuring the work is both meaningful and admissions-ready.

    Continuous Guidance

    Throughout the program, mentors provide ongoing feedback and support, ensuring that every step is both a learning experience and a building block for future success.

    Showcase Achievements

    Students complete a full research paper under the guidance of their Ph.D. mentor. Those in the Gold package receive additional support from a Ph.D. mentor who guides them in preparing and submitting their paper to reputable peer-reviewed journals. This high-level academic achievement acts as a powerful differentiator for college applications.

    Apply Online

    Get started by applying here. The application process takes about 15 minutes. Once submitted, the application will be reviewed by our Director of Research. If approved, and after the program fee is paid, your child will be matched with a Ph.D. mentor whose expertise aligns with their specific area of interest.

    Define Research Focus

    Together with their mentor, your student will identify a research pathway designed to highlight intellectual curiosity, critical thinking, and commitment to medicine, ensuring the work is both meaningful and admissions-ready.

    Begin Hands-On Research

    Your child engages directly in their research project, designing experiments, analyzing data, and drafting findings while building skills they will use in college, medical school, and beyond.

    Showcase Achievements

    Students complete a full research paper under the guidance of their Ph.D. mentor. Those in the Gold package receive additional support from a Ph.D. mentor who guides them in preparing and submitting their paper to reputable peer-reviewed journals. This high-level academic achievement acts as a powerful differentiator for college applications.

    Continuous Guidance

    Throughout the program, mentors provide ongoing feedback and support, ensuring that every step is both a learning experience and a building block for future success.

    SAMPLE PROJECTS

    Our students explore cutting-edge topics across science, medicine, and technology, producing high-impact research that strengthens their academic profiles. Here are some examples:

    • Advancing Pancreatic Cancer Predictions Using Generative Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning

    • Temporal Characterization of Electroencephalogram Slowing Activity Types in Neurological Disorders

    • Enhancing Stock Price Prediction: A Multi-Model Approach with Exponentially Weighted Moving Averages

    • The Impact of Greenhouse Gases, Regions, and Sectors on Future Temperature Anomalies with the FaIR Model

    • Deep Learning for Movement Analysis in Parkinson’s Disease and Levodopa-Induced Dyskinesia

    SELECTED PUBLICATIONS

    Our research has been featured in leading scientific journals, highlighting groundbreaking discoveries in neuroscience, metabolism, and brain-gut communication. Here are some key publications:

    • Born Into Risk: How Prenatal Exposure to PM2.5 Shapes Autism Outcomes
      American Journal of Student Research, 2025 Sep DOI: 10.70251/HYJR2348.35276281
      This study utilizes CDC data to identify a statistically significant correlation between prenatal exposure to fine particulate matter (PM2.5) and increased autism spectrum disorder prevalence in the United States.

    • Beyond the City Limits: The Causes and Consequences of the Stigmatization of Homelessness in Suburban Areas
      American Journal of Student Research, 2025 Sep. DOI: 10.70251/HYJR2348.35367375
      This paper examines the unique manifestations of suburban homelessness, arguing that stigma in these areas leads to avoidance of help-seeking behavior and requires interventions distinct from urban models.

    Package Pricing

    Pricing is tailored to match your needs and goals. Select from the options below to customize your package.

    STEP 1: Choose Research Mentor Level
    Feature
    Who They Are

    Our Standard Research Mentors are all PhD students or PhD graduates from the top research institutions across the country.

    Our Directors are available on a limited basis for research mentorship.

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    Selected✓
    Who They Are

    Our Standard Research Mentors are all PhD students or PhD graduates from the top research institutions across the country.

    Our Directors are available on a limited basis for research mentorship.

    Selected✓
    Selected✓
    STEP 2: Choose Plan

    Invest in Your Medical School Future and Boost Your Odds of Getting Accepted.

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    Invest in Your Medical School Future and Boost Your Odds of Getting Accepted.

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    Frequently Asked Questions

    Many people think research must be done in person, wearing a lab coat and mixing solutions in test tubes. The reality is that this image is not what research truly is. 

    Wet lab research involves working in a physical laboratory with chemicals, cells, or biological samples, while dry lab research focuses on analyzing data, reviewing scientific literature, or using computational methods. 

    Dry lab research has been growing tremendously in recent years, fueled by rapid advances in technology, biotechnology, and artificial intelligence. It’s equally respected in academia as compared to wet lab research. For example, a student might analyze public health datasets to study disease patterns or use computational biology to model the effects of new treatments. 

    Students writing research papers from either approach submit to the same peer-reviewed journals, which means there is no real advantage of wet lab research over dry lab research for college admissions.

    Dry lab projects are often faster, more flexible, and more convenient to complete virtually, which makes them especially well-suited for motivated high school students. Wet lab projects often take years to collect enough data for publication, while dry lab research can often reach publication-ready results in a shorter time frame.

    The program is designed to be completed in 10 weeks, with 1 mentorship session per week. However, the schedule is flexible to accommodate your needs. If you have more time, you can complete the 10 sessions over a shorter period. Similarly, if you need additional time due to other commitments, you can extend the program duration. Our goal is to work with your schedule to ensure the best experience.

    You can explore research in a wide variety of fields, including biology, computer science, public health, environmental science, and more. Our program is flexible and allows you to design a project based on your interests and goals. If you’re unsure about a topic, your mentor will help you identify and refine one that aligns with your passions.

    No prior research experience is required. This program is designed to guide students of all skill levels through the research process, from selecting a topic to writing a full paper. Your mentor will provide one-on-one support to ensure you gain the skills needed to succeed.

    Publication is never guaranteed, and that is what makes it so impactful. If everyone can get published, publications would carry little weight in the college admissions process. Students in the Gold Package receive extended mentorship focused on preparing their research for submission to reputable peer-reviewed journals.

    Since it is rare and difficult for high school students to publish, successfully doing so demonstrates academic accomplishment at the highest level and significantly enhances the student’s college application.

    All mentorship sessions are conducted virtually via video calls, making it easy for students to connect with their mentors from anywhere. Additionally, you can message your mentor between sessions using our student portal to ask questions or receive feedback on your work.

    Yes, students who demonstrate exceptional performance, dedication, and active participation in the program may be eligible to receive a personalized letter of recommendation from their mentor. This letter can highlight your research skills, academic abilities, and commitment to learning, providing a significant boost to your college application.

    However, letters of recommendation are not guaranteed and are awarded at the mentor’s discretion.

    Meet our Coaches

    MedSchoolCoach has assembled the absolute best team of Physician Advisors, Writing Advisors, Research Mentors, and MCAT and Medical School Tutors. The entire coaching team is dedicated to helping you become a physician. Our team consistently goes above and beyond to help students at every step of their medical journey.

    • Profile picture of Aaron Yeoh MD
      Aaron Yeoh MD

      Advisor

      Aaron Yeoh MD

      Advisor

      Undergraduate: BS, Kenyon College
      Medical School: MD, Harvard Medical School
      Residency: Stanford University Hospital

       

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    • Profile picture of Adrian Diaz MD
      Adrian Diaz MD

      Advisor

      Adrian Diaz MD

      Advisor


      Undergraduate:       Nova Southeastern University
      Medical School: VCU School of Medicine
      Residency: Mayo Clinic College of Medicine
      Residency: Ohio State University

       

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    • Profile picture of Akshay Sanan
      Akshay Sanan MD

      Advisor

      Akshay Sanan MD

      Advisor

      Undergraduate: Boston University
      Medical School: MD, Boston University School of Medicine
      Residency: Thomas Jefferson University
      Fellowship: Stanford University

       

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    • Profile picture of Akshita Mehta MD
      Akshita Mehta MD

      Advisor

      Akshita Mehta MD

      Advisor

      Undergraduate: BS, University of Maryland
      Medical School: MD, George Washington University
      Residency: University of Texas Southwestern

       

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    • Profile picture of Alexandra Webb MD
      Alexandra Webb MD

      Advisor

      Alexandra Webb MD

      Advisor

      Undergraduate: Princeton University
      Medical School: University of Texas Southwestern Medical School
      Residency: Emory University

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    • Profile picture of Alexis Dallara-Marsh MD
      Alexis Dallara-Marsh MD

      Standard Advisor

      Alexis Dallara-Marsh MD

      Standard Advisor

      Undergraduate: BS- City College of New York
      Medical School: MD- State University of New York- Health Science Center at Brooklyn
      Residency: Columbia University
      Fellowship: Columbia University

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    • Profile picture of Alice Khmutova MD
      Alice Khmutova MD

      Advisor

      Alice Khmutova MD

      Advisor

      Undergraduate:University of California, Davis
      Medical School: Oakland University William Beaumont School of Medicine
      Residency: Stony Brook Hospital

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    • Profile picture of Alix Ferdinand MD
      Alix Ferdinand MD

      Advisor

      Alix Ferdinand MD

      Advisor

      Undergraduate: BS, Georgia State University
      Medical School: MD, Emory University School of Medicine
      Residency: University of Miami

       

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    • Profile picture of Allison McBride MD Advisor
      Allison McBride MD

      Advisor

      Allison McBride MD

      Advisor

      Undergraduate: University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill
      Medical School: University of North Carolina School of Medicine
      Residency: Vanderbilt Pediatrics Residency Program
      Fellowship: Vanderbilt Pediatric Emergency Medicine

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    • Profile picture of Alyea Pierce
      Alyea Pierce

      Writing Advisor

      Alyea Pierce

      Writing Advisor

      Graduate Education: Masters of Education in Higher Education Administration, Rutgers University
      Undergraduate Education: B.A in Communications, Rutgers University

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