How RISE Research Compares to Ivy League Pre-College Programs

In this blog, you'll find out exactly how RISE Research programs compare to Ivy League pre-college programs. If you're a high school student (or parent) asking, "Should I do a big-name Ivy League summer program or a focused research mentorship like RISE?"—you're not alone. 

Here are the types of questions we commonly get early on: 

• Will Ivy League programs help me get into top colleges? 

• I would like to know if research is better for college applications than summer classes.

• I would like to know if pre-college programs are very selective or internal pay to play. 

• How personal is RISE Research compared to a large summer program?

Let's break it down easily, so that you can make the best decision for your goals.

What Are Ivy League Pre-College Programs?

Ivy League pre-college programs are summer programs organized by institutions like Harvard, Yale, Columbia, Brown, and Penn. The typical highlights of these programs are:

• Let high school students learn in a college-like manner.

• Have workshops, lectures, and sometimes the option to live there.

• Provide an experience that centers on academics, leadership, or for creative enrichment.

• Facilitate networking with other ambitious peers.

Examples include:

• Harvard Pre-College Program

• Yale Young Global Scholars (YYGS) 

• Columbia Summer Immersion

• Brown Leadership Institute 

These programs sound impressive just because you associate them with the Ivy League brand, but it's important to realize: The admissions process is often less selective than it sounds. Many programs accept many students as long as you are able to pay tuition.

Typical costs: $5,000-$10,000 for 2-3 weeks.

What is RISE Research?

RISE Global Education (www.riseglobaleducation.com) provides research mentorships for high school students interested in doing their own original research projects with professors or industry professionals.

In the RISE Research Program, students:

• Work one-on-one, or in small groups, with mentors

• Conduct real research projects in areas like AI, Business, Biology, and Engineering

• Write research papers, whitepapers, or prototypes

• Learn research processes, data analysis, and academic writing

This isn't simply coursework, it's creating something new and many times you receive:

• A paper written for conferences or journals

• A portfolio to enhance your college application

• The ability to gain real-world experience solving actual problems

Cost on average: $2,500 - $4,500 for mentorship over 10 - 12 weeks.

Key Differences: RISE vs Ivy League Pre-College

Why Research Stands Out on College Applications

Colleges love seeing evidence of initiative, curiosity, and depth.

Completing a project or research project demonstrates to admissions officers your ability to:

• Think independently

• Tackle real problems

• Navigate mentorship/collaboration

• Tackle a topic with depth

There are two forms of projects, a research paper or a peer-reviewed manuscript. A report is tangible; and it distinguishes you from students who are strictly in class mode;

In fact, "top" programs like Stanford, MIT, and Columbia even look for "intellectual vitality," and it is easier to demonstrate with research-based experiences than by attending a week-long summer class.

Do Ivy League Pre-College Programs Help With Admissions?

Let’s face it: an Ivy League summer program doesn’t give you admission to that university.

Admissions officers typically recognize these programs as:

• Costly and available to those who can afford them

• Important in terms of exposure, but not necessarily an indicator of academic excellence on its own

They can still be worthwhile for:

• Interaction with peers with similar interests

• Experiencing campus life

• Investigating college-level coursework

If you’re looking for something that is more directly adding to your resume, a research project typically carries more weight.

Can You Do Both?

Yes. Many motivated students blend RISE Research with many other enrichment experiences, including pre-college experiences. 

For example, you might :

• Take an Ivy League summer course to explore a new topic. 

• Follow that with RISE Research to dive deeper into an expert problem. 

• This combination showcases both breadth (a brand new exploration experience) and depth (a project describing detailed research and output).

The Changing Landscape of College Admissions

The landscape for college admissions has definitely shifted in recent years. Test-optional admissions policies are becoming more commonplace, making activities and experiences, such as research, internships, and creative projects, more valuable than a test score or academic transcript. 

Top colleges are looking for students who look for opportunities outside the classroom. Programs such as RISE Research provide this opportunity. As a student engaged in a research project, the student can convey:

• Curiosity: you are not just learning, but rather are asking something new and looking for something new.

• Perseverance: Research is often trial and error, and demonstrating this process signifies maturity.

• Collaboration: Collaborating with mentors provides ample learning about feedback and growth. 

• Communication: Writing and disseminating our research will help you develop communication skills, which will carry over to college (or whatever follows).

These skills will often be more valuable to holistic admissions than just taking a summer course, no matter how prestigious.

Scholarships and Financial Accessibility

Cost is another factor to think about. Many Ivy League pre-college programs may be
unreasonably priced and scholarships may either be nonexistent, very limited or highly competitive.

Conversely, RISE Research uses flexibly priced programs, payment plans, and scholarships when available that offer more accessibility of high-impact summer research mentorship to many more students globally. 

This gives everyone equality to many talented students, that ordinarily would not afford a pre-college program, but would still like to be exceptional on their university applications.

Ultimately, finding a program that works with both your academic aims and your budget, will achieve the experience you want to have during the summer.

How to Choose the Right Program for You

Here’s a quick checklist:

Final Thoughts: Which Program Is Better?

If your intention is to highlight deep and active learning to college admissions, a research program like RISE Global Education will usually yield stronger outcomes.

If you are looking for a taste of campus life, academic lectures or contact with other students worldwide, an Ivy League pre-college program is a great experience but not likely to be the best thing on your college resume.

In the end, the best program for you is the one that is best suited to your goals, learning style and plans for the future.

FAQs

1. Do Ivy League pre-college programs offer college credit?
Some do, but most are non-credit enrichment programs. Look at the site for the specific program.

2. Can I publish research from RISE?
Yes! Many students submit work to journals, conferences, or high school research competitions like Regeneron or ISEF.

3. Are both programs competitive?
Ivy League summer programs always select fewer students than their college admissions process, so in that sense, it is competitive. RISE selects students on other factors than grades, and students select RISE based on interest, background, and commitment to research.

4. Can I do RISE Research remotely?
Yes. RISE programs are designed to be online and flexible so you could do them from anywhere.

If you are a high school student pushing yourself to stand out in college applications, RISE Research offers a unique opportunity to work one-on-one with mentors from top universities around the world. 

Through personalized guidance and independent research projects that can lead to prestigious publications, RISE Research helps you build a standout academic profile and develop skills that set you apart. With flexible program dates and global accessibility, ambitious students can apply year-round. To learn more about eligibility, costs, and how to get started, visit RISE Research’s official website and take your college preparation to the next level!