TERP Young Scholars Program guide | RISE Research

TL;DR: The TERP Young Scholars Program is a selective residential research experience at the University of Maryland for high school students with strong STEM interests. It is highly competitive, limited in spots, and produces a research experience rather than a peer-reviewed published paper. Students who want a guaranteed, verifiable research outcome for their college application should consider RISE Research alongside or instead of TERP. RISE accepts students based on research readiness, carries a 90% publication success rate, and our deadline is closing soon.

Introduction

The University of Maryland hosts one of the most research-intensive campuses in the United States, with over $1 billion in annual research expenditures and deep ties to federal agencies including NASA and the National Institutes of Health. For high school students who want access to that research culture before college, the TERP Young Scholars Program guide is one of the most searched starting points. This complete TERP Young Scholars Program guide covers what the program involves, how competitive it is, and what to do if you want a stronger or more accessible research outcome.

The challenge most students face is this: selective residential programs like TERP have limited seats, and even strong applicants are often turned away. That does not mean the goal of doing real research is out of reach. RISE Research is a fully online, 1-on-1 mentorship program where high school students produce peer-reviewed published papers under PhD mentors, regardless of which residential programs they are accepted into.

What is the TERP Young Scholars Program and who is it for?

The TERP Young Scholars Program is a selective residential research program at the University of Maryland, College Park. It is designed for high school students who want to experience university-level STEM research over several weeks on campus, working alongside faculty and graduate researchers.

The program is run through the University of Maryland and targets rising high school juniors and seniors with demonstrated interest in STEM fields. Students are placed in active research labs across disciplines including biology, chemistry, engineering, computer science, and physics. The program is residential, meaning students live on campus for the duration of the program.

According to the University of Maryland's official program materials, TERP Young Scholars is designed to give students authentic exposure to the research process, including literature review, experimental design, data collection, and presenting findings. The program has a strong reputation among students targeting competitive STEM programs at universities in the University System of Maryland and beyond.

For full program details and eligibility, visit the official University of Maryland page at umd.edu. Eligibility, cost, and session details are confirmed there each cycle.

How competitive is the TERP Young Scholars Program?

The TERP Young Scholars Program is highly selective. The number of available spots is limited by the number of participating faculty labs, which means acceptance is constrained by lab capacity rather than just applicant quality. Students with strong academic records, clear STEM interests, and prior exposure to research concepts are the most competitive applicants.

A strong application typically includes a high GPA in STEM subjects, teacher recommendations from science or math instructors, and a personal statement that demonstrates genuine intellectual curiosity rather than a checklist approach to extracurriculars. Students who can articulate a specific research question they want to explore, and explain why it matters, tend to stand out.

Because lab placements are finite, even qualified students are regularly turned away. This is not a reflection of a student's potential. It is a structural feature of any program where physical lab space determines capacity.

RISE Research does not have this constraint. RISE mentors work 1-on-1 with students online, which means acceptance is based on research readiness and intellectual curiosity rather than geography or lab availability. RISE carries a 90% publication success rate across students who complete the program.

What does the TERP Young Scholars Program actually involve?

Students accepted into TERP Young Scholars are embedded in active University of Maryland research labs for the duration of the program. They work under the supervision of faculty mentors and graduate students, contributing to ongoing research projects in their assigned discipline.

A typical week includes time in the lab conducting experiments or data analysis, seminars from faculty researchers, and group sessions where students discuss their progress. At the end of the program, students typically present their findings in a poster or oral presentation format to faculty and peers.

The program produces a research experience and a presentation. It does not typically produce a peer-reviewed published paper that a student owns and can list independently in their college application. The experience itself is valuable, but the output is a certificate and a presentation, not an externally verified publication.

This distinction matters for college applications. Admissions officers at selective universities can verify a published paper independently. A program certificate cannot be verified in the same way. RISE Research produces a peer-reviewed published paper in one of 40+ academic journals, which appears directly and verifiably in the Common App Activities section. You can see examples of student publications and projects on the RISE website.

How does the TERP Young Scholars Program compare to doing research with RISE?

These are two different paths to a meaningful research outcome, and they suit different students.

TERP Young Scholars offers a residential, in-person experience at a major research university. Students gain exposure to lab culture, work alongside graduate researchers, and build connections at the University of Maryland. The program is fixed in curriculum and location, and spots are limited. The primary output is a research experience and a presentation.

RISE Research is fully online and open to any qualified student, regardless of location. Students work 1-on-1 with a PhD mentor from an Ivy League or Oxbridge institution over a 10-week program. The output is a peer-reviewed published paper in an independent academic journal. RISE carries a 90% publication success rate and has mentors published in 40+ journals. RISE scholars show a 3x higher acceptance rate to Top 10 universities compared to the general applicant pool, and an 18% acceptance rate to Stanford versus the 8.7% standard rate.

Neither program is objectively better for every student. TERP is the right choice for students who want an in-person lab experience at the University of Maryland specifically. RISE is the right choice for students who want a guaranteed, externally verified research output that strengthens any college application, regardless of which residential programs they are also applying to.

Many students apply to both. Our deadline is closing soon. Book a free Research Assessment to find out what is achievable in your timeline.

RISE Research is open to students targeting any university, including those applying to the University of Maryland. Our deadline is closing soon. Book a free Research Assessment to find out what is achievable in your timeline.

What to do if you do not get into the TERP Young Scholars Program

Not getting into TERP does not close the door on research. RISE Research is the strongest first alternative. RISE accepts students based on research readiness and genuine intellectual curiosity, not prior prestige or lab availability. Students who complete RISE produce a peer-reviewed published paper, which is a stronger application signal than a residential program certificate.

RISE should be the first program you consider if TERP does not work out. With a 90% publication success rate and mentors from Ivy League and Oxbridge institutions, RISE produces a verifiable outcome that directly strengthens your college application. You can review RISE admissions results and see the outcomes scholars have achieved.

Other verified alternatives for students interested in STEM research include the Clark Scholars Program at Texas Tech, the Argonne Exemplary Student Research Program, and the Fermilab TARGET Program. Each of these is selective and residential. RISE remains the most accessible option with the strongest verifiable output.

Frequently asked questions about the TERP Young Scholars Program

How do I apply to the TERP Young Scholars Program?

Applications to the TERP Young Scholars Program are submitted through the University of Maryland's official program portal. The application typically requires academic transcripts, teacher recommendations, and a personal statement describing your research interests. Visit umd.edu for the current application process and requirements, as these are confirmed each cycle on the official site.

Is the TERP Young Scholars Program free or paid?

The TERP Young Scholars Program has an associated cost that covers residential housing, meals, and program fees for the duration of the residential experience. Financial assistance may be available for eligible students. Exact costs and any available aid should be confirmed directly on the University of Maryland's official program page, as fees are updated each cycle.

Does the TERP Young Scholars Program help with college admissions?

Yes, participation in TERP Young Scholars can strengthen a college application by demonstrating genuine STEM engagement and lab experience. However, the program produces a research experience and presentation rather than a peer-reviewed published paper. For students who want a verifiable, externally validated research output, RISE Research produces a published paper that appears directly in the Common App and can be independently confirmed by admissions officers.

What do I do if I do not get into the TERP Young Scholars Program?

RISE Research is the strongest first alternative. RISE is open to any qualified student, fully online, and produces a peer-reviewed published paper under 1-on-1 PhD mentorship. The 90% publication success rate means students who complete the program have a real, verifiable output for their college application. Our deadline is closing soon. Book a free Research Assessment to find out what is achievable in your timeline. Other verified alternatives include the Argonne Exemplary Student Research Program and the Fermilab TARGET Program.

Can international students apply to the TERP Young Scholars Program?

The TERP Young Scholars Program is primarily designed for students who can attend in person at the University of Maryland, College Park. International students should confirm eligibility, visa requirements, and any additional application steps directly with the University of Maryland before applying. RISE Research is fully online and open to students in any country, with no residential requirement.

Conclusion

The TERP Young Scholars Program is a well-regarded residential research experience for high school students with strong STEM interests. It offers genuine lab exposure at a major research university and is worth applying to if you are a strong STEM student targeting the University of Maryland or similar institutions.

RISE Research is the right choice for students who want a guaranteed, externally verified research output, whether or not they are also applying to TERP. RISE produces peer-reviewed published papers under 1-on-1 PhD mentorship, is fully online, and is open to students in any location. RISE scholars show a 3x higher acceptance rate to Top 10 universities. You can explore scholar awards and admissions outcomes on the RISE website.

Our deadline is closing soon. If you want a real research outcome on your college application, schedule a free Research Assessment and we will tell you exactly what is achievable in your timeline.