Horizon Academic Research Program Recently Updated

The Horizon Academic Research Program (HARP) is a selective virtual research program for high schoolers. The program was founded in 2016 by Columbia researchers and is academically rigorous, with a 26% acceptance rate. Students work with professors and PhD mentors from top universities to write a 20-page research paper. Seminars and labs are offered across STEM, social sciences, and the humanities. HARP's alumni have gone on to attend Stanford, MIT, Harvard, and Caltech.

HARP offers two program formats:

Seminars – Small groups of 3–6 students led by a university professor. These are designed to mirror the feel of an advanced undergraduate seminar. Past seminar topics include International Relations, Computational Neuroscience, and Psychology and Emotion Regulation. 

Labs – One-on-one research mentorship with a PhD or post-doctoral scholar. These provide highly personalized guidance, allowing students to receive feedback throughout the research process. Past lab topics include Applications of Machine Learning, Behavioral Economics, and Ancient History. 

In both formats, students develop a 20-page undergraduate-level research paper, which can serve as a writing sample for college admissions or potential publication.

Eligibility Criteria

The program is open to motivated high school students worldwide who can take on advanced academic work.

Admission is selective, with students chosen for their academic potential, commitment, and ability to contribute meaningfully to their seminar or lab. The average GPA of admitted students is 3.93/4.00, and the median SAT score is 1500.