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Horizon

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      • Project Extensions
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      • How It Works
      • Why Participate
      • FAQ
      • Project Extensions
      • Examples of Student Work
    • Contact Us
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    • About Us 
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    Horizon

    • Courses 
      • Master Course List
      • STEM Courses
      • Social Science Courses
      • Project Extensions
    • Instructors
    • Our Program 
      • How It Works
      • Why Participate
      • FAQ
      • Project Extensions
      • Examples of Student Work
    • Contact Us
    • Blog
    • About Us 
      • Who We Are
      • Partners
      • Our Team
    • …  
      • Courses 
        • Master Course List
        • STEM Courses
        • Social Science Courses
        • Project Extensions
      • Instructors
      • Our Program 
        • How It Works
        • Why Participate
        • FAQ
        • Project Extensions
        • Examples of Student Work
      • Contact Us
      • Blog
      • About Us 
        • Who We Are
        • Partners
        • Our Team
      Apply
      • Horizon Academic

        How Our Program Works

      • Program Overview

        Horizon Academic is a trimester-long online research program for extraordinary high school students interested in doing undergraduate-level research. Our program is structured to advise students in selecting a topic, conducting research, and crafting a research manuscript under the individualized guidance of a professor or doctoral researcher from a globally renowned university. Students in Horizon Academic choose their own field of inquiry within one of the 15 subjects that we offer. After a trimester of reading, writing, and exploring, students finish their final projects, most often a 20 page research paper. By showcasing a student's very best work, Horizon gives students the opportunity to get letters of recommendation, seek outside recognition of the quality of their work, and demonstrate their exceptional talent to universities. Horizon Academic has always been conducted entirely online, and students complete research projects using desktop research methods, without the need to access any equipment or research facilities.
         
         
         

        Please feel free to join our upcoming information session about the program! If you're unable to join but would like a recording, please complete the interest form above, and a recording will be sent to you by email.

         

        March 31 8:00PM Eastern Time: Register Here

        April 24 8:00PM Eastern Time: Register Here

        May 16 8:00PM Eastern Time: Register Here

      • Horizon Academic Research Program Details

        Horizon is a purely online research program that connects exceptional high school students from around the world with top university professors. The program's capstone project is a 20 page research paper aimed to equip high schools students with the practical knowledge and research writing skills needed to excel in their future academic careers. Horizon Seminar uses a unique combination of small group classes (with an average class size of 4 and a maximum size of 6), office hours, writing clinics, and, of course, independent research. For students interested in more specialized topics, the Horizon Labs program offers completely individualized instruction and guidance on each student's research topic.

        Choosing a Research Topic

        Students may choose to research any one of the pre-approved topics provided by their respective instructor. Alternatively, students may choose to develop a completely original research topic that best connects with their personal interests. Our professors, instructors, and teaching assistants work closely with students to formulate original research topics that are relevant to course material and ambitious enough to ground a 20 page research paper.

        Duration and Time Commitment

        Horizon scholars strive to produce a carefully crafted academic essay throughout the course of a trimester. Students have the option to apply for Spring, Summer, or Fall trimesters. We estimate that students will spend 8-10 hours per week on the project. The fall and spring trimesters each last for 16 weeks, while the summer trimester follows a more compact schedule of 10 weeks.

          Research Methods

           

          Students may use a variety of methodologies and approaches, and we advise students on what method is the best fit for their preferred topic. Traditional qualitative methods such as argumentative essays and literature reviews are popular, and some topics are conducive to meta-analysis or formal research proposals. Students with a background in statistics or coding may also have the option to do empirical experimentation on publicly available data sets.

            Outcomes

             

            Students will complete a 20 page research manuscript that is often the best and most ambitious work they've ever completed. Students will receive a grade from their instructor, along with detailed feedback throughout the writing process. Students who excel in the program have the opportunity to earn letters of recommendation, and exceptionally strong papers can be submitted to academic journals for publication, science fairs, essay contests, or academic conferences.

            • Our Subject Offerings

            • Program Timeline

              Program Timeline. Quantitative Research Methods begins with orientation. Lessons 1 through 6 consist of background reading and class tutorials. In lessons 7 and 8, a research topic is selected. Lessons 9 through 11 cover data selection. Lessons 12 through 16 focus on experimentation: design, execution, and troubleshooting. In lessons 17 and 18, a report is drafted. By lessons 19 and 20, a final report is edited. Qualitative Research Methods begins with orientation. Lessons 1 through 6 consist of background reading and class tutorials. In lessons 7 and 8, a research topic is selected. Lessons 9 through 16 cover reading of customized reading list, outline, and drafting. In lessons 17 and 18, a rough draft is edited. By lessons 19 and 20, final draft edits are done.
            • Horizon Seminar Course Structure

              Orientation:

              Our orientation offers a comprehensive overview of how to use our unique teleconferencing software and online submission systems, how to best uphold research ethics and academic honesty, and how to navigate the transition from writing shorter to longer form essays.

              Group Class with Professor:

              Fourteen times throughout the trimester, each cohort of Horizon scholars meets together for either a group class or office hour session led by their professor. Group classes often involve class discussion of suggested readings, peer review sessions, and in-class debates and simulations.

              Discussion & Office Hours with Teaching Assistants:

              Six times throughout the trimester, each cohort of Horizon scholars meets together for a discussion session led by their teaching assistant. Horizon teaching assistants are either MA, MS, or Ph.D. candidates, or have completed their undergraduate studies and have 2 years of relevant work experience.

              Virtual Writing Center:

               

              At Horizon Academic, we aspire to provide the best possible training and mentoring to students as they navigate their research projects. Horizon offers assistance with general writing and composition, allowing class time to focus on the substance of each scholar’s research. Writing assistants identify stylistic, grammatical, and other procedural areas through which students may improve their draft papers, within 3 days of getting a draft.

            • Horizon Labs Course Structure

               

              Orientation:

              Our orientation offers a comprehensive overview of how to use our unique teleconferencing software and online submission systems, how to best uphold research ethics and academic honesty, and how to navigate the transition from writing shorter to longer form essays.

              20 Hours of One on One Advising Sessions with Your Instructor:

              Horizon Labs instructors are PhD or postdoctoral researchers who are on the front lines of academic research in their respective fields, and many have taught university level classes in the subject.

              Customized Course Design:

              Horizon Labs courses are completely personalized and adaptable to the needs and research interests of each student. Generally, Horizon Labs instructors begin the program with a topic consultation to hear what topics a student is most interested in. They then lead several classes that teach students key concepts and necessary background knowledge to undertake the research. Once a student identifies their topic, students receive customized suggested reading lists, and classes shift to individualized mentorship sessions.

              Virtual Writing Center:

              At Horizon Academic, we aspire to provide the best possible training and mentoring to students as they navigate their research projects. Horizon offers assistance with general writing and composition, allowing class time to focus on the substance of each scholar’s research. Writing assistants identify stylistic, grammatical, and other procedural areas through which students may improve their draft papers, within 3 days of getting a draft.

            • Horizon Seminar versus Horizon Labs

              Program Differences

               

              Horizon Seminar

              > Taught by professors & lecturers with decades of teaching experience.

              > Offered for topics with broad appeal.

              > Group classes have an average of 4 students (no more than 6).

              Horizon Labs

              > Taught by PhD researchers who are emerging experts in their fields.

              > Offered for specialized topics.

              > All classes are 1 on 1: students receive 100% individualized attention.

            • How Does Horizon Academic Help Students in the College Admissions Process?

               

              In an ever-more competitive admissions landscape, "standing out" matters.

              Standing Out, So Colleges See Who You Really Are Icon: In a stack of thousands of applications, how is yours different? Completing college level research projects as a high school student makes you unique. Professors are busy people, and it's rare for a professor to work with a high school student on a research project. Most college students don't write a 20 page research paper until well into their college careers. Doing so in high school is exceptional and helps you stand out among thousands of other candidates.

              Standing Out, So Colleges See

              Who You Really Are

              In a stack of thousands of applications, how is yours different?

              Completing college level research projects as a high school student makes you unique. Professors are busy people, and it's rare for a professor to work with a high school student on a research project. Most college students don't write a 20 page research paper until well into their college careers. Doing so in high school is exceptional and helps you stand out among thousands of other candidates.

              An Assessment from a Professor or Researcher Icon: Grades and assessments show how well you did. All students at Horizon Academic get a letter grade from their professor or instructor as well as detailed final project feedback on what they did well and areas for improvement.

              An Assessment from a Professor or Researcher

               

              Grades and assessments show how well you did.

              All students at Horizon Academic get a letter grade from their professor or instructor as well as detailed final project feedback on what they did well and areas for improvement.

              A Supplement to the College Application Icon: Many universities allow supplemental documents in their applications. Many universities such as Cornell, MIT, and the University of Pennsylvania allow students to send supplemental documents along with an application. Many of our students have send their paper abstracts as application supplements.

              A Supplement to the College Application

              Many universities allow supplemental documents in their applications.

              Many universities such as Cornell, MIT, and the University of Pennsylvania allow students to send supplemental documents along with an application. Many of our students have send their paper abstracts as application supplements.

              Letters of Recommendation and Publication Icon: For students who truly excel. Our students who do their very best work and impress their professors or TA can request a letter of recommendation for admission to college. Students whose papers are truly exceptional can even get their work published in a journal, accepted at a conference, or selected by an essay contest.

              Letters of Recommendation and Publication

              For students who truly excel.

              Our students who do their very best work and impress their professors or TA can request a letter of recommendation for admission to college. Students whose papers are truly exceptional can even get their work published in a journal, accepted at a conference, or selected by an essay contest.

              Proof Positive You Can Succeed Icon: In a high-intensity selective program. Perhaps the best proof that you're capable of college-level work is to do college level work, early on in your academic career. By working with college faculty in a challenging and selective program, you signal to admissions officers that you are up to the challenges of being a student at an elite university.

              Proof Positive You Can Succeed

              In a high-intensity selective program.

              Perhaps the best proof that you're capable of college-level work is to do college level work, early on in your academic career. By working with college faculty in a challenging and selective program, you signal to admissions officers that you are up to the challenges of being a student at an elite university.

              Depth in Your Extracurriculars Icon: Demonstrate commitment and depth in your after school activities. More and more colleges such at the University of Chicago, George Washington University, and many top liberal arts colleges have become test optional. Without the SAT or ACT, how you spend your time after school matters more than ever. Yet many students commit to a wide range of extracurriculars, at the expense of depth and long-term improvement. Doing a long-term research project demonstrates that you're different and that you finish everything that you start.

              Depth in Your Extracurriculars

              Demonstrate commitment and depth in your after school activities.

              More and more colleges such as the University of Chicago, George Washington University, and many top liberal arts colleges have become test optional. Without the SAT or ACT, how you spend your time after school matters more than ever. Yet many students commit to a wide range of extracurriculars, at the expense of depth and long-term improvement. Doing a long-term research project demonstrates that you're different and that you finish everything that you start.

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