The Horizon Academic Research Program (HARP): Should You Apply?
Today’s high school students face increasing pressure to stand out in competitive college admissions. One of the best ways to strengthen your academic profile is through research programs, especially those that let you explore advanced topics beyond the typical high school curriculum.
The Horizon Academic Research Program (HARP) offers a virtual mentorship experience that allows you to delve deep into a subject, develop technical skills, and complete an independent research project. Academic research experiences like these signal to colleges that you’re intellectually curious, self-driven, and capable of working independently on complex ideas.
In this blog, we’ll cover the Horizon Academic Research Program, exploring its benefits and potential drawbacks. By the end, you'll have a clear understanding of whether this program is the right fit for you.
What is the Horizon Academic Research Program?
Horizon Academic Research Program is a selective online program for high school students interested in undergraduate-level research. You will work with professors and PhD scholars from universities like Harvard, Yale, MIT, and Dartmouth to produce a research paper in fields such as computer science, economics, biology, and physics.
Horizon offers two programs:
Horizon Seminars: A 10–12 week summer program led by a professor from a top university. You will join a small group of 4–6 peers for 20 sessions, including 14 with the professor, along with six hours of TA support and four writing coaching sessions.
Horizon Labs: A flexible, 16-week year-round program with one-on-one mentorship from a PhD or postdoc mentor. It includes 15 instructor sessions, four writing coaching sessions, and four sessions with a publication specialist to support up to three rounds of journal submissions.
How is the Horizon Academic Research Program structured?
Both Horizon Seminars and Horizon Labs culminate in a 5,000-word college-level research paper. Seminars offer small group learning, while Labs are fully individualized. You can select 3–5 pre-approved subtopics when applying and refine your focus with the help of your mentor. Research methods include argumentative writing, meta-analysis, literature reviews, and empirical studies using public datasets.
The workload is 8–10 hours per week, totaling over 100 hours across the program. The Seminars program runs for 10 weeks in the summer, while Labs courses are more flexible, lasting 12–16 weeks. Since students and instructors are in different time zones, class times are scheduled for maximum convenience and set at the start of the course.
All sessions are on Zoom, requiring only a laptop with a camera, microphone, and internet access. Some courses may need specific software, which your mentor and TA will help install. If you complete the program, you’ll have a college-level research paper, a certificate of completion, and a graded report based on a university rubric. Additionally, Horizon Labs (publication track) offers opportunities for external publication.
What are the different tracks/subjects offered?
The Seminar courses include:
AI, Machine learning, and Data Science: Explore the fundamentals and practical applications of machine learning.
Behavioral Economics: Study labor economics, game theory, microeconomics, misinformation, media bias, self-deception, immigration policies, risk aversion, and data privacy.
Environmental Health and Engineering: Cover topics like pollution, toxicology, epidemiology, the built environment, and climate change.
International Relations: Examine theories and controversies in global politics, including governance, state failure, injustice, and great power competition.
Machine Learning and Social Media: Analyze real social media data (Twitter, Reddit, etc.) to develop machine learning models for detecting issues.
Neurodegenerative Diseases: Explore the genetics, biology, imaging, and treatment of diseases like Alzheimer's and Parkinson’s.
Psychology and Emotion Regulation: Study psychological research methods and human emotions, emotion regulation, and disorders.
Theoretical Math and Knot Theory: Dive into knot theory and its role in understanding causality and event relationships in the universe.
The Lab courses include:
Ancient History: Study Greek and Roman civilizations from the perspectives of both elites and everyday people, including laborers, artisans, soldiers, and slaves.
Applications of Machine Learning: Explore how machine learning is used in unexpected ways to advance social goals, improve efficiency, and better understand the world.
Bio-Industry: Examine bioprocessing and its potential as an industrial revolution, covering topics like synthetic food, microbial biofuels, CAR-T therapies, algae bioproduction, and enzymatic gold extraction.
Fluid Dynamics and Physics: Study how fluid motion affects global issues, including climate change, cancer treatment, renewable energy, and clean water.
Formulation Chemistry: Learn about emulsion preparation, system stability, and encapsulation techniques, with applications in food, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, and coatings.
Games, Networks, and Politics: Explore how humans interact on personal, community, and national levels.
Medical Sociology: Analyze psychotherapy and the rise of modern "therapeutic society" from a sociological perspective.
Organizational Behavior: Examine business, management, and psychology to understand workplace behavior.
Philosophy of the Mind: Use philosophy and cognitive science to explore consciousness, cognition, and the nature of the mind.
Political Theory and Philosophy: Discuss state authority, basic liberties, and how to address bias, historical injustices, and privilege in society.
Is the Horizon Academic Research Program prestigious?
Horizon’s 26% acceptance rate reflects its competitive nature. The program is well regarded for its rigor and faculty, many of whom come from Ivy League institutions or global research leaders like Oxford and Cambridge.
Cohort Size
Horizon Seminars enroll up to 200 students per summer, with each group capped at 4–6 students. If you're interested in more specialized topics, Horizon Labs operates year-round with a flexible schedule and provides personalized instruction and guidance tailored to each student's research.
Important Dates and Deadlines
Horizon offers the following cohorts throughout the year: Summer, Fall, Winter, and Spring. Here are the dates and deadlines for the most competitive cohorts:
1. Summer Cohort I:
Application Deadline: March 23 (Priority) | April 20 (Regular I) | May 18 (Regular II)
Cohort Start Date: June 16
2. Summer Cohort II:
Application Deadline: June 22 (Priority)
Cohort Start Date: July 14
Labs are offered year-round and do not follow a fixed cohort schedule.
Application Information: How to Apply?
First, you’ll submit an online application through the website. If shortlisted, you’ll be invited to an interview within 3–5 days, and final decisions are made within 7 days of the interview.
The interview will include questions about your background, research interests, and preparedness. You won’t be asked specific factual questions.
You’ll need to submit your school transcripts, while standardized test scores are optional.
A writing sample of at least 750 words is required. It doesn’t have to be related to your chosen research subject, as some topics may not suit long-form writing.
You’ll also list three potential research topics in order of preference (not just broad subjects). A list of pre-approved topics is available for reference here.
Eligibility:
Applicants must be in grades 9–12, with most accepted students in grades 10 or 11 who plan to graduate in one to two years.
A strong GPA (3.67 unweighted or equivalent) and demonstrated interest or achievement in the chosen subject are required.
No prior research experience is needed. Faculty and writing advisors help students learn academic research and writing fundamentals, and the admissions process ensures students are prepared for research.
While prior coursework isn’t necessary for most subjects, students should have taken challenging classes and have a basic understanding of the subject through coursework, extracurriculars, or personal study.
A few courses have prerequisites:
Protein Biophysics: AP Chemistry or equivalent
Advanced Theoretical Math & Knot Theory: AP Calculus AB or BC
Fluid Dynamics: One year of high school Physics (Mechanics) and one year of Calculus
Faculty
Seminars are led by university professors, while Labs are run by PhD or postdoctoral scholars. Many instructors are affiliated with Ivy League schools like Stanford, Oxford, and Cambridge, and many have been with Horizon for over four years. You can view detailed faculty bios on the Horizon website.
Cost
Horizon Labs and Seminars courses both cost $5,950.
Financial aid is available for Seminar courses, with up to a 90% tuition waiver for students with a household income under $75,000.
To apply, you must indicate your need for financial aid in the application. Aid is limited and awarded competitively based on financial need.
Pros and Cons of Applying to the Horizon Academic Research Program
Pros:
You will be mentored by top-tier faculty and scholars: The Horizon Academic Research Program offers a well-structured curriculum taught by professors, lecturers, and PhD/postdoc scholars from top universities.
You will enhance your academic profile: Joining a selective research program in specialized fields can strengthen your academic profile, showcase your abilities, provide hands-on experience, and enhance your college applications.
You can conduct specialized research in over 300 topic areas: Horizon Seminars and Horizon Labs provide deep dives into specialized subjects, helping you build knowledge in your field. Some unique courses, like Bio-Industry, Protein Biophysics, and Network Science, can give you an edge if you're considering a career in these areas.
You'll have networking opportunities: Connecting with instructors, mentors, and fellow students benefits both your social and academic life. These relationships can provide long-term advantages, such as mentorship and access to new opportunities.
You’ll have scheduling flexibility: Horizon Seminars and Horizon Labs are fully remote, so you can attend from home without commuting. Horizon Labs runs year-round with flexible scheduling, allowing you to set your own pace, get one-on-one mentorship, and balance academics with other activities.
You'll get personalized support and guidance: With personalized mentorship from professors, lecturers, PhDs, and postdocs from top universities, you'll get the support needed to complete your project, develop research skills, and build professional connections.
Cons:
The program is quite expensive: While financial aid is available for Seminar courses, the program can be expensive. Students with a household income below $75,000 may qualify for up to a 90% tuition waiver.
Limited in-person interaction or campus experience: A key challenge of an online research program is the lack of in-person interaction. You may miss out on face-to-face interactions, extracurriculars, and the spontaneous socializing of an in-person program.
Time-intensive (100+ hours over 10–16 weeks): Students should expect to spend over 100 hours total on research, classes, writing, and mentorship sessions spread out across 10 to 16 weeks, depending on the program format. This typically breaks down to 8–10 hours of work per week, which is a serious but manageable investment for students who are highly motivated and deeply interested in their subject area.
Selective admissions process: Horizon has a competitive admissions process, so not all applicants are accepted. The holistic review considers academics, personal qualities, and program fit, making acceptance unpredictable. A strong application takes effort, including recommendations, essays, and extracurriculars.
No college credit offered: The program doesn’t provide college credit, which might be a downside if you’re looking for credit-bearing courses to enhance your academic profile.
Our Review — Should You Apply?
If you're an ambitious high school student looking for deep academic engagement, the Horizon Academic Research Program offers a robust research experience that builds valuable skills and strengthens your college applications. The online format, expert mentorship, and extensive subject offerings make it a great fit for students who enjoy independent learning, want to explore a niche topic, and can balance studies with other commitments.
However, the price point may be a barrier for some students, especially since only Seminar students are eligible for financial aid. If you’re applying, be sure to invest time in crafting a thoughtful application and preparing for the interview. Getting into the program is competitive since there’s a careful selection process.
While programs like this are valuable, admissions officers also look for students who take extra steps to engage with a subject beyond the classroom. You should consider the benefits and challenges, including time commitment and the competitive selection process. For those prepared for the challenge, Horizon offers a learning experience that can positively impact your academic path.
Looking for a hands-on internship experience?
Check out Ladder Internships!
Ladder Internships is a selective, virtual internship program where students work with startups and nonprofits from around the world! The startups range across a variety of industries, with a large number of them in tech. As part of their internship, each student will work on a real-world project that is of genuine need to the startup they are working with, and present their work at the end of their internship. In addition to working closely with their manager from the startup, each intern will also work with a Ladder Coach throughout their internship. Apply now!