Summer Discovery x Polygence Research Programs

Experience hands-on research and personalized mentorship this summer. Join Summer Discovery and Polygence at UC Berkeley, Yale, University of Michigan, and UCLA to explore real-world research, work one-on-one with expert mentors, and prepare for your future in STEM.

Who Is This Program For?

This program is for high school students in grades 9–12 who want to explore medicine or engineering through hands-on research and personalized mentorship.

Students begin on campus with Summer Discovery, where they learn essential research methods, develop an original research question, and write a proposal for an independent project.

After the on-campus session, students continue online with Polygence, which pairs them one-on-one with a PhD-level mentor for ten personalized sessions. Together, they turn the proposal into a finished research project that students can showcase in college applications and beyond.

About the Summer Discovery x Polygence Partnership

Summer Discovery and Polygence have teamed up to create a unique research experience for high school students—combining real university life with one-on-one mentorship from top scholars. Summer Discovery brings decades of expertise in pre-college education, while Polygence connects students with expert mentors to guide them through meaningful research projects.

Polygence will provide a ten session personalized mentored research project experience that enables students to extend their learning from Summer Discovery and make it their own for college and career preparedness. Students synthesize their work through the creation of a tangible research project output that can be showcased on applications and in public mediums.

Together, they offer hands-on learning at Summer Discovery campuses including UC Berkeley, University of Michigan, Yale University, and UCLA where students explore their academic passions and develop skills that set them apart for college and beyond.

Program Highlights

Discover what makes the Summer Discovery × Polygence programs special — a one-of-a-kind research experience that blends real university life with expert mentorship and lasting skills.

Experience campus life at UC Berkeley, University of Michigan, UCLA, and Yale University — some of the most inspiring campuses in the world, where innovation, collaboration, and discovery happen every day.

Explore the research process, practice independent investigation, and apply advanced scientific research methods used by experts and see your ideas take shape through practical, guided experimentation.

Get matched with a Polygence mentors — an expert who works one-on-one with you to refine your interests, explore new ideas, and bring your project to life. Polygence works with nearly 2,500 mentors; 1,100 from Ivy League institutions.

Design, develop, and complete your own research project — the kind of standout work that sets college applications apart.

Build confidence, curiosity, and critical thinking skills that will stay with you long after the summer ends — in college, careers, and beyond.

Get Summer 2027 Info

Complete this form to get personalized support from one of our summer program specialists.

Contact Information

Explore Medicine or Engineering Research Programs

Get a head start on your future in medicine or engineering with a program that blends real university learning and expert mentorship. At UC Berkeley, University of Michigan, UCLA, or Yale University, you’ll take part in hands-on labs, work one-on-one with a Polygence mentor, and develop a project that showcases your passion and potential.

What Makes This Program Stand Out

Learn from real researchers and mentors
Experience life at top universities
Conduct hands-on research in real labs
Create a project that stands out on college applications
Build confidence and skills for college and beyond

Program Details – Summer 2027

Each program includes 2–3 weeks on campus, followed by 10 sessions of guided research mentorship that continues remotely through the school year starting in September.

UCLA (Los Angeles, CA)

Medical Research and Engineering Research Academies with Polygence

Dates: July 3 – July 16 (residential); July 3 – July 15 (commuter)
Tuition: Residential – $10,249 | Commuter – $7,249

UC Berkeley (Berkeley, CA)

Medical Research and Engineering Research Academies with Polygence

Dates: June 27 – July 9 (residential); June 27 - July 8 (commuter)
Dates: July 11 – July 23 (residential); July 11 - July 22 (commuter)
Tuition: Residential – $10,249 | Commuter – $7,249

University of Michigan (Ann Arbor, MI)

Engineering Research Academy with Polygence

Dates: July 03 - July 16 (residential); July 03 - July 15 (commuter)
Tuition: Residential – $10,249 | Commuter – $7,249

Medical Research Academy with Polygence

Dates: June 20 - July 2 (residential); June 20 - July 1 (commuter)
Dates: July 18 - July 30 (residential); July 18 - July 29 (commuter)
Tuition: Residential – $10,249 | Commuter – $7,249

Yale University (New Haven, CT)

Medical Research and Engineering Research Academies with Polygence

Dates: July 3 – July 23 (residential); July 3 - July 22 (commuter)
Tuition: Residential – $12,249 | Commuter – $9,749

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does the program run?

Each program includes 2–3 weeks on campus, followed by mentor-guided research that continues remotely through the school year starting in September. Students don’t just attend a summer course — they complete an extended research journey with lasting results.

What makes this program unique?

Unlike standard pre-college courses, students conduct original research with one-to-one guidance from expert mentors from leading universities. The experience combines academic challenge, practical insight, and personalized learning.

What’s included in the tuition?

Tuition covers all instruction, mentorship, housing (for residential students), meals, on-campus activities, and continued support throughout the research phase. The extended mentorship component offers lasting value well beyond the summer.

What do students gain from completing the program?

Students finish with a completed research project, personalized mentor feedback, and a certificate recognizing their achievement — demonstrating independence, initiative, and real-world academic experience valued by top universities.