How I Got Accepted into the Pioneer Research Institute’s Summer Program: My Journey

My journey into original research began when I was finalizing my Questbridge College Prep Scholars Program application. I came across a field to apply to the Pioneer Academics summer program and decided to give it a shot. I hadn’t begun my responsible AI use initiative or had my ACT and SAT scores back, but I input my 27 Pre-ACT score and 1200 Pre-SAT score to help make up for the lack of scores. I wrote about my resilience, hardworking attitude, and my leadership experience and applied to three research concentrations, which gave me more flexibility in my application.

When a typical student talks about their hardworking attitude, they talk about how they developed it, but not what can come from it. I covered the three major bases: how my attitude developed, what I’m currently doing with it, and how it could impact my future as a Pioneer Scholar. For example, “I was raised to be the most reliable and hardworking woman I could be in my community. After years of discipline and character-building through the toughest times, I made it a habit. I see work as a positive instead of something to avoid, and that is currently helping me succeed in my drum major position and my academics. In the future, I will be able to replicate this across numerous focuses — research, school, test preparation, and more. People can depend on me to help them, too, because I always make time for what matters most — my community — no matter how hard I need to work.”

I didn’t write this specifically, but it’s a close iteration of one of my essays. My point is, in these types of essays, you must tell them what comes from your effort, characteristics, and trauma instead of dwelling on the past. That leads me to state that the primary factor in my admission was likely my essays. My GPA at the time was 3.85 (weighted), and I had no scores. In fact, essays are one of the most important components of your college admissions. Learning how to write them builds skills that last a lifetime.

Write actively, not passively.

— Azure Harling