Project-Based Mentorship
Learn From Ivy League, Stanford, and MIT Alumni While Building Real-World Projects
The Next Generation of College Counseling: Beyond Advice, Into Action
Mentorship + Impactful Project
Are you currently a high school student looking to create something impactful in the real world? Eager to learn from mentors who are alumni of top schools like the Ivy League, Stanford, and MIT? You’re in the right place!
Whether you're tech-savvy, artistic, creative, entrepreneurial, or analytical, students under our mentorship work on meaningful, passion-driven projects with hands-on guidance from accomplished mentors. Just as every student is unique, each project is thoughtfully tailored to their individual interests and personal growth. By learning from those who have made it, you gain proven mentorship and firsthand insights from mentors who are alumni of your dream schools
Unique. Personalized. Tangible.
Each project and mentorship experience is unique, tailored to the student’s individual interests, passions, and personal growth. With support from our mentors, students have launched AI applications, founded investment firms, built tech products, published STEM research, created works in literature, art, and film, earned national writing awards, and more.
At Path Mentors, our strong network of top school alumni and mentors with experience at leading companies across a range of industries provides the depth of guidance, perspective, and expertise students need not only for college admissions but also for long-term career development. Most students have pursued projects in areas such as (but not limited to):
Animation | Archaeology | Architecture | Art
Blockchain | Biomedical | Crypto
Data Science | Design | Entrepreneurship
Environmental | Film Production | Finance
Illustration | Law | Literacy | Machine Learning
Music | Publications | Research | Science
Social Science | STEM | Tech | UI/UX
And Much More
Sample Projects
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Equity Research
Path Mentors has helped students design their own investment portfolio and launch equity research firms that produce high quality reports covering their favorite companies.
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AI & Machine Learning
One mentee undertook a machine learning project that used data science to analyze social justice issues, combining two of their interests.
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App Development
Under a mentor’s guidance in app design, one mentee created, developed, and launched an IOS application and marketing campaign that led the application to be downloaded more than 5,000 times.
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Writing Publication
Struck with an idea, one of our mentors was able to teach their mentee how to develop and publish their own novel–and even make it available on Amazon.
What Project-Based Mentorship Includes
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1-on-1 Project Meetings
Weekly hands-on project meetings with one or more mentors, based on the student’s passions, interests, and long-term goals. Students create unique, impactful projects that help them stand out in the competitive college admissions process and build a strong foundation for future career success.
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Navigation Sessions
Navigation Sessions help plan academics and college admissions strategy, guide project direction, and track long-term development. Students typically meet 1-on-1 with a dedicated mentor each quarter, with additional support provided during the summer application season.
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College Application Support
Available to long-term mentees only: Receive hands-on support from mentors who are alumni of top schools such as the Ivy League, Stanford, Williams College, MIT, and more. From essay writing and portfolio development to interview preparation, we’ve got you covered from start to finish.
Enrollment Process
The ideal time for students to enroll is in 8th or 9th grade, as we typically support them throughout high school until they complete their college applications. For those aiming at top colleges, starting in 11th grade may be a bit late if they haven't yet developed any meaningful experiences. Our enrollment process includes several steps to ensure the best possible match between each student and their mentors.
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The first step in the enrollment process is to complete an initial consultation with the Path Mentors team. During this consultation, we will discuss your interests, goals, and expectations for the program. This consultation will help us determine if the program is a good fit for you and if you meet the program's eligibility requirements.
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After joining, the first step is to complete a detailed evaluation form. This form asks for information about your background, interests, academic history, extracurricular activities, relevant experiences or projects, and more. It helps us gain a deeper understanding of who you are so we can tailor your mentorship experience accordingly.
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Once we receive your evaluation, our team of mentors from diverse industries will review it to assess your fit for the program. We carefully consider your academic background, extracurricular activities, personal interests, and written responses to help identify the best possible directions and mentorship options for you.
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After a holistic review and discussion, our team begins the mentor matching process. We carefully select mentors whose expertise aligns with the student’s background, interests, and goals to ensure personalized guidance and meaningful support throughout the program. Students will also have introductory sessions with prospective mentors to confirm the best fit before starting their project.
FAQs
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While some of our mentors are researchers or PhD candidates affiliated with academic institutions, we typically do not pair students directly with professors or place them in university labs. There are several reasons for this approach:
Relatable Mentorship: Most of our mentors are in their late 20s and have recently navigated similar academic and career paths as our students. Their experiences make them relatable and approachable, fostering easier communication and more effective guidance.
Earning It the Right Way: Rather than placing students directly into professor-led labs, we guide them in building the skills and experience necessary to earn those opportunities through official university programs. These programs are often highly competitive, and the projects students complete under our mentorship serve as strong stepping stones in their applications.
Genuine Growth: Our goal is for students to develop meaningful skills, mindset, and understanding rather than simply adding titles. By helping them build real aptitude and a research-driven approach, we prepare them to thrive and earn competitive opportunities. This depth of experience empowers them to confidently explain the reasons and process behind their work in college applications and internship interviews.
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Our mentors are selected through a rigorous process and are chosen based on their accomplishments, background, and desire to holistically mentor the next generation. We come from a wide range of backgrounds and expertise: SAT 1600, ACT 36, Ivy League Interview Officers, Carnegie Hall Soloists, Award-Winning Film Producers & Journalists, Unicorn Companies SWEs, Club Founders, Academics From Princeton, Investment Bankers in NYC, Serial Entrepreneurs, Management Consultants at Top Firms, Klein Perkins Fellows, and more! Click here to check out the details. Mentors are then assigned to students based on a variety of factors such as student interests and project directions after a thorough matching process.
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The mentorship program starts with a yearly commitment with a few exceptions. A few students may qualify for exclusive mentorship across the entire high-school years. We find that students have the best performance and have the greatest project outcomes when working on projects on a long-term basis. Please contact us or schedule a talk with a mentor for more information.
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No worries - we get it! Every student comes from a unique background, culture, and academic history, which is why we take a personalized approach to match each student with a project that is tailored to their strengths and interests. At Unicorn Path, we carefully curate the difficulty of each project based on the student's fundamentals, ensuring that they have the support and guidance they need to succeed.
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A thirst for learning: Success does not require a perfect hand of cards to start with. As long as you possess a curious and open mind, you have the potential to learn and develop.
Motivation: Not every student has the drive to take on a long-term project outside of school. However, students who embrace a growth mindset and pursue their passions can truly flourish as they embark on projects with our mentors."
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We have been fortunate and grateful to have had multiple mentors along our journey. Many of our mentors recognize the crucial role that the younger generation plays in shaping the future, and are committed to giving back by sharing the insights, knowledge, and expertise they have gained over years of hard work and dedication. Through our project-based mentorship, our mentors are passionate about inspiring and empowering the next generation.
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Certainly! However, please note that this particular mentorship service is exclusively available to long-term participants in the Unicorn Path program. If you are currently enrolled in the program, you will have the opportunity to receive guidance and support from your designated mentor in preparing your applications for summer programs and college admissions. We believe that the skills and experiences gained through your ongoing participation in our program will greatly benefit your academic and professional pursuits beyond high school.