ASDRP Application

Year
Term
Admission Terms
ASDRP 2026 Fall Application
Due dates and more at asdrp.org/apply
Important Notes for International Applicants:
- Financial assistance is not available for international students.
- Fees/tuition payments are accepted via PayPal ONLY. Link to PayPal countries.
- ASDRP is in the US Pacific Time Zone and we do accommodate requests to change scheduled events times.
General Applicant Information
Contact Type
Admission Status
Student's First Name
Capitalize the first letter (e.g. "John")
Student's Middle Name(s)
Include all other names here. Capitalize the first letter of each.
Student's Last Name
Capitalize the first letter (e.g. "Doe")
Preferred Name?
Preferred Name
Capitalize the first letter (e.g. "John")
Date of Birth

MonthDayYear

Parent/Guardian Information
Parent First Name
Capitalize the first letter (e.g. "John")
Parent Middle Name(s)
Include all other names here. Capitalize the first letter of each.
Parent Last Name
Capitalize the first letter (e.g. "Doe")
Parent Email Address. This address must be different from the student’s email address

Confirmation Emailexample@example.com
Parent Phone Number Country
Parent Phone Number
Format: (+1) (000) 000-0000.
Foreign Parent Phone Number

Country CodeArea CodePhone Number

Read Carefully

Following directions is one of the most valuable skills in ASDRP and life. Demonstrate this skill as you carefully read and answer each question as indicated. See the instructions and e.g. under each question

Communications will strictly be sent to the Student's Email
Make sure it is correctly spelled and NOT a school or parent email

Email Address Policy: Applicants who submit an application using a high school email address will be removed from the applicant pool.
Student's Email

Confirmation Email
ERROR Parent email CANNOT be the same as student's email
Country
Street Address
DO NOT USE ABBREVIATIONS and Capitalize Properly. Use Street instead of St, Avenue instead of AVE, etc... (e. g. 46309 Warm Springs Boulevard)
Street Address 2
If applicable, use Unit or Apt (e.g. Apt 3B, Unit 12)
City
Capitalize each word properly (e.g. El Monte)
State
State / Province
Capitalize each word properly (e.g British Columbia
SUM State
Zip Code
Postal and Zip Code (e.g. 92405)
SUM Student Phone Number
Student Phone Number
Format: (+1) (000) 000-0000.
Foreign Student Phone Number

Country CodeArea CodePhone Number

High School and ASDRP
Name of High School
NO ABBREVIATIONS, Properly Capitalized and add High School at the end when applicable (e.g. Mission San Jose High School)
Grade Level
High School Graduation Year
Did you participate in ASDRP in a past term?
How did you hear about ASDRP?

Other
Do you plan on doing research on campus, remotely or either?
Research at ASDRP is a time-consuming and long-term prospect, and this requires attention to one's prioritization of time, energy, and resources, particularly during the academic year. Researchers at ASDRP in the Summer are expected to spend 30-35 hours a week on research-related activities.

Prior Experience & Details | Returning Researchers

Please respond to each short answer question in 150-500 words.
Who was your principal investigator over your past research experience at ASDRP?
Give a brief description of the research that you performed in ASDRP. Summarize key findings, methods, and significance, as well as your individual contribution to your research project.

300 word limit0/300
Describe one challenge, either technical, interpersonal, or academic, that you faced in your research and how you resolved the challenge.

200 word limit0/200
If you have a preference for a research advisor or a field of research, you may indicate that here. Please provide a rationale for why you would like to pursue research in a given field or with a particular advisor.

150 word limit0/150

Short Essay Questions

Please respond to the following prompts. We are not providing any lower or upper length limits; please use your best judgment. Questions that do not have a red star are not required -- don't worry if you don't answer some (or any) of these!
Why are you applying for the Aspiring Scholars Directed Research Program? Why do you want to commit a large chunk of your time to doing scientific research? What questions or fields in science and engineering interest you, and why? What do you hope to do in STEM, at the Aspiring Scholars Directed Research Program and beyond?

375 word limit0/375
Please discuss any previous science/math/computer science coursework (either at school or in another setting, such as summer programs or online classes). Please include your grades in these courses, if applicable. Please provide explanations for any grades that you think are not representative of your true potential (we recognize that grades are not always a good reflection of one's scientific ability).

400 word limit0/400
If you have any other experience in STEM (such as clubs or volunteering) that you wish to discuss, please do so here.

375 word limit0/375
How would you contribute diversity to STEM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics)? (Diversity is broadly defined)

200 word limit0/200
Do you have any hands-on science experience or laboratory research experience? If so, please provide a detailed discussion of what you did, with whom you worked, what your specific tasks were, what you accomplished, etc. Limit to 3 examples.

375 word limit0/375
If you have any files (e.g. scientific papers, posters) from previous research experience, please attach it here. If you have any papers that you wrote for a science class, that you are particularly proud of, please attach it here. You can upload up to 3 files.

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All after school coursework and extracurricular activities question below. Sample Answer:
1. SAT Prep course: Summer 2026, every Saturday June 5 - Aug 10 from 10:00am-12:00 PM.
2. Cross Country: only during school year
3. Volunteering at the local animal shelter: Summer 2026, Thursdays from 4:00-6:00 PM
4. Debate competitions: Only during school year, weekly on Thursdays from 3:00-5:00pm & competition dates throughout the season.
5. Music Lessions: Summer 2026, Monday mornings from 9:00-10:00 AM
6. Travel Cross country: Summer 2026, Friday mornings 7:00-9:00 am, competitions as scheduled. I don't know the schedule yet
Please list out ALL school coursework and extracurricular activities (including extracurricular programs, tutoring, SAT prep, clubs, sports, music, dance, boy/girl scouts, etc.) that you may possibly engage in during the academic year. Include an average weekly time estimate for each. Please be very careful and ensure that you list ALL commitments you may possibly have. If you are not sure if you will have that commitment, please say so.

1000 word limit0/1000
Please upload a copy of your transcript (unofficial version is fine). We recognize that grades are often not a good indication of one's ability, and we take a holistic approach in evaluating applicants.

Make sure to attach a transcript that shows all your previous grades, not just a screenshot of your current Schoolloop account. Keep in mind that grades are only one of determining factors for admission at ASDRP.
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If you want, you can upload a resume. This is completely optional.

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First Choice Preferred Research Field (optional)
Second Choice Preferred Research Field (optional)
Third Choice Preferred Research Field (optional)
If you have an strong preference for a particular research advisor, field, or project; please indicate so. (optional) Please note that students are matched to research fields and advisors based on the strength of their application.

150 word limit0/150

Demographic and Financial Aid Information
If you would like to describe any special personal circumstances to any degree of detail, please indicate here. We take a holistic admissions approach and really value hearing about any parts of your personal journey and background you choose to share. (optional)

375 word limit0/375
Will you apply for need-based financial aid?
Financial assistance is not available for international students.
Read Carefully

Upon submission, you will be redirected to our Financial Aid Application Form (asdrp.org/financial-aid). We recommend bookmarking this link if you plan to apply later. Still, we cannot emphasize enough the importance of early submission.

While financial aid applications are accepted on a rolling basis, the review process takes considerable time, and applying close to the payment deadline may result in delayed decisions that could affect the ability to meet your fees.

The Financial Aid Application Form significantly shorter than this application but you will need tax information from your parents. Remember to use the same student email you used during this application: {studentsEmail}

If admitted into ASDRP and granted financial aid, remember to submit this form EVERY YEAR for uninterrupted financial aid.

Financial assistance is not available for International Students.
Please upload a scanned or photographed copy of a recent (within last 12 months) tax return form, showing annual household taxable income. All records will be kept confidential and will not shared with any third parties.

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Application Agreement
By signing below, you agree that: 1) the responses provided in this application are true to the best of your knowledge, 2) you wrote this application on your own, 3) you carefully read the program expectations above, and agree to the stated commitments, 4) you agree to the terms & conditions linked above.
Should be Empty:

ASDRP 2026 Fall Application

General Applicant Information

Parent/Guardian Information

High School and ASDRP

Prior Experience & Details | Returning Researchers

Short Essay Questions

Demographic and Financial Aid Information