For Parents

Honest answers about research programs

The high school research market is full of vague promises and inflated claims. We don't do that. Here's what to actually expect.

What does my student actually do each week?

In the 3-Month and 6-Month programs, the student has a 60-minute video session with their mentor each week. Between sessions, they spend 3–5 hours on research tasks: reading, designing methodology, collecting data, analyzing data, or drafting paper sections. Tasks are concrete, with clear deadlines.

How is this different from a tutoring service?

Tutoring helps a student do school assignments. JBE mentors don't help with school. They guide a student through producing original research — design choices, data analysis, writing — culminating in a paper that didn't exist before. The mentor is a research advisor, not a homework helper.

What's the realistic college admissions impact?

A real research paper, especially a published one, signals two things to admissions readers: intellectual curiosity beyond coursework, and the ability to execute a long, complex project. It is not a guaranteed admit to a specific school. We will never claim it is. What we will say: a strong research paper is a meaningful signal, especially for students applying to research-heavy universities or programs in business, economics, psychology, or related fields.

How is my student matched with a mentor?

During the free consultation, we discuss your student's research interests in depth. We then match them to a mentor whose published research overlaps with that interest. If we don't have a strong match, we tell you — we don't force a fit.

What if my student is overwhelmed by school?

Programs are designed to be flexible. Pause-and-resume is supported in the 3-Month and 6-Month tracks for genuine school conflicts (exams, family events, illness). The 1-Month Sprint is intentionally short and works as a summer-only commitment.

How much does it cost?

The initial consultation is free. Paid programs:

  • 1-Month Sprint: $7,000/month ($7,000 total)
  • 2-Month Standard: $2,500/month ($5,000 total)
  • 3-Month Premier: $1,500/month ($4,500 total)

All paid programs include the same final output: completed paper and first journal submission. After the first submission, any revise-and-resubmit rounds requested by the journal are $1,000 each (typically 1–2 rounds total). Journal submission fees are separate, paid directly by the student to the journal, and vary by journal. We're transparent about pricing — no surprises.

What's the refund policy?

Full refund within the first session if the student decides not to continue. After that, we work with families on case-by-case basis for genuine extenuating circumstances. We don't lock students into long-term contracts.

Will my student own their paper?

Yes. The student is the sole author. The mentor is acknowledged in the paper but does not co-author. JBE has no copyright claim on student work.

What if my student wants to switch topics mid-program?

Common in the first month, especially in the 3-Month Premier track. Topic refinement is part of the process. Switching late in a program (after data collection) is possible but adds time — we'll discuss honestly when the question comes up.

Still have questions?

Book a free 30-minute consultation. No pressure, no upsell — just a real conversation about whether research is right for your student.

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