Today, we’re talking to Aditya, an entrepreneur with a background in engineering, whose daughter Divya is a junior at John A. Ferguson Senior High School. Aditya has always valued quality education and hands-on learning experiences, which led him to explore the Nova Scholar program as a way for Divya to deepen her academic interests and take on new challenges.
Hi Aditya, tell us a little bit about your daughter and how you found the Nova Scholar program?
My daughter is currently a high school junior, and she has always been academically inclined with a strong curiosity for research. As she began planning for college, we wanted to provide her with opportunities that could not only enhance her academic profile but also help her explore her interests deeply. We found out about Nova Scholar through one of her college advisors, who suggested it as a program that could give her a competitive edge while truly engaging her in a research field of her choice.
What was the experience like first learning about Nova Scholar? How did you know it was something you wanted your daughter to try?
When I first looked into Nova Scholar, a few things stood out to me. The program emphasized turning passions into projects and offered personalized research experiences with one-on-one mentoring. I was impressed by the background of the mentors— a majority of whom were either pursuing or had completed their PhDs at Stanford, Harvard, or MIT. The quality of mentorship seemed far beyond what typical high school programs could offer.
However, what really convinced me was the focus on helping students explore their specific interests in depth. It was clear that Nova Scholar wasn’t just about ticking boxes for college applications but truly about guiding students through a unique and thorough research journey.
When signing up, what goals did you envision for your daughter’s experience?
Divya has always had a keen interest in neuroscience, and I wanted her to dive deeper into this subject than what her school curriculum could provide. My goal was for her to experience academic research firsthand—to explore whether this could be a lifelong passion for her and to gain skills that would set her up for success in college and beyond.
How did the program live up to your expectations?
The experience has been even better than I hoped. My daughter came into the program with a vague idea of wanting to research something related to brain function and mental health. The Nova Scholar mentor she was paired with was not only knowledgeable but also incredibly patient and skilled at helping her refine her interests into a focused research question.
She finished a literature review on dopamine dysregulation and its connection to schizophrenia, which was especially meaningful because of her hospital work and our family’s history. It wasn’t just an interesting project for her—it hit close to home, tying together both her personal experiences and background.
With the mentor's guidance, Divya learned to approach her research methodically, from forming a hypothesis to designing experiments. It was a personalized journey, not a cookie-cutter project, and it was fascinating to watch her grow through each step of the process.
What support did your daughter receive when getting her project off the ground?
My daughter’s mentor played a critical role in getting her research off the ground. Initially, she had lots of ideas but wasn’t sure how to narrow them down into a manageable project. The mentor helped her explore various aspects of neuroscience and mental health, guiding her toward a specific topic that both interested her and was feasible for high school research.
They spent their first few sessions drilling down on different concepts and exploring relevant literature. Her mentor was adept at explaining complex topics at a level my daughter could grasp, building her confidence along the way. It wasn’t just about teaching; it was about fostering a genuine curiosity and a passion for learning.
It sounds like she had a great relationship with her mentor. Did anything else stand out to you about the experience?
Yes, the program’s administrative support was also exceptional. When I had questions about Divya’s progress, I reached out to the Nova Scholar team, and they responded promptly. They knew her project details and were genuinely interested in her success.
Another aspect that stood out was the learning environment. There were no grades or peer pressure—just pure learning. This allowed my daughter to dive deep into her research without the usual distractions or stress of a classroom setting. It was a unique and enriching experience that I don’t think she could have gotten anywhere else.
What did you find particularly valuable about learning through a mentor?
The biggest intangible benefit was the boost in confidence Divya gained. The mentor didn’t just guide her through a successful project but helped her understand that real research often involves trial and error. When her initial experiment didn’t yield the expected results, her mentor helped her analyze what went wrong and think critically about the next steps.
This experience taught her resilience and the ability to approach problems methodically. In the end, she not only gained a deeper understanding of neuroscience but also developed skills like data analysis, critical thinking, and scientific writing. Seeing her journey from a broad interest to a focused research project was incredibly rewarding as a parent.
What would you say to other parents considering Nova Scholar for their child?
If you’re looking for a program that goes beyond just building a college résumé and instead helps your child grow intellectually and personally, Nova Scholar is absolutely worth considering. It’s not just about getting research experience; it’s about nurturing a passion for learning and building confidence in your child's abilities.
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