Frequently asked questions

We review the student's academic preparation, writing experience, academic interests, independence, and goals before recommending a programme. Some students may begin with Academic Essentials before progressing to research-based work. We assess this honestly during the interview, including when a different programme or provider would be a better fit.

Aldevere is a structured academic mentorship programme focused on research skills, independent thinking, and project development. The goal is original academic work in a field of the student's choosing, with stronger habits and clearer academic direction as a result.

Research Scholar runs eight weeks or more, and a longer programme spaces the sessions out, leaving more time between them for reading and written work. A Field Seminar is 8 to 10 sessions, usually one or two a week. Academic Essentials runs for the length set in the student's written plan. Sessions are online, in local time, around the school day and the examination calendar, and the exact schedule is confirmed in writing after the interview.

Not necessarily. Some students join to explore their academic direction, while others join with a specific research interest already in mind. The right programme depends on readiness, which is why we assess before recommending. Students who are not yet ready for individual mentorship may begin with seminars or writing foundations.

Doctoral and postdoctoral researchers from a network that includes researchers at Harvard, Oxford, NYU and Columbia, matched to each student's field, and, for some Field Seminars and Academic Essentials programmes, reviewed specialists in the subject. If no one in our network fits a student's question, we recruit someone who does. Every mentor is reviewed before joining and briefed on our safeguarding policy before working with a student.

Mentor matching happens after the interview, once we understand the student's specific academic interests and research direction. We identify mentors whose research background overlaps with the student's interest. If a student's project evolves in a different direction, we can discuss a re-match.

Yes. Students and mentors have an introductory session before the full programme begins. If either party feels the match is not right, we work to find a better fit before the programme starts in earnest.

Research Scholar students write a paper, literature review or policy brief of typically 3,000 to 5,000 words and present it. Field Seminar students write a research essay or complete a project. Every programme ends with a written report on the student's work and a recommendation for what comes next.

Not directly. Aldevere programmes do not produce work for direct university submission. The value of the project is in what it develops in the student: a specific academic engagement, a research question they can speak to, and intellectual work they can honestly draw on in personal statements and interviews.

Yes, because the work is genuinely theirs. A student who has pursued a research question seriously for eight weeks or more will have a substantive, specific, honest answer to the questions an interviewer asks. That is quite different from memorised talking points about a summer school certificate.

All written work is the student's own. Mentors provide feedback on structure, argument, and clarity while the student does the reading, thinking, writing, and revision. The value comes from the student genuinely owning the work.

Aldevere helps students build stronger academic skills, clearer interests, and meaningful project work they can discuss with confidence. Application outcomes depend on many factors beyond any mentorship programme.

Research Scholar is $6,500, a Field Seminar $4,500 and Academic Essentials, a custom plan, from $2,000. Each fee covers the whole programme, with no paid add-ons: the design work before the first session, every session, written feedback, the academic adviser, parent updates, and the written report and recommendation at the end. Before any payment is requested, families receive the recommended programme, its schedule and the fee in writing. There is no obligation after the interview.

Yes. Scholarships are awarded by the academic team, on nomination, to students whose independent work is outstanding. They are not applied for, and every application is read for one. Placing in the Research Question Prize, which is free to enter, carries its own published awards. A family offered a place who has a question about the fee or the payment schedule is welcome to write to admissions@aldevere.com.

Families receive: a fit assessment and recommended programme track; a written programme plan and schedule; mentor sessions, one-to-one in Research Scholar and for one to three students in the other programmes; guided reading and research tasks between sessions; written mentor feedback on student work throughout; support developing a focused research question; and a student-authored final project, paper, or presentation at the end of the programme.

Yes. Counsellors and educational consultants are welcome to refer students and to be included in the interview process if the family wishes. Contact us at hello@aldevere.com to discuss counsellor referral arrangements.

Yes. All Aldevere programmes are delivered online. We work with international school students globally, including IB students, students on A-Level and French Baccalauréat programmes, and students preparing for US university applications.