Mentorship Spotlights

At Path Mentors, students create standout projects, from publishing research & launching iOS apps, to founding clubs & creating original graphic novels.

With support from our dedicated mentors who are graduates of top universities such as the Ivy League, Stanford, and MIT, students have created impactful projects, gained admission to top-tier universities and built skills that help them succeed beyond college applications.

Read more below!

“The accomplished mentors served as amazing role models for my son. I am confident that working with Ivy League mentors on a weekly basis benefitted my son's long term development.”

– Redwood Middle School Parent (Saratoga, CA)

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AI & Machine Learning

Students performed machine learning and deep learning projects using Python, R, and tools such as pandas, NumPy, cloud-hosted Jupyter Notebooks via Google Colab and more. Projects included developing applications in facial recognition, generative music composition, natural language processing (NLP) etc., involving techniques such as neural network modeling and data-driven learning.

These projects have helped students develop a strong foundation in current AI trends and real-world applications through hands-on experience with model development, neural networks, data-driven problem solving, and applied AI techniques.

Spotlight on Mentors in Related Fields

Mentor Jinoh is currently a PhD candidate at Harvard University. A passionate educator from a young age, Jinoh began teaching in middle school by volunteering at after-school library programs to help children learn to read. In high school, he tutored peers in preparation for standardized tests.

He has spent over eight years on the East Coast, beginning with his undergraduate studies at Columbia University, where he majored in Neuroscience and Behavior and graduated with departmental honors.

During college, he served as a teaching assistant for two years in introductory biology courses. Now as a graduate student, Jinoh continues to lead college discussion sections and mentor students. His academic strengths include molecular biology, neuroscience, and data analysis. He also enjoys philosophy and literature.

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Humanities, Literature, & Social Impact

Through social impact and creative writing projects, our students gained valuable real-world experience in leadership, communication, and critical thinking. Many students successfully launched community initiatives that addressed pressing issues such as mental health, sustainability, and cultural identity. These efforts included hosting events, designing digital content, creating educational toolkits, or collaborating with local organizations.

On the creative side, students refined their writing abilities through multiple drafts and peer reviews, learning to express complex ideas through fiction, scripts, and storytelling. Their pieces often explored personal themes such as identity, belonging, and resilience, showcasing both creativity and emotional insight. Many students published their work in magazines, online literary platforms, or national teen publications.

These projects helped students stand out in a competitive academic landscape, and many mentees used their experiences to gain admission to selective colleges, secure internships with social impact organizations, or further pursue careers in writing, media, education, or public service.

Spotlight on Mentors in Related Fields

Mentor Carrie graduated from Yale University with both her undergraduate and masters in architecture. While at Yale, she was actively involved in the Chinese American Students Association and Ink & Vellum, Yale’s architecture and urban studies society.

Her academic research, supported by multiple university fellowships, focused on wheelchair accessibility in historic spaces. Over two years, she conducted fieldwork in Singapore, Hong Kong, and Korea to document accessibility conditions across a range of public and private environments. Carrie is passionate about leveraging architecture to promote equity and drive social change.

Science Research & Engineering

Students engaged in hands-on exploration of scientific and engineering topics through inquiry-based research and project development. Their work spanned experimental studies in areas such as physics, biomedical science, and psychology, as well as applied engineering challenges and data-driven investigations.

Students formulated hypotheses, conducted experiments or simulations, and analyzed results using established scientific methods and tools. Many projects incorporated literature reviews, prototype development, or mathematical modeling.

Through these experiences, students built a strong foundation in research design, critical thinking, and problem solving skills that contributed to success in STEM competitions, academic publications, and future study.

Spotlight on Mentors in Related Fields

Mentor Hana earned a B.A. in Neuroscience from the University of Pennsylvania and completed her medical degree at Weill Cornell Medical College in New York City. Her academic and professional interests lie in pediatric medicine and clinical research, with a focus on social determinants of health and health disparities.

Throughout her career, she has led and contributed to a wide range of research projects, including literature reviews, chart and imaging studies, and behavioral research. Her work has been presented at regional and national conferences and published in peer-reviewed journals.

Beyond academics, Hana is deeply committed to community service, having volunteered at student-run free clinics, organized donation drives, and planned pop-up health events for underserved populations.

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App Development & Game Design

Mentees built high-utility mobile applications using programming languages such as Swift and JavaScript, and developed interactive games using platforms like Unity and Unreal Engine. These projects addressed real-world needs through practical, user-centered design. Many apps were published on the App Store and Google Play Store, gaining strong user traction across platforms.

Through these experiences, mentees developed full-stack knowledge, sharpened problem-solving skills, and leveraged their work to launch startups, earn competitive tech internships, and strengthen their college applications, leading to admission at top-tier universities.

Spotlight on Mentors in Related Fields

Mentor Spencer graduated from Columbia University with a degree in Computer Science and Sociology. He has worked in engineering at MIT Media Lab, DoorDash, Zynga, and multiple early-stage startups, and currently works in the crypto industry.

In high school, he co-founded HSHacks, the world’s largest high school hackathon, and led the App Development Club at Saratoga High School in the Bay Area. At Columbia, he was active in entrepreneurship and invested in student startups through the Dorm Room Fund.

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Product Design & UI|UX

Students designed a user-centered mobile or web app focused on real-world applications in areas such as fashion, retail, or lifestyle. Through a comprehensive UI/UX design process, they conducted user research, wireframing, prototyping, and interface design using tools like Figma.

These kinds of projects focused on creating intuitive and visually engaging experiences that addressed user needs such as outfit planning, virtual try-ons, trend tracking, and personalized product recommendations. Students also explored design systems, accessibility, and brand identity to deliver a cohesive and professional user experience.

Spotlight on Mentors in Related Fields

Mentor Rémy is a graduate of the Brown University | RISD Dual Degree Program, receiving both an A.B. in Literary Arts and a B.F.A. in Illustration. Currently based in Los Angeles, Rémy works as a Storyboard Artist in animation, film, and gaming. Since graduating, he also completed the Story Internship at Pixar Animation Studios.

During college, Rémy explored film and visual storytelling through student productions, creating animated shorts and collaborating on additional projects. He served as an editor and staff writer for the Screenwriting Collective and a satire magazine, art directed several student publications, and co-captained the Brown club swim team.

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Business, Finance, & Economics

Mentees produced finance and equity research reports that evaluated a company’s financial performance, analyzed its business model and market position, and offered investment recommendations along with a price target. These reports covered key areas such as financial metrics, valuation, growth potential, and investment risks, culminating in a well-supported conclusion.

Some mentees have published their research in major financial journals, showcasing strong analytical skills and professional relevance. Others have leveraged their projects to earn admission to top-tier universities, secure competitive internships at leading Wall Street firms, or build standout portfolios that demonstrated their understanding of business, finance, and economics.

Spotlight on Mentors in Related Fields

Mentor Daniel is currently a J.D.|MBA candidate at Columbia University. He graduated from Columbia in 2020 with degrees in Economics and History. His interests lie at the intersection of finance, public policy, and law. He previously interned as a credit analyst at J.P. Morgan and currently works as an economic consultant at Cornerstone Research in New York City. He also spent three years as a research assistant in Columbia’s political science department and worked as a research analyst for the U.S. Congress.

Originally from Korea, Daniel grew up in the Bay Area and graduated from Saratoga High School (Saratoga, CA), where he led his academic team to national competitions and mentored younger musicians as an alto saxophonist.