RECO Reads

Read Like a Scholar and Create an Academic Project

For students in Grades 10–11 to build advanced reading, thinking, and writing skills, and create a project to show their college-ready skills.

2 months | Individual Mentoring

Overview and Purpose

Gearing up to craft research papers and capstone projects? Without real preparation, these can appear superficial, rushed, and even ingenuine.

Here’s how RECO Reads helps students engage closely with scholarly texts and build a base for more sophisticated projects.

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Projects and Timeline

Students work 1-on-1 with a mentor over 2 months to create an academic project that aligns with their goals on a topic of their choice.

Choose from three project options:

In each track, students meet weekly with their mentor for 60 minutes. After the course, students present their work at our virtual showcase and walk away with a recording.

Research
Proposal

  • A formal plan for a research paper, showing depth and structure.

  • A curated set of scholarly articles and primary sources in your chosen topic, helping you identify gaps and craft a strong research question.

  • How to frame a research question, review literature critically, and design a structured, college-ready proposal.

  • Students planning to write a full research paper in the future, or applying to programs that value independent research experience.

    • Week 1: Select topic and readings

    • Weeks 2–7: Weekly mentor sessions + draft proposal sections

    • Week 8: Final proposal and showcase presentation

Online Thought Leadership

  • A series of short, public-facing essays, ideal for platforms like LinkedIn or Substack.

  • Accessible, thought-provoking readings on your chosen theme, giving you ideas to engage with public debates.

  • How to write concise, impactful essays that connect academic ideas with real-world relevance for general audiences.

  • Students who want to build an online presence, join public conversations, and write for a broader audience.

    • Week 1: Select topic and readings

    • Weeks 2–7: Weekly mentor sessions + draft essay series

    • Week 8: Final essays and showcase presentation

Annotated Bibliography

  • A curated and analyzed list of readings, demonstrating subject mastery.

  • A wide selection of texts within a single discipline or theme, chosen to help you demonstrate mastery of the field.

  • How to assess sources, summarize arguments, and put texts in conversation to show depth of understanding.

  • Students applying to subject-specific programs (like the UK) or those who want to showcase expertise in one area.

    • Week 1: Select topic and readings

    • Weeks 2–7: Weekly mentor sessions + write annotations

    • Week 8: Final bibliography and showcase presentation

Past Student Projects

We help you weave together your favourite subjects, extracurriculars, hobbies, and social causes into topics that are as unique as you.

Showcase and Certification

Students present their work at RECO’s virtual showcase and our annual in-person event in Mumbai. All graduates receive a RECO READS certificate and become eligible to apply for RECO WRITES, our advanced capstone course.

Testimonials

  • “Most students go to college without purpose. RECO is doing important work in helping students make the most of their time in college."

    Anuja Kohli Mariwala, Education Consultant

  • “The approachability and friendliness of the team made my experience extremely enjoyable. I’ve connected with my mentors even post the program.”

    Aarush Kamdar, Grade 11, Don Bosco International School, Mumbai

  • “I appreciated how flexible they were, prioritizing each student and their specific needs and not burdening them with additional work.”

    Fuad Agha, Grade 12, Reva Independent PU, Bangalore

 FAQs

  • Our programme helps students strengthen their profiles, develop a wide range of intellectual and socioemotional skills, and develop a sense of purpose to guide their lives and academic choices.

    You should apply for Finding Your Academic Purpose if you want to build your profile while challenging yourself, forming deep intellectual bonds, and using your education to make the world a better place.

  • Participants will explore a real-world issue you are passionate about through research, self-reflection, and writing workshops. Participants will also have access to 9+ hours of recorded Zoom sessions led by experts on 1) the skills of interpreting texts, graphs, and evidence, and 2) case studies on economic inequality, diversity and discrimination, and environmental change.

  • No, the program is designed for students interested in addressing complex real-world problems, which often require insights from multiple disciplines—humanities, social sciences, natural sciences, and more. If you’re passionate about making a difference in areas like healthcare, government, inclusivity, education, human rights, or any other societal issue, this program could be a great fit for you.

  • You will walk away with original writing ready to become a publishable op-ed, research paper, blog, or script. Your writing will also address key questions that admissions officers often ask and will help you stand out in your applications.

  • Yes, upon successful completion of Finding Your Academic Purpose, you will receive a certificate that recognizes the rigorous application process and curriculum. Exceptional students will also receive a letter of recommendation, speaking to their contributions.

  • Individual mentors are professionals from various industries chosen for their ability to challenge students' critical thinking on any topic they wish to explore, create an inclusive environment, and offer insightful feedback to enhance students' written and oral communication skills. Admitted students are matched with mentors based on their specific areas of interest.

  • We believe the best conversations happen in small groups, so each program admits up to only sixteen students. Peer-based learning will take place in pairs/groups curated based on students’ level of academic experience.

  • The program helps students develop a range of transferable skills, including critical thinking, root cause analysis, writing, public speaking, presentation, listening, collaboration, self-awareness, and confidence.

About the Programme

Logistics and More

  • Finding Your Academic Purpose is conducted entirely through live Zoom interactions. Most sessions will be scheduled based on the availability of the students, ensuring maximum flexibility.

    Please see the curriculum for more details.

  • This changes depending on the week. However, it ranges from 2-4 hours of total work, including live discussions and individual work.

  • Finding Your Academic Purpose is a carefully designed programme with each session building onto the next. Thus, we highly recommend that you attend all sessions.

    If you miss a session, you will receive a one-page summary of the material covered. We will try our best to record all sessions too.

  • Finding Your Academic Purpose is tailored meant for students in Grades 8-11 from any city, regardless of the board exam they are pursuing (CBSE, ISC, IBDP, A/AS-Levels, or others).

    While the program is especially valuable for those planning to apply to liberal arts and sciences colleges in India or abroad, it’s also highly beneficial for students with different post-high school plans. All students are encouraged to apply.

  • To apply, please submit a written application using the APPLY button in the menu of the website. Selected candidates will be offered an interview, and then admitted if they excel.

    Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis. The sooner you apply, the sooner you will learn if you are moving on to the next stage, and the higher your chances of admission.

  • No, we do not offer traditional college counseling services which include guaranteeing admissions, building college lists, or editing college essays. Our focus is on helping students reflect on their personal interests and academic goals and articulate them confidently and in detail.

    While we're not college counselors, our programs are highly recommended by many college counselors because they help students develop critical various skills and a deeper understanding of college expectations. This, in turn, makes students stronger college applicants.

  • If you withdraw from the program after it has started, no refund will be issued. However, if you withdraw before the start date and a waitlisted student takes your place before the programme begins, you will receive a 75% refund on the programme fee.

How To Join

Start with a free 20-minute consultation with our founder, Paritosh Kanoria, to get all your questions answered.