PREPLABS
prepLABS is an innovative initiative by Richa (Dwivedi) Saklani- an IIM Ahmedabad alumna and author of The Ultimate Guide to 21st Century Career. In her career spanning 20 years, Richa has helped hundreds of students align their academic and extracurricular paths with their future goals.
To go beyond traditional profile-building, Richa created prepLABS: a structured program where students undertake personalized, passion-driven projects under expert mentorship. These projects deepen subject engagement and build authentic experiences that strengthen college applications. After a successful pilot during the pandemic (2020–21), prepLABS relaunched in 2024 with an enhanced focus on mentorship and real-world projects to help students explore their passions more deeply.
PROGRAMS
Academic research is a systematic way of investigating and analyzing information to uncover facts and new insights. It fuels innovation and deepens understanding across fields like science, business, and the humanities. For students, research offers two main benefits: gaining deeper knowledge in their chosen area and developing critical skills like analytical thinking and problem-solving that are essential for college and career success.
At prepLABS, students are guided by experienced mentors through the research process—from formulating questions to presenting findings—building strong, authentic profiles that stand out in competitive academic and professional environments.
A portfolio is a curated showcase of a student’s best creative work, highlighting skills, growth, and unique style. Whether physical or digital, portfolios are crucial for fields like art, design, writing, and media. They help students reflect on their progress, build confidence, and demonstrate readiness for college, internships, or jobs.
prepLABS supports students in creating original, mentor-guided projects that align with their interests and build a polished portfolio. This not only nurtures professional habits and self-expression but also equips students with impactful assets for academic and career advancement.