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Welcome to part four of our five-part series, Boosting Ivy League Chances, where we discuss the best methods to boost your chances of getting into an Ivy League university. In this week’s article, we will discuss the value of researching, writing, and publishing. Does research actually help with top college admissions and by how much?
What kind of research do colleges look for?
Colleges like to see their students study in-depth and excel in their prospective fields. Often, the best way to display excellence is through writing and publishing a research paper. In fact, writing a junior paper and thesis is part of the graduation requirements for institutions like Princeton University. Students who have already conducted research beforehand will show much more academic prowess than those without.
What is the impact of writing and publishing research on college admissions?
Engaging in research and publishing is one of the best ways students can stand out academically and showcase student achievements. To conduct research students showcase a nuanced ability to analyze data and creatively problem-solve. When looking at the Harvard Admissions Office data from 160,000 domestic applicants between 2014-2019, students who ranked higher in the admissions process demonstrated “substantial scholarship or academic creativity” and “submitted academic work of some kind that is reviewed by a faculty member.” Additionally, at the University of Pennsylvania (UPenn), about a third of admitted undergraduates in the Class of 2026 engaged in academic research. At CalTech, about 45% of students admitted into the Class of 2027. Essentially, publishing research significantly impacts admissions to top-tier universities.
What are the best programs to write and publish research?
Many programs offer the opportunity to write and publish research. The most notable include programs like the Telluride Association Summer Seminar, Simmons Summer Research Program, Research in Science & Engineering, and more. While these programs are highly regarded because they push students to challenge their critical thinking skills, they may not always be the best for every student. On top of that, they are highly competitive. So what opportunities are there for the average student looking to write and publish research?
First and foremost, remember that experiences are always what you make of them. Simply cold emailing college researchers and inquiring about lab opportunities could be your gateway to high-level research. We’ve had students do this and successfully publish research and speak at research conferences across the U.S. Likewise, enrolling in research programs at your school could be the most accessible way to gain wet lab experience. Some of our best students have opted for this approach and collaborated with state officials to present new state bills. You don’t always have to enroll in a summer program. We recommend you choose the activity, class, or program that you are most interested in and will put the most effort into. If you need some guidance, here at SK Education Consulting, we are here to help. We even have our research program catered specifically to each student.
Key Takeaways
- Students who engage in research and publish it have a higher chance of top-tier college admittance.
- Research and writing showcase students’ commitment to academics, display their critical thinking skills, and more.
