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If you're in high school, you’ve probably heard a lot about internships and extracurricular activities as essential components of college admissions. However, research might be a new option you haven't considered yet. We investigated whether conducting research projects in high school is related to college admissions outcomes by analyzing data from nearly 300 students. Our analysis focused on where students were admitted and how they integrated their research into their profiles. We compared the acceptance rates of students who engaged in research with those who didn’t.


 

The Role of Research in College Admissions


Why Conduct Research?

College applications are becoming increasingly competitive and are evolving. Especially with the removal of ACT/SAT scores for the 2022-2023 admissions season, supplementary materials such as creative projects, community service, and research portfolios are becoming more crucial for building a comprehensive application.
 

Given these changes in the admissions cycle, we wanted to shed light on the role of research. While we cannot definitively say that research directly leads to acceptance, we found a strong correlation between research activities and acceptance into selective colleges.

 

How Does Research Benefit College Admissions?

Statistically speaking, students who engaged in research had a 4 times higher likelihood of being admitted to top colleges compared to general applicants. Notably, 84% of high achievers mentioned their research projects in their activity lists, with over 40% elaborating on their research in supplemental essays.
 

The key takeaway is that by mentioning and contextualizing their research, students were able to demonstrate their motivation, skills, and interest in a field. Research effectively reflects a deeper passion for learning and intellectual curiosity! Furthermore, as more colleges are adopting test-optional paths, it’s important to consider the relevance and impact of your application materials beyond test scores.


 

How to Position Research in Your College Application

Include Research in Your Activity List and Essays

Students should not only list their research in their activity list but also contextualize and explain it in essays or interviews. Notably, nearly 40% of top applicants included research papers as links or attachments in their applications. It’s not just about mentioning research but about contextualizing your experience. In essence, you should explain why you conducted the research, what you learned, and how it benefited you.

 

Leverage Recommendations from Research Mentors

Students can build a multidimensional profile through recommendations or evaluations from their research mentors. Many of these mentors are professors at top universities, so receiving additional endorsements from such mentors can demonstrate your capabilities to colleges beyond what you express in essays.

 

Use Research as a Topic in College Interviews

Many students have found that discussing their research experience in college interviews can significantly boost their acceptance rates. Research can be a unique topic that showcases your individuality and helps position your application more comfortably.


 

Although the competition can be fierce, there are numerous research opportunities available. For instance, consider programs like the MIT Research Science Institute (RSI) or Stony Brook University's Simons Summer Research Project. By engaging in research and thoughtfully presenting it in your college applications, you can make your profile stand out in the competitive admissions landscape.