The Newest College Admissions Ploy: Paying to Make Your Teen a “Peer-Reviewed” Author

[Anonymous]

https://www.propublica.org/article/college-high-school-research-peer-review-publications

All part of the performative dance we do here. The college admissions officers need to stop touting the stat of how many of their admits had publications up to their bosses and trustees.

Else this stupidity continues.

The same thing has happened with bogus non-profits and startups that high schoolers are supposedly creating.

[Anonymous]

It’s cringy to see the resume of some 17/18 year olds. Makes you wonder why they still need college education if their achievements are beyond their future professors.

[Anonymous]

“Nowadays, having a publication is kind of a given” for college applicants, she said. “If you don’t have one, you’re going to have to make it up in some other aspect of your application.”

This is complete garbage.

People, just because something is in writing doesn't make it true. Don't fall for this stuff. Safe to say that most kids getting accepted to college aren't published. Don't believe the hype.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

“Nowadays, having a publication is kind of a given” for college applicants, she said. “If you don’t have one, you’re going to have to make it up in some other aspect of your application.”

This is complete garbage.

People, just because something is in writing doesn't make it true. Don't fall for this stuff. Safe to say that most kids getting accepted to college aren't published. Don't believe the hype.

+1000

Admission officers can see thru what is real and what is contrived BS purchased by wealthy families. They know that most "businesses" started by teens are just their parents setting them up with finances to back it. Does not take much to see who is a real entrepreneur vs who had mom/dad help them set it up just for college admissions. Sure a few slip thru but by and large, AO can see thru this BS

[Anonymous]

Some AOs can see through this BS, but unfortunately some can’t. That’s the problem when colleges consider non-academic factors. “Peer-reviewed” publications, starting your own business, starting a charity, etc.

[Anonymous]

Case Western just early-admitted 23 students who were clients of one of the pay-for-play research companies. Stanford accepted 11. Most are from China. Agreed that some AOs definitely do not see through this . . .

[Anonymous]

This is only going to get worse in a post test-optional world.

And I say that because I am the problem. I am wealthy and I will do whatever it takes to advantage my children. Peer review publication, dubious nonprofit, private sports coaching… whatever angle I can find, I will pour money into exploiting. Cut off one snake head and I’ll find another.

[Anonymous]

We’re seeing this at our school - a few kids have parents who work at hospitals with med schools affiliated. They do research and get co-author. Know Harvard, Penn, and Dartmouth admits who did this.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Case Western just early-admitted 23 students who were clients of one of the pay-for-play research companies. Stanford accepted 11. Most are from China. Agreed that some AOs definitely do not see through this . . .

They choose not to see through this. The nonprofit, business, and peer-reviewed byline tell universities that you have $$$ (themselves or their government sponsor) without having to consult with the Financial Aid office. So you can maintain need-blind admissions while being "impressed" with this "achievement".

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We’re seeing this at our school - a few kids have parents who work at hospitals with med schools affiliated. They do research and get co-author. Know Harvard, Penn, and Dartmouth admits who did this.

Quite common in DMV.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

“Nowadays, having a publication is kind of a given” for college applicants, she said. “If you don’t have one, you’re going to have to make it up in some other aspect of your application.”

This is complete garbage.

People, just because something is in writing doesn't make it true. Don't fall for this stuff. Safe to say that most kids getting accepted to college aren't published. Don't believe the hype.

The sad truth is it still works. My spouse is in the health research industry---so many of his colleagues exchange publication favors---they put each others kids as authors in journal pubs and get them best poster awards. Personal experience: in 2022 the student got into Stanford, MIT, and Cal Tech. And yes good GPA and scores but not much yes staggering in ECs.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Case Western just early-admitted 23 students who were clients of one of the pay-for-play research companies. Stanford accepted 11. Most are from China. Agreed that some AOs definitely do not see through this . . .

Isn't it safe to say that the person who would go after this kind of work is also someone who is going after the big program, grades, and ECs that also look good on an application? it doesn't make sense to assume the person was a mediocre student who was accepted JUST because they published an article.

[Anonymous]

Did anyone notice that in recent years most Regeneron winners are in life sciences (except for some in CS)? Almost no physical science. Life sciences are the easy way for high schoolers to get into “research.” With today’s level of physics and the math it requires, it’s just impossible for high schoolers to get involved.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Some AOs can see through this BS, but unfortunately some can’t. That’s the problem when colleges consider non-academic factors. “Peer-reviewed” publications, starting your own business, starting a charity, etc.

The AOs at the most coveted and elite schools for which people engage in this nonsense universally can see through the bullshit. I promise you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Case Western just early-admitted 23 students who were clients of one of the pay-for-play research companies. Stanford accepted 11. Most are from China. Agreed that some AOs definitely do not see through this . . .

Isn't it safe to say that the person who would go after this kind of work is also someone who is going after the big program, grades, and ECs that also look good on an application? it doesn't make sense to assume the person was a mediocre student who was accepted JUST because they published an article.

Not mediocre. But the sad fact is that someone who does fake research is a huge advantage over your DS/DD for the same 4.5 GPA and 1590 SAT. Quite often they can get in with lower GPA/SAT than your DS/DD.