Research by HS kids?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I teach college in a non-STEM discipline. Even my undergraduates are not helpful in a research context. We teach them and prepare them as best we can, but the real research training happens in graduate school. It's just the nature of my field.

The professor that mentored my HS kid was amazing. Hard science prof and DC had difficult tasks. It was great and the prof used DCs work in a paper and invited DC back to do more work.

how did your kid get this position?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’m with you. Scientist type myself. Worked in NIH research labs as a HS student every summer in late 80s. They finally put me on a publication when I was already in college.

There are literarily companies these days that help kids get set up with what seems to be bogus research projects at schools that the companies pay (which is really parent money).

There are a few real things like regeneron prizes and there are kids who still do NIH type work these days but publications are not usually forthcoming unless the same said parents have bought them via these for profit programs.

It’s all part of this performative dance we do as the only country in the world that looks at ECs and research for 16 - 18 year olds. This doesn’t happen in the UK or France. I’m sure they turn out kids just as smart

We’ve decided somewhere that we need resumes that look like super humans to get into a top 50.

It’s all BS and many of these research projects and club presidencies are bogus, no work or bought by mom and dad.

It's not ALL bs. I know a recent college grad who was already doing original physics research in high school, had it published in freshman year of college, and presented the findings at a major international conference.

That said, I agree you don't need to be this kid in order to get into the most selective colleges.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I teach college in a non-STEM discipline. Even my undergraduates are not helpful in a research context. We teach them and prepare them as best we can, but the real research training happens in graduate school. It's just the nature of my field.

The professor that mentored my HS kid was amazing. Hard science prof and DC had difficult tasks. It was great and the prof used DCs work in a paper and invited DC back to do more work.

how did your kid get this position?

See if your HS runs a science research programs and enroll. Ours did projects on their own first 2 years. Sophomore year they try to arrange a summer project with a mentor. The science research teacher has some connections but none were in the field of interest for DC. DC wrote to dozens and dozens of possible mentors and just one responded positively. Was a wonderful contact for DC and ready appreciated DCs contribution which was data analysis using R. DC had to learn this program and learn how to manipulate and analyze some data.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I teach college in a non-STEM discipline. Even my undergraduates are not helpful in a research context. We teach them and prepare them as best we can, but the real research training happens in graduate school. It's just the nature of my field.

The professor that mentored my HS kid was amazing. Hard science prof and DC had difficult tasks. It was great and the prof used DCs work in a paper and invited DC back to do more work.

how did your kid get this position?

See if your HS runs a science research programs and enroll. Ours did projects on their own first 2 years. Sophomore year they try to arrange a summer project with a mentor. The science research teacher has some connections but none were in the field of interest for DC. DC wrote to dozens and dozens of possible mentors and just one responded positively. Was a wonderful contact for DC and ready appreciated DCs contribution which was data analysis using R. DC had to learn this program and learn how to manipulate and analyze some data.

Thx! My kid applied to a bunch of programs but has not heard back from any (even for interviews) so assuming that she has not been selected. Her school does not have any research opportunities.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I teach college in a non-STEM discipline. Even my undergraduates are not helpful in a research context. We teach them and prepare them as best we can, but the real research training happens in graduate school. It's just the nature of my field.

The professor that mentored my HS kid was amazing. Hard science prof and DC had difficult tasks. It was great and the prof used DCs work in a paper and invited DC back to do more work.

how did your kid get this position?

See if your HS runs a science research programs and enroll. Ours did projects on their own first 2 years. Sophomore year they try to arrange a summer project with a mentor. The science research teacher has some connections but none were in the field of interest for DC. DC wrote to dozens and dozens of possible mentors and just one responded positively. Was a wonderful contact for DC and ready appreciated DCs contribution which was data analysis using R. DC had to learn this program and learn how to manipulate and analyze some data.

Thx! My kid applied to a bunch of programs but has not heard back from any (even for interviews) so assuming that she has not been selected. Her school does not have any research opportunities.

I shouts add that both parents likely have job contacts but we are highly reticent to ask them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I teach college in a non-STEM discipline. Even my undergraduates are not helpful in a research context. We teach them and prepare them as best we can, but the real research training happens in graduate school. It's just the nature of my field.

The professor that mentored my HS kid was amazing. Hard science prof and DC had difficult tasks. It was great and the prof used DCs work in a paper and invited DC back to do more work.

how did your kid get this position?

See if your HS runs a science research programs and enroll. Ours did projects on their own first 2 years. Sophomore year they try to arrange a summer project with a mentor. The science research teacher has some connections but none were in the field of interest for DC. DC wrote to dozens and dozens of possible mentors and just one responded positively. Was a wonderful contact for DC and ready appreciated DCs contribution which was data analysis using R. DC had to learn this program and learn how to manipulate and analyze some data.

Thx! My kid applied to a bunch of programs but has not heard back from any (even for interviews) so assuming that she has not been selected. Her school does not have any research opportunities.

Don't give up. If DC is super motivated, may be able to arrange on their own. Mine was doing data work so did not require presence in lab which was only option because of covid. That was blessing in disguise because prof was able to use DCs remote work. DC did have a few in person meetings with prof...at college about an hour away. This did require a LOT of independent learning and work by DC. It was really challenging but valuable.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I teach college in a non-STEM discipline. Even my undergraduates are not helpful in a research context. We teach them and prepare them as best we can, but the real research training happens in graduate school. It's just the nature of my field.

The professor that mentored my HS kid was amazing. Hard science prof and DC had difficult tasks. It was great and the prof used DCs work in a paper and invited DC back to do more work.

how did your kid get this position?

See if your HS runs a science research programs and enroll. Ours did projects on their own first 2 years. Sophomore year they try to arrange a summer project with a mentor. The science research teacher has some connections but none were in the field of interest for DC. DC wrote to dozens and dozens of possible mentors and just one responded positively. Was a wonderful contact for DC and ready appreciated DCs contribution which was data analysis using R. DC had to learn this program and learn how to manipulate and analyze some data.

Thx! My kid applied to a bunch of programs but has not heard back from any (even for interviews) so assuming that she has not been selected. Her school does not have any research opportunities.

I shouts add that both parents likely have job contacts but we are highly reticent to ask them.

DC can try on own. Then ask. They can say no or maybe refer DC is another option. Make sure DC can work very independently.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I teach college in a non-STEM discipline. Even my undergraduates are not helpful in a research context. We teach them and prepare them as best we can, but the real research training happens in graduate school. It's just the nature of my field.

The professor that mentored my HS kid was amazing. Hard science prof and DC had difficult tasks. It was great and the prof used DCs work in a paper and invited DC back to do more work.

how did your kid get this position?

See if your HS runs a science research programs and enroll. Ours did projects on their own first 2 years. Sophomore year they try to arrange a summer project with a mentor. The science research teacher has some connections but none were in the field of interest for DC. DC wrote to dozens and dozens of possible mentors and just one responded positively. Was a wonderful contact for DC and ready appreciated DCs contribution which was data analysis using R. DC had to learn this program and learn how to manipulate and analyze some data.

Thx! My kid applied to a bunch of programs but has not heard back from any (even for interviews) so assuming that she has not been selected. Her school does not have any research opportunities.

Don't give up. If DC is super motivated, may be able to arrange on their own. Mine was doing data work so did not require presence in lab which was only option because of covid. That was blessing in disguise because prof was able to use DCs remote work. DC did have a few in person meetings with prof...at college about an hour away. This did require a LOT of independent learning and work by DC. It was really challenging but valuable.

Also... maybe science teacher at HS could just review their letter of introduction and request and make suggestions to try to come up with a successful project

[Anonymous]

Many serious researchers will not work with college students so high school can be especially difficult.

[Anonymous]

Know someone who is a physician speciality head at a university affiliated hospital. Their kid was able to do research thru the university health system and got into an Ivy ED. Kid was unhooked, so it probably really helped her get in.

[Anonymous]

HCPS has a great program. I was initially skeptical but agreed to take on a HS student as a research assistant for a semester. The student did a great job with appropriate tasks that I assigned. I also did some mentoring and training to help them understand what it is like to be a professor/academic researcher. I wrote supplemental recommendations. Kid got into 2 top programs in the field.

I recently agreed to advise a Poolesville student on their final research project. She emailed me directly!