Anonymous
Post 05/19/2026 12:47     Subject: If doing research in high school is unfair and puts poorer students at a disadvantage, what extracurriculars are fair?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:People, please kindly use condoms if you don’t want to raise your kids properly. I know you’re gonna complain you can’t afford condoms. But obviously you can afford $500 shinny shoes and $300 coffee every month.


Go F yourself

I wish you fk’ed yourself so you didn’t bring innocent kids that you didn’t deserve into this world.
Anonymous
Post 05/19/2026 12:45     Subject: If doing research in high school is unfair and puts poorer students at a disadvantage, what extracurriculars are fair?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Why are poorer students at disadvantage for research? Do you mean dumber students or are you just witch hunting?


I'm thinking about local programs that I know of that are equitable in their selection, rigorous, and prestigious for high school research positions. The GMU summer one (forget the name), JHU APL, or even small things at MD or Georgetown. Yes, there are some remote opportunities but not all and they're not preferred. So if a poor kid gets selected, HOW of they get there? Their car? Mom's car? Dad's car? Any car? No? Also are they paid? So, when can they go make money to pay for college, or help with rent? Yeah, I don't think they meant dumber. I think they were talking about real systemic disadvantages.


Some posters on this board refuse to put themselves in other people’s schools. Very smart low income kids still have huge hurdles to climb to be able to participate in these research, internship, programs. Smart females sometimes even have to fight their own parents to achieve their dreams. The playing field is not equal.



Just ignore the MAGA a-holes. They think their kids are entitled to everything.
Anonymous
Post 05/19/2026 12:43     Subject: If doing research in high school is unfair and puts poorer students at a disadvantage, what extracurriculars are fair?
Anonymous wrote:People, please kindly use condoms if you don’t want to raise your kids properly. I know you’re gonna complain you can’t afford condoms. But obviously you can afford $500 shinny shoes and $300 coffee every month.


Go F yourself
Anonymous
Post 05/19/2026 12:43     Subject: If doing research in high school is unfair and puts poorer students at a disadvantage, what extracurriculars are fair?
My friend’s kid who worked at a grocery store got into a few T20s and attended T10. He did other stuff too (no research) but that was his biggest time commitment outside of school.

Anonymous
Post 05/19/2026 12:41     Subject: If doing research in high school is unfair and puts poorer students at a disadvantage, what extracurriculars are fair?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:I saw this Reddit comment about research in high school (https://old.reddit.com/r/AskProfessors/comments/1tg9z5l/high_schooler_interning_at_a_toptier_research/omfaesb/):

“Sigh. High school students shouldn't be doing this.

Maybe just enjoy what's left of your childhood?

And don't participate in things that pad your college applications in a way that's totally unfair to other students who aren't connected to/don't live near/can't afford/don't know about intern opportunities at research universities.
But really this is on the professor who's supporting this nonsense.”

So if students shouldn’t be doing this, what extracurriculars should they do? Even things like sports or robotics favor the privilege


What’s left of your childhood?

100 years ago these kids would be working in factories and on farms. Some would be married with families.This notion of some mythical, sacrosanct “childhood” is a modern invention.


+1000

Life is unfair and apparently DCUM just now realized it.

Being born American is an unfair advantage over the vast majority of the world population.

Being born to rich parents is an unfair advantage.

Being born to a two parent household is an unfair advantage.

Being born to a household with a stay at home parent is an unfair advantage.

Being born to a parent who is dedicated to education is an unfair advantage.

Being in a good neighborhood with lots of educated families is an unfair advantage.

A child who has none of these is at a huge disadvantage to one who has several or all of these.



These advantages are not unfair. They are the product of prior planning and sacrifice.


You aren’t bright enough to step in. Please stay on the sidelines of the conversation.


I’m sorry you’re too dumb to understand that my kids have advantages because I planned it that way, just as my parents made those plans for me.


That is fabulous for you and your kids. Congratulations! You get a cookie.

I also think that your kid’s research position should not bear more weight in the application process than the kid that worked 30 hours a week at Wendy’s during the school year.


Does it?
Anonymous
Post 05/19/2026 12:33     Subject: Re:If doing research in high school is unfair and puts poorer students at a disadvantage, what extracurriculars are fair?
Anonymous wrote:The true, underlying issue here is the unresolved societal problem of income inequality.

If we could only solve the income inequality problem, almost every other problem would disappear, including this student-research problem.


+1
Anonymous
Post 05/19/2026 12:31     Subject: If doing research in high school is unfair and puts poorer students at a disadvantage, what extracurriculars are fair?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:I saw this Reddit comment about research in high school (https://old.reddit.com/r/AskProfessors/comments/1tg9z5l/high_schooler_interning_at_a_toptier_research/omfaesb/):

“Sigh. High school students shouldn't be doing this.

Maybe just enjoy what's left of your childhood?

And don't participate in things that pad your college applications in a way that's totally unfair to other students who aren't connected to/don't live near/can't afford/don't know about intern opportunities at research universities.
But really this is on the professor who's supporting this nonsense.”

So if students shouldn’t be doing this, what extracurriculars should they do? Even things like sports or robotics favor the privilege


What’s left of your childhood?

100 years ago these kids would be working in factories and on farms. Some would be married with families.This notion of some mythical, sacrosanct “childhood” is a modern invention.


+1000

Life is unfair and apparently DCUM just now realized it.

Being born American is an unfair advantage over the vast majority of the world population.

Being born to rich parents is an unfair advantage.

Being born to a two parent household is an unfair advantage.

Being born to a household with a stay at home parent is an unfair advantage.

Being born to a parent who is dedicated to education is an unfair advantage.

Being in a good neighborhood with lots of educated families is an unfair advantage.

A child who has none of these is at a huge disadvantage to one who has several or all of these.



These advantages are not unfair. They are the product of prior planning and sacrifice.


You aren’t bright enough to step in. Please stay on the sidelines of the conversation.


I’m sorry you’re too dumb to understand that my kids have advantages because I planned it that way, just as my parents made those plans for me.


That is fabulous for you and your kids. Congratulations! You get a cookie.

I also think that your kid’s research position should not bear more weight in the application process than the kid that worked 30 hours a week at Wendy’s during the school year.


Unfortunately, even working at a Wendy's and the likes can be gamed, unless it's a near-year-round commitment of 8 to 10 hours per week for 3 to 4 years. That is a lot harder to fake. My DD did that (1000+ hours total, only because she just loved having her own money to spend) and did zero research and got into a t10 (while being rejected/waitlisted by a bunch of t20s). I like to think that her job made up for her lack of research experience.
Anonymous
Post 05/19/2026 12:28     Subject: If doing research in high school is unfair and puts poorer students at a disadvantage, what extracurriculars are fair?
People, please kindly use condoms if you don’t want to raise your kids properly. I know you’re gonna complain you can’t afford condoms. But obviously you can afford $500 shinny shoes and $300 coffee every month.
Anonymous
Post 05/19/2026 12:22     Subject: If doing research in high school is unfair and puts poorer students at a disadvantage, what extracurriculars are fair?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Why are poorer students at disadvantage for research? Do you mean dumber students or are you just witch hunting?


I'm thinking about local programs that I know of that are equitable in their selection, rigorous, and prestigious for high school research positions. The GMU summer one (forget the name), JHU APL, or even small things at MD or Georgetown. Yes, there are some remote opportunities but not all and they're not preferred. So if a poor kid gets selected, HOW of they get there? Their car? Mom's car? Dad's car? Any car? No? Also are they paid? So, when can they go make money to pay for college, or help with rent? Yeah, I don't think they meant dumber. I think they were talking about real systemic disadvantages.

Why do things have to be “equitable “ according to your definition? It was your choice not to raise your kids in a certain way and now you’re complaining it’s not “equitable “? Do you not understand families who could do this also have to cross a lot of hurdles and make a lot of sacrifices? Nobody but yourself is responsible for raising your own kids. Cry me a river.
Anonymous
Post 05/19/2026 12:14     Subject: If doing research in high school is unfair and puts poorer students at a disadvantage, what extracurriculars are fair?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:I saw this Reddit comment about research in high school (https://old.reddit.com/r/AskProfessors/comments/1tg9z5l/high_schooler_interning_at_a_toptier_research/omfaesb/):

“Sigh. High school students shouldn't be doing this.

Maybe just enjoy what's left of your childhood?

And don't participate in things that pad your college applications in a way that's totally unfair to other students who aren't connected to/don't live near/can't afford/don't know about intern opportunities at research universities.
But really this is on the professor who's supporting this nonsense.”

So if students shouldn’t be doing this, what extracurriculars should they do? Even things like sports or robotics favor the privilege


What’s left of your childhood?

100 years ago these kids would be working in factories and on farms. Some would be married with families.This notion of some mythical, sacrosanct “childhood” is a modern invention.


+1000

Life is unfair and apparently DCUM just now realized it.

Being born American is an unfair advantage over the vast majority of the world population.

Being born to rich parents is an unfair advantage.

Being born to a two parent household is an unfair advantage.

Being born to a household with a stay at home parent is an unfair advantage.

Being born to a parent who is dedicated to education is an unfair advantage.

Being in a good neighborhood with lots of educated families is an unfair advantage.

A child who has none of these is at a huge disadvantage to one who has several or all of these.



These advantages are not unfair. They are the product of prior planning and sacrifice.


You aren’t bright enough to step in. Please stay on the sidelines of the conversation.


I’m sorry you’re too dumb to understand that my kids have advantages because I planned it that way, just as my parents made those plans for me.


That is fabulous for you and your kids. Congratulations! You get a cookie.

I also think that your kid’s research position should not bear more weight in the application process than the kid that worked 30 hours a week at Wendy’s during the school year.
Anonymous
Post 05/19/2026 12:13     Subject: If doing research in high school is unfair and puts poorer students at a disadvantage, what extracurriculars are fair?
Two facts remain:

1. Private schools are for profits and they choose students based on their own criteria.
2. Fairness is not something parents define
Anonymous
Post 05/19/2026 12:11     Subject: If doing research in high school is unfair and puts poorer students at a disadvantage, what extracurriculars are fair?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:I saw this Reddit comment about research in high school (https://old.reddit.com/r/AskProfessors/comments/1tg9z5l/high_schooler_interning_at_a_toptier_research/omfaesb/):

“Sigh. High school students shouldn't be doing this.

Maybe just enjoy what's left of your childhood?

And don't participate in things that pad your college applications in a way that's totally unfair to other students who aren't connected to/don't live near/can't afford/don't know about intern opportunities at research universities.
But really this is on the professor who's supporting this nonsense.”

So if students shouldn’t be doing this, what extracurriculars should they do? Even things like sports or robotics favor the privilege


What’s left of your childhood?

100 years ago these kids would be working in factories and on farms. Some would be married with families.This notion of some mythical, sacrosanct “childhood” is a modern invention.


+1000

Life is unfair and apparently DCUM just now realized it.

Being born American is an unfair advantage over the vast majority of the world population.

Being born to rich parents is an unfair advantage.

Being born to a two parent household is an unfair advantage.

Being born to a household with a stay at home parent is an unfair advantage.

Being born to a parent who is dedicated to education is an unfair advantage.

Being in a good neighborhood with lots of educated families is an unfair advantage.

A child who has none of these is at a huge disadvantage to one who has several or all of these.



These advantages are not unfair. They are the product of prior planning and sacrifice.


You aren’t bright enough to step in. Please stay on the sidelines of the conversation.


I’m sorry you’re too dumb to understand that my kids have advantages because I planned it that way, just as my parents made those plans for me.
Anonymous
Post 05/19/2026 12:06     Subject: If doing research in high school is unfair and puts poorer students at a disadvantage, what extracurriculars are fair?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Why are poorer students at disadvantage for research? Do you mean dumber students or are you just witch hunting?


I'm thinking about local programs that I know of that are equitable in their selection, rigorous, and prestigious for high school research positions. The GMU summer one (forget the name), JHU APL, or even small things at MD or Georgetown. Yes, there are some remote opportunities but not all and they're not preferred. So if a poor kid gets selected, HOW of they get there? Their car? Mom's car? Dad's car? Any car? No? Also are they paid? So, when can they go make money to pay for college, or help with rent? Yeah, I don't think they meant dumber. I think they were talking about real systemic disadvantages.


Some posters on this board refuse to put themselves in other people’s schools. Very smart low income kids still have huge hurdles to climb to be able to participate in these research, internship, programs. Smart females sometimes even have to fight their own parents to achieve their dreams. The playing field is not equal.
Anonymous
Post 05/19/2026 12:03     Subject: If doing research in high school is unfair and puts poorer students at a disadvantage, what extracurriculars are fair?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:I saw this Reddit comment about research in high school (https://old.reddit.com/r/AskProfessors/comments/1tg9z5l/high_schooler_interning_at_a_toptier_research/omfaesb/):

“Sigh. High school students shouldn't be doing this.

Maybe just enjoy what's left of your childhood?

And don't participate in things that pad your college applications in a way that's totally unfair to other students who aren't connected to/don't live near/can't afford/don't know about intern opportunities at research universities.
But really this is on the professor who's supporting this nonsense.”

So if students shouldn’t be doing this, what extracurriculars should they do? Even things like sports or robotics favor the privilege


What’s left of your childhood?

100 years ago these kids would be working in factories and on farms. Some would be married with families.This notion of some mythical, sacrosanct “childhood” is a modern invention.


+1000

Life is unfair and apparently DCUM just now realized it.

Being born American is an unfair advantage over the vast majority of the world population.

Being born to rich parents is an unfair advantage.

Being born to a two parent household is an unfair advantage.

Being born to a household with a stay at home parent is an unfair advantage.

Being born to a parent who is dedicated to education is an unfair advantage.

Being in a good neighborhood with lots of educated families is an unfair advantage.

A child who has none of these is at a huge disadvantage to one who has several or all of these.



These advantages are not unfair. They are the product of prior planning and sacrifice.


You aren’t bright enough to step in. Please stay on the sidelines of the conversation.
Anonymous
Post 05/19/2026 12:01     Subject: If doing research in high school is unfair and puts poorer students at a disadvantage, what extracurriculars are fair?
I think that the idea. That kids doing research is unfair is absurd, but the problem is that any activity where an adult has a lot of power over a kid and a lot of alone time with the kid needs to be closely supervised.

The adults in those situations just have too much of a chance to be rotten.