<p>That’s the time I started doing research. I suggest that you first figure out what you want to do, then contact professors at local colleges to see if they would work with you. You should start reading up on literature in May, but if you have AP exams, then late May early June. Strive to get your project started by mid-June and finish by August. Then work all August writing up a beast paper. </p>
<p>Don’t worry about getting published. I’m a siemens semifinalist and an ISEF Finalist, and my paper never got published yet, so don’t even worry about that. Publishing takes a really long time, depending on the field. Also, your prof wouldn’t put up a “bad” paper since that would ruin his reputation, so publishing is like a cherry-on-top.</p>