<p>Hi guys. I’m currently doing research at a local university, and I expect a publication by the end of 2014. I’m the only person in my public school who is doing research, so there is a level of novelty; I’m looking at going to my state’s math and science academy, however. At the academy, approximately 12 people do research each year; in fact, there is a class specifically for the students who do research. My question is, would my research become less “unique” to colleges at the math and science academy? I planned to have research as my main extracurricular.</p>
<p>bump</p>
<p>10 char</p>
<p>Have unique research then! There are millions of scientists in the world…wouldn’t it be a problem if the scientists did not become scientists because being a scientist is not a novelty? Let your passion guide you, and you will contribute something unique to the world, and that is what matters.</p>
<p>I see what you mean, petrawinklevoss.</p>
<p>Thanks :D</p>
<p>There’s only so much independence you have in university research as a high school student. Doing this level of research in high school at all is significant. Don’t stress out about whether it won’t look as good because other people are doing research at your school. Do it because you enjoy it, are learning, and want to contribute something by doing it.</p>
<p>Right. If you’re doing research specifically because you want it to be ‘novel’ for a college app, don’t do it at all. If you’re doing research because you want to genuinely engage with the field, then I bet the science/math school will have more access to professors/lab resources/like-minded peers, which will only increase the quality of your research.</p>