Research paper supplement: team project?

Perle
Sun, 28 Dec 2008 09:58:05 +0000

Hi guys!

I’ll only apply next fall but I’m already looking for advices :)

Here’s my problem. I worked all through last year on a science fair project about improving a water disinfection method used in Third World countries. My partner and I won many prizes at the local, regional, provincial and Canadian science fairs (including a major national award), and we took part in various international competitions, either as the few or the only Canadian participants. We’re also in the process of patenting our designs, since many judges have encouraged us to do so. This research is indeed going to be one of the major part of my application. My main concern is about the fact that the project was a team effort. I plan to use the common app ‘‘talk about one of your ECs’’ question to write about the research and what I personally brought to it.

My question is: should I submit the abstract, the full paper or nothing at all?

The abstract is short and easy to read, however it may present the research as a bit simplistic compared to all the projects the adcom reviews.

The full paper is 20 page long (15 of text, double-spaced with graphs). I wrote it alone in English since my partner has some trouble with that language (we’re both French Canadians). I feel it shows much more the depth of our research and the ingenuity of it. It also shows I can write long papers in English even though I learned it as a foreign language. The judges for the national award unanimously ranked the paper first, so I assume it must be good.

I’m just afraid that, if I send anything, it will look like I’m not giving credits to my partner. However, if I do not submit anything, the adcom might think I’m trying to hide something.

Any advices on what to do?

Thanks a lot!