Timing of ISEF and Admissions

mantori.suzuki
Mon, 12 Oct 2009 13:25:24 +0000

I’ve found a number of discussions on CC about ISEF, and a lot of talk about how an ISEF award is a great thing to put on a college application. However, I can’t find an answer to this question: If you’re a high school senior, and your regional science fair (qualifier for ISEF) doesn’t even take place until after applications are due, then how can you make your project relevant to the admissions process?

I guess when people talk about having ISEF awards on their applications, they must have entered the competition as juniors. But if you’re a senior, aside from listing your research under “activities” or having a teacher or counselor mention it in a recommendation, how can you get your research in front of adcoms?

With so many parents here who have been through the application process before, I’m sure someone has thought about this. Thanks.