High School Students: Should You Do Research?

Many public and private high schools offer students the opportunity to do research, often called independent study, usually starting in sophomore year. While we often think of research in terms of STEM, social sciences and humanities topics are equally compelling, especially if they draw on current political and economic realities. Research topics for curious, thoughtful students are truly endless.

I have posted about private companies like Pioneer Academics and Polygence, which charge a hefty fee but offer the opportunity to earn college credits (that are accepted at highly-selective colleges) and the support of highly-educated professors/mentors. Best of all, these programs allow students to join a community of global scholars, creating potential for great ideas to come.

But if your high school doesn’t offer a formal research program, you don’t have to spend thousands of dollars to do research: what you need is curiosity and the motivation to have a conversation with a teacher with whom you have a connection. Share your ideas with them, or ask what they are researching and ask if they’d like your help. Or, begin a research project on your own and bring it to that teacher you trust.

Can doing research set you apart from other applicants? I believe it can. Many students have the high rigor that colleges prioritize as well as high GPA’s, but their applications (especially essays and extracurricular activities) don’t show the intellectually curious applicants highly selective colleges seek. They want college students who are eager to broaden their knowledge and perspective by asking questions and seeking answers.

Is doing research a guarantee for admission to the top research institutions? No, because most applicants to schools like MIT and CalTech have done an abundance of it, often in expensive programs or because of family and business connections. Last week, I posted a story about a deferred>waitlisted>denied MIT applicant:

•Valedictorian, private high school in suburban Colorado. •.Perfect testing. 18 AP courses, all scores of 5, except AP Spanish 4 • Took AP Calculus BC as a freshman (score of 5) • Chemistry teacher wrote glowing rec: “Best student in 25 years.” History/psych teacher wrote a good, but more of lukewarm recommendation. • Conducted research in Finland over the summer • Received additional evaluation from the Finland professor: fine letter, but no new revelations • Applicant had “discussions” with three MIT professors; MIT doesn’t know what that means & admissions didn’t hear from professors. • Loves playing soccer, referees. Lots of community involvement. • Developed a Science Olympiad program in city schools as VP of the NHS • Would like to major in chemistry, electrical engineering or energy technology • Conducted energy research at a local university • Co-founded an app development company; received some venture funding. • Academic all-state in tennis in Colorado. • ISEF – made it to the finalist level. Received a grand award in Chemical Energy (21 categories—he got the top award in his category) • The MIT alumni interviewer raved about him. • He submitted a “maker portfolio” (projects he worked on). MIT faculty said it was fine, but not exceptional. Typically, faculty/alumni can review the portfolio.

However, if your college list doesn’t include single-digit acceptance rate institutions like MIT, you may stand out very well in the admissions office. Consider what you’re curious about, and take the next step.

Dual Degree Health Science Programs, at the Beach

What a treat to visit Monmouth University on Friday! I posted some photos on Instagram #destressthecollegeprocess and will be posting more on the Less College Stress Consulting and LCS Parents Group Facebook pages.

The mostly-modern campus features one of the Woolworth family’s summer cottages as a building housing

admissions, classes, and receptions, ringed by beautiful gardens. The library is housed in the smaller yet also stately summer cottage of the Guggenheims. If you’ve been to Newport, you get the “summer cottage” idea. But that wasn’t all that impressed me: Monmouth offers over 70 five-year program options.

Monmouth specializes in the health sciences:

• Nursing

• 3+2 Speech Language Pathology

• 3+3 Occupational Therapy Doctorate (New)

• 3+3 Physician Assistant (New-3 paths: Biology and Health Studies BS, and Anthropology BA )

• Five year BSW/MSW Social Work

• 40 million dollar science building renovation

I knew about the Leon Hess Business School from meeting successful alumni, but I learned that Monmouth not only offers a combined BS/MBA program, but also a Center for Entrepreneurship and the Kislak Real Estate Institute. Monmouth’s location--down the road from the Stone Pony and the Springsteen family (the Bruce Springsteen Archives and Center for American Music are on campus)--make it a smart choice for students interested in the Music Business program, and Marine and Environmental Biology students have an easy one mile trip to the ocean for field work.

Fans come out to see 24 Division 1 teams and choose from over 100 clubs, including Greek life options. New Jersey students who want to stay close--but not too close--should check out Monmouth University. 80% of students are residential and housing is required freshman and senior year. Contact me for more information--you’ll be in good company if you’re from out of state too!

Go beyond yourself and your numbers

Colleges know that students are “more than their numbers,” whether those are high or low.

One great takeaway from the Character Collaborative Conference is this:

There is more than one way to think about “character.”

IT DOES NOT EMPHASIZE WHAT MANY CONSIDER “GRIT.”

Even Angela Duckworth, who popularized the term “grit” in her essay and TED talk in 2013, recognizes that grit has been taken out of context. It is not about stoicism, success at all costs in the form of grades and test scores, winning at all costs on the sports field, racking up activities you’re not invested in, or cutthroat competitiveness.

So what is it?

Think of grit in two ways:

Academic Character: perseverance, curiosity, engagement, and a passion for ideas. However, grit can be morally or immorally motivated. Cheating in any way or putting yourself above others to get higher grades or achieve in the world is not grit. That's why ethical character is the most important.

Ethical Character: showing respect in interpersonal relationships and towards society. Do you care about people who are different than you? Do you care about a more just world?

So think of grit as a goal to strive for throughout high school. You may need to separate yourself from the group, but not entirely. Discover and explore your interests deeply by thinking beyond the easiest and most obvious. Recognize all you have and understand that you are an anomaly in society. What do you care about and what can you do? It’s not easy...that’s where grit comes in.