Alas, Disappointment Again for a MIT/Stanford/Ivy applicant

<p>So this past friday the Siemens results came out, and my partner and I didnt get anything...Is there any hope? will my research count for something? Were all the hours (even though we were interested and enjoyed the research) even worth it?</p>

<p>Let me ask you: did you do the research to only get recognition and to fluff your chances at top colleges? Or do you really value learning and growing as an individual?</p>

<p>From my experience, those things matter much more than outside recognition. Unless you change your attitude (not your awards list), I think that will be read by selective college admissions officers and thereby diminish your chances.</p>

<p>I busted my butt in HS and took every honors/AP course including weekends at the local college – because I really valued learning. I didn’t do it to present myself in any manner to colleges – at the time, I was ignorant and didn’t really care. Barely knew my class ranking, took SATs only once, could barely tell you my GPA. Come time to apply to colleges, this attribute was evident and all colleges applied accepted me. I eventually matriculated at an HYP.</p>

<p>Best of luck to you however. I think you’ll look back and see that there was great value inherently in pushing yourself in your research.</p>

<p>You’re living life for all the wrong reasons my friend.</p>

<p>Wow, you guys… give him a break!
He said he enjoyed it already.</p>

<p>It is very annoying and irrelevant when you answer something beyond his question.</p>

<p>It’s totally fine that he is considering if his research is recognized by colleges.</p>

<p>Now as an answer to your question. It probably will not give you the right amount of reward for the time you put in, but it’s definitely something that I will mention.</p>

<p>The overwhelming majority of MIT acceptees never won anything at Siemens. I actually wouldn’t be surprised if the majority had never <em>heard</em> of Siemens in high school, though it’s not like I ever did a survey.</p>

<p>Yes, your research will count for something. Research experience is a plus. If your supervising teacher writes one of your recommendations, and thinks that your research was good, s/he can bring this up.</p>