<p>I submitted an 8-page research paper I wrote after working as a participant-observer with a professor in the supplemental section of the common app. I obviously do not expect anyone to read the entire thing, but I did want to include it because it is my equivalent of an arts supplement or an athletic supplement--it is what stands out about me. </p>
<p>However, I am wondering if this will convey not my intellectual promise, but instead that I actually expect them to read it...I know it is too late to make changes to my ED/EA apps, but I would want to take it out for RD apps if it would be for the best.</p>
<p>I sent in a copy of a published research paper I worked on. I don’t expect them to read it either, but I felt it was a good idea to send it in. I felt like them actually opening my folder and seeing a nice polished research paper with my name on the front would be better than them just reading it in my CommonApp.</p>
<p>I’m speculating, but I would assume that they would do the same thing with a research paper that they would do with an arts supplement: send it off to the relevant department for assessment.</p>
<p>Oh gosh now that makes me so nervous haha. I don’t think it is anything truly amazing, it just summarizes everything I worked on. Oh well, thanks for the replies. I won’t worry about it for now :)</p>
<p>I actually spoke with one of the admissions officers about sending in my own research. She said that unlike an arts supplement, the research is only reviewed by the admissions officers who may not have a very strong science background. They recommended I send in a “laypersons” abstract of my research. I did so and attached it to the additional writing.</p>
<p>Okay that makes me a feel a bit better, the paper I sent was more watered-down that one I would send to be published anywhere, and since it was qualitative social research as opposed to quantitative and more data-oriented, I don’t think it will be too difficult for anyone to understand.</p>