<p>This summer, I will be doing individual research with a Physics Professor. He is currently working on three projects (one in correlation with Swarthmore) and I will be able to help him possibly 3+ days a week. I sought out this opportunity myself and it is no formal program or anything. The guy is an MIT/UPenn alum and used to be an industrial physicist.</p>
<p>Anything, will this be a good "hook" for me? I think it really shows my interest in science (my intended major is Physics). Anyway, will this give me an edge in the applicant field? How much? If I connect with the guy, I might have him write a letter of recommendation for me...</p>
<p>I am doing this because I am really interested in Physics, not just because it looks good on a application - don't get the wrong idea from this topic. Thanks.</p>
<p>Thousands of applicants to top 20 colleges each year do research, many with distinguished professors...so unless you do something really important with your research (Intel STS, ISEF, Siemens Westinghouse, getting published), it will help but it wont be a hook.</p>
<p>It won't be a hook, but it'll help. It'll add credence to your passion in the sciences. Bob, is right, though. Too many applicants at top colleges do research. The novelty is just not there. Unless you're planning on doing breakthrough research, authoring a paper, or winning a national award, what you should be concerned with is building a solid application. Continue doing research. Build a substantial relationship with your mentor(s). Be proactive. Look for those opportunities.
Although you won't necessarily be a distinguished applicant, by the time you apply to college, you will at least have a solid track record to sure for. </p>
<p>Also, may I suggest you do more with physics. For example, if you have a school board, a creative side, and some guts, approach them to arrange an afternoon in your local elementary school to conduct physics projects with younger age kids. </p>
<p>Another idea would be to incorporate science to solve a real-life problem in the town or city you live in. If you make a project out of that, do the research, find the menor, and create a solution, or provide an environmental/community-friendly alternative, I'm sure you will be able submit your work to competitions and orginizations. </p>
<p>On the simpler side, just remember to maintain the scholarship a student of physics should have. Attend thelectures sponsored by Museums of science, and orginizations and conferences and seminars and panels. Take the classes. Maintain the grade point average. Keep your spirits up. Where I live, near Boston, there's plenty of opportunities in the city. Maybe, that's how it is where you live. </p>