<p>Would that look bad? I've been interning with this professor ever since 9th grade but I've never entered a science fair...and I'm a junior now.</p>
<p>It demonstrates a sustained interest and commitment to research. Ask the professor if he/she would write a letter of recommendation on your behalf.</p>
<p>The one thing it doesn’t let you do is compete face to face with others via your research work. But I think it would be ridiculous to imagine it looks bad. Everything counts when you’re competing for such a hard to get into school, certainly. Still, keep in perspective that most people haven’t even done that amount of research, even plenty of those with admission at top schools.</p>
<p>OP,</p>
<p>I wondered that, too. My son’s only been doing graduate level physics research since this past summer and I seriously doubt he’ll have his act together in time to enter any competitions by deadlines in Oct. and Nov. His mentor/prof will definitely be writing a LOR and hopefully, he’ll have something tangible (abstract, etc) to show colleges if needed.</p>
<p>It sounds like your experience has been valuable and should be an important part of your application.</p>
<p>I shall get the professor to write me a letter of recommendation.</p>
<p>So would the fact that I did not enter a science fair hurt me?</p>
<p>^I don’t think anyone can really answer that question, apart from the admissions officer who reviews your entire application.</p>
<p>Why not consider entering a science fair this year – not for how it would look on a college application, but for the experience? Scientists don’t just conduct research in the privacy of their labs, they also present their findings to the scientific community and go through a process of peer review. I’ve known several students for whom the experience of presenting their research and meeting their peers at a science fair was incredibly valuable. Whether you win a prize or not is beside the point.</p>
<p>CalAlum,</p>
<p>Don’t most have deadlines in early October?</p>
<p>Yes, which means an interested student has two weeks or more to submit the application. In Silicon Valley, CA, the deadline is in early November. Each fair sets its own deadline.</p>
<p>Much like sbjdorlo’s son, I don’t think I will be able to get everything all ready to enter a science fair in such a short time frame.</p>
<p>Just to clarify for any other student reading this, the application to participate in a science fair is a simple document. Once the application is accepted, the student will submit an abstract (usually some time in January), and then most science fairs are held from mid-February through March. This allows the student who has conducted research already at least 4 months to create the poster.</p>
<p>Hmm interesting. I suppose I could try…but I have a lot of other stuff going on also.</p>
<p>Do the Intel Science Talent Search - it’s deadline is in mid-January. It’s the most respected science competition in high school, and is one of those things that can be a deal-maker for colleges, especially MIT.</p>
<p>I thought Intel STS could only be done be seniors?</p>
<p>The Intel STS is for seniors: [Intel</a> Education - Intel Science Talent Search](<a href=“http://www.intel.com/about/corporateresponsibility/education/sts/index.htm]Intel”>http://www.intel.com/about/corporateresponsibility/education/sts/index.htm)</p>
<p>My son started his research at spring semester of Junior year. He does not have any results until the summer after he graduated. He got a LOR from his mentor and talked about it in essay. You don’t have to participate science fair. The letter is more important</p>
<p>Thank-you, rxhu. This is what my son needed to hear! That seems like a great idea- discussing it in an essay. My son’s mentor is definitely writing one of his LOR; in fact, it’s his most important rec.</p>
<p>Ahh that’s great! I think my mentor will write me a really great LOR. I’ve been with him longer than I’ve been with any teacher. :D</p>
<p>exploding,</p>
<p>You might still consider a couple of things. My son said he’d know next week whether he can get things done in time. He worked all summer building the equipment, aligning it, and he tested it successfully for the first time recently (optics). It may be too much for him given that he’s applying to a lot of schools but he wants to try.</p>
<p>Intel’s deadline appears to be in November. Our local one is in January. Davidson Fellowships have January or February deadlines. Those might be three that would be doable for you just in case you still want to consider it.</p>