<p>I was just wondering whether research that I had done over the past 2 summers would be a suitable topic for my common app essay. The reason that I ask this is because I will also probably address this topic in my supplementary essays. I feel that the research has genuinely inspired me to pursue a career in medicinal research. If it helps, i have a stellar letter of recommendation from my lab head and it is probably one of the strongest points of my application.</p>
<p>i agree with 33baby. listen to your heart, but just a warning. my son had similar feelings in the same situation, but his desires suddenly changed as he discovered other occupations. good luck rxin94 and if you need anything else ill be here to answer your questions.</p>
<p>as for penngrad,your ■■■■■■■■ will not be tolerated anymore. I know you have some pent up anger because your daughter is a witch but don’t take it out on me.</p>
<p>im sorry if I “■■■■■■■” you rxin94, i was just trying to help a fellow penngrad-to-be out. by the way, my witch daughter is doing quite well at Hogwarts.</p>
<p>Hey, so, to be honest, I agree with everyone else who says that if you write about your research everywhere (Common App Essay, Supplementary Essay), you are going to appear one-sided. But then again, your topic (from an admissions officer’s perspective, not mine) is not even interesting. Think about it. Top schools likely get TONS of applicants who write about all of the research they’ve done and how said research has inspired to pursue a career in medicine, engineering, etc. How are you going to stand out if you are going to look like everyone else on paper?</p>
<p>Go back to the drawing board, think of other ECs that you have done, and work from there.</p>
<p>I have been reading the posts by these kids and your others on your research (at Upenn?) and it is evident some ■■■■■■■■ has been going on. Don’t take their “advice” to heart.</p>
<p>I believe that the topic is suitable for writing about in your common application. As these kids seem to misunderstand, it is not what you write about but how you write it. I have seen phenomenal and totally unique Common App essays on trivial things like running at 6 everyday. This being said, I think writing about research is unique enough. </p>
<p>However, could you give more details on your research? Specifically, how long have you been doing the research and and what is your project based on? If it is something you genuinely are interested in your writing tone will most likely reflect it. Also, just hearing about research done by a high school student at any top institution like UPenn, an Ivy, would definitely peak my interest.</p>
<p>All in all, it’s an interesting topic and could be a strong hook, especially for UPenn itself. Just make it unique.</p>
<p>On a side note, SeoulQueen, have you done any research yourself?</p>
<p>I have noticed a trend on CC that jealous students like marginalizing things they don’t have to feel better about their own deficient applications. Just a thought.</p>
<p>Deficient applications?? My, aren’t we pretentious. Just because we are not all science whizzes does not mean we are less qualified, let alone jealous! The OP asked for advice, and we gave it to him (or her?)! I think that writing about one EC in every single essay will appear redundant and I’m sure many adcoms would agree that, while scientific research can be fascinating and very meaningful, it is a waste of space to write about the same topic in the common app AND the EC essay AND the supplements! </p>
<p>thanks for all the input, although I’m not sure I can trust the ones that come from 1-2 posters especially knowing the fact that there are some kids from my school obvoiusly ■■■■■■■■ me.</p>
<p>I don’t plan to write about it in all 3. my supplement for penn will lightly touch upon it, my ec supp will probably be about something else. I’ll probably just do it for the common app.</p>
<p>to duke55-</p>
<p>I’ve been at this lab for 2 summers and mainly have been working on sleep studies (sleep apnea, etc). the research that I’m doing right now has to do with the causes of alzheimers including tau, APP, plaques etc etc.</p>
<p>The advantages of writing about your research are that research shows commitment (2 summers) and research is something in which you are genuinely interested. The potential disadvantage is, as some others have observed, that the topic could come across as flat or generic. You can mitigate the “generic” problem by, as TheDuke55 suggests, asking questions that help you figure out the unique aspects of your research. What led you to this area of research? Do any special or exciting moments from your research stand out? Those moments could end up being the “hook” TheDuke55 mentioned. Did you do research - or other related activities -during the school year? If you can show a connection between your summers and your extracurricular activities, that could help round out your essay if you are worried about the scope being too narrow.<br>
JP</p>
<p>Yeah, that is definitely an interesting topic. As long as you present yourself correctly as an individual your essay will at worst not affect you and at best will help you in admissions. If you would like some feedback on your essay you can pm me anytime.</p>
<p>I kinda wrote my essay about this - but not exactly. I talked about how my research has made me much more mature and responsible, and better at public speaking. A lot of people liked it. But it was about me, and my personality and personal development, just with a background of research.</p>