I got into this 2 month summer research program that will pay me to complete it. However, it’s only the 2nd year this program has been running so it’s not well known. Basically my question is, on college applications, when admissions sees this, will they look into the program and see what the program is like (i.e. selectivity, duration, whether i had to pay to be in it or was paid, etc.) or will they just look over it?
EDIT: ooh also, general question as well: I see a lot of research experience in the stats here on CC, so has summer research become too commonplace or is it still considered something great to have been able to do?
Do whatever interests you and is related to your plans for a college degree and career. Don’t do a research program just to pad your resume or college application. Are you interested in research? Do you like the features of this program? Then go for it!
The research will be viewed by a college in the context of your entire application, including standardized test scores, curriculum and grades, other activities, and essays. What you should also consider is how one activity can open doors to future activities. This summer research may lay the groundwork to give you experience for additional research opportunities later, or help you determine your interests better, or introduce you to people who can make a difference in your life. You just never know where things can lead.
If you complete the research program, obviously you can spin it in its best light when you describe it, by saying how exclusive it is or that you were paid – in other words, No, the colleges won’t likely “look into it” on their own, but they will read your description of the program. But choose a research program because it’s what you want to do and reflects your interests, and because it’s the door open to you right now. I’m sure if a more impressive opportunity were awaiting you – in the way you define that or think colleges do – then you wouldn’t be on here asking the question.
As far as research becoming too commonplace, go check out www.sciencedaily.com and see if research is too commonplace. The kind of students doing research are mostly the students who want to do research as a career, or something related to it, and doing research starting at a young age is fun for them and somewhat expected of them. It’s like how a football player plays football, or an actor acts, or a writer writes. If you are not sincerely interested in research, then by all means find something else to do with your summer.
Lots of kids do research for the resume, and I think adcoms can sniff them out, but that doesn’t mean it’s meaningless if a kid has a real interest in it. It may be new, but it’s paid for and you were accepted, so that is notable. Hopefully you applied for the right reasons. If you did, there shouldn’t be a problem imho.
@mommyrocks @rubberfall Thanks so much for your answers. I have already confirmed I am going to attend it, and have already made plans for it. I applied to many research programs because I am genuinely interested (hopefully I can continue to do research throughout the next summers before college, and eventually as a career) and was thankful I got into this one (I was rejected by others). The reason I asked was because I was just curious about the admissions process. Also, I don’t know what a college application looks like, so thanks for telling me information about how I am able to describe it in my application!
The experience will be evaluated on what you actually do rather than the program that you’re doing research through. Not sure what kind of research you will be doing but things like presentations/publications and competitions will help legitimize your research and it’s certainly a valuable activity (even better if it fits into a theme/interest that your application conveys)