<p>The international science fairs sponsored and hosted by Intel are a major deciding factor in universities such as MIT and CalTech. What about Harvard? Will awards in either competition boost my chances? (I know Intel STS has more publicity, but Intel ISEF actually involves a one-on-one interaction with the judges)</p>
<p>If you did research, described it in your app, and the adcom considers you a strong candidate, they could contact later you asking for your full research paper. Especially if the research is your strongest point. Then they closely evaluate your work to determine the depth of your involvement. [that is, if you're at least borderline----if you are excessively oustanding as it is, maybe they won't resort to this]</p>
<p>So if you fall into this situation, they will see how genuine your research is, regardless of Intel recognition (which of course won't hurt you). My point is that even if you don't qualify for Intel, your research still has a chance to be fully acknowledged, provided that you are a qualified applicant to begin with.</p>
<p>As a side note, all the research I conducted was either independent or at a state university (no RSI, no state-of-the art facilities). I was never involved in Intel/Seimens competitions and have no national recognition. But I was still accepted to MIT early action.
Just show some serious initiative and you'll do fine :-)</p>
<p>Disclaimer: These are just my speculations based on my application to MIT and Harvard. I'm not an expert on what really goes on in Harvard admissions: in fact, I don't even know what decision they'll make about me until April!</p>
<p>Best wishes.</p>
<p>Those awards will help your chances, but they don't guarantee it. People who are Intel STS finalists and high placers at ISEF have been waitlisted at Harvard.</p>
<p>ISEF's next week. Good luck to all participants, and happy award-winning.</p>