<p>would getting intel or siemens semi finalist really boost ones chances of admission?</p>
<p>It would but it doesn't guaranteed automatic acceptance.</p>
<p>Yes...It's a big boost. But you'd have to be extremely qualified to become one in the first place. ;)</p>
<p>I am assuming Intel STS, which is much more prestigious than Intel ISEF (although ISEF is a good thing to have to). IF so, yes it is a big boost. However, like another poster said, it is not a guarantee.</p>
<p>Are you planning on STS this year or something? I am.</p>
<p>I am also going to try for this. How long have you all spent on your research project?</p>
<p>3 + years as of now.</p>
<p>Wow... that's a long time! Most applicants spend only 1 year (academic and summer) to start and finish their projects.</p>
<p>That's crazy. Same. I am also going to spend a year and summer. Summer is when most of the research goes on. Its not how long you spend doing the research. Its how well you fill out the application and how well you write the paper.</p>
<p>Intel science fair is a BIG thing. I have a friend who got 2nd nationally for it, good grades, amazing essays and recs, but awful test scores because he was just a bad test-taker. He also did not get his HS diploma b/c of credit issues. He got accepted to UPenn and MIT.</p>
<p>what if you just participate in it but dont win? Is it still a big thing if you send in a research abstract?</p>
<p>hmm, i hope i get the distinction, it can really boost me up a notch</p>
<p>It's not really a big thing if you send the colleges you applied to a copy of your project. I know all of my friends (including myself) who sent a copy to all of our schools. It doesn't make a difference in their decision but when you bring it up in interviews, it usually sheds a positive light on you because it illustrates your interest and commitment to your project.</p>
<p>Are you sure? Well I am sure the roject can help you a little bit. Its a good ec to have though?</p>
<p>I guess you could say it's a good EC to have but again, it's not going to increase your chances of getting into X-College by a lot, especially if you don't win (which won't even guaranteed you automatic acceptance).</p>
<p>I'm pretty sure winning it is almost an auto-admit,like sishu's anecdote illustrates.</p>
<p>edit: I don't mean that literally, but you get my point.</p>
<p>Oops! I was confusing the definition of "winning" (My brain is fried... can't wait for school to be over). When I meant "winning," I thought of just becoming a semi-finalist or anything but being the winner (THE finalist). If we're talking about winning the competition, then yes, you're probably going to get into your dream school. If you're a semi-finalist (which is what I thought all this time for some reason), you're not guaranteed the automatic admission. Last year, a friend of mine got to the semi-finals but was denied from most of his choices.</p>
<p>Kids in my school start in summer of 8th going into 9th, spend the academic year working on multiple presentations that culiminate in the final project, so yeah 3 + years total. Work with a mentor, either in lab, in the field, some are in there 3rd summer depending on their topic of research. </p>
<p>A semi finalist in our school got an full ride to Stanford. So it depends on the quality, knowledge/depth of your research.</p>
<p>Those are some really long times. By the time I submit, it would have been about 20 months.</p>
<p>And how many people spend three months and get something big?</p>
<p>I've spent 3 years on my project. I don't know if it will win me anything, but I'm not really doing it for the sake of doing it, so there. An example of long time spent on research.</p>