Intel STS

Colleges and Universities A-Z Harvard University
1

<p>How important/how big of an impact does Intel STS in admissions (especially HYPS)? My biggest extracurricular is scientific research, but I didn't qualify for Intel (my project was against some of the rules). However, I'm worried because I don't have any big awards. At my high school we had 9 Intel STS semifinalists and 2 finalists. Can I still get in w/o awards?</p>

2

<p>Harvard accepted 2,110 people last year. There are 300 Intel STS Semifinalists. You do the math.</p>

3

<p>But how many of those 2100 people (which include athletes, legacy, musicians, etc.) do you think were accepted for their scientific research? Probably not more than 700, and most of them probably had awards or are published. I have neither, but I think my research is still pretty substantial. Is this good enough?</p>

4

<p>A lot of Intel STS finalists can have their entire research not mentioned in their application, and still be competitive applicants due to their other extracurriculars. So if you only have research… you probably won’t get in anyways.</p>

<p>So my point is… I wouldn’t worry. It’s not a break or make factor in admissions.</p>

5

<p>If you are a finalist, you are pretty much guaranteed, assuming you have all the other attributes.</p>

6

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<p>What an absurd statement.</p>

7

<p>Will it hurt that 2 other kids from my school were finalists? I think I have some pretty good (probably going to be published) research, it just involves animal experimentation so it didn’t qualify for intel.</p>

8

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<p>perhaps absurd in the sense that it wouldn’t be mentioned, but absolutely NOT absurd when it comes to their chances even if they chose to entirely omit their work. look at the bios of finalists and you will see that no one only does research, and that frequently they’ve achieved national-level recognition in other pursuits.</p>

<p>to be frank, it will likely diminish your own chances. as much as adcoms will like to say that you are not being compared directly to your classmates (or others in your region), you ultimately are.</p>

9

<p>@ WongTongTong: I don’t think its actually absurd, because with a high achievement like that, most likely the school will have access to know a lot about the research anyways / the amount of commitment the person put in his/her research</p>

10

<p>I wasn’t speaking with regards to chances at college. I was simply noting that to go without mentioning research work as an Intel STS finalist is highly unlikely. </p>

<p>Intel STS Finalist:</p>

<p>"Each finalist receives:</p>

<pre><code>* An all-expenses-paid trip to Washington, D.C.

  • An opportunity to meet with government officials, including the President or Vice President of the United States
  • A chance to interact with leading scientists and display science project research at the National Academy of Sciences
    </code></pre>

<p>"</p>

11

<p>Since the decisions are announced in late January, isn’t it too late to put Intel STS finalist on your application?</p>

12

<p>Yeah, but the Admissions Office harvests the names of Intel Finalists, Siemens Finalists, USAMOers, etc. and puts postits in their files. So you don’t have to do anything, Harvard will already know. * even if you don’t mention your research in your application :slight_smile: *</p>

<p>In response to OP’s question, yeah, you’re fine.</p>

13

<p>Yes, Intel STS helps a lot. Last years finalist most were accepted by Harvard, if applied.</p>