<p>Hi, I'm a rising senior and a prospective applicant. A lot of the more prestigious schools seem to value research papers and lab reports written during internships, etc and I was wondering if anyone knew/had opinions on an EE (that's an Extended Essay) being valid material to send in? As most IBers would know, a lot of supervisors and teachers consider the EE as a piece of pretty legit research writing (...for high schoolers), it's 4000 words of concentrated analysis. Would it be considered appropriate?</p>
<p>If it helps, I'm writing mine in English Literature. I'm not going to apply as a lit major though, most likely something related to sustainability and environmentalism (something like EnvEng or environmental studies and economics). The EE is something IBers pore over the holidays and what not, so it would be great news for me if I could show something I'm genuinely proud of to someone other than the examination board. Any opinions would be immensely helpful -- especially so if anyone knows about sending in the EE elsewhere e.g. other Ivies, top LACs.</p>
<p>I would not think that the EE would be of sufficient depth to merit attachment to your application as a “research paper”. Having said that, the subject of your EE might have value in showing your interest in a subject you intended to major in at college (or perhaps in a valued EC). My son wrote one of his essays on the subject he intended to major in (an unusual major) and mentioned the subject of his EE to show (among other things) that this was a genuine interest (and not a “what obsure major could I select which would give me the greatest chance for admission”). Best of luck.</p>
<p>I’m familiar with “scientific research papers,” which entails detailing a series of original,related experiments (the term we like to use here is “novel”), essentially all the steps of the scientific process. This goes beyond summarizing primary sources from the library and internet. Forgive my ignorance in research concentrations regarding the humanities and liberal arts, but perhaps your EE should incorporate some original ideas and substantiation.</p>
<p>I would not send it in - for a couple of reasons. I would not consider it real “research,” most likely the admissions officers will not read 4000 words, and it does not relate to your major. Not trying to sound harsh, just my two cents!</p>
<p>A lot of the more prestigious schools seem to value research papers and lab reports written during internships</p>
<p>Nope. May or may not read them. May or may not be qualified to judge it. It’s entirely different when a school specifically asks for a writing or research sample. Far better, usually, is for an LoR to include note of how brilliant your EE is- ie, an adult educator’s comments. Did you know your app will only get about 15 minutes per reviewer? You want to be careful not to distract them from the body of the CA. If you feel compelled to send an abstract, maybe a few lines- but most humanities work on a hs level deflates in an abstract.</p>