Mentor for Intel ISEF: physics professor from Stanford Summer School or Caltech YESS?

Career Opportunities & Internships
1

<p>Which option do you feel would be better as a mentor for Intel ISEF? I wish to participate in it in 11th grade. I am currently a 9th grader and I wish to plan this out accordingly because of a busy schedule with SAT preparation and AP classes.</p>

<p>Would it be better to have a mentor from:
(1) Stanford Summer School (attending the summer school for physics and persuading the teacher to be your mentor) </p>

<p>OR</p>

<p>(2) Caltech YESS (high tech research facility, already a research program as itself, less pressure in trying to cut a deal with the professor)</p>

<p>?</p>

2

<p>It doesn’t matter. If you are smart and creative, you don’t need much from a mentor. Besides, ISEF tends to favor original projects without big name professors in the background.</p>

3

<p>I would worry about getting accepted to both before worrying about which one to go with.</p>

4

<p>@IvyPBear</p>

<p>but almost all the finalists for the fair have mentors that are professors from universities O_O</p>

5

<p>TRUFFLIEPUFF-
Everyone who gets accepted is called a finalist, and it’s not that hard to get accepted. Throwing out a big name (as your mentor) may impress judges at regional or state fairs, which I believe are the two feeders for ISEF, it won’t impress people at ISEF. At ISEF, it’s mostly about convincing the judges that your project is creative and it strictly adheres to the scientific method. It’s not even that hard to win a grand award. Getting a prof from Stanford or Caltech into the picture is an overkill.</p>

6

<p>ISEF is about you and your project - not your mentor. Like many research competitions you can’t post acknowledgments on your display and if your project is that great you won’t have time to name drop during your 15 allotted minutes. Unless you are asked outright - it may never come up. Also roughly 1/3rd of ISEF participants win some kind of award. Some states are more competitive than others. I would say that depending on the category, winning a 1st or 2nd in category is challenging. At that level you can expect 25-35 judges with advanced degree’s who have studied your project in advance going over your work.</p>