<p>What does northwestern mean when they say "If you have done any research or independent study outside of school, please include an abstract or summary of your work". Does it mean ACTUAL scientific research, or can I just put a summer program I did at another college and received credit from but not any scientific research?</p>
<p>It means independent research of your own, or something you are listed as an author on. That doesn’t necessarily mean scientific. There ARE other types of research, though they’re admittedly rare below the undergraduate level.</p>
<p>For example, on this portion of the application I listed a yearlong senior research project I had done. The project was through a school-sponsored “inquiry” program but wouldn’t show up on my transcript. It wasn’t scientific in nature and in fact focused more on creative writing.</p>