<p>How much of the judging process is based on the application versus the project? The amount of space allocated for research background sounds quite intimidating. It just does not sound like a competition suited for someone who is just completed a research project just for intel but rather someone who has devoted their life to research for several years already, probably since they just came out of the womb. I would be leaving lots of the lines blank, and I feel like that cannot be good. "</p>
<p>@rowerruns, thanks. I was actually referring to the possibility of whether we could update our STS application to include things that have occurred since applying, like getting accepted to various ivy league schools EA, etc.</p>
<p>Got badge emails. Did all semifinalists also get research report and initiative badges? I have a feeling getting the extra badge is them saying thanks for your application, you got this far, but that’s as far as it goes. Can we all compare who got what? I got semifinalist, entrant, and research paper. Did all SFs get these?</p>
<p>I’m not a semi-finalist but I got the initiative badge and there was the number 21 on the pop up box in the lower corner that said you have a new badge, does anyone know what that means? also is the initiative badge that big of an accomplishment that I shouldn’t mention it to colleges?</p>
<p>According to last year’s thread the number in the pop up box was the number of the type of badge…apparently Everyone who got the initiative badge has it say 21.</p>
<p>I only got entrant and research paper TT. Makes me kind of mad that I put in so much work (mostly for this) just to not get the prize, but maybe when I win the Nobel Prize I can tell everybody how it’s no big deal to not become a semifinalist Though obviously it is a big deal to become one, congrats to you all!</p>
<p>Is the point of the research paper just to say “well it was good but obviously not good enough lolz” or does basically everyone get it that submits? </p>
<p>BTW if you are a younger student monitoring this thread now or someone reading it in the future, GET INVOLVED IN RESEARCH AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. The stupid thing about research in HS is that it either requires a HS where it is the norm and people can help you, participation in a summer program that you may or may not know about (in my area nobody talks about things like RSI et.al), using your parents/friends parents to get connected to labs, or just getting lucky by emailing lots of professors (though this is probably going to be hard if you are younger than 16). So use whatever you can to GET STARTED NOW because only starting in August of your Senior year like me is just not a good idea.</p>
<p>Wait…so do they call your school if you’re a semifinalist? And what was the description for the student initiative badge? I only got the entrant, research report, and semifinalist badge…</p>
<p>GUYS I CAN’T BELIEVE IT
I’m a semifinalist
and I have like, barely any science awards from the past
I am so happy that I could marry someone right now</p>
<p>@kennedyiceit some semifinalists got all three so I would guess they ranked higher in both research paper and initiative areas. Maybe those are the ones really in the running for finalist. If u go to the badge page and click on semifinalist badge u can see everyone who earned it. Then u can click on individual earners and see their other badges.</p>
<p>I know from previous years that your school is notified if you’re a semifinalist. I think your school gets $1000? I don’t really know. And I’m not a semifinalist so I can’t bring myself to look that up.</p>
<p>Hmm. I only got an entrant badge along with my semifinalist one. : p</p>
<p>@rowerrruns:
I’ll answer what I can.</p>
<p>Does anybody have any advice about the application itself? Not the project part.</p>
<p>I just portrayed myself honestly–my steady pursuit of the ‘science life’ through extracurriculars and course choices. Nothing too contrived in my essays. Lots of enthusiasm. I’d really recommend getting super close with your mentor/biology teacher and finding a field you’re passionately interested in. Even before the project.</p>
<h2>tl;dr: Seeming like the chill type worked for me.</h2>
<p>How much of the judging process is based on the application versus the project?</p>
<p>My application was probably a significant factor in my result. Even for biology, my project was pretty theoretical… the judging board probs saw my project as an extension of earlier projects I conducted. Obvs, if your project is beyond amazing, a less-than-stellar application probably won’t bring you down. </p>
<p>tl;dr: If your project is amazing, go submit to Siemens. (less legwork updating college applications)</p>
<p>I am also a semifinalist. For STS, I got Entrant, Student Initiative, Research Report, and the Semifinalist badge.</p>
<p>Someone above asked for stats, so heres a short rundown of grades, and largest honors : 34 ACT, 3.9 UW GPA, 2013 Davidson Fellow, ISEF 2nd and 3rd Place</p>
<p>I don’t think GPA/Test scores are that big of a factor.</p>
Though obviously it is a big deal to become one, congrats to you all!</p>