Participating in Research Question for Amherst Common App

I’ve noticed that Amherst has an optional question on the common app, asking “If you have engaged in significant research in the natural sciences, mathematics, computer science, social sciences or humanities that was undertaken independently of your high school curriculum, please provide a brief description of the research project”. I have yet to encounter this question with any other school- so does Amherst value research participation highly in the admission decision? Just curious why they are asking this while most other schools aren’t.

^ thoughts?

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Here’s the “brag sheet” if you will, of this class. Research is in there but not really featured more than anything else.

https://www.amherst.edu/news/news_releases/2017/8-2017/welcome-new-students

Nonetheless, if they are asking, you can assume they think it’s important.

oops can’t post link. If you google collegevine you should find some advice about the prompt.