Publish Paper

Colleges & Universities A-Z Massachusetts Institute of Technology
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<p>Hello, so I am a junior and I just recently got a paper published in an international college journal. I have written another one and am waiting to hear the journal's decision (my project for ISEF was based on this paper and I just recently became an ISEF finalist to compete in Los Angeles).</p>

<p>My first question is this: How big a deal is getting a paper published (math paper)? This brings me to my second question.</p>

<p>My performance in high school math competitions is not on par with that of someone who could get a paper published. One would assume that if someone could get a math paper published, they would be able to make it to USAMO or MOP. I have made it to AIME 5 times, but unfortunately have never made it to USAMO. I made it to USAJMO last year with an 8 on AIME and I got a 121.5 on AMC 12A this year. I have also won (and placed well) in many other state and national competitions. I have never performed well enough on AIME to qualify for USAMO though. Would this hurt my chances? Would the people on the admissions board think it implausible that someone who got 1 (hopefully 2 by the time of admission) paper published at 16 could not make USAMO?</p>

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<p>Is the paper a big deal? That depends on the topic of the paper. If it’s new thoughts on the Goldbach conjecture, then yes. If it’s new curiosities on the number 642, no. If you don’t want to type it here, then send me the topic of the paper, please. I’m a sophomore, and hopefully, I’ll be ready to publish mine junior year.</p>

<p>Are these results conflicting? Those contests are usually based on speed. Speed is good, but not a must for mathematics research. So no, your results are not necessarily contradictory. (The makers of the AMC themselves let it be known that ability is not absolutely correlated with probability of becoming a successful mathematician. :stuck_out_tongue: )</p>

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<p>Math contests are not at all contradictory to the standards of publishing your math paper, mostly because you’re only given a certain amount of time to answer several grueling problems that each have a pre-determined solution. Research involves finding a solution to some problem that does not have a solution yet. Research >>>> Math contests, IMHO. </p>

<p>Btw, I’m going to get my paper in Physics published and am going to ISEF in LA! Can’t wait!! Where are you from?</p>