<p>How impressive are published research papers? Can these be counted as a "hook" that is on par with intel or usamo type of major awards?</p>
<p>It depends. I’m not in the game of ranking EC’s.</p>
<p>A published paper with any author credit in a scientific journal is fairly rare and a good accomplishment.</p>
<p>im super late but i want to know more about this too… anyone?</p>
<p>Having a published research paper is not in and of itself impressive - there are plenty of no-name journals that almost function as a vanity press for academics. The key how many other papers quote the research - that is an acknowledgement of the importance of the paper.</p>
<p>It is just one more item that goes to the depth and breadth of your passions. It in’t a “yes, we will take you” or “no, we won’t take you” thing.</p>
<p>If it’s original published research, then yes, it’s impressive, although probably not on the level of intel or whatnot. It depends on the content and impact of the paper. If it’s a paper you got your name on as 2nd/3rd/4th author because you worked on someone else’s idea and/or piggybacked on a professor, then no, not quite so impressive. Still a great thing to have on your application, but by itself it’s not going to act as a hook. Like @Momof2back2back said, the latter would more just add to the depth and breadth of your passions.</p>
<p>It depends whether it’s peer-reviewed or not, and where it’s published. If you’re speaking newspaper, not research journal, then it needs to be a national paper.</p>
<p>What if it is in draft form by the time of applications but it is solo authored?</p>
<p>@mrmom62 makes a good point. The value of research is proven over time as it is cited by peers. That takes time, so it is unlikely that authorship will do more than represent a students passion and some level of expertise. </p>
<p>@Singersdad It just generally takes a long time to get published in some reputable journals as well</p>
<p>It took me literally 6 months from the day of submission to publication for one of my papers. I published multiple papers (all 1st author) throughout my high school career - sacrificing high academics. I most definitely think that research papers are top notch. Pretty sure it’s higher than USAMO and all the equivalents. </p>
<p>It does depend on the publication–they’re not all reputable, and academics are pretty good at figuring out the difference. That said, it can be of benefit and does show sustained interest and competence.</p>
<p>@marvin100 H index of my journal was 169, Science/Nature are 850+ I think. Scientific American (One that I am currently suscribed to) has an H index of 167.</p>