Publishing science research...how big is this?

Applying to College
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<p>I've been conducting research with my mentor the past few summers, and we've compiled the work into a manuscript. I'm listed as a co-first author, and one of the branches of Nature (not the journal itself, but one of their equally prestigious subjournals, its ranked #1 in impact factor in its category) has agreed to let the manuscript undergo peer review - we passed the "presubmission inquiry," which according to my mentor is very impressive already. Obviously being published in the journal will be very difficult, and I expect we won't, but most likely still will be published in a pretty good journal.</p>

<p>My question is this: how impressive will this be to an undergrad adcom? Its my understanding that by grad school, the number of publications becomes a big thing for budding scientists. I guess this wouldn't be as good as winning IMO or something, but I'm curious how exactly you think this accomplishment will be received.</p>

<p>Also, should I attach an abstract or the whole paper when I apply this fall?</p>

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<p>It's very impressive to be published as a first author in a well-respected scientific journal as a high schooler. Most undergrads can't claim that achievement. Congrats!</p>

<p>I'd go ahead and send the whole paper, if it's no extra trouble.</p>

3

<p>Check the school. MIT doesn't want full research papers; Caltech does.</p>

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<p>Thanks for the feedback so far, bump for any more?</p>

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<p>It's very, very big to be published in a peer-reviewed journal, especially one of such prestige, as an undergrad.</p>

<p>Personally, if I were an adcom, I would care more about it than IMO. IMO is solving problems on a test, publishing a paper in a leading journal is advancing the state of the art in a field. I'm not sure that real-life adcoms see it the same way I do. But I can assure you that even at the top colleges it will be considered very impressive.</p>

<p>Edit: And yeah, check with individual schools as to whether you should send the full paper. Not all will accept them.</p>