<p>Well, I am applying to a science competition not as well known as Siemens or Intel because its geared toward neuroscience exclusively. If I were to win said competition, would it give me a "hook" (I use the word loosely) in MIT admissions? I know you get these types of questions everyday, but in today's world of perfectionists and those who want to perfect the art of perfectionism, its hard to distinguish yourself...</p>
<p>Thanks!</p>
<p>well mocasin "a hook" is more like a thing with which you think you will be known in the admission office when they discuss you. So according to me one competition can never be a hook (even if it is an olympiad).
Just take this scenario :
Say u have won the IOI in your country but throughout high school you never took any initiative in the field of computing does that make computers you passion or anything which you love. NO. the win would simply be another of your "Academic accomplishments".
So if you want to have a hook like Research then you should have participated in Research work throughout high school. The one competition will although be good on your app and have +ve effect you cant bet on it to be your hook.</p>
<p>thanks very much for answering my question...I have participated in research since my second year in high school...sometimes I feel (sadly) that adcoms don't really care unless they see "proof" of your research through something such as a research competition...</p>
<p>Does entering a competition such as siemens stand as something you should even mention to adcoms? Like if you don't make semifinalist, but you still want to let them know you have a project?</p>
<p>Also, since next year will be my second reserach project(enter siemens again), should I send 2 papers as extra material?</p>
<p>The application asks for your 5 most significant activities, so surely you'd list your research or Siemens competition work right up there on that list, whether or not you were recognized as a competition winner. If it was an important activity for you, of course you should list it! MIT Admissions wants to know about YOU and what you're interested in and how you express and demonstrate that interest: they don't require that you won Siemens or cured cancer while in high school. (Well, probably they'd be impressed with those facts, but far more incoming students have participated in activities without having won them. Note: this may be different for international applicants, so take it with a caveat.) </p>
<p>Matt McGann has noted that if you send papers, they're unlikely to get full evaluation, and suggested you discuss any research you did, how you got interetsed in it, and what you got out of it in the "completely optional essay".</p>
<p>Yeah, I think the experience of research is more important than the results. Even admissions for graduate school in science PhD programs is similar -- they want to see that you did research, not that you published papers (although publishing papers or winning competitions is a plus). </p>
<p>Even in the "real world" of academic science, it's common for a research team to work on a project for a year or more without getting any publishable results. Research takes a long time, and sometimes doesn't give you what you want. Learning the process, especially for a high school student, is more important than winning a competition.</p>
<p>(NOTE: This still should not be taken to mean that research experience is required for undergradate admission to MIT. It's categorically not.)</p>