<p>I went to a information session at Cornell a few months a go and I was told that having research experience is a major plus. This summer I will be working at a research lab at a local hospital and will get over 250+ hours of experience as an intern and will have my named published in the final paper for the study. Can this be considered a hook?</p>
<p>Also, I was considering on applying to CALS. Would having experience in a microbiology lab help me standout as a applicant?</p>
<p>In addition to this, I am part of a research program at my high school through which we participate in major competitions. My last project involved plant/environmental science... it received a award at a state competition, can this also help me standout as a CALS applicant?</p>
<p>I wouldn't consider it a hook becuase getting a student with research experience doesnt really improve the school (unless u go on to discover the cure for some disease while at cornell or w/e). I think it will help u a great deal in admissiions, however, because i rememebr at the info session taht i went to last fall they ssaid that expressing interest in your major is very important.</p>
<p>I think it will help during the admission process because it shows how devoted and how motivated you are to learn more about your interest. I wouldn't consider it a hook just because of most Cornellians will have research experience when they apply.</p>
<p>I would say you're on the right track. Being in the research class itself will not be a hook. But if you excell in it, and you work it into your whole package well, if it becomes something you love, it will help a ton. It is true that most competitive science applicants to ivies will have done it. But not all of them will have published or gotten awarded in major competitions. Try to do well in Intel, westinghouse, young epidemiology scholars, ISEF, maybe even some local fairs.
Make sure that you also take higher level science classes at your school. Maths too if you can (tho i got in taking normal math my whole HS career, with exception of senior when i skipped precalc and took normal, not AP, calculus--tho i am more into biology and related philosophy..so it depends on the person).
Get yourself involved in any other science activities you like. If you can, bring other talents into it. For me, that was writing, so I won a science and society essay contest, did other writing activities. Try doing anything you can to stand out, but to fit to the college's "mission" and your major's description.</p>