Science Supplement?

<p>Hey all. As a junior, I took part in a science research project with two classmates and a professor from a local university. We wrote a 30? page manuscript report which we have submitted for publication to a very reputable national science journal.</p>

<p>I was wondering if I should submit the manuscript as supplementary material for Harvard. First of all, I am a co-author, not the sole author. Would it be okay to submit a paper partially written by others (which is made clear at the beginning of the manuscript)? </p>

<p>Also, I am applying as an Economics major and I do not indicate an interest in science on my application. Would submitting a science supplement as a non-science student be detrimental? In my additional statement placing this research in the context of my academic interests, I will talk about how I am both a sciences and humanities person and look at every subject from multiple angles.</p>

<p>Thanks!</p>

<ol>
<li><p>No, it will not be detrimental. Harvard doesn’t care what they think you’ll want to major in, since like the vast majority of college students, you probably won’t major in what you think now.</p></li>
<li><p>Don’t make them read a 30 page journal article. Your application isn’t the only one on their desk. They will either not read it or feel obliged to and hate it. Send them a 1-page abstract, if anything. It may not even be necessary to send it at all and rather you might want to just note it elsewhere on your application.</p></li>
</ol>

<p>This is purely out of curiosity, but may I ask: what kind of program is it wherein a college professor works with high school students? Sounds interesting (and rare).</p>

<p>^Just go and ask. I’ve been doing research for 2 years, and I started off by reading publications and abstracts. Also, take advanced courses at a nearby college if possible- you gain so much more knowledge that you can use in your research. Also, if the professor believes you have enough knowledge to continue the research by yourself, they will allow to design your own independent project, which is pretty cool.</p>

<p>@DwightEisenhower–Thank you :)! I will take your advice. I don’t think the paper itself would convey much more than an abstract plus a list of accomplishments related to that research project would. I think I’ll put an abstract in the “additional information” section of the Common Application. </p>

<p>@UndclrdStdnt–It wasn’t a program per se. The head of my school’s science department recommended me and another student to a university professor who was interested in doing research with high school students. A huge component of what we set out to do in this project was show the national scientific community how accessible and feasible our materials and methods were, and promote their commercial use–using inexperienced high school students as researchers helped to further that.</p>

<p>^ Wow ur so lucky to get in a lab… I wasn’t.</p>

<p>That’s really cool!</p>

<p>Does it have to be a publication for the supplement? Or could it be a scientific poster?</p>

<p>A poster…? I doubt that’s really going to enhance/differentiate your application. Stick with research papers. Again, supplementary materials are fully optional.</p>