Will a scientific paper help my chances?

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

If I write a scientific paper (like a real one that gets published in a scientific journal) will that be something I can put on my college applications and would it help me get into higher schools? And if so how much will it help? Thanks

2

A research paper will definitely help, but it is not a substitute for low grades.
It’ll be a great addition to your application.
But universities will not look at your entire paper, mostly only the abstract.

3

Thank you for responding. My unweighted GPA is 3.84 and I’m in all the highest classes I can be in. I didn’t want this to substitute for low grades but my extra circulars are alittle underwhelming, do you think this will help compensate? Thanks

4

Depends on whether you will be first author or not. Also the prestige of the Journal itself weighs in. Most students don’t get to do research that would be publishable, so this would certainly stand out.