<p>I'm hoping to apply to the Woodrow Wilson scholars program at JHU, and I have a few great (in my mind at least) ideas for research, however my research experience thus far is pretty limited (read, nonexistent). I would have loved to have done research in high school, but geography proved an issue (essentially no research universities, programs or even half decent lab equipment for miles and miles). I know that's a weak excuse, but its the truth. So, I'm wondering how strongly past research experience is weighed as a factor for acceptance into the program. I'm hoping it's possible to be accepted with only a strong but standard academic background and a promising research topic. Does anyone have a clue as to whether or not this is the case? Any help is immensely appreciated.</p>
<p>from what i know you don’t really need research experience. the two people i know who are woodrow wilson scholars are both non-science majors. one of them, my roommate, is a history major and his research project/thesis is on something history-related. he didn’t do research either. </p>
<p>just apply and see what happens!</p>
<p>You don’t need research experience. I WOULD say, though, that you NEED to be engaging and a strong writer. I was not a Wilson scholar myself, but three of my best friends were – one was an IR major, one was a Writing Sems/Chem (yes) major, and one was an Anthro/Art History major. I think it would have been pretty hard to get “research” experience in those topic areas before college, but it obviously did not hurt them in terms of getting the scholarship.
Just curious, what are you thinking about for your research topic?</p>