As more high school students turn toward independent research competitions, such as the Intel Science Talent Search, to distinguish themselves in their college applications, they are finding it harder to gain an advantage in the increasingly competitive college admissions process.
Commonly known as the "Junior Nobel Prize," the Intel Science Talent Search aims to bring national attention to the need for improvement in mathematics and science education in the United States and aims to find the next generation of innovators. Intel awards a total of $1.25 million to 10 winners and 40 finalists out of approximately 1,600 applicants each year. Alumni of the competition have gone on to win six Nobel Prizes, three National Medals of Science, 10 MacArthur Foundation Fellowships and two Fields Medals.
Students who take part in in-depth research projects such as the Talent Search program "develop the critical thinking and analytical skills that do prepare them for the work that they will do here at Dartmouth," Dean of Admissions Maria Laskaris said.
The college recognizes that not all applicants have access to research opportunities, Laskaris said.
Dartmouth students who participated in the competition, however, were not sure whether it had been a major factor in their acceptance to the College.
"So many students from my high school and the towns nearby also competed in Intel that I don't think my participation was a distinguishing factor," said Megan Zebroski '08 who studied how coaches can most effectively work with female athletes.
James Pyo '10, who studied the mechanisms of muscle contractions, said he believed the program gave him an edge in the admissions process nationwide, but acknowledged that the advantage of participating in the program decreases each year as the program becomes more popular.
"As the high-school research culture becomes seen as a gateway to college, more schools and regions will get involved, and the process will get much more competitive and it'll get harder to stand out," he said.
Fifteen of this year's Intel finalists are from New York -- nine from high schools on Long Island and five from Stuyvesant High School in New York City. In comparison, Pennsylvania, the state with the second most finalists, has four.
Both students said the science competition prepared them for college by helping them build analytical skills, allowing them to practice their written and verbal communication skills, and showing them the importance of time management.
"The amount of work necessary was definitely much more intense and time-consuming compared to any academic commitment I have in college classes," Pyo said.
Zebroski said the research experience prepared her for her Dartmouth classes more than any other experience she had while in high school.
