At many of the most competitive universities in the United States, research is not just part of the academic culture, it is a core component of the institution’s identity. From Ivy League schools to STEM powerhouses like MIT, Caltech, and Johns Hopkins, these institutions are deeply committed to research. Even large public universities such as Rutgers, Penn State, and Stony Brook conduct research at a very high level.
Why Research Matters for College Admissions
For students, this means there will be ample opportunities to get involved in research during college, across a wide range of disciplines. Students may work in a lab under the guidance of faculty or graduate students, or pursue self-directed research in areas such as social science, economics, literature, or policy. With this growing emphasis on research at the undergraduate level, it is no surprise that colleges are increasingly interested in applicants who have already demonstrated some exposure to, or experience with, academic research.
Some colleges clearly express how much they value research. In a 2022 blog post, University of Pennsylvania Dean of Admissions Whitney Soule wrote that nearly one-third of admitted students had conducted academic research during high school. Many earned national or international accolades, worked alongside top faculty, co-authored publications, and demonstrated an ability to connect ideas across disciplines.
Other top institutions allow students to include research supplements in their applications. The University of Chicago invites applicants to submit research projects, business plans, or other work of note. Yale University allows students who have been engaged in advanced STEM research to submit a research abstract as part of their application.
How High School Students Can Get Involved in Research
Unlike typical extracurricular activities, research opportunities are not built into the high school curriculum. Most students will need to take initiative to find or create these opportunities. Many high schools do not offer the flexibility or structure to support independent research, and few provide formal guidance on how to get started.
Fortunately, there are a number of highly respected summer programs that give high school students a chance to participate in college-level research. A sample of these programs include:
- BU RISE: A competitive program at Boston University for rising seniors who want to conduct laboratory-based STEM research.
- Princeton Laboratory Learning Program: Matches high school students with Princeton researchers for hands-on involvement in active research projects.
- Summer Science Program (SSP): Offers research opportunities in astrophysics, biochemistry, and genomics through campus-based programs.
Admission to these programs is highly selective. Although not formally required, students who already have research experience are more competitive applicants. Beginning early, ideally during freshman or sophomore year, allows students to build valuable skills and experience that will help them stand out when applying to these prestigious summer programs and, eventually, to college.
How Oriel Admissions Can Help
The Oriel Ignite Research Program connects high school students with PhD candidates from top-tier institutions, including Princeton University and the University of Pennsylvania. Over the course of several months, students meet weekly with their mentor and receive step-by-step guidance to develop and complete an original research project.
Students in our program will:
- Learn how research is conducted at the college level
- Choose a focused research question based on their interests
- Conduct a literature review and analyze publicly available data
- Draft, revise, and finalize a research paper or project
By the end of the program, students will have a completed, polished research paper or project, which is a powerful way to demonstrate intellectual engagement and academic initiative, both of which are highly valued by selective colleges.
For students looking to strengthen their college applications, research experience is one of the most effective and credible ways to stand out. Interested in getting started? Contact us today to learn more about the Oriel Ignite Research Program
