🍦Daily Digest Aug 21: Can anybody do research in high school?

Good morning folks! Here’s what we have today:

1. School of the Day: University of Michigan: Academics, Athletics, and Ann Arbor Charm

2. Admissions Blueprint: Can anybody do research in high school?

3. Hear From Your Peers: Aanya’s Tips: Dual Enrollment, Writer’s Block, and more

SCHOOL OF THE DAY
School Name

Every day, we cover a different school, helping you learn something new about your favorite schools or find a new school that could end up being your dream school.

📍 Location: Ann Arbor, Michigan
🎓 Undergraduate Enrollment: 33,730
📝 Average SAT/ACT: 1435/33
💰 Tuition: $17,736 (in-state), $60,946 (out-of-state)
📊 Acceptance Rate: 17.7%
📅 Admission Options: Early Action (November 1), Regular Decision (February 1)
🏆 Most Popular Majors: Computer Science (12%), Business (7%), Economics (7%) (US News)

The University of Michigan offers a blend of academic rigor, a spirited campus atmosphere, and a deep connection to research. Known for its strong programs in engineering, business, and the social sciences, Michigan provides students with a diverse range of opportunities. The campus, set in the vibrant town of Ann Arbor, is a mix of historic and modern architecture, providing an inspiring setting for student life. Founded in 1817, Michigan has a rich tradition of excellence and a global reputation for research and innovation. Let’s dive into what makes the University of Michigan a top choice!

Some Positives

🏛️ Historic Campus: The University of Michigan’s campus is rich with history, from the iconic Michigan Union to the serene Law Quadrangle. It’s a place where tradition meets innovation, providing a unique environment for learning.

🎓 Research Opportunities: As a major research institution, Michigan spends over $1.5 billion annually on research. Students have access to cutting-edge facilities and can work on projects that make a real-world impact.

🎉 Big Ten Spirit: Few schools can rival Michigan’s school spirit. The Wolverines are a key part of the Big Ten Conference, and game days at the “Big House” are legendary, drawing over 100,000 fans.

🌍 Global Perspective: Michigan offers extensive study abroad programs and has a diverse student body, with a significant number of international students. This global focus enriches the academic and social experience on campus.

🎨 Cultural Hub: Ann Arbor is known for its vibrant arts scene, with numerous galleries, theaters, and music venues. Students can immerse themselves in a rich cultural landscape both on and off campus.

Some Negatives

💰 High Out-of-State Tuition: Out-of-state students face a steep tuition rate, which can be a financial burden. It’s crucial to explore scholarships and financial aid options.

🌬️ Harsh Winters: Ann Arbor experiences long, cold winters. If you’re not a fan of snow and cold weather, the winter months might be challenging.

🏢 Large Campus, Large Classes: With a big student body, some introductory classes can be quite large, which might be overwhelming for students used to smaller learning environments.

🏛️ Competitive Atmosphere: The academic environment at Michigan is rigorous and can be competitive, especially in popular majors like engineering and business. Staying on top of your studies is key to success here.

🚶 Campus Layout: The University of Michigan’s campus is spread out across several different areas, which can make getting to classes a bit of a trek, especially in winter.

The University of Michigan provides a dynamic and challenging environment with a balance of academics, research, and extracurricular activities. It’s a great fit for those who thrive in a competitive and spirited atmosphere. Go Blue!

ADMISSION BLUEPRINT
Can Anybody do Research in High School?

Today’s Admission Blueprint section is a follow-up from yesterday’s section and while you don’t need to read yesterday’s to understand today’s guide, it helps provide a lot of information related to why exactly high school research is so important. Feel free to check out yesterday’s article here: https://scholarscoops.beehiiv.com/p/daily-digest-aug-20-colleges-care-research-much

🕒 When to Start?
You can’t just “jump” into research. Starting your research journey after your sophomore year is typically the best time. By this point, you’ve likely completed foundational courses in subjects like math, science, or humanities, giving you the necessary background to understand and engage with more advanced topics. This timing also allows you to explore different areas of interest before you dive deep into a specific subject. Starting too early might mean you’re not fully equipped to handle the complexities of a research project, but waiting too long could leave you without enough time to make a meaningful impact. The sweet spot is when you have a solid understanding of the basics and the curiosity to explore further.

✉️ How to Start?
The key to securing a research opportunity is persistence and networking. Start by emailing professors and PhDs whose work interests you. Craft personalized emails that highlight why you’re interested in their research and what skills or experiences you can bring to the table. Don’t be discouraged if you don’t get responses right away—professors are busy, but persistence often pays off.
Additionally, tap into your network. Ask your parents, family friends, or even friends of friends if they know anyone in academia or a relevant industry. Sometimes, a personal connection can open doors that a cold email might not.
Participating in research programs designed for high school students can also be a great way to get your foot in the door. These programs often provide mentorship and structure, which can be invaluable if you’re new to research.

🎯 How to Set Goals
When setting goals for your research journey, it’s important to focus on the process rather than just the outcomes. While publications are impressive, they shouldn’t be your only goal—especially early on. Aim to immerse yourself in your chosen subject, learning as much as you can and pushing the boundaries of your understanding.
This depth of knowledge will not only make your research stronger but will also impress admissions officers who value intellectual curiosity and a commitment to learning. Additionally, going deep into a subject can help you build a strong foundation that will serve you well in college and beyond. It can also lead to unexpected discoveries or insights that could become the cornerstone of your future academic or professional pursuits.

⚖️ Independent vs. Institution vs. Individual Professor/PhD Student
Choosing the right path for your research can be challenging, as each option has its own set of advantages and drawbacks.

• Independent Research: This route offers the most freedom, allowing you to explore a topic of your choice at your own pace. You can tailor the project to your interests and adjust it as you learn more. However, without guidance, it can be easy to lose direction or miss out on critical feedback that could enhance your work. Also, if you’re interested in publishing you will usually need someone with at least a little experience in the field to be your co-author, depending on the publication.

• Research with an Institution: Joining a structured program through a university or research institution provides a solid framework. These programs often offer mentorship, resources, and access to research facilities. The downside is that they can be competitive, and you may have less flexibility in choosing your research topic or methodology.

• Research with a Professor/PhD: Collaborating with a professor or PhD student is an excellent way to gain mentorship from someone experienced in the field. You’ll likely work on a portion of a larger project, which can be both a learning opportunity and a challenge. On the one hand, you benefit from the guidance of an expert; on the other, your research might be more constrained by the goals and timelines of the larger project.

Ultimately, the best path depends on your goals, the resources available to you, and how you prefer to work. If you’re highly self-motivated and have a clear vision, independent research might be ideal. If you thrive in structured environments or want access to advanced resources, an institutional program could be the best fit. If you’re looking for mentorship and the chance to contribute to significant research, working with a professor or PhD might be the way to go.

HEAR FROM YOUR PEERS
Aanya’s Tips: Dual Enrollment, Writer’s Block, and more

Today, we’re trying out a new section that we call Hear from Your Peers. In this section, you’ll get the chance to hear directly from students who are currently in the thick of the college application process. We’ll feature interviews that dive into their experiences, strategies, and challenges. To kick things off, we have an interview with Aanya, a high school senior at Irvington High School.

What should I do during high school to help me in the college application process?

• If your school allows it, definitely do Dual Enrollment courses. They’re a good way to branch out and develop your interests, boost your GPA, and at times, replace courses that you otherwise would have taken at school. For example if you’re not too good at Spanish, consider dropping the class at school and taking an often much easier class that gives you the same credit at your local community college.

• Spend as much time as possible getting to know your teachers. Remember, they’ll be the ones writing rec. letters for you, and even apart from that, it’s always good to form a more personal connection with somebody you’re going to be spending time with pretty much every day.

• Know your strengths and weaknesses and spend time to hone in on your weak spots. This one is pretty self-explanatory, but do your due diligence over the summer to make sure you’re prepared for classes that you know you might struggle in.

• And finally start early for the SAT. It never hurts to take a practice test well in advance. Do everything it takes to not leave it until your senior year because there’s already so much going on at that point.

What should I do if I’m struggling with choosing my major?

• Try out a wide variety of courses (dual enrollment!). If you enjoy actual courses in an area, chances are you’ll enjoy spending four years studying it in college.

• A lot of people would tell you to join clubs, but honestly, I got a lot more value by taking initiative and learning things on my own. Maybe start off with a quick google search to learn more and eventually build to doing research and fostering a deeper level of engagement with a subject. If you immerse yourself in learning and fall in love with an area of study, choosing a major will be a no-brainer. And if you don’t end up liking it, at least you know it’s not for you.

What are some strategies you use to balance school, extracurriculars, and college applications?

• Stick to some form of routine. We all have a crazy amount of work right now, but maintaining some sort of structure is definitely worth it even if it’s the simplest thing. For example, I have a nighttime routine that helps me wind down and take a breather every night before I go to bed.

• Don’t be afraid to have inconsistent days. It’s inevitable that on some days you’ll feel extremely productive and focused, and on other days you’ll feel like you can’t get anything done. Balance doesn’t necessarily mean sticking to a rigid schedule every day, so as long as you’re cognizant of how you’re spending your time, don’t stress out about it.

• Keep track of exactly what you’re spending your time on. Whether that means writing it down, blocking your time, or just mentally keeping tabs, it’s important to be super intentional with your time.

Can you share a challenge you faced during the application process and how you overcame it?

• With so many essays to write, I definitely experienced quite a bit of writer’s block. To this day, I sometimes sit down and feel like my head is completely empty. To get over this, try breaking your writing down into smaller tasks like brainstorming one essay, or writing one supplemental draft. I even write them down on a to-do list to get the joy of checking them off. Also try avoiding getting all up in your head thinking “is this good enough”. Remember anything you put down is definitely going to go through many rounds of revision and putting down something, even if it’s just a rough outline or brainstorm is always better than nothing.

What’s one piece of advice you’d give to someone just starting their college applications?

• Subscribe to Scholar Scoops!

• Start the whole process as early as possible. Whether that’s learning more about colleges, drafting essays, or anything else, it’s always good to be ahead of the game.

• When it comes to essays, make sure you’re not having too many people read and give feedback on them. Too much feedback will definitely leave you feeling all over the place. Instead, choose a small, diverse group of people, maybe a couple teachers, a couple trusted friends, your parents, and your counselor, and have them give specific, targeted feedback. Also keep in mind that in the end, what you want to write is completely your decision!

Any final thoughts?
I think that’s pretty much it. Good luck to everybody who’s reading and I know that if you’re subscribed to Scholar Scoops, you’re already on the right track!

LINK LOUNGE
Important testing dates are coming up!

In the Link Lounge section, you can find links to great resources such as scholarships during the college application process. These links can be really helpful and will be updated every Wednesday, so be sure to check back frequently!

1600.io: A comprehensive resource offering practice tests, video explanations, and personalized study plans designed to help you achieve a perfect SAT score. Ideal for focused, self-paced study.
USC Find Your Counselor: USC website that makes it really easy to find out your point of contact for USC applications
Common App Ready: A series of resources and videos from the Common App team that walk you through each section of the application. Perfect for first-time applicants.

DAILY DEADLINE UPDATES
August SAT: 4 days to go!

In the Daily Deadlines section, we will keep you updated on upcoming deadlines in the college admissions world. Remember to not procrastinate and stay ahead of these deadlines!

August SAT: Saturday, August 24
September ACT Registration Deadline: Sunday, August 25
September ACT: Saturday, September 15
University of Texas Early Action Deadline: October 15

THE ARCHIVE
Looking for past mailings?

You can view all our previous posts at our website at https://scholarscoops.beehiiv.com

IDEAS COME FROM EVERYWHERE
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