Sofia
Do research online programs like Lumiere, Indigo Research, Polygence, etc, really help in getting into better schools?
Hi I just finished my junior year and I'm about to go into my senior year. This summer I have been looking for things to do for college and came across these research opportunities. I recently got accepted into one and I'm really excited about the opportunity of stepping into something different like this, challenging myself. These research programs come with a cost which isn't something very affordable for my family and something my parents' aren't really willing to pay. I'm really enthusiastic about this opportunity, but I want to know if the price is really worth it, if I would be spending my money on something that will positively affect my future: getting into a good college, obtaining scholarships, gaining experience for my career. This is something I'm really considering even if my parents are not really willing to pay for it, I want to know if it's worth it so I can find a way to make it work. I'm open to hearing everyone's honest opinions on the topic, thank you!
2 answers
Michelle M.
Michelle’s Answer
It's great to know that you are ambitious ! Since you've previously mentioned that you will be Majoring in Pharmaceutical Science when you get to college, doing extracurriculars, activities and joining Chemistry groups will be a great way to provide experience and knowledge for you at the current time. It will help college go smoother for you, but doing an online research program isn't specifically an admission boost as there are other factors that weigh in as more important.
It is very important that your family do not pay the high cost for this, especially if they cannot afford it. You can get experience for free and more viable off line and on site/in person. There are Chemistry Summer Programs in your country that would be more of a beneficial experience as you will interact with people. Visit your High School and ask your Academic Advisor about these programs. They will be a better experience than an expensive online experience and you'd get to meet new people. Remember, it's not something to do to get into a college, it's to gain the insight to prepare you for college.
You can also explore volunteer work at a hospital or pharmaceutical company or a pharmacy. Even if your duties do not entail working with chemicals, you will gain experience and sharpen your skills. Another thing that you can do for free is do independent experiments. I have left some links for ideas of experiments below, but you can come up with your own, too. Remember to video record as many experiments as you do and write a report of your findings.
So, you do not need to spend money right now. Also, scholarships do not require you to take a paid online program, other things are considered for scholarships. You can get experience for free. The important factors that colleges usually look at are entrance exam scores and GPAs, so just do the chemistry activities to boost your knowledge and experience and/or do volunteer work. You should be fine for college admissions. Start reading your prospective college's website to learn what they require for admissions.
I hope this helps and I wish you all the best !
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Karin P.
Karin’s Answer
I would advise against these expensive programs, especially if you can ill afford it. I know, it sounds like an amazing opportunity, but at the end of the day it's "pay-to-play" and college admission people know that too.
Also, any science or engineering degree is hands-on with labs and projects. There is only so much you can learn from an online project at this stage of your career. Hands-on activities right where you are and initiative from your side will go a long way with admission. It doesn't have to be exactly in the field you want to study.
If you can participate in a Science Fair, you could get some recognition. Just doing a project and presenting it is already a big deal. If your school can give you access to a chemistry lab, you could come up with your own project. If you get in contact with the university, someone there might be willing to mentor you.
You could also volunteer with a local environmental organization for some field work or citizen science. That might be a river clean-up, or counting birds or butterflies or locating non-local plant species or endangered species or documenting air or water pollution. If such an organization does not exist where you are, you can start one either as a school club or as an organization. You could also volunteer in a hospital or in a pharmacy to show your interest in the medical field.
I hope this helps! All the best to you!
KP
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