A recent article from ProPublica discusses a new trend in college admissions where high school students are publishing research papers to enhance their applications. Who knew this was a thing? This practice is facilitated by a group of services, often connected to expensive private counselors, that help high school students conduct and publish research. These services, such as Scholar Launch, pair students with mentors who supposedly guide them in writing research papers that can be published in peer-reviewed journals.
The article highlights that this trend is particularly prevalent among affluent families who can afford the fees for these services, which can range from $2,500 to $10,000. The services pair high school students with academic mentors (usually grad students) for 10-15 weeks to produce research papers, and then help steer the papers into a variety of online journals and preprint platforms.
However, the article raises concerns about the quality and authenticity of some of the research being published. It suggests that some papers may be more the product of the paid mentors than the students themselves, and that some services may engage in questionable practices, such as inflating the credentials of their academic mentors or offering incentives to college admissions consultants who could provide referrals.
Overall, the article suggests that this trend is contributing to a "pay-to-play" dynamic in college admissions that favors wealthier students. Not mentioned is how capitalism requires this ever escalating “war” between applicants for the scarce number of seats at the “right” schools. Having attended over a dozen schools in my lifetime, I don’t see the point of such schemes. But, it’s obvious that someone does as this “industry” is quite profitable.
Who knew this was a thing?
Who knew this was a thing?
Who knew this was a thing?
A recent article from ProPublica discusses a new trend in college admissions where high school students are publishing research papers to enhance their applications. Who knew this was a thing? This practice is facilitated by a group of services, often connected to expensive private counselors, that help high school students conduct and publish research. These services, such as Scholar Launch, pair students with mentors who supposedly guide them in writing research papers that can be published in peer-reviewed journals.
The article highlights that this trend is particularly prevalent among affluent families who can afford the fees for these services, which can range from $2,500 to $10,000. The services pair high school students with academic mentors (usually grad students) for 10-15 weeks to produce research papers, and then help steer the papers into a variety of online journals and preprint platforms.
However, the article raises concerns about the quality and authenticity of some of the research being published. It suggests that some papers may be more the product of the paid mentors than the students themselves, and that some services may engage in questionable practices, such as inflating the credentials of their academic mentors or offering incentives to college admissions consultants who could provide referrals.
Overall, the article suggests that this trend is contributing to a "pay-to-play" dynamic in college admissions that favors wealthier students. Not mentioned is how capitalism requires this ever escalating “war” between applicants for the scarce number of seats at the “right” schools. Having attended over a dozen schools in my lifetime, I don’t see the point of such schemes. But, it’s obvious that someone does as this “industry” is quite profitable.