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Embark Talk: Research is "creative and systematic work undertaken to increase the stock of knowledge, including knowledge of humans, science, culture and society, and the use of this stock of knowledge to devise new applications.

Embark Talk: Many Chinese students and parents may find it somewhat unbelievable to start doing scientific research during high school. It seems like research is something that should be considered only for master's or doctoral studies. However, top American universities base their admission and selection criteria on the American high school education system.
During the high school education phase in the United States, teachers typically divide students into different groups. They collectively select topics, analyze data and information, verify their points, and ultimately produce paper reports. They also present their paper summaries in class. Thus, American high school students go through the process of writing and publishing papers during their high school years, which is quite different from their counterparts in China.
American high school students have many opportunities to participate in research, publish papers, and engage in various competitions and activities. Often, these are the best opportunities for outstanding students to showcase their abilities. Top American universities also seize these opportunities and may prioritize the admission of outstanding students.
If during the research process with a mentor, the professor recognizes you as someone with a strong curiosity and a passion for researching new things, it may be beneficial to request a letter of recommendation from the professor. This could greatly aid in your study abroad application process.

Embark Talk: High school students participating in research projects often face tight deadlines and heavy tasks. How to stand out and attract the attention of dream school admissions officers by completing projects of high quality within limited time is not only the primary concern of most parents but also the core focus of Embark.
Every child has a unique life. it's essential to tailor the topics to their needs in order to discover their distinctive research potential. Embark's mentors adjust various aspects of the topics based on the child's foundation, interests, and learning experiences. Standard research projects cannot meet the needs of every student. Only through personalized customization can we ensure that students can complete projects within a limited time frame.
Parents often ask us, "My child has never been exposed to research before. Can they participate? How much time should they dedicate to preparing given their tight weekly schedule? What if they start from scratch and don't understand the competition schedule well enough?" In fact, there is no need to worry too much. Participants only need to focus on the research itself. As a team dedicated to youth science and innovation competitions and having nurtured numerous international competition-winning students, Embark's value lies in providing peace of mind to students and parents.

Embark Talk: According to the information gathered from the official websites of the top 30 universities in the United States, admissions officers have indicated the three key qualities they most hope to see in international students, especially Chinese students:
Academic Performance
With the raging trend of studying abroad, there is an abundance of candidates with outstanding standardized scores, and competitions and summer schools have almost become standard for applicants. Activity lists and teacher recommendation letters are becoming increasingly homogeneous. Even with perfect standardized scores, it may not necessarily make admissions officers take notice. How to make oneself more competitive and possess the qualities that top American universities are looking for is a challenge that every Chinese applicant must overcome.
Expertise
"A student who demonstrates a strong passion for a particular field and has already made significant achievements in that field will be placed at the top of the admissions list," said a Stanford admissions officer. Before entering Harvard to study computer science, Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg developed various software in a computer laboratory in the United States. Surprisingly, the head of the laboratory provided him with a recommendation letter, which played a crucial, even decisive, role in Zuckerberg's Harvard application. Therefore, for top American universities, expertise is the best indicator of whether a student genuinely has passion for a particular field and has the potential to become a future leader in that field. Engaging in research projects at the university level or even higher during high school undoubtedly demonstrates a student's profound exploration of the profession and field.
Rarity
Engaging in high-quality scientific research, whether in STEM, business, social sciences, or humanities, and incorporating this research experience into your application essays, as well as providing admissions officers access to your research papers or project reports, will undoubtedly become an impressive activity for admissions officers. The experience gained from research internships not only helps you gain a deeper understanding of the relevant field or industry but also enriches the content of your later application materials. One of the main differences between Chinese high school students and American high school students is practical skills, and engaging in substantial research can serve as an excellent supplement, demonstrating your practical abilities and the depth of your research in the field you are applying for.

Embark Talk: Taking undergraduate applications as an example (graduate applications are more detailed), American universities' Common App or other application forms typically include an extracurricular activities section, where one option is research. Secondly, some American universities may now require additional materials. For instance, Princeton University requires the submission of a Graded Writing Sample, such as a graded essay or mini-paper, to replace SAT Writing and ACT Writing assessments. Therefore, from two perspectives, opportunities are provided for students to showcase their research experiences.
For example, Yale University now has a dedicated section called "Academic Achievements." If students participate in research projects in the field of science and engineering, they can fill in an abstract in this section. This separate section emphasizes the applicant's level of importance placed on research results. In summary, no student applying to American universities will be admitted solely based on good academic grades; they all need to demonstrate uniqueness in some way.