Sabio Column

By James H. Choi
http://Column.SabioAcademy.com
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Note: This article was originally published in the Chicago JoongAng Ilbo in 2015.

A few days ago, I attended a celebratory dinner for a student who had been accepted early to her dream university. This student is a senior at a prestigious boarding school on the East Coast and attributed her early admission to her scientific research experience. At first, I dismissed this as another typical “self-analysis of admission reasons.”

However, during dinner, I learned something surprising: other students with similar or even stronger credentials had been either rejected or deferred, while this particular student was the only one to be accepted early. One notable difference: scientific research experience.

The student’s extracurriculars also stood out—unlike many other applicants, she played an instrument that wasn’t violin, piano, or cello, and participated in activities outside the usual tennis or missionary work. But the consensus at the table was that the key differentiator was her scientific research. The strongest evidence? The university specifically mentioned her research in the acceptance letter and even offered to connect her with faculty members conducting similar studies.

As word spread, the importance of scientific research became apparent among other students still awaiting decisions. Even during our dinner, the student received multiple text messages asking, “Where did you find your research mentor?” It was clear that this realization was sinking in across her peer group.

If all of this is true, an important question arises:
Why does scientific research play such a crucial role in college admissions?

To understand this, we need to consider what top universities truly seek in applicants. If you believe they are simply looking for academically gifted students, think again. What they actually want are students with the potential to make a significant impact in the future—individuals who will go on to achieve great things, bring prestige to the university, and, ultimately, become major donors.

This might sound cynical, but it’s no different from how politicians prioritize winning elections. Just as politicians must win elections to implement their policies, universities rely on major donors to fund scholarships, attract top faculty, support groundbreaking research, and ultimately maintain their elite status.

In my opinion, this explains why Asian students often face an uphill battle in elite college admissions. The donor-to-beneficiary ratio matters. Universities don’t just consider academic excellence; they also calculate the long-term financial contributions their graduates are likely to make. If historical donation patterns suggest that a particular group contributes less in the long run, it makes sense (from a university’s perspective) to limit admissions from that group.

This is why some Asian applicants feel unfairly rejected, saying, “But I got a perfect SAT score!” However, if universities were to fill their campuses with students who only focus on academic achievement and lack long-term donor potential, they would face financial challenges in the future.

So, how do universities identify students who are not only academically strong but also future industry leaders and potential donors?

There are certain key traits they look for:

1. Proactive initiative – They don’t just complete assigned work but actively seek out new challenges.
2. Self-driven learning – They acquire knowledge independently rather than relying solely on school instruction.
3. Fearlessness in tackling unsolved problems – They embrace challenges that others shy away from.
4. Perseverance – They don’t give up until they solve the problem at hand.
5. Innovation and adaptability – They stay ahead of technological trends and apply them productively.

For admissions officers, scientific research is one of the clearest ways to identify students with these qualities.
Why? Because if students lack these traits, they simply won’t be able to complete meaningful research.

That’s why top universities value research experience so highly.
And importantly, winning competitions is not a prerequisite. The student in our story received her early acceptance before the results of the Intel STS competition were even announced.

Advice for Future Applicants

Today, there is an overflow of students who are “obedient, well-behaved, and good at standardized tests.”
However, this signals the mindset of a lifelong employee, not a future industry leader.

If you aspire to attend an elite university, it is not enough to present yourself as a great beneficiary of education—you must also demonstrate the potential to become a significant contributor and benefactor in the future.

This approach is not just beneficial for college admissions; it is also critical for adapting to the rapidly evolving social and economic landscape.
And one of the best ways to develop these essential skills? Engage in meaningful scientific research.

As fields like AI, biotechnology, and sustainability become more critical, students with hands-on research experience in these areas will be even more competitive in admissions.

So whether your goal is college acceptance or long-term career success, developing skills in problem-solving, independent learning, and innovation will be crucial. And there’s no better way to cultivate these skills than by conducting real-world scientific research.