Is Research the REAL Way to Get Into Harvard? (Here’s the Proof!)

The Hidden Path to Harvard, Stanford & MIT Admissions

I have the proof that shows you research is a fool-proof way of getting into not just one, BUT more than one colleges like Harvard, Stanford, MIT, Yale, Princeton. Stick with me, and I am going to prove to you that getting into Harvard is not a total gamble. Some students aren’t just lucky.

In this video, we’re breaking down the exact profiles of three students who got into more than one of these top five colleges. Their secret? Research. It’s not the only way in, but for them, it made all the difference. So, what kind of research did they do? Let’s dive in!

I’m Tina Chulet. I run BlueSkies Ivy League Consulting – I have helped students get into their dream college in the USA for as long as I can remember – from the likes of NYU to Harvard. I started this channel to share everything I know about the USA admission process to teach students the fool-proof methodology behind getting admitted.

Let’s get to the exact profiles of three students who mastered this approach of utilizing published research as their ticket in.

Real Student Profiles: How Published Research Helped Them Get Into Harvard, Stanford & MIT

Student 1: Research & Leadership in STEM

Academics:

Ranked #1 out of 120 students

1590 SAT, 36 ACT

4.73 GPA, 1510/1520 PSAT

16 AP courses, with 12 scores of 5

Awards:

National Merit Scholarship recipient

Selected for California State Summer School for Mathematics and Science (COSMOS), a prestigious four-week residential STEM program

Research:

Conducted a two-year research internship at UC Irvine in a molecular and cell biology labAccepted into Stanford’s SIMR research program (~5% acceptance rate), interning in a bioinformatics lab after junior year

Worked on classified drug development research, which was highlighted in a letter of recommendation.

Demonstrated leadership as captain of the Academic Decathlon and Mock Trial teamsFounded a service initiative in freshman year, which gained national media recognition, including features in USA Today

Student 2: Aerospace Research & Scientific Publications

Academics:

Ranked #2 out of 560 students

36 ACT

Research:

Conducted college-level research at the Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory

Focused on space applications of ion thruster technology, running thousands of simulations

Collaborated with NASA employees, engineering start-ups, and undergraduate researchers

Published as 4th author in Princeton’s Quest Annual Magazine and Scientific Journal

Physical Review Letters

Extracurriculars & Leadership:

President of Math Club, won regional awards in math competitions

3 years on Varsity Tennis team

Participated in Science Alliance, mentoring middle school students in science fair projects

Student 3: International STEM Competition Winner & Math Researcher

Academics:

GPA: 3.94 unweighted, 4.41 weighted

ACT: 34 | SAT: 1540

Took 16 AP courses, beginning AP coursework in 8th grade

Awards:

Best in Category at the International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF)

First-place winner at the European Union Contest for Young Scientists

Intel Science Talent Search finalist (one of only 40 selected nationwide)

Research:

Held a permanent research fellowship at the Center for Fundamental Research and Creative Education (India)

Conducted research in algebraic topology since freshman year

Worked with Harvard mathematician Noam Elkies on advanced math problems

Leadership & Extracurriculars:

Delivered research talks at Joint Math Meetings, UC Irvine, and UCLA

Created a high school seminar on abstract algebra

Served as Vice-President of the school’s tutorial club

Participated in UCLA’s Math Circle for gifted students

Took graduate-level math courses at UCLA

Why Research Is the Secret Advantage in Ivy League Admissions

Before we go into the key takeaways that you can apply to your own application – let’s first look at how I know research matters.

For those of you familiar with my channel – you know I love talking about how Harvard got caught with its pants down. So here it goes – A Supreme Court case a few years back brought to light that Harvard’s admissions process was discriminatory. During the lawsuit, internal admissions data from over 160,000 applicants was revealed, shedding previously secret info on how elite colleges evaluate candidates.

The admissions process evaluates candidates across four key dimensions—academic, extracurricular, personal, and athletic. Contrary to the belief that college admissions are a random game, students who are truly exceptional in at least one of these categories—what admissions officers call a “1”—are accepted at 15 times the rate of those who score just slightly lower.

Achieving a “1” in academics isn’t just about perfect grades and test scores; it often requires recognition beyond the classroom, such as prestigious competitions or published research.

That’s why, for these standout admits, research became their defining advantage.

Before the takeaways – real quick – if you’re still struggling to figure out what extracurriculars will set you apart or how to find the best scholarships, I have a solution. You can dive into my courses – which are linked at the bottom – for a clear, actionable roadmap, and get instant access to digital downloads with everything you need — from competition ideas to financial aid opportunities.

Key Takeaways: How Research Strengthened Their College Applications

I’m about to jump into the key takeaways, but besides published research, there is one more foolproof strategy. Check out this video – Not Just Luck: How Global Competitions Got These 3 Students Into Harvard, Stanford & MIT.

Each of these students had a unique profile, but what set them apart was their deep commitment to research. Their projects were not just extracurricular add-ons—they demonstrated real contributions to their fields, leading to publications, competitive programs, and recognition from top scientists.

• Research wasn’t their only strength—they each had strong academics and leadership experiences, but research helped push them into the elite category of applicants.

  
  

• Their admissions weren’t “luck”—they secured acceptances at multiple Top 3 colleges, proving that their applications consistently impressed admissions committees.

  
  

• Depth mattered more than breadth—instead of spreading themselves too thin, they focused deeply on a specific interest, leading to tangible results like publications, awards, and high-impact projects.

  
  

If you’re considering research as part of your application strategy, these students prove that it can be a game-changer—but only if you can really add value to your field of research.

I hope that one or some of those tips helped you. Don’t forget to subscribe. Talk soon, friend.

You can checkout our courses here.