Projects, Papers & Portfolio : Your Edge in Admissions

In an age where college admissions are more competitive than ever, academic grades and test scores alone are no longer enough to distinguish applicants. What truly sets students apart is the story they tell through their work—especially through research papers and personal projects. These are often compiled and submitted in the form of a portfolio. 

Dreaming of Caltech, Columbia, UPenn, or UChicago? Learn how research papers and passion projects can boost your admission chances, especially when these universities give you a chance to upload supplemental materials.

Research Papers 

Research papers are formal, in-depth explorations of academic questions that reflect a student's ability to think critically, analyze data, and synthesize information. For students with an academic or theoretical focus research papers demonstrate both intellectual curiosity and self-discipline.

Example: Mehul Jangir from Jaipur combined his academic excellence with a passion for Astronomy, and wrote a research paper on black holes and the evolving universe.  This paper helped him differentiate his profile as well as his passion for the subject. In Mehul’s own words, “ I learned a lot under Professor Lombardi. My research paper in astronomy was my favourite STEM experience and helped me convey my curiosity and passion to the universities”. Mehul secured an admission to CalTech - his dream university.

Keishaa Varma published a research paper on EPR spectroscopy, analyzing biomolecule samples like DPPH and hydrated manganese chloride using experimental methods to understand the process. Her research endeavours along with her academic excellence helped her clinch an admit to Columbia University for electrical engineering major.

Getting started with research can be as simple as identifying a question of interest and seeking mentorship from a mentor, enrolling in a summer program, or even working independently with guidance from online academic resources. Ideally, students should start by Grade 10, giving themselves time to delve deeper into the topic and work on a more advanced paper before applying to universities.

STEM Portfolio

For students inclined toward Science, Technology, Engineering, or Math, portfolios often take a more technical form. A STEM portfolio might include code, engineering models, science experiments, simulations, prototypes, or mathematical explorations. These projects are typically hands-on and problem-solving in nature, and they provide tangible evidence of a student's curiosity and innovation.

For instance, Advit Ranawade passion for electronics began in high school, where he started working on hands-on projects that combined technology and practicality. One of his standout creations is the Intelligent Water Dispenser, an IoT-based device designed to regulate water flow through taps, optimizing usage and promoting conservation. His portfolio, showcasing this innovative project along with other works, highlights his expertise in design and problem-solving, helping him secure an admit to UPenn. 

Students can begin working on their STEM portfolios in high school by participating in coding bootcamps, science clubs, engineering challenges, or simply tinkering with DIY kits at home. As they grow, these early projects can develop into complex explorations, showcasing growth, creativity, and persistence.

Non-STEM Portfolio

Not all students are builders or coders. Some are artists, writers, musicians, or community changemakers. A non-STEM portfolio is equally valuable and allows students to express their individuality, creativity, and social consciousness. It can include essays, artwork, performances, or digital content.

Non-STEM portfolios can begin at any point in high school, but Grades 9 and 10 are ideal for exploring interests without the pressure of perfection. Students should start with what excites them—whether it's painting murals, writing short stories, or producing mini documentaries—and build from there. Over time, consistent passion projects evolve into a compelling portfolio that showcases personal values and growth.

For instance, Aashman Trivedi, a pianist since 2012, has performed at schools, old age homes, and orphanages, playing pieces like Turkish March and Moonlight Sonata, along with three original compositions. Showcasing his diverse talents beyond academics, SAT and research papers helped Aashman secure an admit to the coveted University of Chicago.

Let’s take a look at top US universities that accept supplemental material in the form of research papers and portfolios-

University Name	Research Papers	STEM/Non STEM Portfolio	Where To Upload
University of Chicago	an abstract of original research	Submit 1–2 minutes of recorded music, 2–3 high-quality art prints, or the best paragraph/page of creative writing.	UChicago Account
Johns Hopkins University	Submit research abstracts	It may include pictures of art, etc.	email to applyhelp@jhu.edu
Northwestern University	a research abstract	Music prescreening and/or portfolio materials	Northwestern online application portal
Caltech	Research papers	Makers portfolio	Student portal
MIT	Only 1 Research Supplement	Musicians: Submit two recordings of contrasting styles or periods, totaling 10 minutes. Maker Portfolio: Submit original, technically creative engineering, crafting, or coding projects, evaluated with the same critical thinking standards as engineering projects.	Slide Room
Harvard University	research articles	creative writing or other documents of which you are the primary author	Applicant Status Portal
Cornell University	academic papers	art portfolios, films, creative writing samples	Common Application
Princeton University	–	Architecture, creative writing, dance, music portfolio	Princeton Applicant Status Portal
UPenn	Research paper	visual arts, performing arts, or music portfolio	Include academic research papers and non-STEM portfolios in the Activities or Additional Information sections. Submit research abstracts via the Penn Applicant Portal.
Yale University	Science or engineering research	Audio recordings, musical scores, art samples, film samples, and dance videos	Yale Admissions Status Portal
Dartmouth College	single page research abstracts	Supplemental materials may include: Updates regarding Awards received, Championships won, Participation in an event, Newspaper articles that feature you, Resumes, Arts Portfolio.	Upload documents directly to your application via our applicant portal
Brown University	An advanced academic paper or an abstract	If you are accomplished in music or visual art, you may include additional supplements with your application	Submit it with your application
Columbia University	one or two page research abstract	Many students submitting an Artistic Portfolio have notable achievements at local, state, national, or international levels in their craft, dedicating significant time and energy to their art. Maker Portfolio: Students may submit up to 4 media items (images, videos, 3D models, audio, documents, or links) showcasing one or more projects.	You can upload your research abstract in the Columbia-specific section of the Common Application. Supplements for Architecture, Creative Writing, Dance, Drama and Theatre Arts, Film, Maker, Music, and Visual Arts can be submitted via Columbia's SlideRoom portal.

Strong supplemental materials can enhance your application by showcasing your individuality and curiosity. The students who stand out are those who explore what excites them and aren't afraid to dive deeper. Start early, and devote enough time to work on research papers and passion projects—these help tell a story that’s uniquely yours. Ultimately, it’s your consistency, curiosity, and commitment that make the difference.

EZScholar is an expert university admissions consultant and test prep organization which works with bright and ambitious students seeking admissions to Ivy Leagues, Oxbridge, Stanford, MIT, UC Berkeley, University of Toronto and other top global universities. Our experts have helped thousands of students with their profile building, research papers, extracurriculars, co-curriculars, test prep and admissions essays.

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