Where Do Regeneron Science Talent Search Winners Attend College?
The Regeneron Science Talent Search (formerly Intel Science Talent Search) has historically produced winners who go on to attend a variety of prestigious colleges and universities. These winners often pursue degrees in fields like science, engineering, mathematics, and technology, reflecting their interests and research backgrounds. This article explores the colleges and universities that attract these promising young scientists and discusses the trends in their educational choices.
Top Choice Institutions
Based on past winners, some of the top-choice institutions include:
Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) Stanford University Harvard University California Institute of Technology (Caltech) University of Chicago Princeton University Yale University University of California, Berkeley (UC Berkeley)Many winners have chosen to attend these renowned institutions, thanks to their strong academic reputations, state-of-the-art research facilities, and renowned faculty members. These schools provide an excellent foundation for students interested in pursuing advanced studies in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).
Specific Examples of 2020 Winner
The 2020 winner, Lillian Peterson, is an excellent example of a Regeneron Science Talent Search winner's college journey. Currently a freshman at Harvard College, Lillian plans to major in Applied Math and Molecular Biology, with a minor in Computer Science. Her exemplary research on predicting crop yield and reducing emissions in industrial gas burners using machine learning algorithms showcases her potential in the scientific community.
Trends in College Choices
Based on a survey of my friends who participated in the Regeneron Science Talent Search Finals, the following schools were chosen by finalists:
Harvard College (2 students) Princeton University (1 student) Yale University (3 students) MIT (2 students)For my Siemens Regional Finals region, the distribution of colleges among finalists was as follows:
MIT (2 students) Rutgers University (2 students) Princeton University (2 students) Brown University (1 student) Swarthmore College (1 student) University of Pennsylvania (Penn) (1 student) Carnegie Mellon University (1 student)The data suggests that Ivy League institutions dominate the choices of finalists. However, it would be interesting to know what percentage of those who end up at liberal arts schools such as Swarthmore, Brown, or Carnegie Mellon stick with the sciences versus those who change their focus to other fields.
Conclusion
The Regeneron Science Talent Search continues to produce talented young scientists who go on to make significant contributions to the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. While a majority of winners attend prestigious colleges and universities, the diversity of institutions and fields of study indicates the breadth and depth of their scientific interests. As these students continue their academic journeys, they will undoubtedly continue to shape the future of science and technology.