Julia de Raadt

Julia has dedicated much of her career to education. Since commencing with Empowerly, Julia has looked after the research team which handles student questions on different topics about college admission.

Meet the team

Undergraduate research remains one of the most sought-after qualities in the college search. Students want to know how, when, and where to find opportunities for hands-on projects. Not only do these research projects allow students to express creativity, take control of their education, and delve deeper into their specific interests, it’s a great way to demonstrate leadership and initiative on your resume—for any career you want to pursue. From humanities to STEM, opportunities to produce independent work is important. To do so under the supervision of a highly-qualified faculty member is a golden ticket to standing out. Convinced? Here is a run-down of the top schools for undergraduate research in 2019.

In fact, the schools may surprise you. Many already have a reputation for high-caliber undergraduate education, and their student research programs are no exception. However, some stand out as newcomers. Be sure to read up on options that you may not have considered before if research is a priority for you or your student!

The following rankings are drawn from the US News & World Report (you can read more about their methodology here).

List of top spots:

1. Massachusetts Institute of Technology
   • located in Cambridge, MA
2. Princeton University
   • located in Princeton, NJ
3. California Institute of Technology
   • located in Pasadena, CA
4. Elon University
   • located in Elon, NC
5. College of Wooster
   • located in Wooster, OH
6. Stanford University
   • located in Stanford, CA
7. University of Michigan
   • located in Ann Arbor, MI
8. Georgia Institute of Technology
   • located in Atlanta, GA
9. three-way tie between:
   • Davidson College
     • located in Davidson, NC
   • Duke University
     • located in Durham, NC
   • Johns Hopkins University
     • located in Baltimore, MD

Interested in more advice on how to strategize for your college list? Undergraduate research opportunities are a great place to start, However, there are many other factors you can and should consider. From costs to specializations to campus culture, for example, picking a school is a big decision. Because of this, we want to make sure you find your best future. So, if you’d like more advice, schedule a free profile review to see where you stand! Let us match you with your best-fit counselor today!