> The prospect appealed to Sophia. “Nowadays, having a publication is kind of a given” for college applicants, she said. “If you don’t have one, you’re going to

> The prospect appealed to Sophia. “Nowadays, having a publication is kind of a given” for college applicants, she said. “If you don’t have one, you’re going to have to make it up in some other aspect of your application.” This is just so foreign to me. Either that service has very convincing salespeople that have wormed into her brain or she's living in a very odd academic bubble. I've met lots of college students and most of could barely write a coherent by the time they graduate from college. No way is "having a published paper" a pre-req for admission.