rdcolina

@LuoSciOly - I was able to register! Also, I'm in the IB Diploma program, so where would I put that in the courses taken thing? Would I need to mention my HLs and SLs too? Thanks!

WeIsCool

Hey guys! I think I am applying this year too, but I am from a hick town in the Midwest with hardly any upperlevel classes.... I am the top of my class and take the most advanced coursework in the history of our school - that isn't saying much. A few AP classes, some overloading, and tripling on science courses this year got me to this level. I do also have a bazillion extra curricular activities, so I am hoping this improves my chances. ALSO, I did attend University of Iowa's SSTP program last year which is a toned down RSI - do you think this will be helpful? I did research into nanoscience with enzyme-substrate interactions and such. A lot of my fellow SSTP-ers this summer were rejected RSI applicants, and the program was pretty amazing, so I would suggest applying to that too as a backup! And my application was working when I made one a few minutes ago, haha.

And to answer questions about the PSAT - I have taken it three times now, and the previous two times, scores came out in December. The application's not due till January 11, so unless your school gets them inordinately late....

LuoSciOly

@rdcolina - If you're referring to Part II Question 1, I indicated my AP classes as "College" level, so I assume one would do the same for IB. Anyway, they'll have your transcript, so they'll presumably be able to see all your classes that way.

@WeIsCool - The fact that you have any research experience at all is more than I had! You have a shot, so write some awesome essays, get some awesome recommendations, and good luck!

researchin

Hey everyone! I was wondering if under the coursework section I could put classes I'm taking online on like edX or Coursera? Has anyone done this?

Also, what if I get a less than stellar teacher rec? I have a tendency to annoy teachers by pointing out mistakes they make, and my current physics teacher really just doesn't care about teaching the material... Can I balance this out with good essays?

Also can my SAT score balance out a poorer PSAT score?

Sorry for all the questions, just really worried

WeIsCool

I have a question - does anybody know how this program compares to the Simon's one? I know a bunch about this one, but not a lot about the Simon's one, and I may apply to that as a backup... I may start a new thread to ask about it, but I just started one about the Baylor one LOL today is my "summer program" day

@researchin, I'm not sure about online courses because mine show up on my transcript. About teacher recs, erm, that may not be good... I have been like honey to all the teachers I plan to ask lol, but good essays will NEVER hurt. I'm sure if they are stellar, it will be fine. If your PSAT is really bad, I would suggest not even putting it. Just putting the SAT should be ok, but someone should verify if that because I am not experienced (: I believe I recall reading that omitting the PSAT would be fine on one of the old forums when I was hunting through them...maybe...

EldrWnd

@WeIsCool...so much empathy on the whole hick town thing.
@researchin- put down the online classes and tell them from where you're doing them

Honestly guys just apply. Don't chance yourself in advance, see what happens. I cannot emphasize that enough. I very nearly discarded my application, and was super shocked to get in.

Also on the topic of backup options: practically every major college has a science/research program for high school-ers, but a couple of the more fiscally feasible ones:

Texas Tech Clark Scholars Program--rolling admission so send early, stipend ~$3000

WTP- Women's Technology Program--only apply if female and NO prior experience in hands on mechanical/electrical engineering (personal story: they reject you if you have too much experience)

MITES- and after talking to them, I don't think they consider Indian American a minority

Garcia MRSEC Polymers at Engineered Surfaces

Summer Science Program (astronomy)

Or just use this: Summer Programs | MIT Admissions

shinexalive

@WeIsCool - Of course many SSTP-ers were RSI rejects xD most of us were rising juniors, which I don't think RSI is inclined to take many of.

MrMonday

Thanks all for the responses! I guess it's just a shot in the blind applying at all. I guess good luck is all I can say!

Mentonin

MrMonday: If you don't apply the chances of your admission are 0%. Seriously, don't close doors for yourself. Rejection letters are much better than missed opportunities.

MaterMia

There are no drop downs for the sub sections on the research areas - do you just decide those and fill in the blanks?

LuoSciOly

@MaterMia: yep!

WeIsCool

@iamaturd your stats look good to me, way better than mine look... o.0

WeIsCool

haha (: I think I saw this on another year's forum, but just making sure... I had a research mentor/professor from this past summer at Iowa SSTP, but he only came in every other day to lab and I only had around 3 conversations with him the entire 6 weeks. I worked mostly with a graduate student, but she has since graduated as well and moved away... I doubt the professor even knows my name, much less would know enough about me to write a letter for me. So, I asked my school science teachers... okay, right?

shinexalive

Question spam T.T:

For classes that we took on the online portion of the app, if it's an AP, does it count as "Honors" or "College"?

It requests 2 rec letters and if you did research, a letter from the mentor. So if I did research twice separately, should I have my recs be all from mentors or should I still ask a teach?

How important is knowledge of computer language? >__<

Haha, sorry for the bombardment of questions. They're coming like dodgeballs lol. Anyway, any advice would be totes appreciated ~

callcc

I have a similar problem, since I've taken a few college classes and am doing a supercomputing internship right now. I don't know my professors and internship supervisor as well as I know my high school science teachers, so I have no idea who to get my recommendations from.