ecouter11

I didn't see a thread yet...so..who's applying? Any app tips? I'm an International student and I think some kids do get in, so I'm just going to apply and hope for the best.

quidditchcat

I'm applying. T_T It seems really hard to get into.

ecouter11

Yay! Hopefully some alumni people can give us tips on the app and stuff; the old threads seem very collaborative.

collegeluva101

I plan on applying.

I was just reading through the thread for Clark 2012 and....it seems REALLY hard to get into. They accepted like 36 out of 300 people last year. T_T I guess I just have to try really hard not to get my hopes up...at all.

squirrelbridge

Hi, I'm a 2012 Clark Scholar.

Actually, only 12 of us out of more than 300 applicants were accepted. There were, however, 36 finalists.

Casimir

Clark Scholars is definitely worth applying to if you are interested in doing some sort of research project (not necessarily in the realm of hard science, although most projects are). As long as you have good credentials and strong essays/teacher recs you have a pretty good chance of being accepted to the program.

Sheam13

Hey potential Clarkies,

Like squirrelbridge and Casimir, I was a 2012 Clark Scholar and had the time of my life. I highly recommend the program to anyone interested in any discipline of research; you basically get full freedom to pursue a topic that interests you.

That being said, I applied to six different highly selective research programs last summer and was rejected from programs that were both more and less selective than Clark. So, make sure you have several back-ups and don't let the process discourage you.

I'm happy to answer any and all questions you have about the application and the program itself, and I'm sure many of the other past Clarkies will say the same.

Best of luck!

cynrma

Also, for anyone one looking at this thread that isn't interested in math or science, I was one of the few last year that did something in the humanities and the research and learning experience was awesome. Don't get discouraged if your essay doesn't include a lot about past research and experience. If you show enthusiasm and sincere interest in whatever topic, you have a genuine shot of getting in given you have solid grades and whatnot.

collegeluva101

Oh...great...So 12 out of 300+. Even better... I might as well just give up all hope now *sighs ever-so dramatically*

@Sheam13, @squirrelbridge, @Casimir + @cynrma, Do you think you could post the stats that you had at the time of your application? I just want to see if I have the slightest shot. Thank you!

mathnerd1

Hi. Another 2012 Clark Scholar here. I had a superfantabulous time. The research was enlightening, the people were coolsauce, go Raiders. Here are some words of wisdom.

Apply! 0% acceptance rate for those who don't apply.

"Stats" of previous Clark Scholars... the average test scores of the 2011 (not 2012) Clark Scholars were: SAT > 2276, PSAT > 223. Don't worry though, standardized testing is only part of the application. (At time of applying, I had a 2150 SAT, which I didn't put down, and a 230 PSAT, which I did put down.)

Like Sheam13 stated, apply to backups.

Prior research experience not necessary to being admitted. Over half of us did not have any prior research experience before Clark.

thomaspynchon

Yooooooooo,
Another 2012 Clark Scholar here. I did not apply to any other summer programs, so I can't help you there, but I worked in the social psychology department, so if you have any questions about social sciences or just random stuff about the Clark program, I'm more than happy to help. Additionally, I had no prior research experience. If you want to know my stats, I will only divulge them on request.

As the others said, if you're not sure, apply. Worst-case scenario, you'll make the people that get in look better. <--that was a joke

ecouter11

Thanks for the advice!

I think I have some stuff set up locally, should Clark not work out, so I'm not going to freak over this one app.

Did you guys have any international students/and do you know where they might've applied to? I'm Canadian so RSI is out

I'll try looking for Recs/start my app in December since I have a ton of stuff for school due.

Casimir

I'm not sure if there has been international students before (there wasn't last year). It is probably still worth it to apply, or at least email Dr. San Francisco (the director) beforehand to check.

collegeluva101

Thank you for the advice! I guess the only thing to do now is to work as hard as possible on the application and let what happens happen.

SignatureCC

I'm applying to this program. Seems like steep competition though; only twelve kids are taken.