Yeah, I only applied to SAMS because it was the only one I could find that was basically free. I wouldn’t have the money to go to an expensive one and I couldn’t ask my parents to pay over $1000+ for a program, lol. That’s why SAMS was such a good option for me, bc of the area I live in. (generally poorer rural area). Didn’t have the stats for MITES lol.
If money wasn’t an issue, Cornell Summer College really had my heart, buttttt I couldn’t justify spending $4000 on it (and realistically, couldn’t anyways)
Probably too late for applications but does anyone know any other free/cheap summer science opportunities? It’d be nice to have a fallback plan if SAMS doesn’t work out lol
@sams2018 I think last year there was 127 students at SAMS, so probably around 150 were accepted to account for yield. Also, I’m a SAMS alum and went last year with @ak2018 and @FreePariah.
@astromae2001 I can very much relate. I unfortunately do not know of any off the top of my head, but there might be some summer programs still available if you look in the Summer Programs forum in CC.
@sams2018 Yup. About 127 students were selected last year and after talking with Ty Walton, the program’s head, that number will not grow this year, despite the fact that last year’s class of SAMS scholars were the biggest group they’ve had. They do have a waitlist, so that would be the acceptance yield. People did get off the waitlist last year, so being waitlisted is not the end of the world.
@thepotatomaster That option is currently available, you would just have to pay the $100 deposit. If you are unable to pay this fee, like I was last year, go ahead and shoot an email saying that you are unable to pay it. Since the deposit is optional and would really end up going back in the form of CMU spending money when you arrive in July, doing so would secure your spot without you having to pay it. You could simply bring spending money with you when you come and transfer it to your personal CMU card that everyone will get. I actually still have mine :)) BTW, DON’T LOSE THAT THING. It makes everything such a hassle and it costs $25 to replace. You would need your card, or at least your ID number, to use at Resnik, a.ka. the main dining hall, and you’ll also end up depending on your roommate to open the door of your dorm. This is from experience as the author of Post #362, funny enough, was my roommate. :))
Also, the food at Resnik is OK. It’s not gourmet, rather average, but it’ll definitely fill you up. Food at Resnik is free and you can go up to three times a weekday and two times on Saturday and Sunday. It’s also an all-you-can-eat buffet, meaning that you each swipe will get you access to a plethora of food. I found most of the staff to be quite nice. The Underground had generally better food, but you could only go eat there for free five times a week. I would stop there to buy a hot chocolate after my math class and would always be late to my next class, which was either programming or SAT prep. I was KNOWN for being late to everything lol :))
But yeah, if you guys have any random questions about the collegiate aspect of SAMS (in and out of the classroom) and where the best to place to get a haircut is (spolier alert: SuperCuts), ask away. It’s so fun leading you guys through this all. I wish someone had done this for us.
@angeldoingib Unfortunately, I do not know this info. However, you are free to call and ask for that info. They will likely not be bothered since it’s not the SAMS program.
Wait… No. The acceptance email makes it look like we need to get the First Pass email to confirm acceptance, pay the deposit, and access some other stuff. Can some other current acceptee who is in the same situation back me up?
@thepotatomaster yeah it says the 100$ has to be payed no later than 30 days AFTER receiving the first pass email. Which I also haven’t gotten yet. But I’m hoping the first pass email takes some time to come so I can find out my mites decision before the 30 days.
@CSman12@thepotatomaster My apologies. I just re-read my letter and it said this too. It was from the day you get First Pass email as that is how they confirm that the $100 deposit was paid. You would then receive a confirmation email a few days later saying that the deposit was paid onto your SIO bill onto your new CMU account.
I hope they do send out rejection letters as well, so if I happen not to be accepted to SAMS I can at least stop worrying. :)) at this point I’d rather know the decision than wait and hope to get in haha (hope for the best, prepsre for the worst, right?)
@Esguito thanks, man. I’m glad it worked out for you! if I don’t get into any summer programs, I’m just gonna do a study abroad thing in France, so I guess it’s win-win. but it still sucks to get rejected so many times.
@astromae2001 I was thinking the same thing today! I did a quick google and only found the girls who code one. lmk if you find any!
@GlitterStar100 It is optional. The $100 deposit is not necessary if you get accepted. As I said in a previous post, the $100 would be transferred to your CMU card to be able to purchase books from the bookstore and do other things at CMU, so all you would be doing is sending in $100 now to use when you get on campus in July. If this is not feasible, shoot them an email after you get accepted and let them know and they will waive the deposit. It is also assumed that you will bring spending money to purchase things around campus and Pittsburgh. If you bring spending money, you will have the ability to transfer some of that money onto your CMU card once you get there.
For accepted students, I’d recommend bringing $200 - $400 for emergency funds, shopping, and the loads of birthday dinners you’ll be attending at multiple restaurants in Pittsburgh. I survived on $300 with $50 left to spare by the end of it. Also, don’t worry about purchasing textbooks. You can easily download them for free online, if you know where to look .
Hi @ak2018! I’m a parent who’ve been lurking on this thread for about a week, and have been so impressed by how helpful and encouraging you’ve been to everyone. Thank you! My daughter was accepted yesterday and I’m wondering about: 1) the total cost (since they mention book and supplies costs)?; 2) the websites you or your peers used to find either free or substantially discounted books? She’s so excited, and will likely join this thread herself .
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