<p>I got 117. I really think there should be some recognition like the other Olympiads. We should email Kathy Frame.</p>
<p>thats so weird, I got 117.17 too. Yeah I emailed her. You all should too but be polite because she would be doing us a favor if she decides to do so.</p>
<p>@FlyingWombat:
I had not taken any bio classes before this school year and I didnāt really start studying for USABO (like actually reading Campbellās thoroughly) until December and I made National Finals, so if you start studying now its definitely possible. Regarding USABO vs. USNCO, I guess thatās up to what subject you like better and are more willing to invest your time in.</p>
<p>Ughā¦ I feel so bad. I got 137.84ā¦
Btw, I just joined, but Iāve been reading this forum for months! Itās nice to finally be able to have my voice heard!</p>
<p>@FlyingWombat - I too hadnāt taken a bio class before this year, although I had lots of background in bio from Science Bowl and other similar competitions. I think itās definitely possible to do well in both USABO and USNCO. One of this yearās finalists is a past IChOer (maybe two? not sure). I felt that my USNCO prep helped quite a bit in USABO.</p>
<p>got a 127ā¦gah. would that place me in the top 50 at least?</p>
<p>Got a 107 
Wasnāt expecting much. Thereās always next year :)</p>
<p>K thanks for your help guys!</p>
<p>you can use the median and standard deviation to calculate your ranks.</p>
<p>Does anyone know if NightshadeQueen is still active on CC? Iāve been trying to contact her with questions regarding USABO. Perhaps I should send her an email via CC?</p>
<p>Hey guys can i Join in the party of people who missed it by less than 3? 136.66 hahaha</p>
<p>gg gg</p>
<p>can you still mention on your college app that you placed in the top 50 or so? I realize that thereās no official list of high scorers for USABO other than the list of finalists, but it would be nice to get some sort of recognition for scoring highā¦</p>
<p>@12345fed: I have the same question too. As long as you are not lying, admissions can always double check with CEE, right?</p>
<p>I got a score of 80ā¦ thatās like the 15th percentile. GG! :)</p>
<p>I noticed that some scores had decimals that were multiples of .17. Did this have something to do with the chart in the short answer part of the semifinal test?
(btw, I got a 127.17)</p>
<p>hi there I need past usabo papers .can anyone send me ? my email is
my.chat.world1@**********
thank you!!!</p>
<p>I have great respect for people who can memorize huge volumes of information; it takes patience and persistence. And before I embark on my rant -yes, a rant- about the USABO, I realize that there are some analytic skills needed to succeed.
If you believe that competitions designed like the USABO cultivate successful biologists or stimulate young minds to think critically about science, they donāt. Yes, it bolsters your college app if you score in the top 20 (and fills your head with needless facts about land plants); no, it doesnāt guarantee you success in real science.
If you didnāt make semifinals, or finals, or whatever you didnāt make, donāt be upset. Science is not about memorizing facts and figures, much less than it is about reluctance to accept failure. In science, you need to be comfortable with uncertainty. I have thought about the USABO, and it just seems like a memorization olympiad, not a science olympiad. That said, the USABO gives you a solid foundation in biology, but it doesnāt reflect real science.
For those skimming this post, please realize that I am not bitter about my result; this has always been my stance on science olympiads. And I did read CEEās āmission statement,ā so donāt refer me to that. By the way, does anyone else share my opinion on this matter?</p>
<p>I disagree that USABO is about memorization alone. The open exam was almost an IQ test.
But I do agree that USABO is not a direct indication of scientific success. In that sense I think Intel - Westinghouse might be a better indicator.</p>
<p>But if you make camp or higher it is a guarantee to HYPS -M admissions.</p>
<p>For those who made the camp in the past but not this year: What kinds of labs did you do at the camp?
Also, does anyone know where else I can find this information? Thank you!</p>
<p>@opinion559 do you think qualifying for usamo and being a usabo semifinalist is a guarantee to HYPSM admission</p>