<p>Should I even bother applying? My grades kind of suck, but I recently was named semifinalist in the Siemens competition, and like 80% of my ECs are science-related.</p>
<p>So Iām starting to freak out about this now (as is everyone, no doubt). I know for a fact that someone else from my school is applying, and she has 2 years of research experience in a college lab that I donāt have (she even went to ISEF last year). Luckily, I managed to get a research opportunity with a postdoc this year, but Iām not sure āCurrently conducting research on ____ at _____.ā means anything to anyone. I guessā¦ could a rickoid perhaps chance me? I know there is no way for a 100% yes or no answer, but perhaps I could get an indication of whether or not I have a fighting chance of getting in? Thanks so much in advance!</p>
<p>SAT-R: 2270 (800 CR, 770 Math, 700 writing (yeah, Iām retaking that. I somehow got a 7 on the essay)
SAT Subject: 800 Chem, 770 Spanish
Last yearās PSAT scores: 80 CR, 70 Math, 68 Writing
(on the subject of PSAT scores, how are we supposed to tell them what we got when we havenāt even recieved them for this year by the time applications open?)
APs: 5s in Biology, Chemistry, Spanish, and European History
Current classes: Academic Decathlon, Math Analysis H, Computer Science AP, AP US History, AP English, AP Physics
GPA: 4.0, I guess? Itās all As, I donāt know what scale to use
Beginnerās knowledge in C and C++, intermediate in Python and Java, learning MATLAB
Currently conducting research at a nearby high-ranking university (you would probably recognize the nameā¦)
Qualified for AIME last year (unfortunately could not participate due to a clash of dates)
Head of my school robotics team</p>
<p>I think thatās everything of noteā¦ Thanks again for doing this, and good luck to all the other juniors applying!</p>
<p>Good luck everyone!
Even though my GPA is quite low for a prestigeous program like thisā¦ Some achievement of myself to showoff to other applicants (Iām applying myself)
- I have around 12 300-500 Level Math college classes completed
- Took AP Physics C, BC (when I was in middle school)
- Took Java AP Comp Sci and advanced in MatLab/Maple13/Mathematica8 @ Computer Algebra class in college
- 80 on PSAT Math, 36 ACT Math, 800 on SAT Math Standard, 1 & 2
- #1 CTY Talent Search certificate
- USAMO qualifier likely this year
- Prior research report experience : Worked on writing a report on āOscillation of blood pressureā
- President of Math Club, Science club , Engineering club and Robotics club (Founder of Science club too)</p>
<p>Field Iām looking at : Mathematics Subfield: Geometry
Biology: Neurology</p>
<p>this seems like such an amazing opportunity . . . i just hope i can really convey my passion for science through my essays, especially since my stats arenāt particularly impressive.</p>
<p>While Iām only applying myself this year, from what I found on the internetz, thereās really no reason NOT to apply. I donāt even think thereās an application fee, but itās very likely that Iām wrong.</p>
<p>Does anyone know what last yearās essay prompts were?</p>
<p>Iām applying. Hoping for the best, but weāll see.</p>
<p>The application for RSI 2013 is now available! <a href=āhttp://www.cee.org/apply-rsi[/url]ā>http://www.cee.org/apply-rsi</a></p>
<p>@LuoSciOly - I tried accessing the application, but when I try to register, I get an Access Denied message. Is anyone else having the same issue?</p>
<p>
Hmm, yeah, everyone Iāve talked to who doesnāt already have an account is having the same issue. The 2013 application is definitely there (I can see it using my account from last year), but I guess registration for new accounts isnāt available yet.</p>
<p>@LuoSciOly - I was able to register! Also, Iām 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!</p>
<p>Hey guys! I think I am applying this year too, but I am from a hick town in the Midwest with hardly any upperlevel classesā¦ I am the top of my class and take the most advanced coursework in the history of our school - that isnāt 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 Iowaās 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.</p>
<p>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 applicationās not due till January 11, so unless your school gets them inordinately lateā¦</p>
<p>@rdcolina - If youāre referring to Part II Question 1, I indicated my AP classes as āCollegeā level, so I assume one would do the same for IB. Anyway, theyāll have your transcript, so theyāll presumably be able to see all your classes that way.</p>
<p>@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!</p>
<p>Hey everyone! I was wondering if under the coursework section I could put classes Iām taking online on like edX or Coursera? Has anyone done this?</p>
<p>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 doesnāt care about teaching the materialā¦ Can I balance this out with good essays?</p>
<p>Also can my SAT score balance out a poorer PSAT score? </p>
<p>Sorry for all the questions, just really worried</p>
<p>I have a question - does anybody know how this program compares to the Simonās one? I know a bunch about this one, but not a lot about the Simonās one, and I may apply to that as a backupā¦ I may start a new thread to ask about it, but I just started one about the Baylor one LOL today is my āsummer programā day</p>
<p>@researchin, Iām not sure about online courses because mine show up on my transcript. About teacher recs, erm, that may not be goodā¦ I have been like honey to all the teachers I plan to ask lol, but good essays will NEVER hurt. Iām 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 themā¦maybeā¦</p>
<p>@WeIsCoolā¦so much empathy on the whole hick town thing.
@researchin- put down the online classes and tell them from where youāre doing them </p>
<p>Honestly guys just apply. Donāt 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. </p>
<p>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: </p>
<p>Texas Tech Clark Scholars Programārolling admission so send early, stipend ~$3000</p>
<p>WTP- Womenās Technology Programāonly apply if female and NO prior experience in hands on mechanical/electrical engineering (personal story: they reject you if you have too much experience)</p>
<p>MITES- and after talking to them, I donāt think they consider Indian American a minority</p>
<p>Garcia MRSEC Polymers at Engineered Surfaces</p>
<p>Summer Science Program (astronomy)</p>
<p>Or just use this: [Summer</a> Programs | MIT Admissions](<a href=āhttp://mitadmissions.org/apply/prepare/summer]Summerā>Summer programs | MIT Admissions)</p>
<p>@WeIsCool - Of course many SSTP-ers were RSI rejects xD most of us were rising juniors, which I donāt think RSI is inclined to take many of.</p>
<p>Thanks all for the responses! I guess itās just a shot in the blind applying at all. I guess good luck is all I can say!</p>
<p>MrMonday: If you donāt apply the chances of your admission are 0%. Seriously, donāt close doors for yourself. Rejection letters are much better than missed opportunities.</p>
<p>There are no drop downs for the sub sections on the research areas - do you just decide those and fill in the blanks?</p>