@qubitqween you should get an email once your teacher submits your recommendation.
@OleColtrane how did you structure the research questions essay? did you just state the question & why you were interested, or did you take another approach?
Does your long range goals have to match up with your research field?
@chrisalex0207 I interpreted the first one as specifically asking about what you’ve done to show those three qualities, so I answered it with a more personal story about a hobby I do, and I answered the second with a more straightforward explanation of what activities I do at school. It’s honestly open for interpretation, so you’ll have to choose the approach that feels best to you for each question.
@xinga I didn’t really give such quantifiable goals so much as what I wanted to study and pursue in college. I basically described how I wanted to study microbio/molecular bio and what sorts of courses/opportunities I would want to take advantage of, and then gave an outline of my degree plans after. If you want to write about specific goals you have for the future, feel free to do so; I think it’s a valid answer. Do make sure you talk about how you plan to do it, though, even if it’s just a plan.
@recvolleyball I answered it by first describing what drew me to the main field I listed, before describing why I’m interested in the subfield. Along the way I worked in questions in the fields that I thought were essential/motivating. Stating the question outright and then describing your interest could work, but make sure the description of your interest seems natural and genuine and shows why this question is meaningful to you.
@exa526 If possible, yes. The more you show a cohesive interest, the better it looks, though you could also include goals in other fields if those interest you as well.
And… submitted
Thanks, @OleColtrane for answering all my questions!
Look forward to seeing results in March!
Do the essays that deal with the computer skills and the research you’ve done matter as much as the personal statements?
^ wondering this as well
I am almost ready to submit my app…but confused about the official transcripts. There is no mention of official transcripts yet (?) - do we still have to send the transcripts. How to send this (i.e. my guidance counselor asked if she has to send the transcripts directly and if so what is the address). Any help, please let me know - I am meeting the counselor again tomorrow. TIA
@exa526 @kyang8093 I believe those sections are not supposed to be essays. For computer skills, I listed every major project I worked on with each programming language and described the work I did to demonstrate my knowledge of the language. Regarding the research, I would simply write a modified “abstract” of the project you did. Just make sure to include what you did and why it was important (ie. implications of your research). In regards to importance, I don’t think they’re as important but they are definitely very significant portions of the application (if you have experience, of course).
@hs2020kid You have to have your counselor listed as a reference on Slideroom, just like your recommenders. Your counselor will have the ability to upload a transcript to this request. You should send a request to their email and have them upload it during your meeting. You HAVE to send this transcript!!
@exa526 No, the personal statements are more important. I’m not totally sure but my hunch is that the computer skills and prior research parts are for pairing you with a lab as well as evaluation. I didn’t write essays for these questions but just listed my skills/experience, and then wrote a brief summary for prior research.
@hs2020kid You have to submit an official transcript for the application. You send a rec request in the application and address it to your guidance counselor, and then your guidance counselor uploads the official transcript into the rec request. There’s no mailing required, it should be sent online.
@OleColtrane thanks for all the help!
also for the describe your participation in extracurricular or community outreach activities essay, is it alright if we wrote like a specific personal experience or does it want a general overview?
@OleColtrane hmmm I emailed Maite recently and she said that unofficial works as well, depending on what we have available… Am I wrong? Ughh I’m worried now 
@OleColtrane there was no place to tell RSI what courses I am taking in school this year, since the transcript is only until 10th grade (the 1st semester 11th grade grading period is not over yet). Is that ok? I submitted my application, but it worries me lol.
@exa526 Choose whichever feels more natural to you. I wrote about a specific experience for one of the essays, so if you feel that writing about an experience answers the prompt better than a general description then go with that. I would try to write about more than a single activity though, so you can show that you’re involved in several things.
@Anonymousia If Maite said an unofficial transcript is fine, then that’s the official answer. I was merely answering based on what I thought the app said, but definitely go with what the official answer is over mine.
@classified400 If you can’t specify it anywhere, then don’t worry about it. You’ll be fine.
just submitted, wishing everyone the best of luck!
@OleColtrane and @nvb123 - really appreciate for taking time to answer multiple questions here…really helpful as some of us race to finish this app.
What kind of advice would you give to someone who is starting the app just now?
@harvardgrad2020 do you have your recommendations? That’s the thing I would be most concerned about. I hope you’re kidding about this lol.