<p>Take a look at this one: <a href=“Young Scholars Program - UC Davis School of Education”>Young Scholars Program - UC Davis School of Education;
<p>Most of the summer programs are expensive. Every year I receive info packages and throwed them away in the end because of the cost. My parents make “too much” to qualify for program’s definition of “low income”, and too little to afford the high cost. So, the academic qualifications and research interests are not as important factors as having rich parents. That might be one of the reason why RSI is so highly competitive - so many more high-quality kids apply for this free and solely-merit-based program than for other programs. Many of them probably have never even applied for other summer programs because of the high cost.
Stanford program is a perfect example. If you look at its criteria, you would agree that it is not that hard to qulify. It is the cost that outweights everything else.
I have always wanted to go to those math camps, but my parents can’t afford it. I have been waiting for RSI since I was in 8th grade.
Internship is a good alternative. But you have to live nearby and to be old enough (at least 15 or a junior for most of them).</p>