STS Semis without a mentor?

Applying to College
1

There’s a particular field in computer science that I’ve learned a lot about recently, and I independently coded a project in that field (it’s not at all groundbreaking right now.) However, I’m hoping to learn even more over the summer, and get my project to a point where it’s innovative in some respect.

Historically, how have independent projects, particularly in computer science, done in Intel (or Regeneron now, I suppose) STS? Is it possible/realistic to get semifinalist? I know it helps to have a mentor to teach you the ins and outs of a field, but I think I’m passionate and driven enough to be an autodidact, and there’s ample online literature/courses available on the subject.

2

From what I have heard, it is very rare to not have a mentor in STS/Siemens. It is possible to make semis (or even further), but it really depends on the type (and applicability) of your project, the quality of your paper, and your application (essay questions, test scores, etc.). There is no reason why you can’t get semifinalist.

However, it is important to remember that you are competing with top-notch science students from the country. Don’t get disappointed if you don’t make semifinals.