@msresearcher12 do you think iresearch is legit?
From what I can tell, SSI seems more legit based on their website, their vast array of mentors, and the amount of information they posted about their program. The fact that SSI posts the weekly schedule and is very precise in their curriculum makes its somewhat more credible than iResearch, which is very vague on their program and doesn’t offer the wide variety of mentors that SSI does.
idk i saw a reddit post and the person said they were friends with ppl running SSI and it’s basically college counseling.
i was wondering if iresearch was the same or if it was different
I’d like to think that iResearch seems more legitimate than SSI for the following few reasons:
- It has an adult that is quite experienced with research competitions/coursework and has actually mentored students before.
- It's affiliated with iResearch Foundation, which is a 501(c)(3) non-profit.
- Some, of not all, of the mentors for iRI were previously a part of SSI, but after Dr. McCalla left, these mentors also left (with the exception of one, who is a part of both now). This makes me feel a bit better regarding the mentors' intentions.
- I've heard that it offers better financial aid, but I have no proof of this.
If anyone has anything to add to this or disagrees with any of the above points, by any means, feel free to express your views.
has anyone else gotten rejected yet?
@bananapudding123 I probably won’t put it on my CommonApp if I end up attending, more like I’ll say “I did data science research and here’s what I did”.
iResearch gives a weekly schedule and precise curriculum in a handbook after you get accepted.
I applied for SSI on 5/27 but have still not gotten any email. Is this the case with anyone?
@foxglove3550 I got into the research program 2 days ago and I applied in mid May. Apparently they accepted 80 people into the research program and they had 2400 applicants. I think I will do the program as I have no other options lol. I talked to a mentor and he seemed very sincere and eager to help students start a project.
Just heard back - I got in! - No research program 
Not really sure whether to do it - I am a rising sophomore.
My ECs -
International Geography Olympiad and Bee Finalist
Taekwondo - 1st Degree Black Belt (Teach a lot of younger kids)
National Economic Challenge Semi-Finalist
California State Treasurer of International nonprofit (Can’t go into much more detail :neutral: )
Lots of Filmaking (Videos for Businesses and Cong. Campaigns (essay talked about being media head for district congressman)
Just starting a Small Business
(Not really much if you ask me tbh)
Does anyone know the acceptance rate?
Also good luck to everyone else and PM me for questions
I got into the bootcamp but not the research program. It makes sense since I found out about it and applied so late. I don’t know whether I want to do it or not because of the cost and after reading this thread, it seems like it was not very selective. It also seems a little sketch but I have to submit my decision soon
I just got into the Bootcamp (assuming Bootcamp + Masterclass), but not research. Makes sense because I applied so late. However, they are asking my decision by 6/9. I also applied to the iResearch Institute, but they said I have been waitlisted, and they will contact me by 6/15. What should I do?
also just saying the people on college confidential is not a good way to measure if they just accepted many people. even though they are running the program for the first time, it looks like they have everything planned out, so i am looking advice from my comment above.
@bananapeele1 just curious, if you could share, what were your stats and ECs?
I got accepted into SSI without research and iResearch and I’m going to iResearch
Do you know if SSI is a trusted program because I don’t want to waste 2500 dollars on something that may not be worthwhile. I am not trying to say anything against them, but I just want to see if there is any more info about it before fully committing.
@helloresearch I think you should go with SSI because you are sure that there is an option available. If you wait for iResearch and they deny you, then you are left with no options for a research program.
@helloresearch Also, remember that you have a few days to pay. If you are holding out hope on iResearch, respond with a yes on the last day you can and see how long you have to pay. They can’t take away your offer if you respond by the deadline, and therefore you can see if iResearch responds in this time. I was asked to pay 4 days after I said yes, but ultimately did not choose to participate in the program. Obviously, do as you wish since this is just what I did. If iResearch doesn’t respond in this time frame, just go with what you think is best for you.
i just got accepted to the boot camp, not the research, and was pretty happy but now i’m concerned after reading this thread. i’m worried that it’s not actually selective, and i only got in because i didn’t apply for financial aid… is there anyone that didn’t apply for financial aid but that got rejected? i feel like the only people rejected were people that applied for financial aid.