<p>My son didn’t have any research experience, well at least not with a professor. He did independent research one semester in his community college physics course and won a small scholarship but it really wasn’t that big of a deal. I might suggest contacting local universities. My son contacted a local uni and has been auditing an upper division physics course there and the professor invited my son to do research this coming summer; so, if he doesn’t get into RSI, he’ll have something to do. I understand there are some absolutely amazing kids that go to RSI-really, nationally and even world renown kids. I don’t expect my son will get chosen but doing the application was really good practice for him.</p>
<p>He’s had calc I-III, linear algebra, differential equations (both lower and upper division), and he’s learning real analysis right now. He’s also had a number of college physics courses but he’s had very little biology, chemistry, and computer programming, so that might well work against him.</p>
<p>Thanks for the advice, sbjdorlo. Good luck to your son. </p>
<p>I’ve taken Honors Biology and I plan on taking AP Chem next year (regular chemistry is a requirement for sophomores and anyone who wants to take AP Chem at my school)… In addition to this, I’ve taken AP Calculus AB and BC so far (they cover Calc I and II from what I’ve read), but I haven’t taken a true physics course yet. Again, I’m still a sophomore, so I have time to work that out, but I just feel as if I’m miles behind everyone else that is applying. I’m hoping to get deeper into physics and math this summer, which, with some research, should help me be a better candidate for RSI. This program really sounds like a dream to me, but clearly it’s quite selective.</p>
<p>Good luck to your son! Update us on the status, please :)</p>
<p>@mrfairladyz: If you’ve finished Calculus BC before your Sophomore year, you should be above the average pool of applicants. I finished Calc BC last year within the first three months, so we went onto finish Linear Algebra and Differential Equations. This year, I took Abstract Algebra, some Algebraic Topology, and now I’m studying Algebraic Geometry. And because Algebraic Geometry requires many broad subjects, I’m looking into areas such as Complex Analysis. I’m self studying AP Physics C this year, and I’ll be done with all the AP sciences by this year as well.</p>
<p>You might want to look into some of the programming languages this year as well. Mathematically, I don’t think you’re behind. If you look into your local university this year and go in-depth in a couple subjects, I think you’ll be on par, or even ahead of some kids. I wish you luck for next year.</p>
<p>@harvard76: I don’t know whether they’ll take the updates. Besides, unless it’s a huge accomplishment (like curing cancer), I don’t think it’ll make a difference between acceptance and rejection.</p>
<p>@harvard76
i updated them with a math competition award the week after the deadline, and they replied. it just said congratulations. but about two days later, i updated them with my new sat scores, they didn’t say anything. so i guess it might depend on what you’re updating.</p>
<p>For anybody who is currently a sophomore, a great way to have fun, learn a lot, and build a strong application for camps like RSI is to attend some smaller (and occasionally) programs.
In terms of math programs, there are Canada/USA MathCamp, Texas State University’s Honors Summer Math Camp, AwesomeMath, IDEA Math Camp. My personal favorite is Texas A&M’s Summer Mathematics Research Training (SMaRT) Camp in Number Theory: [SMaRT</a> Camp, Department of Mathematics, Texas A&M University](<a href=“http://www.math.tamu.edu/outreach/Camp/]SMaRT”>Department of Mathematics, Texas A&M University).
I personally attended the last one, and it was unbelievably fun while being interesting and academically challenging to even the brightest of minds.</p>
<p>@sbjdorlo:
SMaRT would definitely be a good experience for anybody in high school. People don’t typically think of it in the same league as Canada/USA MathCamp or HCSSiM, but although it is a new, small camp it deserves to be in that tier. In terms of whether it would be fit for a rising senior, new students spent the 17 weeks learning the equivalent of an intermediate level number theory course. Some additional material (like group theory) as well as extra lectures on unrelated topics (like information theory and topology) also are taught.
Even if your son has had experience in number theory, the camp involves challenging, daily problem sets which typically take around 6 or 7 hours, in addition to the lecture time. This helps overall problem solving skills improve.
As it is a free camp with no application fee, it is definitely worth applying to.</p>
<p>I will definitely share this with my son. He’s not had any formal number theory (he’s been avoiding it for some reason) besides that which shows up in the AIME class through AoPS. He’s warming to it, though. :-)</p>
<p>I just showed him the website and he thought it looked great. :-)</p>
<p>Tell me, SSP/RSI applicants and alumni - does attending SSP affect one’s chances of getting accepted into RSI?
I’ve seen it before on CC, but I’m not aware otherwise of anyone who has been accepted into both programs. This is just speculation, but I think attending SSP makes one seem like a slightly less attractive candidate for RSI. Perhaps the RSI admissions officers see SSP on an application and think that because this person has already experienced a relatively prestigious summer program, they shouldn’t go to RSI, because the experience would be of greater benefit to someone else who hasn’t had any experience in such a rigorous program. </p>
<p>Again, this is entirely speculation. I’ve been proven wrong just lurking the SSP/RSI threads from previous years, and maybe SSP makes someone more likely to get into RSI (“This applicant has good experience, therefore they would be a strong addition to our program.”)</p>
<p>Regardless of all this, I just want to hear your experiences. Keeping in mind that the RSI admissions process is entirely unpredictable, I don’t think any pattern of acceptance or rejection can be entirely attributed to SSP. There is correlation, however, between those who are accepted into SSP/RSI and the colleges they are accepted in down the road. On the other hand, I think it’s important to remember that the point of programs such as SSP and RSI isn’t to look good on a person’s track record for college applications, but rather, to give those who crave a more in-depth math/science/physics challenge/curriculum a very enriching lifetime experience. </p>
<p>I’m still applying to SSP now as a sophomore, and RSI next year as a junior (and SSP again, for it is highly likely that I will be rejected. The good thing is, I have nothing to lose ).</p>
<p>I’m just wondering if anyone here has any personal experience or thoughts to either support or deny this speculation. Thanks.</p>
<p>I would say attending something like SSP would be beneficial when applying for camps like RSI. Not only would it give you more experience, it would show them that you have interest in the subjects you want to study in. One part of my application that I regret is not trying harder last summer to get a research opportunity or even a further education enrichment opportunity. I definitely encourage you to apply to SSP and many other programs as well. The program that PantherTrax mentioned seems pretty good. </p>
<p>From what I’m hearing, you seem like a pretty good applicant. Tell us whether you get into SSP (if you apply) seeing how only 5 or 6 sophomores are accepted each year.</p>
<p>@PantherTrax: Ah, so that’s how you know about Abstract Algebra! I really wish I could have gone to a program like that last year. I could have focused on more Algebraic Geometry this year. What state are you from?</p>
<p>Thanks for the reply, NotSoProdigious. I’ll give it my best; hopefully it’s enough. I’ll update with the acceptance/rejection, too. My one worry is that I won’t be able to take summer courses at CSULB or research at UCLA if I get accepted, which would make me a weaker RSI applicant - except for the whole SSP experience, so I suppose it balances out. I’m guessing it’s worth it, as I can still take those classes later on. </p>
<p>What you do at SSP is considered research, or at least research experience. Honestly, if you’re accepted into SSP, I would take the opportunity instead of the university research. If you’re lucky, you might be able to do both. Just know that you’ll have more research experience than me by the time you’re applying for RSI, haha.</p>
<p>I’m not sure whether I’m interested in tracking asteroids (as much as I love Physics, I’m into more theoretical Physics) to apply to SSP this year. I’m applying to several other Math programs in California and Texas, but I’m ultimately hoping for RSI. Good luck to you as well! I’m definitely sure that I need some to get into RSI. :)</p>
<p>i was wondering if rsi offers research pertaining to financial mathematics. this is because i am interested in mathematics but i prefer to conduct research that pertains more to the real world. however, looking at past research done by rickoids, i only found research more on the pure side of mathematics, instead of applied mathematics research.</p>
<p>in addition, i would like to ask if the level of mathematics involved for financial mathematics research is too challenging/high for a student at Grade 11. Because if it is, i will not bother applying for financial mathematics research, and will instead probably apply for something along the lines of chemistry or materials science!</p>
<p>^ it’s too late to apply to RSI, so if you are currently an 11th grader and have not already applied, it’s a moot point. but if you are 10th grade and asking about next year’s application, i would say that they will do their best to accommodate your interests and you may find that other mathematical research makes you a stronger mathematician for any interest you have.</p>
<p>@ NotSoProdigious: I am from Pennsylvania. Has anybody heard of when the RSI decisions will come out? Some people have said mid-February (i.e. right now), and some have said that they will come out in March? I’ll just keep my fingers crossed.</p>
<p>I’ve mentioned in one of my prior posts of the erratic patterns of the dates of released RSI decisions. Last year, it was the first week of March. The year before, it was late February. The year before that, it was last March. The point is, I don’t think we can estimate based on past occurrences. If I had to guess though, it would be around mid to late March, especially seeing how the application deadline was extended a week. </p>
<p>I remember reading from a past thread on how someone got a legitimate response from the CEE after asking when the results would be out, but I don’t suggest doing this until it’s actually March.</p>
<p>@eobaggs: I looked around and I couldn’t find a confirmation on this year’s date. Would somebody else care to elucidate?</p>
).</p>