<p>Summer Programs: Planning on applying to Cornell or Harvard SSP at the end of sophmore year, Planning on applying to Harvard or Yale SSP at the end of Junior Year</p>
<p>Financial Aid: most likely not applying for
Parents: Doctors (immigrated from Pakistan when I was 5)
State: NY
Ethnicity: Male, Pakistan</p>
<p>ECs: Mathletics (began as a freshman and team won regional championships), Science Olympiad (won several state medals), Junior Varsity Soccer, Junior Varsity Tennis, Golf, Will begin a lab internship at Hamilton College for biochemistry, will plan on entering Intel Talent Science Search, will plan on competing in AIME competition, volunteer at hospital on weekends, orchestra (viola player), will play in state orchestra this fall, model UN (best delegate award), student council (treasurer), mock trials, plan on publishing a research paper on lab studies</p>
<p>So am I on the right track and is there anything I need to do over the next two years to improve my chances of acceptance</p>
<p>Keep up the good work. You are on track and doing well!</p>
<p>One thing: I am not a big fan of ivy league SSP programs. Although they won’t hurt your chances, I doubt that they will help (I’ve heard the acceptance rate for Harvard SSPers to Harvard is lower than the national average, but that may just be a myth).</p>
<p>You mentioned something about publishing a paper on lab studies. So, I would suggest doing more extensive research during the summers either on your own or with programs attached to universities that allow for independent research. RSI is of course the very competitive option. I would also encourage you to submit any research to Siemens and Intel STS competitions. These awards are look on highly by admissions officers.</p>
<p>The Siemens Competition is similar to Intel. However, Intel looks at the whole applicant (SAT scores, recommendations, essay questions, and research) while Siemens only looks at the research paper you submit. They are both national science competitions and both are regarded very highly. </p>
<p>RSI is the Research Science Institute. It is a research program associated with MIT where you conduct research with peers and professors. It is the most elite of research programs and very competitive to be admitted. </p>
<p>Also, I am not saying to not do SSPs, I just think that there are better ways to spend the summer. If Cornell SSP interests you, then go for it. However, unless the programs are highly competitive like RSI or unless while at these programs you do significant academic work that can be demonstrated in your application, just saying you went to Harvard SSP or Cornell SSP won’t help your chances. Do what interests you and show that passion in your application.</p>
<p>I just looked at RSI and seimens and saw i can only do the after I complete my junior year. So Im going to obtain an intenrship with a professor of biology at Hamilton College. This where I would like to do research to submit a research paper. Do you tink my professor would allow me to do this thing? Also, should I give up JV soccer to do this task.</p>