If I applied to both SAMS programs and AP/EA do I just write one essay or do I write 3?
Also for the activities resume do I write it essay style or is it a list with descriptions?
@blackjac7c Hey so I did SAMS last year and the resume should be in a resume style. So keep it at one page long and just provide what you did with a short description to go along with it.
@blackjac7c You only need to write only one essay and the essay will be sent to the programs that you applied for
I’m applying to SAMS, the Pre-College AI program, AP/EA this year and I’m really confused about their application. It says on their website (https://admission.enrollment.cmu.edu/pages/access-sams-faq) after submitting the online application, "additional materials (transcript, recommendations, essay, etc.) must be mailed in one package and postmarked by the March 15th deadline. " I’m having my teacher write a recommendation for me and submit it online through the application. Do I still have to send it through the mail after I submit the online application? Is there a way for my guidance counselor to submit the transcript through the online application instead of mailing it? What essay are they referring to? I only see two short answers on the application.
Hi everyone,
I already submitted my application and required documents for SAMS and Pre-College AI program 2 days ago.
My stats: 3.91 UW, 1270 PSAT
Grade: Junior
Rank: 23/556
Courses taking: Calculus BC, Physics C, Computer Science A, US History, Sophomore English, Vietnamese Honors.
Recommendation is from my computer science teacher who I work with a lot (I took her AP Comp Sci Principles last year, currently taking her APCSA this year, and attend in an extracurricular competition which she is the coach).
Awards: Some in regional and local competitions in programming. Also attend some big contests like USACO or Google Code-In.
I am an immigrant who just came to the US for more than a year from Vietnam. That’s also why I am taking sophomore english as a junior.
They said in the e-mail when I submitted the online app that decisions come in rolling basis starting early January so I’m still waiting.
@jsmith1 I definitely would not say that the physics course at SAMS (by itself) prepares you well for the physics subject test. Although I thought the professor did a good job and that the course could be pretty challenging, it was a six weeks class, and you met 3 times a week. It is a beginner’s class, so you can start off knowing nothing and still understand everything–you only get to cover the fundamentals of physics (forces, kinematics and energy). On the other hand, the subject test covers AP physics 1 and 2–2 years of material! The class is a nice way to review or to prep for a class you will take next year.
You will need to take your subject test before 2nd semester of your senior year (for RD most universities), typically in the fall. I would advise you to take the SAT subject test over your junior year science class subject. Choosing that science at SAMS would help you review and prep for the SAT subj.
Good Luck! SAMS was definitely a super amazing experience!!! (it was very challenging as well)
Chance Me
4.13 out 4.5 GPA
Extracurricular Activities: Member of NHS, Student Council, Key Club, President of the Global Action Club, Percussion Ensemble in the Concert Band(Mallets), Tech Department in my Church.
Ethnicity: First Generation Nigerian American
Income: 50,000-65,000 a year, Free Reduce lunch, Half of that Income goes towards my autistic brother
However, my PSAT score is a 990
The AP/EA program is only for juniors right?
@duckymomo Yes
Hello, I’m confused with the online application talking about the recommendation part. I haven’t asked my recommender yet but I wanted my application in by tonight or tomorrow at the latest. So do I keep that entire part blank? Can I update it even after I submit? Also to have the teacher recommend me do I just hit the “send to recommender” button and will that direct them to the online recommending spot?
@astromae2001 You can submit the application without the recommendation letter and when you are trying to upload your additional documents you can ask your recommender to send you a copy of the recommendation letter and upload it as one of your additional documents.
I already submitted the application and the supporting documents. Just waiting for the decision.
@ak2018 Do SAMS and AP/EA only accept students from underrepresented minorities/low income backgrounds? I would love to apply but I’m a middle-class Asian male so I don’t know if I would have a chance of getting in…
@IndianKid123 I recently submitted my application and the admissions people want a diverse group of people who are interested in STEM. They preferably want URMs with low socioeconomic status but ORMs can still get accepted. If you want to increase your chances of getting accepted into the program, you need to spend more emphasis on your essay and short response. You need to prove to them in your essay that you are very interested in STEM but you don’t have the resources at your local school or at home that can help you.
Be sure to post in here as soon as you all start hearing decisions! Let’s hope we get to find out before January ends.
Do you guys know the deadline is march1
Just have to finish my 400 word essay and get my transcript/recommendation in… The person recommending can just type it in a doc and send it to me right?
@astromae2001 Yea and you can upload it
@IndianKid123 definitely apply! i was in sams last year. there were a lot of middle to upper class urms, and also a fair amount of orms! when i got there i was definitely shocked at the huge diversity, there was all kinds of socioeconomic levels and ethnicities. but trust me, you’ll be strongly considered if you write a strong essay since that’s the main factor in admission.
Has anyone gotten word of whether you’ve made it in?