the SAMS application for 2019 has 5 essays - is this more than last year?
where did you find the essays? I know there are essays although I got to the “Review/Submit” page and I still haven’t seen the questions yet?
I did SAMS last year! When I applied, there was only one 400-word essay: How has your background, identity, academic interests or talents impacted or influenced your aspirations? It seems like the program is changing considerably this year (new leadership, I think?), so I wouldn’t be surprised if the application is really different.
There was also a short 100-word essay last year.
@frgiven Here are the essays, they were on the SAMS website. 
[ul]
[]Identify and reflect on an issue affecting your community. In what way(s) might a STEM-related discipline improve the issue you’ve identified?
[]How has culture and family background influenced the way you see the world?
[]Tell us about a significant challenge you’ve encountered and how you’ve overcome it. What values and skills did you learn in the process?
[]Please discuss how and why you became interested in STEM. In what way(s) is your interest in STEM supported in your high school?
[li]How would attending the Summer Academy for Math and Science at Carnegie Mellon University support your academic and career goals? How would you contribute to the success of the program?[/li][/ul]
@CoolChem Thanks! I saw them a few days ago but forgot to mention it. Where do I send in the essays?
Same I don’t know where the essays are 
Could Someone Chance me?
Gender: Male
Race: Asian
Income: High (>150k)
GPA: 4.0 Unweighted, 4.86 weighted out of 4
Currently Taking APs: Calculus BC, Chemistry, Computer Science A, Spanish Language and Culture, Human Geography
Programming Languages: Python and Java
Spoken Languages: English, Malayalam, and Spanish
Done AP’s: US History (3) and Calculus AB (5)
Test Scores: PSAT 1450 (730 Math and 720 EBRW)
Rank: 2nd out of 241
EC’s:
NHS President
Vice President of the Class of 2020 for 3 consecutive years
Model UN Vice President
Mu Alpha Theta (Mathematics Honor Society)
Rho Kappa. (Social Studies Honor Society)
Foreign Language Honor Society
Maryland Math League
Altar Service
Player on Club Soccer Team
Co-captain of CyberPatriot Team
Awards:
Top 7 in Schoolwide Projects for a robot that solves a Rubik’s cube
I feel like my high income and non-minority would decrease my chances of getting in. Any thoughts?
@YungBung11 You’re probably right that your high income and non-minority status will decrease your chances. SAMS is really targeted towards underrepresented groups and nearly everyone was a minority in some way (URM, low income, geographically underrepresented, female in STEM, etc). It definitely wouldn’t hurt to still apply. I would recommend applying as early as you can get your essays done since acceptances are released on a rolling basis.
Anyone been accepted yet? I got my acceptance letter Friday (12/14)!
Here’s a little about me in case it helps anyone decide whether they think it would be worth a shot for them or not based on my acceptance.
Gender: Female
Race: Mixed (islander, white)
Income: Low (<20K)
Weighted GPA: 91.32
Unweighted GPA: 90.03
Rank: 23 of 119
APs: World History (3), Physics 1, Language & Composition
PSAT Score: 1220
Area: Rural, low income, very few top-level college attendees
ECs: Class of 2020 President, FBLA Secretary, NHS member
I also have a job and actively participate in my church (Pentecostal).
If anyone has any questions for me, I’d be more than willing to help. I’m super excited to see who I get to look forward to seeing this summer. Good luck to you all!
@akdoxmi How long were each of your responses?
Most of them were around 350 words, so right over the minimum.
How did you guys respond to the last prompt’s part about how you would contribute to the success of the program? I don’t quite understand what they’re asking for.
@akdoxmi Congrats! If you have any questions about the program, feel free to message me or ask in this thread.
Thank you @thejmarie !! I think the only question I have right now is what should I bring–I know there’s a list on their website, but other than that stuff, what do you wish you had brought? What did you bring that you didn’t really need?
Thank you @thejmarie !! I think the only question I have right now is what should I bring–I know there’s a list on their website, but other than that stuff, what do you wish you had brought? What did you bring that you didn’t really need?
@akdoxmi I don’t have the exact packing list anymore, but the most important item is definitely a fan. Last year, nearly everyone stayed in a dorm without air conditioning, so fans were really important. Most people had at least 2. I would definitely recommend buying at least one after arriving in Pittsburgh. The majority of the items on last year’s packing list were necessary (phone, clothes, etc.). The only thing I remember never using was the swimsuit CMU recommended (you could swim at CMU’s pool, but most SAMS students didn’t).
@thejmarie thanks! I do have the packing list- I saw 2 fans was on there. I was thinking I would skip that one because I don’t tend to get very warm but now I know definitely not to!
ik this is the lamest question ever but I also can’t find where the essays are on the application site?? Have you found it yet?
@akdoxmi can you please explain to me how you formatted or send the extracurricular part. Did you list them or did standard resume format?