<p>Hi, I’m a junior applying to the following programs:</p>
<li>YESS (caltech)</li>
<li>MITES (at MIT)</li>
<li>Clark Scholar program (at Texas Tech)</li>
<li>Jackson lab program</li>
</ol>
<p>4.0 GPA UW, 4.25 GPA W, elite public school, top 25%. I’m asian, if it matters at all.</p>
<p>My PSAT is 227, my ECs are on the low end, with almost no science awards. I guess I will have stellar recommendations from my science teachers, but probably mundane recs from my counselor/math teacher, who barely know me.</p>
<li><p>Can you assess my chances at those programs?</p></li>
<li><p>If I get in more than 1 program, do you know if I can refuse to participate? (is it binding, and if I refuse, what would be the worse consequences?)</p></li>
</ol>
<p>Thanks for reading!! I’m lookin forward to read your comments. </p>
<ul>
<li>Watson&Crick</li>
</ul>
<p>Come on! 38 views and no responses.</p>
<p>I don't know if the programs are binding -- but I don't think they are.</p>
<p>All programs are highly competitive -- and I think your lack of science awards will hurt. Have you done any research? That would help.</p>
<p>I would recommend a back-up program that is less competitive.</p>
<p>I haven't done any research, and am a recent immigrant (which explains why I don't have many ECs). I do have science and math awards, but not american ones.</p>
<p>Would you say that my chances at those programs are close to 10%?</p>
<p>"I would recommend a back-up program that is less competitive"</p>
<p>What program would you suggest as a "back up" for a applicant of my caliber?
As a back up, i guess I would like a program where I have more than 50% chance of getting in.</p>
<p>Also, it's important for me that the program is free, because i'm from a low income family so I can't afford programs like SSP, or EPYG.</p>
<p>Well, I'm just looking at the first two and I believe both YESS and MITES favor minorities and low-income. And if you're Asian, then you might have a less likely chance. Perhaps if you are first generation?</p>
<p>Edit:
Sorry, right when I posted, you mentioned you were low-income...</p>
<p>No, I'm not first generation (my father has a PhD). However, I'm RIDICULOUSLY low income (like <20K a yr). Does my PSAT score factor in?</p>
<p>It's because I got almost perfect score CR (79/80), although i'm a recent immigrant and I didn't study english seriously until 1.5 yr ago. The language barrier was extremely hard for me to overcome, and I had to work so much to improve my english and multiple choice test-taking skills.</p>
<p>I also have a slight upward trend in my grades:</p>
<p>9th grade: 4.0 UW, 4.0W
10th grade: 4.0 UW, 4.6W
11th grade (1/2 semester, prospected): 4.0 UW, 4.9W</p>
<p>In 9th grade, I studied at a foreign school, so when I transferred, my grades and transcript got messed up, hence, the "only" 4.0 Weighted average (because all my hard coursework were counted as academic)</p>
<p>Also, would Cornell's biotechnology program be reasonable for me? I just found it to be interesting.</p>
<p>SSP does offer financial aid..... and I'm pretty sure EPYG does too...</p>
<p>maybe you should include your non-American awards.... just remember to write that they aren't American... it'll probably help your chances</p>
<p>Can people who got into those programs post their stats? I would be helpful for me to assess if it's worth the application.</p>
<p>I just know that the programs are incredibly competitive -- and that many students have done research. I still think you are in the running -- but I would strongly suggest a back-up program. I know more about the humanities based summer programs -- not the math and science, so you might make another post looking for science and math programs (is that is what you want).</p>
<p>I will tell you that there are numerous programs out there that have excellent financial aid -- </p>
<p>Secondary</a> School Program : Harvard Summer School
Summer</a> & Continuing Studies@Brown
[url=<a href="http://www.oxbridgeprograms.com/%5DOxbridge">http://www.oxbridgeprograms.com/]Oxbridge</a> Academic Programs<a href="you%20have%20to%20apply%20for%20the%20scholarship,%20and%20it%20doesn't%20cover%20the%20airfare%20there">/url</a></p>
<p>Those are just a few -- I think those would all make good back-up programs for you.</p>
<p>I have been told that Stanford/EPGY does not have great FA (like only 50% or so)</p>
<p>"I think those would all make good back-up programs for you."</p>
<p>Are you serious? Getting into harvard as a senior is already tough as hell, imagine being admitted to its summer school as a junior.</p>
<p>Also, how good is the financial aid of those programs for someone like me, because unless I get 90% covered through financial aid, I'm never going to be able to afford the hefty $6K tuition/board for the summer program.</p>
<p>SSP looks more reasonable, since it costs "only" 3.6K, and gives an average of $3k in financial aid.</p>
<p>did you ever get into any of the programs you listed??</p>
<p>Me? I decided not to apply to YESS, MITES and Jackson because they seem way too competitive.</p>