Clark Scholars 2011!

<p>Hey all, another 2010 clarkie here.
I also conducted research in chemE with iceui, but my project was also very biomedical in nature.
@bubbabubba - SATs are just one part of the application, many of us had very high scores (there were some perfects, and many very near perfects, but they did range) but I have a feeling that they value personal statements and teacher recommendations more than those numbers. I spoke to Dr. SanFran at length about the high regard with which they place teacher recs.</p>

<p>@dragonboy - as I just said above, recs are important. AND you don’t have to submit only three. I added supplementary ones, and I think that helped.</p>

<p>jsaj, did you get anything from intel STS? semis or finals?</p>

<p>@NspiredOne - The experience shouldn’t just be about the competitions in the end. Yes, I was a semifinalist in Siemens and Intel STS, but that was because I enjoyed the work I was doing and wanted to keep going back to the lab.
As per a previous post, I would definitely clear such things with your mentor first. You need to be sure that they are ok with you using the work you conducted in their lab.</p>

<p>For those who are wondering about how being a Clark Scholar affects college admissions, 7 of us have already been accepted by at least one of HYPSMC (myself excluded haha). That being said, you should not apply Clark simply for the purpose of adding to your resume. If you show sincere passion in your essays, good things will follow.</p>

<p>On part A and B of the application am I allowed to submit as much information as I want? And for part C, when it says we need to limit it to that particular page, does that mean I need to write the narrative exclusively on that piece of paper, or can I type out the narrative on a separate page?</p>

<p>Also, for the teacher rec letters, are we supposed to get those back from our teachers and mail it all in one package? Or are they supposed to mail it themselves?</p>

<p>@iceui2–Congratulations! Anyhow, you guys are the best of the best! Getting into Clark is a lot tougher than HYPSM admissions.</p>

<p>@jsaj and @iceui2, that is debatable frankly :P, by getting into Clark, you show an aptitude and passion for something that many others cannot. Rather think of yourself as just being that much better overall than other applicants. Congrats to both.</p>

<p>Hi, I am just wondering if anyone knows what types of extracurriculars activities are preferred for this program if I am applying for the sciences? Is preference given to students who have won science competitions previously (like science olympiads or science bowl) and have been active in clubs related to health and science for most of their high school years? Also, does community service play a big role?</p>

<p>So if you’re supposed to send the teacher recs in with everything else…do you need to waive your right to view them? Should you have the teachers seal them before giving them to you?</p>

<p>@Mrl5394: You can write as much as is meaningful. Rambling on with little purpose does nothing to help your application. You can type the narrative on a separate page. Ask your teachers what they want to do. If everything is in one package, it’s easier for Ms. Durham to organize it. But it’s fine if they come separately.</p>

<p>@NspiredOne: I think all of us saw a significant change in our academic/personal goals after the program. They have become more focused and refined, something that colleges look for in the application. So in that respect, I think Clark played a significant role in helping us get into the college(s) of our dreams.</p>

<p>@scienceluvr: There is no checklist that requires you to do an X number of activities for admission. But you definitely have to take advantage of everything your community/school offers and show a sincere passion for the field you are applying for (e.g. chemistry, math, history, education, etc.). If you’re applying for the sciences, you should be active in some sort of science-related club in school. Winning competitions and leadership roles would help, but they are not a requirement. Also, your 3 teacher recommendations should be able to back up everything you say, plus more. Basically, you want to be passionate and hopefully stand out.</p>

<p>@Aeschylus: It doesn’t really matter. Ask your teachers what their preferences are.</p>

<p>For Part B of the application, approximately how much did you guys write? And how many areas of research did you discuss?</p>

<p>I wrote almost 1,000 words, mostly on my main area of interest. You want to be fairly specific, although I think 1000 words were above-average.</p>

<p>Hey, I am interested in doing research in Classical Languages. This is listed as a research area on the Clark Scholars website, but none of the listed research mentors are in this field. Does this mean that you actually CAN’T do research in Classics? thanks.</p>

<p>Hi everyone, I’ve got a pretty easy question - I’m supposed to take the SAT on March 12, which is after the due date of March 1 for the Clarks program. I’m a junior and took the PSAT though - will that be enough for the test scores section?</p>

<p>Also, there’s mention of a $750 stipend. Does that mean there is no tuition? Is there housing/residence halls nearby where scholars can stay if they are selected - and if so, how much will that be? I’m really interested in the program but finding housing will probably be an issue for me, and I’m not sure what the rest of our family has planned for the summer yet either.</p>

<p>@batfan: According to the Clark Scholars website, “The Scholars will receive a $750 tax-free stipend and room and board.” Hope this helps.</p>

<p>For Part B of the application, sorry if this is a dumb question (but it’s better than making a dumb mistake), you can ONLY select two areas of research, right?</p>

<p>@student4ever:), thanks for the clarification. I should have read more closely!</p>

<p>The website didn’t specify, but we send apps to this address, right?
Texas Tech University
Department of Biological Sciences
Box 43131
Lubbock, TX 79409-3131</p>

<p>It’s interesting that we don’t need a counselor letter of rec; I’m glad actually since my counselor’s really busy.</p>

<p>do they pay you room and board and transportation>?</p>

<p>Do they offer research in political science or international relations? I would think so but it’s not listed as a research area on the website…</p>

<p>@batfan: You have the correct address, but make sure to send it to Dr. Michael San Francisco.</p>

<p>@belly: It is my understanding that room and board are provided, and the scholars also get a $750 stipend (which can be used towards transportation costs), but no additional money is given for transportation.</p>

<p>@MissxSilverwing: I did not see those research areas listed either, but on the app Part B, where it asks for academic interests, “other” is listed and you can write in those fields.</p>