<p>I think I might apply. Do you know how this program compares to RSI or Michigan State’s HSHSP?</p>
<p>It compares very well. I personally chose Clark over HSHSP. I believe RSI releases decisions before Clark, so it will not come down to choosing between the two. I think the best aspects of Clark are the relaxed atmosphere and the small size. A friend of mine attended RSI, and he had to dress and act very formally most of the time, where I was going to my lab (math, so no hazards) in a t-shirt, shorts, and flip-flops every day. We also get extremely personalized attention, which I saw as a plus.</p>
<p>I agree with squirrelbridge’s agreement with sheam. Lubbock can be boring, but only if you are boring. If you get along with the other people (which shouldn’t be hard because got along great), it can be enjoyable. But, if you’re no fun, then it might not end up being fun for you. Also, the rec center is really nice, so take advantage.</p>
<p>Prospective applicant here! How’s the research experience and quality? Did you get along well with your mentors and professors?</p>
<p>Question (probably a stupid one -__-) about the application: It says rec letters from 3 teachers. Do they have to be TEACHER teachers (like high school teachers) or are mentors from past research experiences also acceptable?</p>
<p>shinexalive, the research experience was great! I worked 1-on-1 with my mentor, who was a professor. Some of the others worked more closely with graduate students, but I think that no one complained about their work relationship. </p>
<p>The quality of research is really what you make of it. All of the research projects turned out well, but some were absolutely phenomenal. It was really interesting and impressive to see what the other eleven accomplished during their time there. </p>
<p>As far as recs, I would contact Dr. San Francisco (program director). Mine were all from teachers, but they might let you submit one from a past mentor.</p>
<p>Thanks @squirrelbridge, I’ll do that 
and thanks for your previous description of Clark as well! Sounds super fun :D…if I can get in, haha. There seems to be lots of fun other stuff to do. How long do you usually research for every day, and how much free time?</p>
<p>My time spent on research varied greatly, as it will if you are not in a traditional lab environment (i.e. math, psychology, history, etc.). I usually checked in with my mentor for anywhere from five to ninety minutes each day, and then I was left to manage my own time productively. I would say this applied to about one-third of us.</p>
<p>The other two-thirds were in their labs from 9-5, with a fairly long lunch hour. I think for the most part they did not put much outside time into their research, except for the last week or two. </p>
<p>After 5 (and for much of the weekends), we were completely free. Kinda like they said in the old days, we worked eight, played eight, and slept eight. I mean, I’m not so sure we actually slept that much, but I think you get the gist. There is plenty of free time, and if you want or need, you can spend some of that time working instead.</p>
<p>
Just to be clear, you don’t have to dress formally to go to lab/mentorship at RSI. I wore a polo and jeans most days, and there was no problem with wearing just a t-shirt if I wanted to. We had to dress formally only at the evening lectures and at a few other events.</p>
<p>Thanks for all the feedback (: I am applying for this and just gave out my teacher recs! Two for science teachers and one for a literature/writing teacher… It is alright if we have sophomore teachers right? One of mine I have had since freshman year but the other two I don’t have right now but had freshman/sophomore years</p>
<p>Would anybody be willing to evaluate my chances at Stanford, or how do you create a thread, sorry im new.</p>
<p>So much independence, it sounds like. Sweeet! Thanks all for your wonderfully helpful input ^.^</p>
<p>I should probably get started on those applications now…>_></p>
<p>Should the personal narrative be treated as a college essay? Or should it merely just answer the questions asked?</p>
<p>Personally, my essay was more like a college essay (in fact, I was able to use parts of it in my common app essay!). All of the applicants are highly qualified, so the essay is one of your few chance to portray yourself as something more than a list of scores, extracurriculars, and awards. Obviously, make sure you answer the questions, but try to make it interesting as well. The professor I worked with was very involved with admissions, and I know he valued the narrative pretty highly in the selection process.</p>
<p>Thanks! I have a few more questions:
- For the application form, if I’m right, I’m supposed to fill it in online and then print the page? How long is the narrative statement then supposed to be (since it says limit to this page)</p>
<ol>
<li>For the teacher recommendations, do I print out the form and give it to my teacher to fill out by hand?</li>
</ol>
<p>If I remember correctly there is a cutoff for the narrative space (you run out eventually), and I do believe I gave my teachers the recommendation form by hand as well.</p>
<p>^I think they said to keep it at a maximum of 1 page. So nervous to apply… so few get in!</p>
<p>I can’t believe it’s been 2 and a half years since I did this program. I wrote some advice 2 years ago - you guys should check it out: <a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/11689024-post9.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/11689024-post9.html</a></p>
<p>Hey everyone. I’m a rejected applicant from last year, but I’m back to apply again! 
I definitely learned many lessons on how NOT to handle the application last year, so I may be able to help new applicants a bit in that regard. </p>
<p>The main thing I will be doing differently this year is not waiting until the last minute to fill out/submit my application. It was extremely stressful and cost an arm, a leg, and an eyelash to mail it in. I highly recommend working on the app during December and sending it in no later than mid-January. It probably won’t increase your chances of getting it, but it will make the whole experience a lot smoother. </p>
<p>Also, ask for your recs RIGHT NOW. Last year, I waited until a few weeks before the deadline to ask for recs and had one person overnighting his rec the day before the due date, which gave me several heart attacks! 
I saw the emails that were sent out to students who sent in late applications…they were really harsh. In addition, Make sure you realize that there is an additional evaluation form that must accompany the rec.</p>
<p>Anyway, I have a question for you past clarkies, mostly from those who attended the last two years (but really from anyone who has an answer). Have you ever heard of anyone doing research in theatre arts? It’s listed on the Texas Tech site as an area of research for the Clark Scholars program, but there doesn’t seem to be a mentor that is even slightly related to that field of study.</p>
<p>Also, do those of you who got accepted mind sharing what your narratives were about? I wrote a personal story last year about how a health scare led me to discovering a passion for fitness. It was very similar to my Part B “describe your interests” essay, and I think that may have hurt my chances a bit. Should I do more of a character sketch of myself?</p>
<p>I think you should write something different. If the essay didn’t work the first time, why would it work the second time? By the way, the “I got sick, so now I like fitness” thing is kind of cliche.</p>
<p>The JJ411, I have not heard of a Theater Arts researcher, but that does not mean that will keep you out of the program. The mentors are not the same every year. Last year there was a Psychology professor who had never been a Clark mentor before, but because there was a good match so he mentored a student. </p>
<p>Also, if you are trying to send me private messages, don’t feel bad if I don’t respond. I don’t have enough posts at this point.</p>