Hello! I’m really excited about this program. Just wanted to ask: Do you need extensive prior knowledge in the field of study that you choose? I’m assuming they expect you to be at least somewhat familiar with what you’re writing about in your essays, but would you need to already have college-level understanding of the specific topic you select?
I’m also taking the January SAT. @fairyfantasy, you mentioned that you just sent a screenshot in? I’m actually not sure how quickly scores come back haha.
Finally, when does notification come out? There’s nothing on their website that says anything about this…
When the application asks about which topic we’d like to research, can we talk about general fields (mechanical engineering, biochemistry, etc) or do we have to provide a specific topic?
@mochafrozen No, you don’t need to be an expert in your field – that’s what your mentor is for! I volunteered once or twice in my topic before going to Clark, but in most Clarkies’ experience, they meet their mentor and work on an extension of their prof’s research.
@hk9928 the app should have pre-selected choices for you to mark in – you are definitely welcome to choose the ‘Other’ option – I did that for my second choice, and when Dr. SF called me he was working on finding a mentor. Which worked out pretty well.
@literatechild I photocopied the official PSAT report that your GC has, and printed out the SAT screen on collegeboard and had my GC sign it.
@f2000sa I tried to PM you, but not sure you got the message. My son was a Clarkie a few years ago and did not turn 17 until later in the summer. I do not recall whether the age requirement was in place at the time and I would confirm with Dr. SF, but I do not think it would be rigidly enforced if your son was a pretty mature guy.
My only word of advice to those of you applying is to concentrate on the essays and to make sure that your passion and interest shine through. If you are applying because you think it will help with college acceptances, that will also be pretty clear in your essay. And you will have a miserable summer if that is your primary objective. You have to really be into the idea of research and learning. For my son, it was a great experience and he formed some pretty tight bonds.
And don’t get too frustrated waiting for notifications. It takes time to sift through all the apps, make decisions and find mentors. Be patient and if you are fortunate enough to be selected, enjoy.
@mochafrozen
I can’t remember exactly, but I think it should be within 1-2 weeks after the deadline of the actual application. I just emailed Dr. SF a screenshot.
Also, the notifications don’t get out around late April - early May, I think. The accepted will get a phone call from Dr. San Francisco himself. I received the phone call in my English class, didn’t pick up, then got called down to the counselor’s office when Dr. SF called my counselor’s phone.
This is usually a horrible question to ask, but how long do the paragraphs about my future goals and the two research areas have to be?
I’ve written about 120 words for one research area, but I’m not sure what else I can talk about. I was as specific as I could be, but I don’t know a lot about the research area.
@Woandering I didn’t count my words but I filled up the whole space given. My topic essay wasn’t specific at all, either. I talked about my curiosity and all the questions I had, then moved on to talk about 3 broad questions in the 2 different departments I chose. I wrote nothing technical, though; mostly my random observations and how I became interested in finding the answers to these questions.
Okay, that gives me hope. I can easily fill the space, and more, with my estimates from the knowledge I know. I just didn’t want to run the risk of sounding stupid.
I don’t think you should stress over it…just sound like yourself, show your passion, and the rest is up to fate/luck/Dr. SF and the rest of the faculty’s decision.
Has anyone emailed Dr. San Francisco? If so has he replied? I emailed him a couple weeks back and tried to call him a few days ago, but I haven’t gotten a reply via email and no one’s picking up the phone
Do all applicants have to submit SAT scores? I’m an international student and so far I’ve only taken my subject tests (will be sitting the upcoming reasoning test this month).
@fairyfantasy congrats on getting in last year! ^:)^ after you got in, were there any forms you had to fill or things you had to complete? or did you just go?
@itflew What were you going to ask him? And yea…last year we had some trouble emailing Dr. San Francisco and getting a reply, too.
@randomhouse No, I think you can choose from sending the highest scores in PSAT/SAT/ACT if you want. I sent my highest PSAT (which is totally lower than my SAT) and June + Jan SAT scores. (Dec score were like 200 points lower than my Jan score lol)
@deedeej Yes, we did have to fill out 3 forms. One for the $750 stipend we received after the program is over, one for medical insurance information, and the other for activity consent/agreement.
@stuffedicing
Last year our recommenders had to write a letter so this is kind of different. From what I can see, though, this box just asks your recommender to either say 'Yes, this student fits his rank 1 status because [insert awesome comments]" or “No, this student’s mediocre rank does not represent him well because he is [insert awesome comments]”. If she doesn’t know your rank/grades, just tell her.
@stuffedicing
I believe your recommender can use traditional letter of rec too. One of my teachers couldn’t figure out the PDFs thing, so she sent a LOR.
@Woandering I printed my unofficial SAT scores from Collegeboard. I’m not sure if you can send official scores to a person instead of university but you can try…
