COSMOS 2019

@egnatius yeah had a feeling about that, so I’m considering writing about my experiences on the track team and how I would never give it up despite all the challenges I’ve faced since I love it so much, and how that’s similar to how I still really love math and science even though there’s a lot of obstacles I’ve had. Is that better suited for the prompt?

What would you guys say is the type of ‘academic activities’ they would expect?

@glubglubglub if you connect it to STEM well, it should work. Good luck!

@t20ordie if you have any STEM-related activities, use those. If not, just put down your most impressive activities that relate to academics.

@t20ordie and @glubglubglub

Academic activities on my application when I applied as a rising sophomore:
STEM:
Math travelling team (CHMMC, HMMT, BMT, etc.)
Programming team (USACO, ProCo, etc.)
USABO
USACO
USAPhO
Research with local community college professor on the link between cancer and telomeres
Freelance website and app developer

Non STEM:
TEDx
Startup venture

@GoBears2023 They only allow us to put down 2 activities this year. This probably means that they’re focusing more on essays this year, right?

@catras I believe it was 4 or 5 during my year. I still was able to mention all my commitments in my essays and teacher recs though. I would say that the essay is vital for rising 9th and 10th graders. For rising 11th and 12 th graders, they will put more emphasis on awards and stats.

@GoBears2023 Did you take a math related cluster? If so, how was it?

@afatperson
I did take it. Cluster 6: Combinatorics (Mathematics) at UCDavis. Super fun and it is truly for math nerds. You will be doing insane amounts of math that will mess with your brain. We went into the 5th dimension to learn about organizing “imaginary” objects. Would recommend it. Please note that there were only like 5 people out of 20 who had any sort of math competition experience. Most had research experience though.

@GoBears2023 Thanks for the reply. Looks like it was the correct decision to mail my transcript off to UCD instead of UCSC for number theory haha. Was any of the material taught directly applicable in contests?

@afatperson kind of

Hey guys,
I recently applied to Intro to Astrophysics at UCD. I’m a Sophomore. My UW GPA is 3.81, I have pretty good STEM-related ECs. My personal statement was good and my essay on “why this cluster” was good. Anyone know if Intro to Astrophysics is a competitive cluster, and what are my chances of getting in?
Also, has anyone been to this cluster?

Application due tonight! Haven’t even started my personal statement, woo-hoo!

@applesauce4716 last year it had a 10-15% acceptance rate, so it’s kind of competitive, but your application sounds solid. good luck!

Can’t wait for March 29th

And does anybody know what the acceptance rate of Cluster 9 : ML and NLP at UCSC will approximately be this year? Thanks in advance!!

Are there any COSMOS alumni willing to PM me their personal statement? I would REALLY appreciate this. Thank you so much.

Submitted!

Submitted at 11:50pm PST, but parents still haven’t got an email for payment. Does that mean the application is void? Thanks.

My parents did not get an email either, however, I got a message in the COSMOS application portal. Best of luck to everyone who applied!

If payment is not made by 2/1 midnight, does that mean the application is not complete and past due time?