<p>Hi! I'm a freshman in HS with strong aspirations in physics. My trouble has been finding activities that show that love to MIT. I have of course already heard about the physics Olympiad. I would be happy to hear about any activities. Such as summer courses especially in research and any other tips. Preferably in California but if allowed I don't mind if it's outside California. I would be grateful for any info :)</p>
<p>Technically not an extracurricular, but I would recommend trying to take physics classes at a local college/university. This may not be possible for various monetary/logistical/scheduling reasons but if possible I think it is a good way to 1) show interest in physics, 2) get better at physics and 3) see if you really like physics. Also considering taking lots of math classes as that will help as well.</p>
<p>Hey OP,</p>
<p>Here’s what my son did for physics (thought he’d be a physics major or at least double major with math and physics but he’s headed in a different direction):</p>
<p>8th grade: audited a university non-calculus based physics class (for free)</p>
<p>Freshman year: took mechanics and E&M at local California community college entered a community college research competition and won some $$
Did physics olympiad and physics bowl from home</p>
<p>Sophomore year: took Waves/Optics/Modern Physics at local community college
Did physics olympiad semi-finals and physics bowl with local math circle</p>
<p>Junior year: audited (for free) an upper division physics class at the local Cal state univ.<br>
Professor invited my son to do physics research during summer. </p>
<p>Senior year: He continued the research during the school year and entered his physics research poster in a research symposium at the univ. in the spring.
Defended thesis along with some other students at the state univ.
Did physics olympiad semi-finals and Physics Bowl</p>
<p>Hope this gives you some ideas. There are lots of creative low cost ideas but you do have to look for them. My son never did summer programs or camps so maybe others can comment on those.</p>
<p>Thank u so much that certainly gives me a format or areas to look for. As far as EC’s go what did he do during the school year? (Any physics related EC’s during school year?) Again thank you</p>
<p>Never mind sorry misread that</p>
<p>Specifically how did he enter for example the science olympiad. (College resources or simply his school offered the test?)</p>
<p>For freshman year, I contact the AAPT and set up the tests for him at home. (We’re homeschoolers) For soph-senior year, he joined the local math circle and they offered to proctor the exams there. Start by contacting the AAPT.</p>
<p>Just curious, after he got accepted what did he major in?
:)</p>
<p>NASA has a selective, free online program called INSPIRE. Funding was cut this year and no new participants were accepted, although my D remains active because students who were in the prior year are still in this year. It’s possible that for next year there will be a round of new acceptances. Both my D and S were in the program multiple years and it was excellent, both as a learning and experience-building tool and as a resume builder. You can get on a mailing list through the NASA website that will alert you if/when they open the program for new applicants.</p>
<p>Sas0ri,</p>
<p>My son had planned to double major in math and physics, but looks like he’ll double major in math and management. He loved/loves physics but math was his first love.</p>
<p>I forgot about INSPIRE. My son did that, too, but didn’t really participate as he prefers in person activities.</p>