<p>Just wondering if anyone has any insight on how beneficial the Siemens Competition is in the college admissions process. </p>
<p>I was a Regional Finalist my sophomore year (08-09) and a Semi-Finalist my junior year (09-10). </p>
<p>My other stats are all pretty good but not outstanding. Does Siemens significantly help my chances at top schools. I'm not looking for chances but just some general comments on how important it might be.</p>
<p>Anyone have any insights?</p>
<p>I know it’s not exactly the same, but the Siemens Award for AP did absolutely nothing for me.</p>
<p>But I’m sure they’ll help; just don’t expect them to be your ticket in (especially since they’re only regional level awards)</p>
<p>I’m sure it will help. MITChris released some admission stats and Siemens RFs were considered “academic superstars.” However, if I remember correctly 400/900 “academic superstars” were accepted to MIT so it will by no means make up if your application is lacking otherwise. However, if you application is competitive it will definitely give you a boost. I was a semifinalist this year too :)</p>
<p>Also, if you wrote your paper yourself this year (as opposed to with 2 partners or something) I think being a Siemens SF/RF means you are good at writing papers so it’s probably a good sign (although not a guarantee) for Intel which is DEFINITELY a HUGE boost.</p>
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<p>Try “completely different.” The Siemens AP award is a modified version of the State AP Scholar awards–it’s not an unimpressive acheivement by any means, but it’s a very academic one, and in a lot of states you can get it with a courseload that would be run-of-the-mill for an HYPSM applicant.</p>
<p>The Siemens competition is a research competition. You have to have completed an original research project and written an eighteen-page paper on that project just to enter; only about a quarter of those entering make Semifinalist, and even fewer get to the regional stage of the competition. An award in the Siemens (or Intel) competition absolutely makes colleges, even HYPSM, sit up and notice.</p>
<p>HYPSM get a lot of Siemens placers, though. I don’t think it’ll make up for an obviously deficient application there, or even a lackluster one. Probably it has more of an effect one or two notches below that.</p>
<p>Team project?</p>
<p>Umm… theres only 300 of those bad boys a year so i dont see how a total pool of say 75000 applicants can have so many. (HYPSM probably get like 120000 kids but when u take away cross applicants, id guestimate 75000 different applicants).</p>
<p>I dont know. I kinda just think its just a another differentiating factor. One kid says he’s good at math and science and his teachers say it too. The other kids lets his siemens medal speak for him.</p>
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<p>Siemens is as good as Intel.</p>
<p>Yes, team project both years with one partner. </p>
<p>I’d say my stats are or will be pretty much on par with HYP applicants. I’ve only taken one round of SATs (without much prep) and right now I’d say my scores are slightly below the average of admitted students, but I anticipate bringing them up a bit. I just need something to make me stand out, thought Siemens might be it. </p>
<p>Also, I’m planning on pursuing a non-science major, so I’m not sure what effect that fact will have.</p>
<p>Thanks for the comments, everyone!</p>
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<p>But Harvard (for example) has less than 2000 kids in each class. Relative to that, 300 is a lot, and Harvard can’t fill its class with science geeks–they also have to get the athletes and the musicians and the poets and the journalists, etc. Not to mention the legacies, URMs, development candidates, and kids from underrepresented states. I would guess most Siemens semifinalists/finalists apply to HYPMS, but HYPMS can only take a fraction of them. And they have so many kids to choose from, for so few spots. That’s what I mean.</p>
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<p>I think that’s a harder sell, then. Which isn’t to say that everything you pursue in high school has to be related to your major or career, just that a Siemens or Intel award lends itself easily to a “the science guy/girl” storyline, and obviously you can’t do that.</p>
<p>There are still plenty of benefits, though. Making Siemens RF means you’ve done something that’s beyond the imagining of the vast majority of highschoolers. That says a lot about you.</p>
<p>Harvard only has 2000 accept letters…</p>
<p>But HYPSM& Penn& Comlumbia have like 12000 letters. I’d say most of those siemens and intel kids get to go to HYPSM.</p>
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<p>Most as in 50-60%? Probably. Most as in 90%? I’m skeptical.</p>
<p>The one Siemens RF I know had everything going for him (SATs, grades, program, leadership & prestigious internships, incredible essay, beloved by teachers) and he was still shut out at H and Y. Waitlisted by Penn, too. Nothing’s a guarantee of acceptance. HYPSM do whatever they want.</p>
<p>Where did this siemens RF go at the end?</p>
<p>Anecdotal evidence really is not the best place to look for trends. There are 2400 SAT kids going to schools for the mentally disable and 1400/2400 SAT kids going to harvard. Does that mean everyone who gets a 1400 gets to go to harvard?</p>