How to Get Into STEM Summer Programs (RSI, TASP etc)

Pre-College Issues Summer Programs
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For competitive summer programs like:
-Research Science Institute (RSI)
-NASA Summer High School Apprenticeship Research Program (SHARP)
-Summer Science Program (SSP)
-Telluride Association Summer Program (TASP)
-Women’s Technology Program (WTP)
-Minority Introduction to Engineering, Entrepreneurship and Science (MITE2S)
-The Ross Program
-Program in Mathematics for Young Scientists (PROMYS)
-Texas State University Honors Math Camp
-Canada/USA Mathcamp

What criterion are they looking for in an applicant and what determines acceptance? Is previous laboratory experience or experience in the field a big factor (if so, what extent of experience are they looking for? Local? or already accomplished?) Do you need to already have accomplishments in the field (science awards, competition finalists etc)? Or is just stellar grades and demonstrated passion enough? Thank you to anyone who answers!

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TASP is not a STEM program, so I would eliminate that.

For the others, I believe practically all will have qualification information on their websites. So you should start there. Some are really only for rising seniors, like SSP, TASP and MITES, and perhaps some of the others.

I know about the math programs. Canada USA is probably the toughest, entrance is based mostly on a qualifying test and recommendations. Contest results could help a little, but over all the test is most important and it comes out in January. Keep in mind that there is a less than 15% admit rate and you will be competing with some of the very best math kids in the country. I know a 12 year old kid who has completed calculus through multivariable, linear algebra and is working on real analysis, with strong contest results already. He is hoping to attend next summer, so that gives you an idea of what is out there! Being a female will certainly help you a bit but you do have to do a good job on the program based test. Check their website for last year’s qualifying quiz and see if that is something you’re ready for.

You could also consider SUMAC at Stanford, basically the same deal with more restrictions on what you will study.

PROMYS, Ross and Texas Honors Math Camp are all number theory only, so make sure you like number theory! Ross is probably the most unstructured and also the most prestigious of those number theory camps. All require an entrance test except Texas which looks at grades, standardized test scores if you have them, recommendations, etc.

RSI is super prestigious, focused on research, extremely difficult to gain admission, and will have kids in all areas of STEM.

Personally, in terms of math, I like the format of Canada USA the best, and it will have the most talented students. Just my humble opinion.

For science, SSP is fantastic especially if you don’t mind staying up all night working on asteroid orbits and monitoring telescopes. You’ll need SAT scores I think and chemistry and physics, and most will have done those plus calculus at the AP level by the end of junior year.

Best of luck!

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Wow thank you so much! I think I am aiming more for the science programs but nevertheless that was very helpful! My school doesn’t offer chemistry or AP calc for juniors unfortunately so i don’t know about SSP

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Wow thank you so much! I think I am aiming more for the science programs but nevertheless that was very helpful! My school doesn’t offer chemistry or AP calc for juniors unfortunately so i don’t know about SSP

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They key to these programs is understanding (i) they are all different and focusing on a different aspect and (ii) admission to them very much depends your own past accomplishments and interests. TASP and RSI could not further apart, and same for MITES and PROMYS. Only common thing among them is low rate of admission and sometimes price, but that’s no use knowing. There are plenty of free programs as well - but again, they are selective. It is better to worry about a lesser known local program and putting all efforts in getting into them.

For example SSP has a total of 36 slots. RSI has 50. There are 4 million students graduating from high schools each year. So its OK to aim for those sought out programs, but focus on local programs as well.

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SSP actually has 108 slots now. 72 for the astrophysics sessions at CU Boulder and New Mexico Tech. 36 for the biochemistry program at Purdue. They may add a 2nd biochemistry campus and/or pilot a metagenomics program in the future.

But, yet they are selective. If one wants the astrophysics SSP experience with perhaps less selectivity, look at YSPA.

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Some of these programs are harder to get into than the most selective colleges. I think if you want to do a summer program, you should have “safety” programs on your list, too. There are less selective programs out there that can still give you a good experience and help you explore your interests.

One challenge can be that programs want quick answers & sometimes deposits after they accept you, while you might still be waiting to hear from other programs.