I have some Q's about SAMS

<p>I don't usually post, but I really wanted to get some answers. Thanks in advance for replying!
I was looking into applying to SAMS (Carnegie Mellon Summer camp) and I had some questions that they didn't answer on the website or maybe I just couldn't find it.
Is SAMS just for minorities? Because I'm Caucasian and I couldn't tell if it was a bad thing or not. Like if it would affect my chances.
SAMS is free right? Like, if i get accepted (fingers crossed!)Because I do not have the money for it. Poor kid! :)
Also, how is it free? Do I apply for a scholarship or when you get accepted they just pay for you? (not sure if I phrased that the way I was thinking)
I'm a rising junior, do I have to apply to the AP/EA or can I just stick with SAMS? I personally don't think I could handle the intensity of the AP course.
What are the admission rates?
What would you consider an appropriate GPA or Class Rank be for someone who wants to apply?
Also, i've only taken the PSAT. Will that be a problem or is that fine for test scores?</p>

<p>Would someone please answer a question? Pleeease!</p>

<p>I am pretty sure all races and ethnicities. Everything is covered except textbooks and they are not usually too expensive. All people accepted into SAMS get this; you do not need to fill out a separate scholarship app. The PSAT is good enough. Admission details I do not know much of because they don’t release statistics.</p>

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<p>Well, you’re in the right place :)</p>

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<p>SAMS is open to anyone, but I think preference is given to minority applicants. Don’t let that discourage you (or other Caucasians reading this!). Your race is never a “bad thing.”</p>

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Yeah, it’s free in the sense that you won’t be charged for tuition, housing, or food. But the website says: “Students will, however, be responsible for books, supplies, transportation and recreational expenses. Textbook costs vary from year to year. An estimate would be $150-200. On average, students spend approximately $200 on personal and recreational expenses throughout the summer program.”</p>

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Just fill out the application at [Apply</a> to Carnegie Mellon Summer Programs for Diversity](<a href=“http://www.cmu.edu/enrollment/summerprogramsfordiversity/apply.html]Apply”>http://www.cmu.edu/enrollment/summerprogramsfordiversity/apply.html). No extra scholarship app needed.</p>

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SAMS is different than AP/EA. If the admissions people think you are too smart for SAMS, they’ll ask you if you want to do AP/EA instead. The SAMS curriculum is listed at [Descriptions</a> - For Rising Juniors - SAMS: The Summer Academy for Mathematics + Science](<a href=“http://www.cmu.edu/enrollment/summerprogramsfordiversity/sams-jr-desc.html]Descriptions”>http://www.cmu.edu/enrollment/summerprogramsfordiversity/sams-jr-desc.html).</p>

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I don’t think this information is published or otherwise disseminated to the public.</p>

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GPA measurements differ by weighting and scale, but if you are above a 3.7/4.0 unweighted, I would estimate that as the lower boundary. Class rank is a fairly useless concept given that class sizes, course intensity, and ranking systems vary by school. If you’re in the top 10%, I would estimate that you would be at the lower boundary, though if your class size is 10 and you’re number 2, you should still be fine :). Simply put, don’t worry about stats and whatnot - fretting over numbers won’t help you at this point (or really, ever).</p>

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<p>It’s good enough, as francesca1996 said above.</p>

<p>Thank you both so much! Now I definitely want to apply!</p>

<p>Anybody have the contact info for the SAMS department? Can’t seem to find it anywhere.</p>