I’d like to apply to some programs that don’t require teacher recommendations. I want to apply to a lot of summer programs (in case I don’t get to most of them), and I feel bad asking my teachers for a lot of recs. I’m mostly interested in research, STEM, but also writing and art.
IMO, you shouldn’t hesitate in asking your teachers for more recommendations! It shows that you are a committed student and are comfortable enough to reach out. If you insist, check the programs on this link; it covers most of the major programs.
http://highlygiftedmagnet.org/summer-programs
Most of them are a custom form, and I feel bad asking teachers to fill out multiple of those.
Most of the better programs require teacher recommendations.
A scattershot approach: “I want to apply to a lot of summer programs (in case I don’t get to most of them)” is not a good plan, for you, or for the teachers who will write your recommendations.
Part of what you need to do is to develop a plan, focus on what you want, what your qualifications are, and what the different summer programs look for in their applicants. - If this sounds like what you need to do to plan for college applications, it is because it is exactly like what you need to do for college apps!
In another thread you wrote: “There are so many research programs like HSHSP, Princeton’s LLP, RISE, RSI, Clark Scholars, SIP. What are the differences between these? Should I apply to all of them?”
You need to research the different programs (there are plenty of threads on these programs here on CC, and lots of other information available on line - google search is your friend). Learn what sort of students the programs accept, whether the programs interest you, and whether you have a chance of acceptance. If you do that, and your answers are positive, your teachers will be delighted to write the recommendations you need.
Originally, when I wrote that thread, I was planning on the scattershot approach, but now I have consolidated and ruled out a lot of programs. The problem I am facing now is that I really want to do research, but the only programs I can find are highly reputable programs that probably won’t accept someone like me (good grades, but no previous experience in research and not head-over-heels passionate about one area of science, also no science competitions or awards). That’s why I feel like even if I apply, I might not get in, and hence, I should apply to more of the research programs so I have a better chance of getting a research opportunity.
Conversely, if there are programs that still offer research for high schoolers like me and are not highly selective, that would solve a lot of my problems. I tried googling, but most of the research ones online that I qualify for (some of the less selective ones are only for local high school students) are selective.
Real science research is academically and intellectually challenging, so pretty much any science research opportunity worth doing is going to be selective.
Prior research experience is not required, even at the most selective program in the country.
Here is a quote from a handbook RSI prepares for the Research Mentors describing the characteristics of the students selected by RSI:
“Typically, the successful candidate has standardized test scores that place her or him in the top 1% of each country’s population. The students chosen for the Institute have demonstrated two additional qualities: they have already acquired a deep interest in a scientific field of inquiry, and they have found opportunities to acquire some form of field experience. The amount and quality of this experience will vary with the background and home location of the student, but you can expect that your intern will be eager to do and learn as much as he or she can under your guidance. Our students are long on ability and optimism, but short on experience. Most of them have taken a large number of college-level courses, and you can expect that they know as much about your field as a good college undergraduate. However, they may not have had the time or opportunity to learn specific laboratory techniques, and have not developed an intuition for what sorts of approaches to a problem might prove fruitful. They will therefore have to practice at specific experimental tasks, and may have a brute force approach to problem solving. To take advantage of their enthusiasm, as well as to enrich their background, you want to assign readings for them, including chapters from texts, selections from conference proceedings, or other materials that might be found in the MIT library or on the web.”
To summarize: very, very bright (top 1%), enthusiastic and passionate about science, and have gone beyond well beyond ordinary high school class work to engage in scientific pursuits.
RSI isn’t looking for students who were ISEF winners, they are looking to make ISEF winners out of their students.
The other programs are less selective, but you don’t need to limit yourself to formal, organized summer programs. Most research by HS kids is done by defining their interests and then contacting professors doing research that the student finds interesting and asking for the opportunity to work with the professor,