@TheDidactic I haven’t heard much about Cornell’s program. I need to check that out. I have been studying like crazy for my SAT and SAT IIs. I really hope that I can get into MIT. If I do not get in, I wouldn’t be dissapointed, MIT is a difficult school to get into. All the fun begins next year. I’m kind of anxious.
@james161davis Yeah not many people talk about it because MIT, UC’s and other state schools dominate. MIT is a reach for anyone so don’t rely on that too much. Cornell has a really good program. If you do some research, you’ll see that Cornell is at least a Top 10 contender.
@ItsJustSchool Unfortunately, the science fair was only for freshmen and that the economics challenge was only for the State of VA. Since I live out in a small town in the middle of nowhere, it is hard to find opportunity to participate in a National Competition, especially with the super busy summer that I am about to embark on.
The top scoring students don’t seem to be using the expensive prep courses that I have seen. My D2 got a 2380 superscore, SAT Subject II Lit 800 & Math II 800 with no prep courses. She studied quite a bit, but on her own using prep books that cost a lot less than $300. Since your family is low income, and you have someone who had a high score who is helping you, I’d suggest you skip the prep course.
Self studying for the USA Biology Olympiad and taking those tests is something that isn’t super expensive and could be done with help from your high school bio teacher. One of my kids did that. But your timing might not be so great (not sure when this year’s test is), and taking it without studying probably wouldn’t do too much good.
Bump
@intparent Thanks! Yeah, with a busy schedule though it is difficult to participate in those things. But currently, I am a participant in the NASA Aerospace Scholars program (with a grade of 98.55) which might help some.
That sounds amazing. 
@intparent I hope it helps. Due to this and the National Order of the Arrow Conference in August, I am unable to attend Ivy League Summer Programs
Ivy League summer programs only show that you can pay for an Ivy League summer program anyway.