<p>ok, what sort of culture/community is RSI? That would probably provide a clearer idea of who is a match.</p>
<p>is there anyone out there that has even a vague idea regarding the rsi admissions process? i'm a soph and i REALLY want to go there but am also very worried that i won't get in!</p>
<p>lol so are you disregarding everything I said?</p>
<p>Usually sophs can't make it, save for those who have won math olympiads or stuff like that. Other than for that, just do a lot of research and follow the topics that interest you and apply the Thursday before it's due in your Junior year.</p>
<p>how many were accepted from VA?
man, thomas jefferson kids are killing me.</p>
<p>also, is admissions by state or area?
because i also live half an hour from Blair Magnet (which is in MD) and those kids are insane.
insane as in AP Physics and Calc BC freshman year.</p>
<p>hi, i am going to apply to rsi this year (since im currently a junior). here are some basic stats.</p>
<p>psat 10th grade - 232 (75/77/80)
psat 11th grade (dunno... but i expect something close or slightly better than 10th)</p>
<p>enrolled in mosly ap classes. already taken chem ap, 5 on the exam. taking physics c and bio ap now. </p>
<p>math - ive done the major math competitions, qualified for AIME twice (score of 6 both times.) i won awards for USAMTS, amc 10, amc 12, a few other competitions. attended usa/canada mathcamp this summer, where i did a research paper, now published at artofproblemsolving.com. i plan to continue doing math research this year.</p>
<p>bio - i will have some sort of research done, but as it is for class, it isnt too serious.</p>
<p>other science - science olympiad, done past two years, medaled as regionals, states. also done future problem solvers contest.</p>
<p>i have a 4.0 unweighted gpa (my school doesnt wheigh or rank, but i would be first if they did.) </p>
<p>i live in michigan.</p>
<p>so, what kind of chances do i have? what do i need to improve in seriously? and what kind of research should i do before i apply?</p>
<p>many thanks in advance</p>
<p>staticsoliloquy are there other fields at RSI besides Math Topology like something in Physics, Bio ?</p>
<p>tetrahedr0n do you post on AoPS? Anyway, yeah there are plenty of other fields. Nghi did biology or genetics or something like that over the summer I believe. And from what I've read on all the RSI threads, it's not stats that go into your RSI chances that much. More, it's your research experience and how you convey yourself in your essays.</p>
<p>And tetrahedr0n, I'm surprised that you only got a 6 on the AIME. From what I've seen on AoPS, you seem like the kind of person that would get 11 or 12.</p>
<p>thanks ccerforlife. dumb mistakes from being nervous reduce my score in general. but yeah, hopefully better this year.</p>
<p>did you make the usamo tetrahedron?, i remember you from the artofproblemsolving also.</p>
<p>You got 144 on the mock amc right?</p>
<p>yes
there other fields at RSI besides Math</p>
<p>RNAi, quarks, dark matter, Bone morphogenetic proteins, etc.</p>
<p>Oooh...</p>
<p>I know Matt McGann! I talked to him at the MIT admissions session! I just posted in his blog! Now to see if he replies... ;)</p>
<p>Alright, a few questions...</p>
<p>1: Do we have to already have a research topic selected by the time we apply?
2: Does RSI care about the Humanities at all? (e.g, will my chances be lowered if I have a B in Social Studies). And will National History Day contests help? (Yeah, it's not science, but it's still writing papers).
3: Does RSI regard the Summer Science Program highly? (Yeah, original research w00t!). Also, are there any summer programs in August? (seems like all of them take place in June and July; but then an Augiust summer program is unfair to those who have school in August).
4: Does walking the professor's dog help you? (i.e, what McGann calls working as a professor's assistant).
5: Does saying "participated in" help towards admission? For example, participating in a competition without receiving awards.</p>
<p>Thanks,</p>
<p>Simfish</p>
<p>OT - Simfish, would like to hear your comments on SSP.</p>
<p>staticsoliloquy, what is it that you research? i remember reading a post saying that you are researching proteins. do you know anything about protobionts?</p>
<p>Oh, sorry, I'm only a high school sophomore right now, so I haven't had the chance to apply to SSP this year. Am going to apply this year howevr, and I believe I have a fair chance (considering that one of my classmates who's less ambitious than I am got in).</p>
<p>Once I get into SSP, I might be able to find a topic in astronomy to research. Obsessed with Astronomy since 3rd grade - childhood dream coming true! Though sadly, the obsession has had its breaks.</p>
<p>n1bigdude: bone morphogenetic protein.no, i dont know anything about protobionts.</p>
<p>simfish: 1: in a way yes, in a way no. depends on the type of mentors and institution available. 2: they look at your grades, and i guess a B might hurt. Think about it. You're competing with some of the most amazing people in the nation. But if you have other things to make up for it, then i guess it wouldn't hurt. I don't know if NHD will help or not since it's history, and has nothing to do with science. 3: they have respect for any science program that allows the student to have independence. SSP would be good. 4: help you to get into RSI? no. 5: depends. if the competition is nationally recognized and you made it to semi or finalist, then put it down. don't put it down as "participated in" if you got nowhere. It's a waste of time for them to read it.</p>
<p>Thanks!</p>
<p>Dang, I guess I'm not going to be contacting any professors about landing any jobs then.</p>
<p>Hmm... Or if you want research experience, do you contact professors at the local university? (and then turn down any offers that say "go walk my dog"). It certainly doesn't hurt... DId any of you contact local professors for a job?</p>
<p>it's hard for any professor to just take a high school kid into his lab for a quote job unquote.</p>