<p>We just went through this. Twice now. Math/science recs only. The app itself says so.</p>
<p>Calm down theoneo...it is ok...</p>
<p>Yes, only math/science recs.</p>
<p>Second, you cannot submit a Math IIC instead of a PSAT...
You can give in a SATI score...</p>
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that or hes too busy cutting himself
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GREATEST. POST. EVER.</p>
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hey, i'm a freshman at Andover (phillips academy andover).
well, it looks like i will have a lot going on my junior year, so i was wondering, does RSI accept freshman applications too?
I'm taking BC Calc and AP Physics C, and I'm getting 94 in math and 103 in physics. (my physics teacher thinks i'm a very creative thinker, which i'm not. i just memorize the formulas and plug them in)
Also, i got 210 in PSAT (76 math, 60 something CR, and 60 something writing) and i expect about 220-230 this year (80 in math, i hope)
I know RSI is one of the most prestigious science summer camps in US (or the world), but do they even accept the applications from freshmen?
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not unless you're going to graduate next year, or finish high school next year... kim, is that right?
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<p>My understanding is that the Center really does want it to be a program for high school juniors. There are many, many very qualified younger high school students, but since you can't go more than once there's really no harm in waiting - you're never going to be "overqualified" or end up not getting as much out of RSI because you're too advanced!</p>
<p>Exceptions have been made in the past for a very few sophomores who weren't graduating or leaving high school early. But realistically, I wouldn't encourage you to apply this year. Wait, study, think, and have the time of your life after your junior year or the equivalent, instead. :)</p>
<p>(There are some weird cases when it may be better to apply a year early - I know I'm very glad to have gone before completing high school, because RSI introduced me to so many ideas and really solidified my interest in math. But even then there are reasons to wait - social competence, being away from home for 6 weeks, etc. :-P)</p>
<p>Like Kim said, this is a program for juniors - the only way you're going to be admitted as a freshman is if you already have a gold medal at the International Math Olympiad (or some similar qualification)... and maybe not even then. I know you might have a "lot going on" junior year, but is that really a reason not to go to RSI?</p>
<p>"social competence."</p>
<p>hahahahah.</p>
<p>word.</p>
<p>tsk tsk get to sleep girl... it's past 12 on the east coast. ;)</p>
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"social competence."</p>
<p>hahahahah.</p>
<p>word.</p>
<p>tsk tsk get to sleep girl... it's past 12 on the east coast.
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Yeah - still on RSI math schedule time here. Classes start around 9:40 some days...</p>
<p>(Oh, and the social competence remark was honestly not a pointed one! Oops. It was just something I noticed personally. Although I'm not sure a year would've helped... :) )</p>
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if you already have a gold medal at the International Math Olympiad
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...and even then, CEE might just figure that as long as you're staying in high school for a while anyway, wouldn't it be awesome to see what sort of research you'd do in two years instead?</p>
<p>besides, everyone has a lot going on junior year. that's really the busiest year, and the rsi application was one of those many things that were on my to-do list... but it's really a great and rewarding way to cap off a year of hard work and labour.</p>
<p>but really, even if you think you're good enough academically... mentally and socially, it's not a good idea to go to RSI younger, because you're really just not that... umm prepared. :)</p>
<p>lol kim, i don't remember anyone at rsi being socially incompetent. they were all outgoing, bright, friendly kids.</p>
<p>If you are getting an IMO Gold medal at freshman year, then I don't really think RSI would be a necessity.</p>
<p>haha... yes... and very open minded about certain things. Purity test... rocky horror (or maybe we were corrupted while we were there?) Nonetheless, a few years would allow one to more fully appreciate such things.</p>
<p>Were there any Romanians at RSI?
Just curious, cuz I'm one lol
Do you have to have USABO or other competitions for biology?
Actually a better question is what do they look for in the non-math kids, because math seems easy: AMC, AIME, USAMO....but for biology or chemistry, isn't it kind of hard to decide? Research seems like the only way, but still...
Thanks</p>
<p>I did bio at RSI, but did not do USABO or any other biology competitions. I did do ISEF and related science fairs though.</p>
<p>VERY... open... minded...</p>
<p><em>coughcoughEUGENICScough</em></p>
<p>"keep it clean" oh god, lol...</p>
<p>and i don't remember romanians being there? for nonmath kids, they look for interest in your field. it's also the same with math, you don't have to have gotten great competition results.</p>
<p>natureme, did you do ISEF as a sophomore?</p>
<p>yes, I did ISEF both as a sophomore and junior, although the junior one didn't count toward my app</p>
<p>I'm thinking that if you have passion for a particualr subject, you don't need competitions to justify or qualify it.</p>
<p>I think they just want an earnest representation of your passion.</p>
<p>Rickoids don't suddenly obtain a passion to get into RSI. You can't feign passion. </p>
<p>RSI is a program that can be seen as a means to explore your scientific passion further.</p>
<p>I don't want to go to RSI because it is a "hook" for colleges.
I want to go to explore more Physics.
Also, I'm probably gonna apply to many other science oriented summer programs.</p>
<p>Hell, if I don't get in, that's fine with me. I will still read about Physics.</p>
<p>I think some people get caught up in the RSI = MIT and the "RSI is the ultimate hook" for college.</p>
<p>Screw that. I don't really care if it is a hook.</p>
<p>There was a romanian last year, but she was a tutor, not a participant (V=IR).</p>
<p>I was bio (technically), and I didn't have USABO.</p>
<p>This is all very confusing...
including the eugenics jokes
I didn't know what that was, actually, until I looked it up just now :)</p>
<p>lol... so in conventional usage, "eugenics" has a fairly negative connotation - in fact, a negative one. It's associated with all sorts of tyrannical, racist attempts to create a "master race" through selective breeding.</p>
<p>But we at RSI like to think a bit differently. lol.. let's consider this for a moment. We have almost 90 kids who are talented and passionate in math and science. We also have some extremely sketchy (that's the word that's always used) traditions, like the purity test - where students who are interested (it's voluntary and completely for fun) take a 500-question test designed to measure how perverted they are. And after RSI, scores tend to lower... hahaha</p>
<p>So anyway, what might this summer program be for? Clearly, it's not actually for research. ;) The only conclusion is that it's a clever attempt to concentrate talented guys and girls in one place, let them breed, and produce "ricklets". Thus... eugenics.</p>
<p>lol, good times.</p>
<p>sr6622, i couldn't state it better. and i like how you look at RSI as vehicle for furthering a passion, not just a hook (though i'd think very few people who apply seriously would see it that way anyways - those who do should really take a break from school and go see a shrink). props to you!</p>
<p>i made it in for math without anything past the AIME and no other math major awards (at the time), so i really do believe i got in because i demonstrated a huge passion for math. of course, olympiad medals and science fairs help a lot, but not everybody is so lucky, and the CEE knows that only so many people can get those. :)</p>
<p>oh, and <em>waves hi</em> good to see everybody!!!</p>