<p>Haha, good idea. I've heard that they do not change, though I'm not sure.</p>
<p>To what extent do applicants from one state compete with those from another state in admissions? I know they do admissions by state, but obviously there is some inter-state competition because not all 50 states are represented each year, so in effect, the under-represented states are competing with each other for spots left over after the quotas for the competitive states have been filled. Do you get my logic?</p>
<p>What I mean is, even if I'm the only applicant from my state (I wish), that doesn't mean I have guaranteed admissions, because my state might not even be represented this year. So in reality, I'm competing with kids from other states, not just my own.</p>
<p>Applicants will have demonstrated superior scholastic achievement in mathematics, the sciences and in verbal arts. They will have shown the potential for leadership in science and mathematics and an ability to lead in community and school activities. RSI is open to students from all backgrounds.</p>
<p>Each student's candidacy must include:</p>
<pre><code>* The applicant's self-nomination with essay responses to questions detailing his or her goals in science and/or mathematics.
* Recommendations by two teachers familiar with the candidate and the candidate's scholastic record.
* The candidate's official high school transcript
* PSAT math and verbal scores (or equivalent SAT or ACT test results) showing evidence of exceptional intellectual performance and potential.
</code></pre>
<p>It is recommended that PSAT math scores be at least 75, and combined math and verbal PSAT scores be at least 140. Lower scores must be offset by strong indications of mathematical, scientific, and academic potential exemplified in recommendations, high school grades, and science activities.</p>
<p>RSI looks for passion and talent in math and science. Mathwiz, do you mean bio course at a college? In any case, it isn't too late since I think the app is due Feb 1st (I included that I was taking a Number Theory class 2nd semester).</p>
<p>And I think you can start working on the application already. The only "real" questions are 1 and 2 (I think), and of those 2 is much more important. I completely rewrote my question #2 like five times haha.</p>
<p>I'm going to do my RSI app a week or two before it is due. I think that way I will be a lot more honest with myself. I am willing to bet anyday that the real me essays can out do any superficially crafted essays. A kid from my school got in last year... I'll talk to him about it.</p>
<p>Who got in from your school, sagar? Initials and location if you don't want to disclose the full name? Rickoids are major procrastinators but I don't think you should delibrately limit yourself to 2 weeks to get honesty...</p>
<p>I was so looking forward to applying to RSI and getting rejected but I dropped out of high school after 10th grade (yeah, go high school dropouts!).</p>
<p>One has to wonder why RSI even mentioned PSAT scores since they obviously don't factor much into the application, especially when we look at such figures such as staticsoliloquy with a 1310 SAT.</p>
<p>sigh. I wish I could get into RSI, but that's probably an impossible dream :-</p>
<p>My school doesn't even allow us to take calculus and physics until senior year and does not even have a total of 5 APs. They don't offer any math competitions or anything, the closest they have is academic decathlon, which I'm a captain of. </p>
<p>I was talking about YC (don't want to give his name) from Princeton Junction/West Windsor/Plainsboro (we go by various names =D). He's at Harvard this year.</p>
<p>
[quote]
Yeah, I don't know why RSI mentions PSAT. Simfish, why'd you drop out, if you don't mind me asking?
[/quote]
</p>
<p>Many reasons. Just when I was starting to get discontent with the situation in my high school (no calc-based physics, IB program inflexible for math/science as I would have to take IB Math HL instead of online multivariable calculus, no one in school as motivated in math/science as I am despite 14 AIME qualifiers, and feeling that I wasn't achieving my potential), a spark event (SSP rejection) propelled me to accept an offer of early entrance by the University of Washington (<a href="http://depts.washington.edu/cscy/programs/academy/)%5B/url%5D">http://depts.washington.edu/cscy/programs/academy/)</a> (I applied because it didn't hurt). I initially hoped that SSP and passion in astrophysics would help me get into RSI or another summer research program like HSHSP for my junior year summer. Coupled with that, I hoped to study for the AIME to get a decent AIME score for my junior year and that coupled with summer programs would give me decent chances to Caltech. But the number of applications to SSP exploded in one year, dropping the acceptance rate from over 50% to under 30% and I got rejected. In the case of Caltech rejection and UChicago acceptance (which seems like a likely event after my SSP rejection), my parents would have forced me to go to UWashington anyways so it would be kind of pointless to go to UWashington two years later.</p>
<p>It's also some form of status competition. ;) Many of us want to achieve some sort of recognition in society (owing to our intrinsic competitiveness) and I wanted this recognition through math/science. After I came to CC, my peer group (well sorta) became collegeconfidential and I wanted to distinguish myself in some way. When I couldn't distinguish myself in high school, I decided to distinguish myself by transferring to another program.</p>
<p>At least I get so much more freedom now, and so many research opportunities. I won't be done with applying to programs as ultra-competitive as RSI though - ever heard of REUs?</p>
<hr>
<p>Anyways, for those applying, some alternative summer programs just in case you get a RSI rejection... (just google them)</p>
<p>HSHSP
University of Florida SSTP
Summer Science Program (ssp.org)
University of Iowa SSTP</p>
<p>Oh... and please don't be scared off by these. As you'll notice, some people got in with stats that seem, at first glance, to be "low". CEE looked beyond their test scores and saw potential for greatness... so never be discouraged!</p>
<p>And I almost forgot... props to Vinny for starting the RSI 06 thread!</p>