<p>i took calc last year too, it just was in a university and not in school for an ap, im taking b/c this year just to get a refresher on the material and because the class is supposed to be fun too.</p>
<p>when are people planning to ask their teachers for recs? im new to the whole recommendation thing, and im not sure if i should ask before break - when teachers are really stressed with end of the year grading/assignments/finals. plus, i dont know if they would write the rec over winter break anyway...</p>
<p>i would suggest after winter break, actually. when i asked a couple of teachers about doing some recs before winter break, they seemed a little overwhelmed, since some still aren't done with college recs for seniors. so i'm gonna wait a while =]</p>
<p>Is it ok to ask for a recommendation by email? I worked with a professor at a university about an hour away from me over this past summer, and I'd like him to write a third recommendation for me. However, I really don't want to drive down there to just to ask him if he'd mind writing me a rec. Otherwise I think asking by email is not a good thing to do, but what would you all recommend I do? It seems like if I email him asking if I can meet with him in person, I'd end up telling him the reason anyway lol....</p>
<p>rick, im actually in pretty much the same situation, im probably just going to ask him by email.</p>
<p>
[quote]
What's up with the Special Skills column on the app? Do you need to know all about programming and computer science to get in?
[/quote]
</p>
<p>While I think there is some consideration of the skills you list during the applications process, I don't think that's the reason they ask. Someone at CEE once described RSI as a "matchmaking service" that places students with volunteer mentors. Once the final list of '08 Rickoids is determined, CEE will begin sending those students' portfolios out to the mentors. The mentors actually select the students who work in their labs, and they're looking for the best fit.</p>
<p>You'll be better off describing your skills accurately. If you overstate your ability in MATLAB, for example, you may find yourself in a lab that uses it all the time...</p>
<p>In addition, students at RSI are divided into tutor groups (that's your primary academic support group) led by 5-6 of the more senior staff. The tutors all have different backgrounds, and they make the group assignments according to your interest area and skills. If you don't give an accurate picture of your strengths and weaknesses, you may have to change tutor groups to get the help you need.</p>
<p>
[quote]
i have a question about the app. regarding the essays, i'm not sure what the format is supposed to be. is it one long essay addressing all of these questions? or is it supposed to be separated based on question number, like #1 - 2 paragraphs. #2 - 2 paragraphs, etc.??
[/quote]
</p>
<p>I don't know what format was originally intended, but there is a de facto standard (nobodies sometimes get to peek at student files at RSI hee hee...). Every file I've seen does a separate section for each question. There'll be a #1 with a 2-3 paragraphs of answer, a #2 that's a little longer, etc. I think it would be tough to write a coherent essay that tried to answer everything, and the committee would surely struggle to compare applications in different formats.</p>
<p>Rick and Herman, why don't you call your professors?</p>
<p>So it's OK to have more than 2 paragraphs for the answers? </p>
<p>The application instructions say to limit responses to 2 paragraphs. I'm finding that hard for answer 3 so I have 3 paragraphs at the moment. </p>
<p>Please help clarify. Thanks.</p>
<p>
[quote]
So it's OK to have more than 2 paragraphs for the answers?
[/quote]
</p>
<p><blush>Mea culpa.</blush> There it is, in beautiful blue and white on the application form: "one or two paragraphs per question" and "not to exceed three typewritten pages." Sorry, I had not downloaded the form and was going from the memory of files I'd seen.</p>
<p>If they say 2 paragraphs, I'd go with that.</p>
<p>hmmmm what exactly are we supposed to write for technical skills level and academic background?</p>
<p>I think that refers to the checkboxes underneath.</p>
<p>but it's underneath the essay questions?</p>
<p>Is a third recommendation accepted/encouraged at all? If they application specifies two recs., does that not mean strictly two? Thanks ahead of time!</p>
<p>I have no answer to the two questions, just felt like mentioning that we're 20 posts beind the TASP thread.</p>
<p>How much do our answers to like questions 1 and 4 matter?</p>
<p>obviously if they are asking, the questions are somewhat important</p>
<p>question about recs: does anyone else have the situation where winter break basically ends only a little before jan. 8? are people going to ask teachers to mail the recs seperately from the actual application?</p>
<p>Isn't the application due february 8th?</p>
<p>i am retarded....i thought it was JANUARY 8!</p>
<p>Well, now you have an extra month :D</p>