<p>That's a good idea Shravas. By the way, what are your choices for field and subfield? (Sorry, don't feel like looking through over 20 pages of posts)</p>
<p>lol we started that on the last page :)</p>
<p>I think I might be changing mine though, because I just realized that engineering was available... I'll post when I'm sure. :)</p>
<p>Hey, does anyone here have their field as math?</p>
<p>ME ME ME OOOO PICK ME!
except.. I'm really not good enough for it.. so I don't know what to do. I haven't made USAMO, my school's math team doesn't do smaller regional competitions, and my research experience = not too substantial.</p>
<p>what kind of math are you thinking about? theoretical's the way to go...</p>
<p>applied all the way! :D</p>
<p>hey, so I know everyone hates it when people post "stats,"
(atleast I do) but I just want to know if it's worth pouring my heart and soul into this application..alrighty...some imput would be nice..</p>
<p>state: Iowa :(
rank: no rank..but most likely 1/550ish
psat: 80M, 79R, 66W (I think..well total was 225..gah)
sat: 800M 680R 580W I took them in seventh grade
relevent APs: Calc BC, Stat, Bio, Chem, Phys C
other classes: Linear Algebra, Statistics for Engineers (at U of I)
NO programming (I took C++ in sixth grade for a year, but it's all gone now..haha)</p>
<p>awards: not much..I guess I did AIME and ARML the past four years (started in 8th grade) and got 1st at state and GPML (<it's sorta midwestish) but I'm no USAMOer or some math genius..</p>
<p>err..
research exp: well, I did some program at Penn and spent 60hrs in lab but it was nothing special. I mean it wasn't independent or anything..And I'm doing an internship at a lab 10hrs/week but I only started it in december so it won't really count for much.. :(</p>
<p>any advice?? I'm just so intimidated by all the people who are just AMAZING and have so much research experience PLUS solid stats..sigh*
(I know the response may be it's passion, not stats, but you know, realistically speaking..be honest!)</p>
<p>I remember back in January last year when I was so intimidated by the other people who were applying and the records of past Rickoids that I almost didn't apply. I had a major contest coming up, and I really didn't think I had enough time to spend on my application to make it up to par (I was working mostly on question number 2) with the other applicants. In the end, I finally went for it and submitted my app, as terrible and as hopeless as it seemed. In the very end, I got a letter telling me that I would be able to attend RSI. The point is that if you really wanted to attend RSI, you would apply, no matter how "bad" you perceive yourself to be. If you really wanted it, it would be worth "pouring your heart and soul" into it. It's like Schrodinger's cat in a box, you can't tell a single thing from the outside (your stats), until you observe it (and apply). Pardon the terrible analogy, but hopefully you all understand what I'm trying to say: you can always guess that the cat is alive by having amazing stats (or dead by having bad stats), but you never really know for sure.</p>
<p>What do you think you did that made them chose you? I am guessing in the essay? But what did you do i nthe essay that made you stand out? What questions did you elaborate your uniquness?</p>
<p>If I took the SAT twice already do I have to put both scores on the application (both will show up anyway on the CB score report)? Or can I just put the best one?</p>
<p>Edit: Whoa mihan, how did you take the new SAT in seventh grade? Lol I took the old one back then, ridiculous analogies. Did you skip 3 grades?</p>
<p>@ mihan, you took the SAT I in seventh grade, but you have a writing section score? The third section of the SAT I didn't come out until a few years ago.</p>
<p>uhh disregard my previous question on SAT scores - found it was already answered >.<
Number 2 is killer for biology-related fields...so many possibilities.</p>
<p>i knowww sigh</p>
<p>
[quote]
What do you think you did that made them chose you? I am guessing in the essay? But what did you do i nthe essay that made you stand out? What questions did you elaborate your uniquness?
[/quote]
</p>
<p>I'm not sure if this made a difference, but for every research problem I proposed, I also mentioned a specific personal experience to show how and why that question was interesting to me - like a collection of case studies I had read, or a close friend I had with a certain disability I want to investigate the molecular-level explanation for. I know this technique won't work as well for some of the more theoretical fields, but even then, you still have the opportunity to inject your personal voice and background into your discussion. Do whatever you can to expression genuine enthusiasm for research, and specifically for what fields you chose. Your goal is to stand out from a pack of rickoid wannabes, and you aren't going to do that if you sound like you just copied a paragraph straight out of some heavy advanced physics textbook (unless you're an ipho winner or something like that :))</p>
<p>I want to do engineering, so there are plenty of practical problems to be solved. Chemical engineering to be more specific.</p>
<p>I've heard that getting into RSI is a lot harder than getting into MIT itself....I feel that my profile isn't that strong - but I still feel I should apply...</p>
<p>After all, "you will miss 100% of the shots you don't take" </p>
<p>Here's a look at my student resume:</p>
<hr>
<p>Education
(2007 - )
Texas Academy of Mathematics and Science, UNT
Denton, TX 76203
TAMS</a> Home, University of North Texas
GPA: 4.0 / 4.0</p>
<p>(2005 - 2007)
Clark High School
523 Spring Creek Parkway
Plano, TX 75023
Clark</a> High School
Class Rank: 17 / 656</p>
<p>Courses
Current Courses:
Math 1710 (Calculus I)
Biology 1722 (Honors Principles of Biology II)
Biology 1740 (Honors Principles of Biology II Lab)
Chemistry 1420 (General Chemistry)
Chemistry 1440 (Chemistry Lab)
Political Science 1050 (American Government)
English 1325 (Writing about Literature II)
Economics 2301 (Principles of Macroeconomics) </p>
<p>Courses Taken:<br>
Math 1650 (Pre-Calculus)
Biology 1711 (Honors Principles of Biology I)
Biology 1730 (Honors Principles of Biology Lab)
Chemistry 1410 (General Chemistry)
Chemistry 1430 (Chemistry Lab)
English 1315 (Writing about Literature I)
Honors Algebra II
Honors Algebra I
Honors Geometry
Honors Biology
Honors Chemistry
Honors Spanish I, II, and III</p>
<p>Received University Credit for:
Spanish 1010 (Elementary Spanish I)
Spanish 1020 (Elementary Spanish II)
Spanish 2040 (Intermediate Spanish I)</p>
<p>Standardized Testing:
- Received a 4 out of a possible 5 on the AP World History Exam (May 2007)
- Received a 209 / 240 on the PSAT /NMSQT Exam (October 2007)
68 - Critical reading, 68 - Writing, 73 Math </p>
<p>Interests
Computers
Math / Science </p>
<p>Activities
2007:
Active Member of:
- RO (Research Organization)
- HOPE (Helping Other People Everywhere)
- TFLA (TAMS Forensics and Leadership Association)
- FACES (Cultural Club)
- Sports Club</p>
<p>2005- 2006:
Active Member of:
- FBLA (Future Business Leaders of America)
- LASER (Learning About Science and Engineering Research)
- NHS (National Honors Society)
- Orchestra (Violin)
- Spanish Club</p>
<p>Awards
2006:
Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) - Won 3rd place at Chapter Competition; Won 2nd place at state competition in Corpus Christi, TX; Qualified for National Competition in Nashville, TN.</p>
<p> Outstanding Achievement, Honors Spanish II, Clark HS 2006
Outstanding Achievement, Honors Algebra I, Clark HS 2006
Outstanding Achievement, Honors World Geography, Clark HS 2006 </p>
<p>2007:
Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) - Won 2nd place at Chapter Competition; Won 2nd place at state competition in El Paso, TX; Qualified for National Competition in Chicago, IL. </p>
<p> Science Fair Project - Improved efficiency of hydrogen PEM fuel cells; won 1st place at school level, 2nd place at district level, and received honorable mention at the Beal Bank Dallas Regional Science Fair </p>
<p>Work Experience
2007 </p>
<p>EFEX STUDIOS - EFEX STUDIOS specializes in creating affordable, high-quality web designs for small business that are seeking to expand their advertising options.</p>
<p>Position: Co-Founder </p>
<p>Special Projects</p>
<p>2007 -
PROJECT SMILE - Took the initiative to contact Dr. Likith Reddy of the GSR Institute of Craniofacial Surgery in Hyderabad, India; organized a 5k walk to raise money for this institute. Money was used to improve hospital conditions. </p>
<p>Skills
Proficient in Spanish
Proficient with Computers
- HTML (Hypertext Markup Language)
- Microsoft Office
- Macromedia Flash MX
Proficient with Compound/Dissecting Microscopes</p>
<hr>
<p>I'd appreciate it if you all could look at it / asses it and basically tell me what are my chances of getting into RSI.....is it wise? Or should I just forget it and pursue other research opportunities.</p>
<p>I am no expert, since i am also applying to rsi, but apply to rsi, but also some other programs. Thats what i am doing. I am applying to rsi, ssp, cornell nano, and ASE.</p>
<p>Hey A-card, what Oregon school do you go to (feel free to PM)? I was in ASE last year...gonna apply to RSI this year, though idk if I can get in...lol.</p>
<p>wow i don't know if i should apply, just for the hell of it</p>
<p>PSAT: 80,80, 75(w)
BioM: 800
Chem: 800
EnviSCi: 5</p>
<p>classes: hardest possible + more</p>
<p>GPA: 3.99 or something by end of jr year, 4.6 w</p>
<p>awards: AMC school winner
njsl bio 2nd in state
njsl chem 6th in state
fbla nationals 2nd place</p>
<p>clubs:
varsity tennis captain
animal club board
cancer awareness club founder/prez
science olympiad</p>
<p>Is admission to rsi mainly based on the essay?</p>