<p>I have a quick question about the RSI application...</p>
<p>For the field and subfield, are the only options you can choose the ones stated in the question or can you talk about other fields not listed on the application?</p>
<p>ecneics: I want to say there were 23 or 24 rickoids that made semifinalist this year... someone else should back me up on that though.</p>
<p>A.Small.Prayer: you can definitely pick subfields and fields not listed in the question.</p>
<p>Thanks, winluo2!</p>
<p>24 Intel STS semifinalists, 18 Siemens semifinalists, 2 regional finalists (one of which went on to become a national finalist).</p>
<p>Does it matter if one of my letters of recommendation will be from my IB Literature teacher because she knows me alot better and it'll be a phenomenal letter, rather than from a math teacher just because the University class I took was only a semester so the teacher can't really say much about me.</p>
<p>I considered it last year, because I felt that my second rec would be better coming from my English teacher rather than my Physics teacher. I discussed it with them, and they noted that the application specifically required the recommendations to be from math/science teachers, so I ended up going with my Physics teacher.</p>
<p>If you really feel like the one from a humanities teacher will be loads better than one from a math teacher, you might consider it, but I really wouldn't risk it.</p>
<p>I think I'm just sending three...one math, one sci, and orchestra. I've been with the orchestra teacher since like seventh grade. She knows me well as a person, and as a scientist; I gave a couple of lectures on some of the physics of orchestra music to the class that really impressed her with regards to my passion for science and especially my teaching ability. I figure that's pertinent if anything is. Three reqs is allowed right? I figure my situtation is under the heading of "send more if there's new info"</p>
<p>Just curious prime235, what are you doing math research in? I'm also currently doing math research too.</p>
<p>how long for question number two (the subfields and interesting problems thereof) did you guys write? I seem to have used up the majority of my 3 page limit on that... any advice? (after each question I also explained why I am interested in doing research on that field)</p>
<p>oh man ... everything in here is kinda scaring me off.</p>
<p>I have pretty good test scores (35 ACT and 232 PSAT [80 math]) and have taken the most challenging courseload at my HS, but I live in a really small town so there's not too many opportunities for research or showing my passion for science or anything.<br>
Our HS only offers AP Calc and AP Chem (and english and history, but irrelevant) so I'm taking those two this year.</p>
<p>But I guess I'll TRY, anyway.</p>
<p>MITdude, I remember my #2 being about a page and a half (single spaced, with tiny font). It's definitely an important question, but the others are too, and if you've spent more than two pages on #2 alone you might not get to fully answer the rest of the questions.</p>
<p>My #2 was about 900 words. Anyways, I am <em>not</em> suggesting that anyone go out and make their essay longer/shorter, but I'm just merely trying to...err...be helpful or something. In my opinion, the number of words becomes sort of trivial as long as you make sure that everything you write is concise/necessary/still adds to whatever you are trying to say (rather than detract from it; something that excess amounts of words will surely do). That said, still make sure that you stay within the 3 page limit for all of your answers! (And format <em>cough</em> your application <em>cough</em> accordingly).</p>
<p>DMRenel .... when you say I'm just sending three recs, just remember you are only supposed to send two. And these two are supposed to be math/science teachers. Of all the rickoids I know that sent three letters, including me, (and all and all that's not a whole lot) almost all of the extra letters were from a professor/mentor. That said, if you're one of the top violinist or pianists in the nation you might consider sending the orchestra teacher rec. But unless you have a really unique, super - special musical talent, your orchestra teacher wouldn't generally be the most qualified to comment on your scientific abilities and potential (which is btw what they're looking for). Remember, RSI is not a college app ... it is the Research SCIENCE Institute.</p>
<p>Hey guys!
I was wondering how my chances looked. Basically, my math and science "passions" were demonstrated mostly during my elementary and middle school years. Going into high school, I began concentrating much more on leadership while maintaining a satisfactory GPA.</p>
<p>by the way...my PSAT score is basically terrible. I spent a whole summer at leadership and science camps which took up all my time with their ridiculous application processes I sincerely regret not taking any SAT classes/trying harder.</p>
<p>PSAT 200
GPA - 4.0 UW 4.8 W
Rank They dont tell us, but for sure top 5%
APs None sophomore year [they dont let us ]
Junior year: AP CalcBC, AP U.S. History, and AP Chem.
I have done about 5 honors too but Im sure those probably dont count.</p>
<p>Extra Curriculars
2009 Class VP
Girl Scouts [9 years wooot! Like thats gonna help me. Does a Gold Award help?]
Highest individual score in elementary/middle school for Math Olympiads, always got the top 10% patch [wooot!]
Won regionals in DI and 3rd in states Freshman year
NHS, CSF, Interact member since forever
YATA club founder [youth activists take action] our current project is writing a speech for when we go on TV to talk about our passion and how we want to make change
Presidential Volunteer Service Award [silver for two years]
Stanford Girls Science Camp-Junior counselor, meaning 24/7 on call, even when Im sleeping in my little dorm
teaching eye dissections and robotics. SO fun =]</p>
<p>Thank you very much for your time!</p>
<p>oh and i also do 2 sports, captain for swimming.
but sports probably don't even matter that much, haha</p>
<p>@DDPSC: I'm an OK violin, not great by any standard. I didn't want the req because of my musical ability. I'm the concertmaster of the middle orchestra, so my minor reason for the req is that that's a leadership intense position. My main reason though is that I've given a couple of physics of string music lectures (which means I get to tell people I teach string theory :) ) to the class, and my teaching/leadership abilities impressed the heck out of my teachers. That's rec. q number 1 if anything is.</p>
<p>Sounds fine to me.</p>
<p>for the question in which we talk about our preferred fields and subfields, do we really have to limit our response to one or two paragraphs? it seems like we'd need at least 6 if we talk about all the questions that are most interesting to us.</p>
<p>i agree. there doesn't seem to be enough space for us to explain.</p>
<p>so we're supposed to have two fields and two subfields?
so then it'd be:</p>
<p>chemistry;organic
blahblahblah</p>
<p>engineering; computer
blahblahbah</p>
<p>o well, for that particular one i left it at six. if i kept it at two, they'd probably throw out my application after seeing that big wall of text lol. so the app's sent, and like all of you, i'll be waiting...</p>
<p>good luck guys</p>