<p>but that's so far away!</p>
<p>Haha, I bet my letter won't get here until the end of April or something. Dratted international mail and all....</p>
<p>My fingernails will be completely chewed off.</p>
<p>...this reminds me of waiting for AP test scores...</p>
<p>I've heard that the rejection and acceptance letters are both thin, so I guess when I do get it, I have to open it...</p>
<p>Why does the TASP thread have almost 5 times as many posts?</p>
<p>Because TASPers are loony.</p>
<p>Wow, I haven't been on CC since last April or something like that. I gave a lot of advice on this thread last year (I'm RSI '06), but I had yet to visit it this year. </p>
<p>Now that the application deadline has passed, I guess there isn't much advice I can offer in that regard. And I didn't really feel like reading through all the posts. </p>
<p>I do however see a question about geographic considerations. What I DO know about geographic bias:</p>
<p>I've heard no more than 4 people from a single state. Thus, there will usually be 4 from California and Texas. Sounds like a pretty good rule to me. Give others a chance (of course, this also means you've got to be pretty darn good if you're from some of those RSI-happy states).</p>
<p>My year, TJ dominated the Virginia contingent, and Blair dominated Maryland. But TJ always seems to dominate high school math and science stuff, don't they? </p>
<p>My year, of the 53 domestic students, 23 states were represented. Some major states, like Florida, had no one. But other "lesser" states, like Idaho and Oklahoma, had 2 (think "Spud" in Spudman ;-D ). </p>
<p>That's all I can think of for now...</p>
<p>Also, the TASP thread is huge because TASP is a much bigger program than RSI (i.e. not as exclusive ;-D)</p>
<p>ahhh... just imagine those pplz picking up ur apps... and putting them in da recycling bin without much of a thought... ><</p>
<p>actually, spudman, tasp only takes around 70 people</p>
<p>Ahhhhhh, I apologize. I was ill-informed. </p>
<p>Ok, here's a better answer. TASP is a more <em>widespread</em> program, with several sessions in different places. RSI is focused solely upon math and science research, spanning a much narrower student spectrum than TASP. So by self-selection, (and certain populations knowing more or less about certain programs due to one's centralization) more people look to TASP. </p>
<p>Plus, I might be stereotyping, but all us math and science nerds don't like to write THAT much. ;-D</p>
<p>MITdude: Just remember this. Rickoids are chosen based upon the 3 U's:
Uniqueness
User name
eUgenics!!</p>
<p>Inside joke from my year...</p>
<p>lol nice one hahaha</p>
<p>yikes... they opened my application!! (the check to RSI was cashed...)</p>
<p>Yikes!!!</p>
<p>I'm still waiting for my postcard... I sent them an American Girl one :)</p>
<p>oh sweet, that means maybe us four californians will all get in!</p>
<p>i hope i accidently get in. lol :)</p>
<p>haha same.
i really really really really wanna go :/</p>
<p>haha you're all mental :]</p>
<p>i wonder how they weigh how passionate each person is...
is it word choice?</p>
<p>augh narcissa we ARE mental. we actually think we have a chance to get in.</p>
<p>In addition to your essays, I think teacher recommendations can help show passion.</p>
<p>...My friend who went to RSI equated the admissions process to a slot machine and you are trying to put a nickel in to get the jackpot.</p>
<p>i dont get how they can choose 75 people with the most "passion." there are certainly MANY VERY PASSIONATE people in this world, and i dont doubt everyone posting here every 2 minutes has a lot of passion.</p>