<p>oh yea, for the people who went to RSI, did u guys have any computer programming/ statitical data anayisis experience? Because it asks on the app and I kind of don't have any...</p>
<p>^ agreed, neither do I. The only thing I can POSSIBLY say is that I own a laptop computer and use it everyday....lol.</p>
<p>it does not matter too much (unless of course you are applying as a comp sci kid)</p>
<p>many people there end up learning matlab (even becoming quite proficient at it by the end) without too much difficulty. i guess it'd be nice to know matlab and latex, but it will definitely not make or break you</p>
<p>Yeah, you'll spend the first week learning LaTeX and the Athena computing system. A lot of people don't know LaTeX, matlab, etc. Other computer knowledge will be learned at your mentorship (if necessary). As for me, I didn't need to learn anything, the only two things I used the most computer wise were Mathematica and LaTeX which I've both used before. (I had a math project) Just be honest, it probably won't make or break your app just because you don't know something like Java. I'm pretty sure you won't be rejected just because you don't know Java, that would be ridiculous.</p>
<p>so u guys just put like no experience for everything in that section??? (but really wat a relief, cuz um my mentors been asking me to take some computer sci courses to help me with my research, but i was like why would u need that???)</p>
<p>Well, I used MatLab once in another summer program...so I guess I could say I had beginning experience right?</p>
<p>Is anyone on this thread from Florida??</p>
<p>Right here, mate ;) </p>
<p>Daytona Beach area. I'm sorry; I'm guessing we're practically competing? :</p>
<p>not necessarily.... so long as we are the only two applying from the sunshine state ;)</p>
<p>Two went from FL last year.</p>
<p>But... maybe we kinda sorta are competing. Do you think you have a good shot?</p>
<p>You weren't , by chance, at SSTP this summer, were you?</p>
<p>Qustion...</p>
<p>the rsi website says
"Each student's candidacy must include: </p>
<p>The applicant's self-nomination with essay responses to questions detailing his or her goals in science, mathematics, or engineering. "</p>
<p>Does this mean that we need to write a self nomination essay IN ADDITION to our responses to the questions in the app, or are your answers to those questions what they would call a "self-nomination essay"?</p>
<p>And... would anyone mind posting their stats? I would like to get a feel for the application pool this year.</p>
<p>Here are mine (even though i posted them before)</p>
<p>**Please feel free to assess my chances at getting into RSI, or at least telling me if you think i actually stand a chance.</p>
<p>SAT: 2200 (720M) But that was freshman year. taking them again in DEC. I expect at leat a 2340.</p>
<p>AP's: only one allowed soph year at my school. that was WH.
AP's junior year: Calc AB, Physics B, English language, Comp Sci AB, Statstics, Euro History, Biology, Psychology, Us history, and some coursework at a University</p>
<p>Extracurriculars:
Lots of research:
Intern in a bioeng lab. I worked on a mathematical model for tumoral fluuid dynamics using the Navier Stokes Equations and whatnot. Used MATLAB and JAVA in that lab.</p>
<p>Intern in a structural genomics lab where I decoded the structure of malarial protease
Used sophisticate computer modelling and data analysis of electron dot diagrams. i also proved that HIV medications have a high inhibition potential for malarial roteases as well.</p>
<p>Now I am conducting original research. I am investigating Cyclin Dependent Kinases as potential anti-cancer drug targets.</p>
<p>President of Mu Alpha Theta</p>
<p>Reigning Champ of regional math competition (School doesn't participate in international comps. i had never heard of them until this year, but I am in the process of registering our school for the USABO and AMC. Do you think the adcom will understand/ be forgiving?)</p>
<p>President of Key Club- lots of awards for that</p>
<p>founder of a club that works to promote better health care for the poor</p>
<p>Competitor and finalist in State academic competition since freshman year. I was the first Freshman in the history of my county / and maybe state? to qualify as a competitor for this competition.</p>
<p>I will be competing in science fair for the first time this year</p>
<p>I know...no chance...but it can't hurt to apply</p>
<p>You definitely have a chance--more than most, definitely. And please, stop being humble. -_-</p>
<p>My stats</p>
<p>PSATs (Sophomore): 76 M, 72 CR, 80 W, I'm still waiting for junior year ones though.</p>
<p>My school only allows you to take one AP sophomore year (World History)</p>
<p>Though this year, I'm taking AP Stats, AP Bio, Ap Lang, and APUSH.</p>
<p>Extracurriculars and Other Science Stuff:</p>
<p>Columbia University Lab Internship
Performed research in cancer and cancer genetics, specifically in breast cancer with its relation to leukemia</p>
<p>Brown University Mini-Courses:
Botanical Roots of Modern Medicine: Two Weeks
Research Techniques in Biomedical Fields: Three weeks</p>
<p>Brown University Lab Internship
Performed research in plant genetics and plant horticulture
Published a research paper</p>
<p>Englewood Hospital Junior Volunteer</p>
<p>National Spanish Exam: Level III Gold Medal Winner</p>
<p>We Must Care: Volunteer (2006-2007; 2007-2008)¾ An organization working against child molestation</p>
<p>Tutoring Club: Vice President (2007-2008): Tutor elementary students with their homework </p>
<p>Bergen Record (The County Newspaper): Staff Writer (2007-2008)</p>
<p>Math Club: Member (2006-2007; 2007-2008)</p>
<p>Debate: Junior Varsity Debate Judge (2006-2007; 2007-2008)</p>
<p>Model United Nations: Delegate for China (2006-2007; 2007-2008)
Won Best Delegation at the Bergen Academies Model UN Conference</p>
<p>Hopeful, the self-nomination is the application form - the essays are the answers to the questions.</p>
<p>
[quote]
I am in the process of registering our school for the USABO and AMC. Do you think the adcom will understand
[/quote]
</p>
<p>Yeah I'm pretty sure they will. I used both the names AMC and AIME in my app.</p>
<p>It's kind of hard to chance people for RSI, no one really knows how admissions works</p>
<p>With such a low acceptance rate, doesn't it seem ambiguous/random? I mean, with so many people with similar SATs/ACTs/SAT IIs/APs, classes, grades, straight A's, clubs, sports, how can the admissions people tell the difference?</p>
<p>I don't want to discourage you, but to answer tomjones, most of the rickoids i know were exceptional in some sense. they were more than your generic, all-around bright kid. there were:</p>
<ul>
<li>siemens competition semifinalists and finalists</li>
<li>USAMO winners</li>
<li>USABO/USAPhO/USAMO camp qualifiers</li>
<li>davidson (or something) fellowship winners</li>
<li>math students who've taken really advanced courses (stuff like abstract algebra)</li>
</ul>
<p>etc.</p>
<p>i'm not sure how much weight is put on those academic statewide competitions people keep mentioning. the olympiads seem much more hefty.</p>
<p>btw- gpa isn't as important as you'd think... i know people who had pretty crappy grades.</p>
<p>w8, so basically, it all comes down to ur science/math related experience??? but then how come other people who have been to RSI say that they've seen people who are the normal bright student, with no research experience and are not big names in Olympiads or Siemens/ISEF... And so then if their grades were bad, how did they get in?</p>
<p>I know 2 Rickoids who had NO research or any of the stuff in post 96. They are convinced their enthusiasm and interest came through in their essay answers and letters of recommendation. I know one who had done research and won a minor award at Siemens.</p>
<p>Yea, according to someone I know, he said that it's probably becuase those types of people are minorities, so they are picked just for that reason. Also, basically what breaks whether you get in or not is the way you represent yourself in the essays. (But I have no idea exactly how you should do that cuz that person won't tell me -_-.)</p>
<p>yep, rsi def has significant geographical bias (i dunno about ethnicity bias though).</p>