Research Science Institute (RSI) 2014

<p>About score reports, my school doesn’t have my test scores and since RSI wants my scores, should I just scan the paper we got from the PSAT and maybe send my score report from CollegeBoard? I would buy an official report from CollegeBoard but it’s a little late now…any suggestions?</p>

<p>@LuoSciOly</p>

<p>Thanks (again). Could I send a recommendation from two research supervisors (different labs; currently working with both) and one teacher?</p>

<p>For sending test scores, am I required to send an official report? Because my school doesn’t send standardized test scores so I was just going to print out the unofficial copy. Also, do I have to print out the entire thing, or just the page with the scores?</p>

<p>Standard disclaimer: I am not affiliated with the selection committee, so I answer in no official capacity. All answers are based on my own experiences as an applicant and then RSI student.
@butterchiken: Just check the box.
@science2015: For the record, the directions on the application are: “Please include an unofficial score report with your application and have your school send certified test scores with your transcript.” When I applied, my interpretation of these directions was that including a photocopy of each of my own score reports (can be printed from online) constituted the “unofficial” score reports, and asking the transcript person at my school to include an identical copy of each score report in the official sealed envelope with my transcript constituted the “certified” test scores (see post #235 on this thread). I don’t know if this is the way other applicants did it. Even if your school does not have your score reports, they should be able to print them from online (if push comes to shove, you could probably print them from your own account and give the reports to them) to be included in the official sealed envelope with your transcript. I hope this helps; it’s just what I might recommend.
@SJSF01: That sounds fine to me, but if you would like a more authoritative answer, email Ms. Maite Ballestero. In general, I have no idea how flexible the selection committee is in what materials they prefer/accept.
@jojopop: See my answer to @science2015 above and post #235 on this thread.</p>

<p>How long are people’s answers to question 3 (the one about research fields?) If we use four paragraphs (2 for each field) do you think we will be penalized?</p>

<p>Also, could we send two science teacher’s recs and no math teacher? or do they require one of each?</p>

<p>@bioninja: I highly doubt you would be penalized, but why not follow the directions (i.e., format your response as two paragraphs) just to be safe? Also, both of my letters of recommendation were from math teachers, so as long as the letters adequately show the breadth of your abilities, it seems to be fine.</p>

<p>Bump 10char</p>

<p>So has anyone sent in an application yet? Is it good to send it in a bit early? Also, for the unofficial score report for the PSAT, is there some pdf available through collegeboard? The SAT and AP have a downloadable score report, but I’m looking at My College QuickStart and can’t find it (well, I guess I can just print out the page for CR, M, W…) thanks!</p>

<p>@mayee107: When sending applications by mail, it’s always good to send them a bit early in case there are any snafus with the postal service. That being said, as long as your application gets to the CEE office by the receipt deadline, it’s fine. As far as I know, there’s no PDF through the CollegeBoard website with the aggregate PSAT score. Did you get a hard copy of your score report from your school, or does your school have a hard copy that you could photocopy? I used a photocopy of the hard copy from my school, but if you don’t have that, then printouts of the individual CR/M/W pages seems the best you can do.</p>

<p>this may sound like a stupid question, but what margin size should we use? I’m trying to trim my essays.</p>

<p>So do we need to send in transcripts with your own application, or should the high school send it in?</p>

<p>Also, if we are waiting for official scores for December test dates, should we wait until they are out or send in the transcripts already?
Thanks in advance!</p>

<p>@ringwraith10: My impression is that formatting doesn’t really matter as long as it’s reasonable and you follow the directions explicitly included on the application (single spaced 12 point Times New Roman). As for what is a reasonable margin, use your best judgment. In my opinion, 1 inch is probably ideal, 0.25 inches is too small, and 0.5 inches is probably pushing it. But it’s up to you to decide. For the record, I do think there’s enough room to write compelling essays with 1 inch margins, if you keep your writing concise and use a critical eye in deleting unnecessary words and phrases.</p>

<p>@bioenglishnerd: I don’t know what other applicants did, but I got an official transcript in an official envelope from my school and included that envelope with the rest of my application that I sent in. I thought it would be safest for everything to be sent in together, but my guess is that either way would be fine. As for your second question, I would do whatever ensures that all your application materials arrive at the CEE office on time. If need be, you could update them later.</p>

<p>Is it OK that the recommendation letters and transcripts are folded in sealed envelopes?</p>

<p>Everything else in the application is unfolded.</p>

<p>@LuoSciOly: Thank you very much! Also, do you have any idea what they count as “beginner” for the programming languages?</p>

<p>/would there be any programming language that was weighed more heavily over the other (ie. Python over Java or something like that)? Thanks!</p>

<p>Any programs out there for a current sophomore? I’ve published two papers in mathematics, taken math classes at Harvey Mudd, and will continue to do so, participated in research at UCR in an exclusive group for graduate students, and collaborated with many professors and graduate students.</p>

<p>LuoSciOly, a big THANK YOU for all the time and care you have shown in answering questions here (especially since you are a busy college freshman) </p>

<p>Best of luck to all applicants!</p>

<p>When do you normally hear back from RSI?</p>

<p>Thanks!</p>

<p>Should we include any supplements with our application? Would a previous research paper be beneficial to attach?</p>