<p>I am very passionate about science, especially physics, and I was wondering if you guys knew of any good physics reseach opportunities in Massachusetts. I know I have the intellect, potential, ability, and motivation to accoplish something incredible, but I don't know where to start. One of my goals for next year is to participate in the RSI program, but I think I need to build up some credentials before applying, like some independent reserach or something. Although physics is my strong point, any type of science would intrigue me. Because the application deadlines for many programs are past due by now, I have a hard time finding available ones. I'm looking for a math/science/engineering research or internship program, that I can either do over the summer or over the course of the school year. Do you know if I would be able to randomly go to a local university and get an internship? How likely would I be able to do that? I don't think I have the ENITRE summer to work on this, since I am taking classes for 6 weeks, but I have about 2 months in all to get something done. As an asian that wants to go to MIT, I know I have to separate myself from the sterotypical triple 800s, 15 APs, Math club, IMO, Linear Algebra taking applicants. I think I have a half a hook down so far, but I would really like to find something where I can do reserach and learn about the subjects that I care so much about. I did apply for PROMYS earlier this year, but I rushed it and didn't get in. I am a sophomore right now, and since RSI is just next year for me, I really need somewhere to start my successful scientific journey. Thanks in advance.</p>
<p>“triple 800s, 15 APs, Math club, IMO, Linear Algebra taking applicants”</p>
<p>That is far from stereotypical! Dude, if you make it to IMO, you are almost 95% sure of getting into MIT. But making it to IMO is more impressive and arguably harder than going to RSI (unless what you do at RSI is really impressive). </p>
<p>I mean, you don’t have to do physics research. First learn enough math/physics to be competent. Do you participate in USA PhO? Good performance in that competition would be a nice start to build a strong physics base… plus the problems in that competition are pretty fun too.</p>
<p>Then, you might think of doing physics research. But by no means do you need to do research to stand out. You can simply study new stuff in your free time for now. And if you like physics/astronomy/programming, I would advise you to apply to the SSP program. I really wish I applied there, as it’s a nice combo of celestial mechanics/programming.</p>
<p>maybe not IMO, but a lot of applicants have very strong academics. I’m trying to maintain good academics while continuing a varsity sport at a national championship level as well as research. It would be pretty awesome to get an article or finding published, too. Any suggestions on what I could do? I think I have the basic math and physics down (taking calc ab ap, took physics(normal, not ap) as a freshman) but havent known enough about physics olympiads or the AMC stuff. I did participate in Math Olympiads as a middle schooler, which I dominated, but that has like no credibility. BTW, if my school doesnt offer AMC, do you know of another way I could take it? Are there any independent math contest I could do? Or science ones? I have nothing against math/science contest and such, but i don;t consider them as fun as doing research or doing a project with other like-minded students. By doing a contest, it shows your skills but through projects, it shows your passion.</p>
<p>Look up some of the physics labs at MIT. Email a professor and tell him what you are interested in, and you could land yourself a summer research project.</p>
<p>Good luck.</p>
<p>What about math contets? If my school doesnt have AMC or anything, what should I do? Could I take them indenpendently? If I have some decent reserach, is it really necessary to have some AMC scores? I think I will do well on them , I just don’t know where to take them.</p>
<p>@Arch3r25: You mean I can simply ask for a research project w/ an Mit Prof, and most likely get it? Would it be like an individual thing? I don’t mean like RSI, since the apps are past due, but I could just ask a prof for a reserach project and I could do something 1 on 1? Has anyone done it before?</p>
<p>Use your " intellect, potential, ability,and motivation to accomplish" it. Others less talented and more humble high schoolers have done it.</p>
<p>From my experience, it’s very difficult to randomly land a position in a lab just by calling a professor. That’s why there are summer programs. The summer program formalizes the process, making it much easier. Then, you can build connections, and continue that project…</p>
<p>And you can take the AMC at other schools, or ask your principal to administer it for you (and pay for it yourself). I would advise you do the same for USA PhO, as the physics olympiad might interest you more, and I find it significantly easier and more preparable.</p>
<p>hey pi face, I was one of those people who had randomly and <em>luckily</em> landed a research spot with a MIT professor last summer. I have no connections to him or his lab at all. All I did was to email him, and we talked over emails about what I can do, etc. I finally got the position and was surprisingly paid well along with a paper. But I stress that my situation isn’t common that all because it was unexpected and lucky for me, but you just might get lucky. go to scholar holler.com (remove the spaces) if you want a more detail on how to write a such email to a professor (I used this site to guide me on how to write the email to that MIT professor)</p>
<p>Nice. Did you have any previous experience or any major awards/accomplishments? Or did you literally randomly email him with no previous records and get the job? Did you end up going to MIT?</p>
<p>Lol, to make it more surprising, Pi Face. NO! I did not have any previous research experience or any major awards/accomplishments at all when I contacted the MIT professor!</p>
<p>I emailed (I mass emailed a bunch of people. lol) him with my resume which includes my standardized test scores, grades relvant to my classes (ie-biology, physics, etc), and any <em>minor</em> (ie-AP Scholar, National Merit Commended) awards I won. But in the email, I stressed my interest, desire for research experience, and so on. I got the job a week later after a small interview and tour of his lab.</p>
<p>And yes, I was admitted to MIT early action and I’m now a member of MIT 2013!!!</p>
<p>PS. Just in case you don’t get into RSI, you might want to consider applying to University of Iowa’s SSTP (Secondary Student Training Program), Boston University High School Research Honors Program, and UMichigan’s HSSP (?). Sure, they cost some money and are no RSI, but at least you might get a chance to do your own research project with a mentor (professor) and enter science fair competitions as previous people did (few people won some awards at Intel/Siemens). I was supposed to go to UIowa last summer, but the massive flooding in Iowa cancelled the program, so I went to Boston instead. And some of other UIowa people went to BU’s High School Honors Research Program.</p>
<p>When you did this were you a sophomore or a junior? Interning for an MIT professor must be awesome, considering the infuence of his recommendation.</p>
<p>I did it last summer, when I was a junior entering into senior year…and YES! his letter of rec and internship helped me a lot!</p>
<p>good luck in whatever u do, and if u got anymore questions, don’t hesitate to PM me. :)</p>