RSI 2006 Introductions

Pre-College Topics High School Life
1

<p>Hey y'all, I'll be one of the RSI counselors for 2006, and I just thought I would introduce myself. I don't typically come on CC, so I haven't been following your hopes, trials, tribulations, tears... but we are now at the end of the ordeal, and I would like to hear from you if you made it in. : )</p>

<p>Sigh. I hate stats, but that is something that many people have come to expect on cc, so I guess I'd have to include it in the introduction, along with all the rest of the fun stuff!</p>

<p>Name:
State:
GPA/rank:
SAT:
AP's:
Extracurriculars/Offices:
Fields/Subfields of research:
Research experience:
What you think got you in: (Now is not the time to recall your mother's etiquette lessons in public modesty. Honestly, think back to your application, and spill-- what do you think got you in?)
And, most importantly, political affiliation and your views on stem-cell research: (before this turns into a virtual lynch-fest... JK - JUST KIDDING on this one)</p>

<p>Oh! Also, a little bit about yourself, your interests, etc:</p>

<p>Also, feel free to post here if you have questions about RSI student life... one of the 05'ers that lurk around CC would probably be able to answer it! </p>

<p>So, my name is Cindy, and I hark from New Orleans. Right now, I'm residing in DC, where senior year sucks, and I don't particularly want to talk about it, but perhaps at RSI, if you're lucky enough to have gotten into my counselor group, I can tell you my sad, sad story about how my beautiful (<em>sobs</em>) city/house/school drowned, and I'm stuck in the suburbs of a less-than-interesting state otherwise known as Maryland. Sorry to all the MD'ers out there, but.... well, whatever. I won't go into it here; there's plenty of time to explain once camp starts.</p>

<p>I'm skipping all the stuff about stats, and extracurriculars, and academic qualificaitons, and etc.</p>

<p>I applied to RSI for biology; I'm primarily interested in epidemiology/disease control and looking into that as a major/career option. My biggest interest/concern can be summed up by the Team America song, "Everyone has AIDS!".</p>

<p>My interests revolve around: politics, social justice, trees, minority rights, disease control, animals, biotechnology, sometimes philosophy/social ethics, Southern pride (dahhh'ling), HARRY POTTER (fanfiction), certain raunchy Showtime dramas (brownie points to you if you can guess my favs!), forensics TV shows, and Mardi Gras. </p>

<p>Talk to me about any of these things.</p>

<p>I listen to rap/hip-hop/R&B (and my guilty pleasure is European techno), although living up north around Yankees all year has gotten me into certain genres of this thing called "rock". I think American Pie is just about my favorite movie, but I like movies of all different kinds. I like books, too. Umm.. this is starting to get slightly boring (feeling like a personals ad to anyone?), and I am going to take a walk.</p>

<p>Holla back.</p>

2

<p>Decisions are in by mail. yes.</p>

3

<p>Cindy, I ain't no holla back girl.</p>

4

<p>Woohoo, Cindy! Congrats on being a counselor! Do you know who the rest of the staff will be?
And Andrew, I'm pretty sure that you ARE a holla back girl. Watch yo'self.
By the way, '06ers, I'm Geeta, RSI '05. I was in Physics:Cosmology(Gravitational Lensing). I'm not THE most avid CC poster, but I'm up for answering questions as well, if you guys have any.</p>

5

<p>LOL... Benecke, why don't you introduce yourself as another 06 counselor? =P</p>

<p>As far as I've heard, Bret, Andrew, Ryan, Gen, and I from our year. Dunno about the rest of the counselors/staff.</p>

6

<p>Oh, awesome! The next batch of Rickoids had better watch out for the Brett/Andrew pair. Oh, and they should watch out for Cindy's amazing sketchiness, as well. ;)</p>

7

<p>Stats:
State: KY
Scores: 226 PSAT, about 76- math; 800 math IIC, 770- sat 1 math
Research experience- Intel ISEF 2005, Intel ISEF 2006 (didn't include on app cuz i didn't know at the time)</p>

<p>I think what got me in was the research experience and the fact that although my school is bad in the sciences, i look outside school for research oppurtunities.
For my essays, I talked about systems biology and biomedical engineering. I was really surprised that I was accepted!! Best day of my life!</p>

<p>Questions for past rickoids:
1) How are the dorms? What is the living situations (what size sheets should i bring, etc.)
2) I have a tendency to overpack clothes and shoes, how much should i bring (how big of a suitcase)?
3) How's the weather?
4) If i'm coming by plane, how does transportation from the airport to MIT work out?
Thanks</p>

8

<p>Hann, RSI '05 who loooooooooooooves cells. >.> hi. =D Not a counselor, but I'll answer a couple of questions since I'm here on this board.</p>

<p>(1) Simmons Hall, our (and soon to be your) beloved space waffle is an awesome awesome dorm. Given that I was an international I was provided sheets, so someone else'll have to answer this. Try not to set off an alarm on the first day / get too lost amidst the crazy staircases/elevators. You will understand what I mean when you get there. =P
(2) I didn't bring that much, especially since I did laundry pretty often, but I guess it's up to your personal preferences. I brought about two weeks worth, I think? It all fit into one (rather large) suitcase though.
(3) Uh well, by tropical Singaporean standards it's alright (hot and humid is our way of life), but by Bay Area Californian standards it can get pretty bad. You will probably need a fan - buy one there is my recommendation.
(4) A counselor will pick you up - bring cab fare with you, though. The student handbook is pretty good at explaining these things.</p>

9

<p>Thanks a lot!
Any other suggestions/ items of vital importance that I should know to bring or in general?</p>

<p>Given that I'll be coming on a plane, I'll try to limit my luggage, although I'm bad at this. For last year's ISEF, I brought 7 pairs of shoes for a 6 day trip (granted 3 were flip flops).</p>

10

<p>Name:
State: NY
GPA/rank: 97.7
SAT: 238 on PSATS 80 Math, 800 on physics and global history, 700 on chem
AP's: 5 on Euro, taking Calc, Bio, Comp Sci, American History, and English this year
Extracurriculars/Offices: Policy Debate, National Japan Bowl Team, did a lot of math research for NYC Math Fair(gold), and did research at Rockefeller University in HIV over summer for two years. Also, worked to develop website and help non profit organization for women in Mali with technical assistance in computer science.
Fields/Subfields of research:Biology; immunolgoy, Math; Number Theory
Research experience:Researched two papers for math fair in NYC, one got a gold -- probably because I came up with an original proof of the formula I researched, main experience was at Rockefeller University's Aaron Diamond AIDS Research Center over the past two summers.
What you think got you in: Clearly because of my unparalleled charm and boyish good looks....... well not really: I think I got in because I had more research experience than most, as well as a powerful reccomendation from a reputable mentor. While I also had good statistics to back my application up, I think that what might have mattered even more were essays which expressed a genuine passion for science and mathematics. It seems that the key for me was demonstrating both extensive passion and capacity for good research.</p>

<p>A bit about myself: I think I'm relatively laid back(except when taking tests), but I don't shy away from doing hard work when necessary. I'm not that discriminating in my range of interests: I like books(Thoman Pynchon anyone?), film(Kubrick, Kurosawa), sports(I used to play on my school's football team, but I realized by my sophmore year that I'm far more likely to own a professional sports team than to play for one........ I guess its a depressing moment in every jewish boys life), HBO, Japan(language and culture...... no, not anime). </p>

<p>And for the record, because it seems to be of issue on this board, I do in fact identify as a holla'(I apologize if the ' was unnecessary) back individual, and am a vigorous opponent of any compromise of life(stem cell research, and of course masturbation)
[note: the above paragraph is in no way based on factual evidence, rather it is a most likely unsuccesful attempt for a guy who is scared of people being way smarter than him to be funny]</p>

<p>Questions:
1) While I am aware that RSI is going to be really intellectually stimulating(and by that virtue, in a way, extremely exciting and fun), but would you describe it as an enjoyable experience, not simply a valuable one?
2) For Bio Rickoids: In my past research getting results for experiments often takes far more than a month to conduct meaningful research. How do you and and your mentor manage the seemingly difficult time constraint?
3) How much time do you have that is not schedules, excluding mentor research time?</p>

<p>Also I'm going to try to switch user names on this website because I am stupid and made my identity a bit conspicuous; however, the website isn't letting me(there is nowhere to make new account as it always logs me in, even when I hit sign out... I'm going to erase all of my cookies etc... and see if I can get it to work then) I'll repost if/when I acquire a new account, sorry if my description was a bit silly, maybe I'm being a bit to cursory in an introduction to people who i'm going to spend six weeks with, but hey.. homework awaits.</p>

11

<p>hey. thank you for the message, cindy! i am really excited about attending rsi this summer and meeting all of you (i screamed for about 10 min after i got the letter). i won't post my name for safety reasons, but if you are interested i can tell you through p.m. here we go with the obligatory stats...
State: TX
GPA/rank: 4.47/ 1 of 1300
SAT: june
PSAT: 234
AP's: whap and apush
Extracurriculars/Offices: science club president, literary mag editor, isef finalist 2005, ajas presenter, NChO<br>
Fields/Subfields of research: chemistry, combinatorial
Research experience: garage science fair project, lab assistant summer 05 at ut southwestern (publish)
What you think got you in: looking back at my essays (which i thought sucked when i initially sent them off), i think i expressed my interest in research very creatively and poignantly. i tied my other pursuits and passions, like writing, to science. i even had a hemingway quote. my recs were very, very enthusiastic. plus my blue stationary paper was so pretty :)<br>
Interests/Loves: running, dancing, reading, music, 80s music and movies (God yes), Greys Anatomy, and of course...sCiEnCe<br>
Random fact: I met Bill Nye and I think he's amAzing
Well I have to go...but I'll be back w/ many more questions!</p>

12

<p>ZFrankel you are funny.</p>

13

<p>I read this thread from a past Rickoid about how the people at RSI are pretty duh and not socially inept, and at first i was a bit afraid about the social climate because people generally perceive me as a "bubbly" person (after they overcome my general weirdness), but as I read rfrankl's post, I know that I’ll love meeting you all!</p>

<p>I didn't include this in my stats, so here are some interesting things about me :)
In addition to long walks on the beach and sleeping under the stars I enjoy...</p>

<p>Sports- I love ice-skating! I used to skate all the time when I lived in Florida, but when I moved to Kentucky during the summer of my 8th grade year, I realized that I didn't have time to with the extracurricular activities I participated in (mainly the science fair, which stripes away precious moments of my life that will never return). I was on the varsity swim team freshman year, and I play tennis currently; I have a great backhand, but suck at forehand. My serve is pretty sucky as well, given that I'm only 5'1. On that note, my proudest accomplishment to date is reaching 5'0</p>

<p>Food- I was recently introduced to a delicious concoction called "sweet and buttery popcorn", it totally rocks. I love white chocolate, hate dark.</p>

<p>T.V- Boston Legal, that's about it.</p>

<p>Debating- I really enjoy debating issues with people. It doesn't really matter what the issue is as long as i have a strong opinion about it. I am very strong minded and stubborn at times towards my beliefs, and can become rather vocal when involved in debates concerning: affirmative action, stem cell research (see below), paying for organ donation, and the corruption of the school system </p>

<p>Hates: arrogant people, shaven dogs, lazy people, dishonest people who say they do one thing and then do another. </p>

<p>Stem Cell Research- I believe that every individual is a God’s child, and thus should not be killed in such an inhumane way as through stem cell research. i believe it is immoral to kill an embryo because it is a baby, even if the American medical association does not classify it as such. I believe it is unethical to have the potential to save thousands of people who are suffering from Alzheimer’s and more, because stem cell research is just wrong. And lastly, I believe that masturbation is the work of the devil.</p>

14

<p>ZFrankel: RSI 2005 was the best six weeks of my life. It is much much more than merely an intellectually satisfying program. Rest assured, those of us who have been charged in part with making RSI 2006 totally sweet are more than up to the task. On another note, I'm totally down with stem cell research using cells created via SCNT.</p>

15

<p>There have actually been advances in recent times that may hinder the debate on stem cell research obsolete. I believe a team of researchers somewhere have found cells in the mice's liver (may have been elsewhere) that seem to mimic stem cells. If the same holds true for humans, then stem cell research can progress without the controversy.</p>

16

<p>Name: Corina (yeah, not the most creative sn. My last name begins with a "O", too)
State: AZ
GPA/rank: Ehh rank is low (46/700+) because I moved (from AR) before sophomore year and due to different ranking systems, I didn't get any credit for my previous coursework. My counselor wrote a letter explaing my low rank, so it worked out nicely :).
SAT: 2270, 223 PSAT (yay for low scores!)
AP's: 10th-Calc BC, Physics C; 11th-Chem, Stat, English, APUSH; and some other college-level-but-not-AP classes (linear algebra, multivariable calc./diff.eq., highest level of french offered at school)
Extracurriculars/Offices: math club treasurer, tennis, quiz bowl captain in 9th grade, some municipal-level leadership positions, PROMYS 2005
Fields/Subfields of research: 1st field-Bionformatics/systems biology; 2nd field-Biotechnology/biopharmaceutical development
Research experience: Just one internship/project at Arizona State University this year.
What you think got you in: Honestly, I have no clue! The rec from my physics teacher was excellent, basically saying RSI was perfect for me (plus, he told me he really wanted me to go, so he must have spent a good amount of time on the letter)</p>

<p>About me: I generally like to have lots of fun, although I haven't done anything to celebrate my RSI acceptance yet. But just ask any PROMYS 2005 person...I was definitely one of the weirdest (in a vivacious sort of way) people there ;). I also like to listen to rap/hip hop music and sing along and dance, hehe. :)</p>

17

<p>do any of you guys have myspaces?</p>

18

<p>corinao, we have the same interests in systems biology: neat</p>

19

<p>I'm so excited about meeting all of the Rickoids!!!!!!</p>

<p><em>squee</em></p>

<p>Name: Mary
State: OK
GPA/rank: dunno
PSAT: 230
AP's: I took AP physics, apush, and spanish last year; this year I am taking stat, euro, chem, and english...and freaked out about them... :-)
Extracurriculars/Offices: ISEF in 2004 and 2005...raman spectroscopy...astronomical spectroscopy...nothing much else... :-)
Fields/Subfields of research: Physics, astronomy; Chemistry, physical
Research experience: ISEF
What you think got you in: my application ;-)
And, most importantly, political affiliation and your views on stem-cell research: lol...........I'm a vegetarian :-)</p>

<p>Oh! Also, a little bit about yourself, your interests, etc:</p>

<p>OMG when I read your post, Cindy, I was sooooooooooooooo excited because I happen to be....somewhat...<em>ahem</em>....obsessive over certain types of <em>coughHarryPottercough</em> fanfiction. Needless to say:</p>

<p>What are your favorite ships!?? What are your favorite characters!? What are your favorite sites!? I'm in love with fictionalley. I'm so easilly excitable...</p>

<p>Yes, I know, I'm odd. ;-)</p>

<p>Anyway...as for my other <em>coughnonexistantcough</em> interests... :-)</p>

<p>I'm in love with music of all types; I play piano, harp, and flute (badly with the flute though). I also play recorder. I'm in love with baroque classical music and anything beethoven and I also like rock...and...and radiohead...and the beatles...and other stuff.</p>

<p>I am a bit obsessive with spectroscopy. Maybe that's what got me into RSI. Mostly I love physics and math to death...I think they are the most awesome subjects ever...</p>

<p>I like birdwatching and gardening also. And I like to take AP tests, because I'm just odd like that. I can't think of a lot else at the moment...but I can ramble for ages about my interests... ;-)</p>

<p>Anyway I'm sooooooo excited about RSI... I don't have a lot of questions about it yet, but I'm sure I will as it gets closer.</p>

<p>Excited about hearing from all of you...</p>

<p>~Mary aka tweetletwoot~</p>

<p>p.s. If I seem excessively hyper, pay me no mind. It's the CEE letter that did it... :-)</p>

20

<p>wow mary, that's totally awesome that you play so many instruments! I wish i was as musically inclined as you, but sadly the only instrument i've played is the clarinet, and that was way back in elementry school.</p>