<p>I know you guys are right.. I'm just in a panic now .. cause summer project proposals are due in like 2 weeks and I have to come up with an internship or ISEF-worthy research project by then. Its true that NoVa has tons of opportunities.. but I'm in VB (south eastern VA ) ... only universities near by are ODU and William & Mary (which is an hour away) .. so I'm not likely to find an opportunity helping out with a professors research or anything.. and I'm just no good at coming up with my own research topics .. I mean I have broad concepts I'd like to look into .. Embedded Systems, non-Von Neumann Architectures, G?del Maps, etc.. I just can't get it down to a specifically researchable topic .. (and maybe this lack of direction is what kept me out of RSI .. though I'd hoped that the first weeks of the program would help me to learn better to do this) </p>
<p>Hopefully I will get VA gov's school .. it can probably be as good an experience .. just not as communal, etc. (and not at MIT :-( )</p>
<p>Back when the dinosaurs roamed ;) I went to the Governor's Honors Program in my state. My high school had zero opportunities, and to attend this was a HUGE honor. It was the first time I'd been in an environment full of incredibly bright people who shared my passion for learning.</p>
<p>That summer opened many, many doors and ultimately led me to another (national) program that got me a scholarship. The friends I made there have gone on to a variety of professions -- and almost 30 years later, I am still in touch with several!</p>
<p>I think DS would say that the RSI process helped him focus on what exactly he wants in a school and out of life, and the resume he put together for his application has already proved useful in other areas. Go back and look at your list of activities and awards, and soak in all you have accomplished. It takes a fair bit of achievement and confidence to even have the courage to apply to something like RSI.</p>
<p>DS spoke with the admissions director last week after he got his letter, and she lamented that there is just not enough funding to invite more kids to the program. It is NOT a reflection on what you've done or on your value.</p>
<p>For my part, I got as taste of what next year will be like. It gives me enough time to grow a tough outer skin! ;)</p>
<p>MOP is not more important than RSI, it is just different. It is the training program for the International Math Olympiad. Often the gifted mathematicians get into both and have to choose. Most choose RSI, BTW.</p>
<p>MOP stands for Math Olympiad Summer Program. Some people say MOSP, but the S is very silent.</p>
<p>summer program admissions need an appeals process... :-( </p>
<p>not really .. but .. gah! I just had managed to get so psyched about the possibility .. hence why I'm still here when I have no reason to be .. </p>
<p>my mind wants to say stupid things like: well, if its cause they can't afford the people ... can't I just pay for myself rather than have CEE do it? </p>
<p>... and why do I use so many ellipses >_<?!</p>
<p>hey guys. first of all, to the RSI acceptees, congrats!
but for the people that didn't get in, don't be worried. i also didn't get into RSI last year, and I have to admit, I was pretty surprised since my Stats, research awards and essays were all very strong. However, i went on to do a project at a local institution and I still made Siemens and Intel STS semis. Some projects at RSI aren't guaranteed to be successful, and many people take previous projects or new projects (from nearby universities) to those competitions. so perhaps, you may even have better luck with your local/state university.</p>
<p>although i was really sad that I didn't get into RSI, looking back, I see that my summer was much more productive than if I had been in Boston. I was not only able to complete a research project, but also worked a lot on community service and other important commitments. In the end, I think those helped me a great deal into getting into Harvard and MIT, along with getting some scholarships.</p>
<p>So cheer up! Not getting into RSI doesn't mean you won't get into MIT or Harvard (especially if you look at the admission decisions of some of last year's RSI-goers) or whichever college you're fond of :)</p>
<p>not many people get off the waitlist. i don't know how many people rsi waitlists, but only 1 or 2 got off the list last year. given that many several students turned down physics or math olympiads to go to rsi, its pretty common for every accepted student to attend.</p>
<p>although I've already been accepted, I know a couple of kids who are on the waitlist. vanilea, do you know if the waitlist is ranked, and if not how does CEE select people from the list in case someone does not decide to attend RSI?</p>
<p>even though countless people have posted to ease the rejects' pain, all of them were either future Rickoids or alum. It's nice to hear how successful someone has been without RSI - a great boost of confidence I guess : )</p>
<p>wow, i don't look at cc for a week, and decisions come out. damn. </p>
<p>awww man, looking at all you guys who i've been helping out and answering questions for, my heart goes out to you guys. and, as has already been said by others, RSI isn't the only path to greatness. there's so much else you can do. just like at the other thousands and thousands of kids who got into their top dreams colleges of choice who didn't need RSI to get them in. there's so much else you can do. sure, i had a great time at RSI, but that doesn't mean i wouldn't have had an amazing time anywhere else. </p>
<p>Life is what you make it. Be proactive, take charge, and don't let the man bring you down. There are so many other ways you can further you future, expand your mind, save the world, have fun, etc etc. </p>
<p>good luck everyone. i'm gonna head to that new thread now. </p>
<p>I was admitted to RSI this year and its been my experience that the people who really really focused everything on getting into RSI didn't. You should not try to mirror things RSI alum have done....do what you are interested and be sincere about it. A major part of the RSI admissions process is getting to know you....so be yourself. </p>
<p>"Do what you want to do, go where you want to go!"</p>