Rsi 2007

Pre-College Issues Summer Programs
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<p>nice posts kyle :D.</p>

<p>Asking for chances on getting into rsi is asking whether cristina and burke will actually get married on grey's anatomy (haha), there is just no way to know. The admins read about 1400 or so applications in one day. Some really deserving people may be passed over just because there are so many applications.
The way the admin process works is that each admin person reads a couple hundred applications, and from those pick their favorite. RSI does place an emphasis on your PSAT scores just because numbers are easier to judge than
"potential" (if you have low PSAT scores, and nothing else to compensate for them, then that's not too good). From this, the applicant poll narrows down to around 200. And then, they reread the 200, and cut it down to 100. Finally, somehow, they have to cut the 100 to 50.
basically, the point of this rant was to just show you that in the process of cutting down applications for rsi, some really great people will not get in. But hey, in my book, if you went through all the trouble of writing a three page essay, you deserve to get in. best of luck to all. i applied to counselorship for this coming summer, and if accepted, will have oodles of fun and sketchiness (something that spudman was attest to) with all.</p>

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<p>I don't think I had ever used the word sketchy until I went to RSI....</p>

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<p>for question 7 did they want something extra, or for us to fill out the form at the bottom (Course Level / Skill Level)?</p>

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<p>Thanks SpudmanKA. that was encouraging.
I got 217 in PSAT but my counselor told me I still made NMSFQ because WI sucks at PSAT. I think the cut off line was 210.</p>

<p>I think this is a nice assessment of maybe future college decisions.
It's interesting how only 75% RSI alum get into MIT.</p>

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<p>Who told you 75%? I'd put the figure closer to 90%. I'll have to wait and see who makes the regularly decision process, though, for the right figures on this year. </p>

<p>As far as RSI being an assessment of future college decisions, it's not necessarily because you went to RSI that you'll get into a top college (but that's definitely a plus), but if you make it past the rigorous, super-selective admissions of RSI, it means you can make it through other college admissions, although they are a little different, because RSI places more emphasis on math and science. Thus, MIT gets better percentages than the Ivies. Then again, our Harvard numbers are pretty good so far this year. </p>

<p>and t3hmuffinman, I think you just fill out the form at the bottom. It does say "list below."</p>

126

<p>This has probably been beaten to death, but I'm just wondering about my chances.</p>

<p>Experience
I haven't done much research, since I just participated in a mentoring program this summer and started in the lab in November. However, my mentor brought me to Paris to present my current research at the Pasteur Institute and the University of Pierre and Marie Curie. I am hoping that that will help me stand out among the applicants. </p>

<p>APs taken
Calc AB - 5
Bio - 5
Chem - 5
Euro - 5
Calc BC - current
French - current
Physics Mech - current
US History - current
English Comp - current
Art History - current</p>

<p>Standardized scores
PSAT - 232. 80 Math, 75 Critical Reading, 77 Writing
SAT II - 790 Chinese, 790 Chem, 780 Bio</p>

<p>I haven't taken the SATI yet, do you think that will hurt my chances?</p>

<p>Extracurriculars/Honors
JKC Young Scholar
Advanced Mentoring Program
Took Neuroscience at JHU through CTY
President of Future Medical Leaders of America
Fencing - Junior Olympics participant for two years, Cadet and Junior divisions
Science Olympiad
qualified for National Quiz Bowl tournament
Assistant Concertmaster in Youth Symphony
CSF, NHS, Keyclub</p>

<p>I also had one other question. I am currently conducting research in the field of glycobiology. However, I'm not really passionate about this subject at all. Would it look bad if I have been doing research in the area but have no intention of pursuing it if I get accepted to RSI? </p>

<p>Oh, and I'm waiting on a letter of rec from my mentor who went with me to Paris, so I won't be able to mail out my apps until Wednesday and the packet is due Friday. Will that reflect negatively on my character?</p>

<p>Thanks!</p>

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<p>Again, you are another amazing candidate, and you have outstanding all-around stats too. You are up there as what I think i'm going to refer to now as an "RSI-type." </p>

<p>Does it look bad if you want to research in a different subject area? I don't know what Maite and Mrs. D would say about that, but my idea is this: It's good to branch out and try different fields, although you should know a bit about the other field you want to try. Even then, you might not even get that field that you requested. I was all about mechanical engineering, but my project ended up being in electrical, which was really hard to figure out, and may not have been the best thing (i had taken a semester of circuits at a college), but I still had a great experience either way. </p>

<p>Get on your mentor to get that rec to you ASAP!! And remember, your school mails it out. If so, make sure they send it via an express courier so it gets there on time. You might have to pay the fee, but with a resume like yours, you wouldn't want to risk getting disqualified for lateness. As long as it reaches CEE by the deadline, don't think it reflects negatively on your character. I know there were a bunch of Rickoids her were still working on their college essays the day they were do. We are a procrastinating bunch!!</p>

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<p>Thanks for the reply. </p>

<p>Do you mean that the application has to be sent out by the school? I can't find anything on the site or app that says this. But if it is, do I just give my school the packet and have them mail it from their address?</p>

<p>I was working on my essay questions and I was wondering whether Biology:Stem Cell Research would be an appropriate subtopic.</p>

129

<p>I can't believe my school is already cancelled tomorrow for some freak snow storm that hit last Friday. Now I am just wondering, how the heck am I supposed to send this thing out?</p>

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<p>Hmmm, I just looked at the application, and you're right about it not saying anything about sending it from the school. Then why did I have it sent by my school? <em>ponders for a few moments</em> Maybe it was because I had done everything but get it signed by the principal, so I just had them send it, but I'm still thinking that the rule was to send it from school. Must've changed this year. But either way, if you're cutting it so close, send it via an express courier or something like that.</p>

131

<p>I applied to TASP, and I really have no idea if I can get in. I know RSI is even more selective, but it seems like an incredibly interesting program. The problem for me is that I won't be able to get two teacher letters, because my math teacher has left for second semester. I also haven't done any research, but I've become very interested in science and my scores are good (PSAT = 240, SAT 800V/770M/800W). Should I even bother to apply if the deadline's on Friday, or am I just kidding myself?</p>

<p>Thanks,
Sheep</p>

132

<p>I did my application in 3 days.</p>

<p>and so many smart people are applying...T_T</p>

<p>and SpudmanKA, I'm assuming ur a RSI alum.
When you start on a research, how did you choose your topic?
Is it mentor based?</p>

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<p>Sheep, considering they want to receive it by Friday, you are cutting it extremely close if you plan on applying (unless you live close enough to McClean, Virginia to personally drop of the application at CEE). I also think that the teachers would enjoy a bit more time to say something nice about you if you asked for a rec. I don't know much about TASP, but considering how huge the thread is for it, I guess people think pretty highly of it. (I will say that RSI is still one-of-kind top-o-the-heap, but I'm biased.)</p>

<p>Yes, Alohasam, a Rickoid for life is what I am. Are you talking about research at RSI, or just doing research in general? For RSI, they use your answers to questions 1-7 on the app (interests plus subject area that you requested) to match you up with a mentor (either at MIT, Harvard, BC, or medical centers and companies near or in Cambridge). Last year, the mentors all chose which students that they wanted, so I guess Jenny (our Bulgarian, ping-pong and backgammon playing RSI grandmother, so to speak) went around to the mentors and had them pick from people in their interest areas. We were all their first choices. From there, depending on the subject matter, you either get assigned a problem to address, or (if you're like some of our super gurus) you'll already have a specific problem you wanted to address, and you will hopefully work that problem out. </p>

<p>If you were just talking about research in general, I can only go by how I went about doing it. I did really well in some engineering classes I took at a college when I was a sophomore, and I asked the prof if there was any research I could be involved in, and voila! it happened.</p>

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<p>Oh, and here were my stats as of applying to RSI, for anyone wondering what an accepted person might have, but remember, no two Rickoids are alike.</p>

<p>PSAT: 230 (76 M, 74 R, 80 Wr)
SAT: 2300 (800M, 700R, 800Wr)
AP (this was my big achievement):
8th: Calc AB 5, Chem 5
9th: Bio 5, PhysC Mech 5, PhysC E&M 5, Calc BC 5
10th: Enviro Sci 5, Physics B 5 (both without taking the class)
11th: was planning on taking UShistory, English language, Macroecon, Statistics
College Course work: MultiV Calc, Differential Equations, Engineering Statics, Dynamics, Electric Circuits, and Optics/Thermo from EPGY
Extracurriculars:
Athletics: Varsity Track, Cross country, wrestling, skiing
Research: Bioacoustics, Soccerball heading mechanics
Volunteering: Treasurer of Debs and Phils, Coordinator for Lunch Buddy Mentors, only youth member of the city's Airport Commission
School Groups: Orchestra, Tri-M Music Honor Society, French Club
Hobbies: Piano performance, accompaniment, teaching, and competing
Special Awards: Siemens AP Award winner after 10th grade, AP scholar with distinction after 9th grade and National Scholar after 10th grade, Youngest perfect scorer/gold medalist ever on Idaho Math Exam, 3 time qualifier for AIME, Induction to Sigma XI Research Society, and National Mathcounts qualifier</p>

<p>I wrote my essay about my childhood dream of designing roller coasters and how it propelled me to go above and beyond anything my classmates did in order to become a great engineer.</p>

<p>I hope that gives you all a good feel.</p>

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<p>Holy crud...that's a lot of AP's. Dangit, I forgot to mention orchestra, ap scholar and mathcounts nats on my app. Do they care about mathcounts? It was sorta back in middle school.</p>

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<p>omg...SpudmanKA, you make us look like middle schoolers</p>

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<p>Spudman:
For the extracurriculars/hobbies related to one's interests question -- should this be an essay or a resume of activities?</p>

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<p>I can't believe wind chill is wrecking another day of havoc on school cancellation all across Michigan. I really didn’t want to wait this long to send out my application!!!</p>

139

<p>i know someone mentioned this, so i wanted to say that in the rsi brochure they sent out, under the application section it says "the complete set of application materials must be mailed from the high school to the center for excellence in education in an envelope large enough to accomodate an original unfolded application." i know i read it somewhere and i couldn't find it on the actual application, but i found it in the brochure.</p>

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<p>How much prerequisite knowledge is required in the field you wish to study? For example, could I do research in electrical engineering without experience with circuits? How much will they teach you and how much should you already know?</p>