<p>Hey, guys! Is there a thread for students applying to RSI next year? Or not, could we start discussing since the MITES application is out and I assume RSI application will be out soon. Thanks!</p>
<p>Greetings everyone!</p>
<p>I’m a Rickoid from 2014 just this summer. I had a project in computational biology and had the greatest summer of my life. Do NOT hesitate to apply for RSI! It will really change your life.</p>
<p>I can’t wait to meet and help all of you with your RSI applications! Just so you know, the application has just been released and is here:</p>
<p><a href=“http://www.cee.org/sites/default/files/RSIapp/RSI_2015_Interactive_Application.pdf”>http://www.cee.org/sites/default/files/RSIapp/RSI_2015_Interactive_Application.pdf</a></p>
<p>Feel free to post any questions you have and I will answer them as soon as possible. Looking forward to meeting you all on the forum!</p>
<p>@rosebud1997
Thank you so much! I am from Alabama. I heard it is reallt hard to get in. Would USAJMO Qual and USNCO Honors help me get in or do you have to be really the best in US to get in? Also do you know anyone from Alabama who did RSI before?</p>
<p>@jhgong,
It is definitely very hard to get in. The acceptance rate for RSI is lower than MIT and Harvard! My friend got in from Alabama last year and had a computational bio project, he ended up getting top 5 talks at the end of camp. Unfortunately USAJMO and USNCO seems to be something that a lot of people have. I’d really work on getting very high-quality essays to have a better shot – they really help.</p>
<p>My mistake, he was actually pure biology and worked on macrophages. Aside from that, many of the mathematicians here were MOSP level people, so USAJMO would be running a risk.</p>
<p>@rosebud1997
I just read the application, and it mentions computer skills… I know how to do some of Java, HTML, and LATEX but no that much. Do you have to be really good at those?
Also do I have to submit all the standardized scores? I think I will have 230 psat but I have 31 ACT from 2 years ago and 2180 SAT from march.
Finally, could you possibly tell me your AL friend’s stats and where he is from? I want to see if there is ANY demographic advantages.
Thanks a lot!</p>
<p>@rosebud1997
I’m interested in computational biology, however, do you know how much computer programming experience you need for this? Would you mind to explain your project in particular a bit? Thanks so much!</p>
<p>Yay! So excited!</p>
<p>@big
The comp bio projects cover a diverse set of topic areas, so most of the methods you’d be working with would be very specific to your project (most likely you’ll start with no prior background and will have to pick up most things from scratch). For example, you might be using the GenePattern software a lot if you’re working at the Broad Institute, or do drug design-related stuff at another internship. That said, any computer programming skills would still be extremely helpful though (but not necessary since some comp bio interns started with close to no CS experience) because you’ll be able to pick up new languages or packages easily. Also, for comp bio, knowing R, Python, or Matlab is always enormously useful. Modeling/machine learning knowledge is a plus too, as a few projects every year involve that.</p>
<p>@jhgong
AFAIK, the AL rickoid had extensive biology experience (many past research projects, Intel ISEF winner, USABO, etc.), but demographic advantages also do play a role. For example, a lot of the past norcal people have had big achievements in academic competitions and olympiads, such as IOI or physics camp.</p>
<p>@rosebud1997 Hi, I just took a look at the 2015 app and it asks for me to specify two different research fields with two subfields. Does that mean I have to pick two different fields like biology and mathematics or can I pick biology twice and go with subfields of genetics and computational biology for example?</p>
<p>@tooty44
I definitely recommend picking two different fields. I picked comp bio (prognostic modeling) first and then CS (AI).</p>
<p>@rosebud1997
Could I see what options are there for research fields/subfields?</p>
<p>@jhgong,
There’s not exactly a definite answer I can give you. There’s no surprises though really – if the science exists, then you can put it down. It’s more so that they can match you up with a proper project. For instance, for research field you could put physics, mathematics, biology, computation, earth/environmental science, astronomy, etc. And for subfield you could go into one specific topic in the main field. For instance, modern physics, classical mechanics, fluid mechanics for physics; discrete math, linear algebra; etc. </p>
<p>Just go with your heart and your intuition.</p>
<p>@rosebud1997
Hi. I’m Lise.I do vex robotics at school and am currently working on a science project in robotics.<br>
There are three questions about application. Eight Questions are required to answer for application about extracarricular activities and involvement in science. When answering them, shold I be as brief as possible and simply list what I do or should I write in detail why I want to go to RSI and why I like science like the PS in college application? Also, I’m not sure about the skill levels. I learn C/C++ and use it in my research project to program the robots. Does that mean I am advanced or intermediate? For a college student who majors in CS, I believe I am like a beginner.<br>
And I study in Shanghai, we don’t have honors or regular,such distinctions for course. But I’m studying college level math myself, so should I include that?</p>
<p>Thank you very very much. I knew RSI in freshmen year and it’s really really sth I’m desperate for.</p>
<p>@rosebud1997
Hi, I have another question relating to computational biology. As I do not have experience with this field, would I be able to put field: biology, subfield: computational biology or would it be better to put field: computational biology, subfield: ___? Thanks again!</p>
<p>@rosebud1997
How were the people at RSI? Were they well-rounded or only academically oriented? I am not sure whether I should put my art awards or not. Should I just put national achievements? Also do you put achievements from your high school years or can you put stuffs from middle school? Thanks!</p>
<p>@Lise25Plain
- When it asks for a listing of accomplishments, it just wants a direct list. You should not do it in essay form. However, you can provide brief descriptions for each activity/award.
- You are probably intermediate/advanced.
- Yes, provide them as much information as you can.
Good luck with your application!</p>
<p>@big
I think it’d be better to put computational biology, subfield. For subfield you can put some general area in comp bio that you may want to work on, for instance, gene analysis. But if you’re not exactly sure what you want to dive in to yet, you can put undecided, although that may hurt your chances.</p>
<p>@jhgong
The people at RSI are definitely overall more science-oriented than anything else. But many of them have exceptional talents in other areas as well. You should definitely put your art awards, but make sure not to flood them with insubstantial awards that will make you look desperate. You can put stuff from MS but make sure it’s substantial enough to mention.</p>
<p>@rosebud1997
Would Alabama national scioly team member and natioanl mathcounts alabama team be substantial enough? I did get 4th in one of my event 2nd year i went to scioly nats but i wanted to show that I have been doing it for long time.
Also if I mention medical club would that me directly related to STEM or other ecs?
Thank you so much!</p>