<p>Would
condensed matter - strongly correlated materials
be more appropriate? Probably going to write about superconductivity, even though I know its probably overused.</p>
<p>Alright, so question… If I finished AP Chemistry (actually undergraduate-level chemistry fresh off the textbook) over the summer, but my evil school decided to hold me back and not take AP Physics C, what should I list under coursework? I got like 99% on a Chemistry practice final, but they still didn’t let me test into AP Physics or AP Chemistry. (THEY DIDN’T EVEN REPLY TO THE CHEMISTRY REQUEST WITH AN EMAIL, BY THE WAY). I’m stuck in “college” chemistry (the quotation marks are important), and I’m literally right where the kids in the real AP Physics C class are. Advice :P? I’ll probably have list the independent studying under the “accomplishments etc.” page, but I don’t know what to do here >_<…</p>
<p>@Mjag1898 Write about what you feel most comfortable/interested in and don’t assume it’s overused. To be fair, I’m not a physics person but I have no idea what superconductivity is. Although, in bio, I would say we assume genetics is the “overused” field, but that doesn’t mean that it doesn’t have some of the most intriguing problems in bio research.</p>
<p>@Newdle First off, “fresh off the textbook” made me laugh really hard, thanks 
Second, sounds like you should describe your independent study in your essays and only list coursework that can be proven with a transcript. I have a similar problem because I am taking college courses with the intent to take the AP exam, but there is no check box for college-level courses other than AP and IB. Put what is official in the coursework and clarify in the essays. At the end of the day, I think it’s better to only put down on the official coursework what you’ve officially completed, so there’s no misunderstanding.</p>
<p>@daniiiiis Thanks for the feedback!</p>
<p>Do we have to list all AP scores? I was hoping to say I have done 6 tests and have a 4.83 average (ugh, 1 4 in FREAKING BIOLOGY… STUPID STATISTICS QUESTION >_<) to avoid my biology score, lol.</p>
<p>@Newdle List all your scores, I would say. The average sounds a bit weird. I plan to just print out my AP Scores and send them along, so that there is proof for each subject. Again, we coincidentally have a similar situation. I have also taken 6 exams with all 5s and one 4, but my 4 was in World History not Bio 
Haha I’m being facetious–don’t worry too much, test scores aren’t everything anyways…maybe unless you’re from California.</p>
<p>@daniiiiis Lol, Tinysota here :)</p>
<p>Anybody know how to print out PSAT scores? I don’t want to send this beautiful Score Report Plus lol XD…</p>
<p>How are you guys mailing your applications?</p>
<p>So anything definitive on how to send score reports? Should I just print out and send the page on Collegeboard/ ACT Student?</p>
<p>oh my god i feel so mediocre compared to just about everyone else applying (: </p>
<p>How important are teacher recommendations? My school had to lay off teachers last year and my math teacher left, so I have to ask one of my current teachers who don’t know me that well. </p>
<p>@maria93101 Print out the unofficial reports and send them. That’s what I was told by Maite. </p>
<p>@teenagecrime So do I, don’t worry. As long as you are genuinely interested in research you have a shot.</p>
<p>@Ivy2020 Important, but what can you do? Actually, assuming no one gets to read there recs, and no one here is on the admissions team, we have no idea how it will impact your application. You’ll be okay though, don’t worry.</p>
<p>I’m a junior from Washington thinking about applying for RSI. When I first took a look at the application, a few things made me a bit unsure of whether I even have a realistic chance of getting in:
- I have a 4.0 unweighted GPA and have consistently scored at the top of my class for science-related academic classes (IB Biology and IB Chemistry this year.
- I have numerous awards that are pretty prestigious at the state and national level.
- THE PROBLEM: The activities I’m involved in and the awards I’ve received are all more humanities-related than science- or research-based. I’ve heard from other people in this thread that awards don’t matter as much as long as you have stunning essays, but the essay questions themselves relate to the work I’ve done on in research or science.
From an objective perspective, what are my chances of getting in? I don’t care if responses are blunt. I just want to know the facts.</p>
@mochafrozen I would say if you are genuinely interested in science (and not just resume padding) then apply. I am in a somewhat similar situation. The national level awards I have are in debate and history, but I have also done quite a bit of scientific research. My advice to you is that if you have not had any STEM experience outside of your coursework, apply to a smaller research program. Good luck.
I’m a bit late to ask one of my teachers for a recommendation, but I have both a research director and one teacher for recommendation, is this normally okay?
whee, and other stats that go with that rec letter problem, would it make a difference?
MOSP qualifier (whee)
USAPHO semifinals gold ranking
Has research experience
PSAT: 224
ACT: 35 composite, 34, 35 (oops, math), 33, 36, horrible, horrible essay
No SAT score 
uhh, kind of lacking in AP’s and stuff since tests look boring
(Has however made extensive use of mit ocw, though dunno how to put that)
Has web development experience (yay) and regularly composes music (lol)
wrote essay responses using LaTeX (lool)
+Kinda bad at writing the essay responses and goes on rambling about stuff I learned on wikipedia in that section
+somewhat awful GPA
What day are you guys planning to mail out the application?
@tooty44 still waiting on my transcript, so not sure.
If you took the SAT in December, how would you send your official score report? I didn’t order a print copy and the score reports are supposed to arrive at your school about five weeks after the test - so after the deadline. Any tips?