<p>@jhgong
Both of those are definitely worth mentioning. You should mention medical club as well.</p>
<p>@rosebud1997
Okay, thank you so much! You are such a great help to all of us juniors! 
</p>
<p>Although I’m a US citizen, I live in the Dominican Republic, and I have participated in the Centroamerican and Iberoamerican Math Olympiads (no medals though). Is that decent enough to make me a competitive applicant, even though I have not taken Multivariable Calculus or Linear Algebra?
What are the subfields for mathematics?</p>
<p>Should I list MOOCs I have taken under the Courses category or talk about them on the essay questions?</p>
<p>@rosebud1997
Thanks so much!!! I look at your comment for big and you say that leaving the subfield blank may hurt my chances.But what if they happens to find for example, that they can not find the resources in the field I want to focus? Would that also hurt my chances? OR they do not consider it into application and if such circumstances happen they just suggest the applicants to change? </p>
<p>I’ve been doing research projects for a while, but my only major accomplishment is going to ISEF last year (and I didn’t win any awards). I’m from PA. Will I still have a chance with good scores and essays?</p>
<p>@rosebud1997
Was there anyone from one of the more competitive states that didn’t have super long lists of impressive accomplishments?</p>
<p>Good luck to everyone applying this year – RSI is an incredible experience!</p>
<p>@AoPser, You might be facing some pretty difficult chances there, but do give it a shot. Some subfields of mathematics includes matrix/linear algebra research, graph theory, set theory, etc.</p>
<p>@Lise25Plain, I don’t think that it will be a problem for them finding something appropriate for you – it should not affect you.</p>
<p>@Mjag1898
I think you do have a shot – work hard on your application. Usually people from competitive states have long lists of achievements, but they also accept you if your passion and stories are solid.</p>
<p>@rosebud1997
Thanks - I’ll give it a shot.
One other question - should self studied courses be listed in the coursework section? The case in question is AP Computer Science - not sure if I should mention it, especially since I’ll list myself as intermediate in Java either way.</p>
<p>Yeah, similar question like Mjag’s. Last summer, I did not have any chance to do any summer programs/volunteers, but I studied entire Klein’s Organic Chemistry by myself to do better in the USNCO next year. Could I put that in my application? I studied for five hours everyday for entire summer…</p>
<p>@Mjag1898 + @jhgong
Both are similar situations, but for some reason, listing AP Computer Science seems a bit more viable to me. You took the AP exam (right?) so there’s more concrete evidence for that. As for jhgong, I’m a bit tentative on whether you want to include that. If I were an admissions officer I’d rather just see your concrete accomplishments in Chemistry.</p>
<p>@rosebud1997
Would there any way to show my passion for chemistry though? Since orgo was for next year’s USNCO my current USNCO stat (only Honors) is not that great… could I include that as my hobby? lol</p>
<p>@rosebud1997
I did not - that’s why I’m unsure. This is an independent study I’m doing right now, and it’s not on my schedule or anything. I’m taking the AP exam this may but that doesn’t really matter for RSI</p>
<p>the thing is there’s very little I’m actually teaching myself because I’ve known how to program for a while. It’s more teaching myself java syntax and whatever weird random things ap looks for. I wasn’t sure if the fact that I’m taking the exam is enough to merit marking it as a completed course</p>
<p>@rosebud1997
The only essay questions are question three to eight in the personal application form, right? So do you have any suggestions on how to write? Could you post your answers for applying? I have a lot of science activities, leadership activities to write about,but I waver on what point to focus. I’m not sure whether they want to see why I love science and want to go to RSI or they are finding the qualities of the individual’s potential in science?</p>
<br>
<br>
<p>Yeah I was wondering if they want to see the list of accomplishments or to pick a specific event and elaborate to show that I love science.</p>
<p>@jhgong
Every year picks two students from Shanghai. Some of them had great science projects before (I-SWEEP silver medal), some of them interns in labs. There are people who has no previous experience in projects but do robotics competition or OM competition or other building and architecture related competitions and get in as well.</p>