RSI 2015

To RSI applicants from 2015,
I’m currently a Sophomore and thinking about applying to RSI next year, for the 2016 summer. I’m not entirely sure how I stack up, though.

I’m probably either first or second in my class. Class ranks aren’t released until senior year. My weighted GPA is 4.9 and unweighted 4.0.
I got a 221 on my Sophomore PSAT, a 2270 on my SAT, 730 in math (will retake next fall), and a 34 on my ACT (33 on math, also will retake next fall). Even though I’m math-science dominant, I tend to panic with the time limit on standardized tests’ math sections.

I know RSI likes to see participation in national and international math and science contests. I’ve participated in the AMC. I go to a small suburban public school in the midwest-- they send students in pretty much blind. Last year, I got the high score for my school, but I didn’t place. This year, I was sick the day of the test. I’ve also participated in the chemistry olympiad, still waiting for results. I didn’t kill myself studying, but given my region, I should have a decent chance of going on to take the national test. Again, my school is rather unsophisticated and is rarely involved in such things.

I applied for a science research internship at a local hospital this summer. If I get it, I plan to submit my research project to the Siemens competition. I’m also starting a club at my school for the promotion/ mentorship of girls in STEM.

Thoughts? Am I on the right track?

Hi congrats. I heard that you get the list of winners . Do you know if anyone from
Illinois was accepted and if so, what school?
Thanks . Wish you the best in your upcoming research .

The acceptances are not even all in yet. There is no way that a list of attendees has been put together.

Did they mention in their emails what states they accepted from ? Do you get to see the people who are CC’ed in CEE emails?

^no.

@PurePhysics‌ I know of another guy from NorCal who got in. So I guess that makes at least three?

@17isands‌ You’re definitely on the right track, given the resources available to you. And if you are in noncompetitive state (which it sounds like you are), your chances going in are a lot better than most of us on the two coasts. You can only enter your project into Siemens if it is a group project at your level. If it isn’t, see if you can enter it in the Intel ISEF competition. Do well on the Chemistry Olympiad and try to get some science fair competition wins under your belt and you should be competitive for the spot for your state. Good luck next year!

Also rejected from Texas.
To those of you that didn’t got in, what are you guys planning for summer?
Congrats to everyone who got in, btw, have fun!

Rejected from northern new jersey, which shouldn’t be a surprise considering how competitive my state is. What to do what to dooooo

@Multiverse7 why would you take Simons over RSI? Couldn’t you do similar research at both programs?

Is anyone else still waiting to get a confirmation email for acceptance?

@Astros12 It would have been highly unlikely that RSI could have found a mentor doing the exact work I have been doing like Simons did but it’s all moot now anyway.

@joiedevivre3 yes -_-

for future applicants do not worry about not having a lot of computer experience (Ive only studied Java) and I was accepted this year!

@‌ RainyDays13
Congrats. I wanted to ask what accomushments and test scores did you have ? Did you do research before?

@PurePhysics What did the confirmation of acceptance email look like? Did you specifically ask her to email you back to make sure she got it, or are confirmations sent to everyone who accepts?

@gangstaduck‌ I emailed her a second time just to make sure she got the first one and she just responded “yes, we have it!”

@PurePhysics‌ I also sent a second email. Great minds think alike!

Hey @DaBulldog regarding test scores I have been extremely fortunate. I used to be awful at these types of test honestly I just invested a lot of time into practicing. I have a 36 on the ACT and a 240 on the PSAT (complete shock) and I put my first score of 2250 for the SAT on my actual application but I took it again and got a lot higher.

@DaBulldog‌ yeah I have been to ISEF twice and placed both times, and I have been to a few other national competitions so yes I have been doing research for awhile