<p>@rosebud1997 next SAT I can register for is Jan 24th, which is past the application deadline. I will retake it then anyways, but don’t believe I can send it. Thank you for your advice though 
Sorry to bother you again, but do you have any general advice for those of us who don’t have published research or any particularly prestigious awards? Just do well on my essays?</p>
<p>@daniiiiis
Are you good at programming? You could give a shot at USACO next weekend (Dec. 12-15) and try to make it to silver. You should find a “niche” to fit into, one that will distinguish you from other applicants. Make your essays about why you are unique and how your passion can be kindled unlike anyone else (for example).</p>
<p>@rosebud1997 thanks so much! I will give it a go. Man, I’m just amazed at how y’all know about all these things. I can be so oblivious sometimes heh.</p>
<p>@daniiiiis
No problem! Having accomplishments that show your programming skills would definitely be helpful, especially since so many of their projects are comp bio. If you’ve taken AP CS, you should be able to make USACO’s Silver Division pretty easily with a week or so of practice (only very basic knowledge of algorithms is required). I suggest using their training gate (<a href=“http://cerberus.delosent.com:791/usacogate”>http://cerberus.delosent.com:791/usacogate</a>) to practice.</p>
<p>@Tacantong You should definitely send score reports, even if they are unofficial. </p>
<p>@Tacantong You should definitely score reports, even if they are unofficial. </p>
<p>Does anyone know what kind of financial packages RSI offers (e.g. plane ticket, housing, stipend…)? I’ve looked all over, but I can’t seem to find any information.</p>
<p>Can I get recommendations from two science teachers, or are they looking for 1 science 1 math? The form just says 2 math or science teachers.</p>
<p>@Mjag1898 I believe you can get it from 2 science teachers</p>
<p>@tooty44 It’s all expenses paid mate. Part of the reason why it’s so prestigious - you don’t pay anything.</p>
<p>Does anyone know how important standardized test scores are in the admissions process, and if any exam is more important than the others (PSAT, SAT, ACT)?</p>
<p>^^^ I would also love to hear any information on the weight of standardized test scores and which particular tests they prefer!</p>
<p>Hi everyone! I was wondering if there is a list of options for what I can list under the section where you put your research choices? </p>
<p>@teenagecrime There’s no list of options, just use your own judgement. Some people put for example “Biology, Genetics” but I think it would also be acceptable to put something like “Genetics, DNA Recombination” or even “DNA Recombination, Hormone Synthesis.” I believe all three would be acceptable. Granted, I haven’t been to RSI so feel free to correct me, alums.</p>
<p>I’m curious as to how you guys heard of RSI. I have a few friends who know about it through their parents, but I guess my parents are out of the overachieving asian parent loop, because they’ve never known about any of these things. I heard about RSI and basically everything else on CC. Did y’all google summer programs? Did your school tell you? Feel free to share, if you don’t mind.</p>
<p>haha my parents are pretty out of the Asian parent loop too, i suppose. My school only has like 4 kids who know of it and are applying. I stumbled upon it myself while creeping through the forums on here. </p>
<p>@teenagecrime I think I’m the only one applying from my school, but to be fair my school is small and I live in NC and I know NCSSM stole away all of my friends who would be applying. And I imagine about half of NCSSM juniors apply (exaggeration but still).</p>
<p>@daniiiiis ohh yeah I go to a school sorta similar to NCSSM haha but most of the kids have little to no research/science experience or are not particularly interested because we don’t just have science we have law and whatnot ! </p>
<p>@teenagecrime Oh, that sounds like a pretty cool school (sorry for the rhyme -_-). I kind of regret not going to NCSSM because it’s exactly up my ally, but health problems made me reconsider living pretty far from home. But CEE has picked an NCSSM kid for RSI for the past 3 years, and they have research experience over me. Maybe I will get lucky and this year’s NCSSM class will be bad at essay writing ^^ heh</p>
<p>Are there any general tips on the awards/accomplishments list, as far as getting everything that could be significant without sounding desperate? If I’m in doubt on whether or not something should be on the list, does that usually mean yes or no?</p>