If I’m applying to RSI next year, what should I do to increase my chances (other than take the sat and act)?
Olympiads and research
SAT subject tests, olympiads, AP classes, and research in your field of interest. Learn programming languages. All the things current applicants are kicking themselves for not doing before. Props for planning ahead!
Thanks so much! Would 5 AP tests, 12 AP classes, 2 sat subject tests, 3 years in Java, and hopefully a summer internship in my field of interest be a good start? I’m also trying to take the AMC 10 in February. ( However, I’m not sure I’ll do that well)
@KG5APR I can’t think of anything else besides science fairs and the like…good luck!
Thanks! 
Reading up on your field of interest now would also be extremely beneficial. For example, if you’re interested in stem cell research, read lots of articles about it and stay up to date on what is happening in the field. When it comes time to write your essay, you’ll feel prepared and can focus more on writing a passionate essay than on the accuracy/depth of scientific content.
I think I would recommend the AMC 12 since on the app, it asks about the AMC 12 and the subsequent competitions a lot. However, if you excel at the 10, you would be probably be fine in that aspect. Which field of study are you going to decide on? Also, your resume seems amazing, 12 APs is awesome!
Definitely take the SAT though, it would benefit you greatly.
Good luck!
I’m also applying for RSI. I am about to be a junior. I won first place in my science fair since ninth grade and got honorable mentions in the state fair. I have also won an award from a local microbiology society and I presented my research to them at a meeting. I am participating in a chemistry summer camp, a university (at the University of Florida) research camp, and I am currently conducting research in the interdisciplinary lab at the University of Florida (for my science fair next year, for a scientific publication in a journal, and for a conference paper). I have a 4.88 weighted GPA and I am in the top 5% in my class. I am still preparing for the ACT/SAT and I hopefully plan to get above a 34 on the ACT. I know I can get a recommendation from the associate prof. at UF and I have 2 stellar recs. from my school teachers. I am also studying for the Bio Olympiad. In terms of course load, I have taken 6 AP Classes (will take 3 AP and 5 IB Classes this year with a double science in Bio and Chem). Do you all have any suggestions to improve my chances to get accepted. Thanks!!
@Dev2018 Wow, you have a really great resume! I would recommend taking the PSAT and maybe learning a programming language like Java or taking the AMC 12 if you have any extra time.
Thanks!! I really appreciate the comment
I have not done any olympiads or research, but I’m starting up research next semester and am taking the F=ma exam in January. Main problem is that I didn’t really know I could do these things until earlier this year. However, I still have really good grades in my classes and go to the toughest high school in my state, and chances are that I’m probably going to be one of the only applicant from my state (SC). Do I still have a shot at RSI?
Does anyone have any idea the level of specificity they want for the research questions section in the personal statement? For one of my field/subfield choices I feel like I can’t talk that specifically about open problems and current research, but I’m worried that they expect us to be able to. (That area is a math area also, so there’s not a whole lot of not-super-technical material on progress in the field I could read.) Any advice?
For the transcripts, do they want the grades for 2016 fall semester? My school doesn’t have grades finalized until January 10th and I’m afraid the transcript won’t have them in before the January 12th deadline.
@comonadic My questions aren’t very specific. I also chose mathematics for my second field and there’s not really any problems in mathematics. After all, if you do get in, they place you with a mentor with similar interests, so being too specific might hurt you in the long run.
@csunshine91 Yes, the transcripts should be from the beginning of high school to fall 2016. I’m in a similar situation because my school doesn’t finalize transcripts until the end of the school year, but we do have report cards every marking period, so my counselor will probably send those.
Regarding SAT subject test scores, how important/necessary do you think they are? I have rather decent SAT/PSAT scores but I choked the day of the subject tests and got a 740 on bio and 750 on Math 2. Should I submit these scores? I would prefer not to, but does it look weird to not have any biology standardized test scores if I’m choosing bio-centric fields?
Also, specific are we supposed to be for the fields? For example, is it “Biology” or “Bioengineering”? Does it matter either way?
Thanks for the help!
@rohash00 I would say not to submit your SAT subject scores. It does not look weird at all to not have any biology standardized test scores and I think that overall the subject tests play a very small role in admissions. Your scores are really great, but too many RSI applicants have perfect 800s and you don’t want anything to detract from your application, even though I doubt it matters much one way or the other.
I second rohas00. How specific are the research field choices? Would something like artificial intelligence for computer science qualify?
Also, how does my resume stand up: (thanks for looking over!)
ACT: 36 (science: 34, writing: 26 :()
SAT 2 Math: 800
APs (all 5’s) : AP CS, AP Calc, AP Chinese; currently taking AP US History, AP Stats, AP Physics
Math: 3 time AIME (should I go into specifics, like top 1%?)
Programming: USACO Plat, several phone apps (is this even worth mentioning)
Science: 4th place Science Olympiad locally
FBLA: 1st place nationally Bus Calc (also don’t know if worth mentioning, cause not really STEM)
Thanks guys!
Also, for the AMC scores, do I put mine from all my years? Or just the recent ones?
@avi1234 I think your resume definitely looks in the ballpark for RSI based off of the kids I know who went to RSI, but then again probably a couple hundred domestic applicants are fully qualified to fill the 50 available spots. It is just a crapshoot when it gets as selective as RSI. Where you live also matters a lot. What state do you live in?