<p>Is applying for both RSI and the MITES program allowed? Does MIT track overall admits to either programs to prevent an acceptance to both?</p>
<p>it is allowed; we do not track it.</p>
<p>RSI is cool but MITES is the best…just saying.
Actually the two programs are completely different in structure but I really, really loved MITES!!</p>
<p>I agree with ayantu.
For some reason, it looked as if RSI has more free time… =P
But seriously, they have different objectives. If you want to, apply to both. Good luck!</p>
<p>I applied to both, and withdrew MITES after getting into RSI. But two words for why you would pick RSI over MITES: problem sets.</p>
<p>Yes there are P-sets at MITES but that just means you get to work together with your MITES peers and develop a closer relationship! To be honest, some of my fondest memories of MITES were related to late nights doing problem sets. We would order wings or pizza and basically everyone is up…It’s really fun. I’m pretty sure I wouldn’t have gotten to know some of the most amazing people I met there if I hadn’t been doing p-sets with them first.
As much as people hate p-sets, they kind of have a way of pushing you out of your social confort zone, allowing you get to know some of the most amazing people you will ever meet.
Oh and RSI has seminar after seminar for several hours of the day. And during those seminars they must dress as if going to a business conference. On top of that they have to write ridiculously long research papers.</p>
<p>Wouldn’t this be more appropriate in the Summer Camps forum?</p>
<p>Thanks! damu101, you’re probably right, I just figured it could go either way since it was more about the way MIT dealt with the applications for the two programs.</p>
<p>i think it’s fine for here. it is MIT specific after all.</p>
<p>Since we need to get some Rickoid representation here:
We only have multiple lectures per day for the first week, and these are what are commonly referred to as “classes”. And you don’t have to dress all formal for them. The business attire is for night lectures, which are 2-3 nights a week. Those are <em>real scientists</em> (and finance and business people and a noble laureate (zomg) who come and talk about science and whatever other random stuff. This is actually extremely awesome. Also, we only have to write one research paper, which you can probably go on to use in research competitions–but pretty much anyone who goes to RSI is the sort of person who enjoys writing scientific research papers, or at least doing the research part prior to the writing (but, seriously, if you’re going to do all that work, don’t you want to have something to show for it?).</p>
<p>Don’t get me wrong, MITES seems like a great learning opportunity. But there is absolutely no need for y’all to be mean to RSI–although both programs are aimed at scientifically-inclined rising seniors, they’re very, very different; which one you’d want to go to is going to depend on what you as an individual want to spend your summer doing.</p>
<p>thanks ayantu and greenbeen for the differerent perspectives!</p>
<p>To be honest, I have nothing against RSI. I actually have good friends from the program and they’re amazing. I’m just a bit defensive when it comes to MITES 
MITES was literally the best 6 weeks of my life. Not to mention the fact that I met some of the most incredible people ever there.
I’m sure people from both programs feel this way.
In short, which ever program you might end up attending, it will be an amazing experience. It is MIT after all.</p>
<p>I second that ayantu. MITES 2010 ftw!</p>
<p>MITES and RSI are basically completely different. You can apply to both, but the intersection between the two is very, very small.</p>
<p>This might have been said already, but I will just reinforce.</p>
<p>MITES is more like MIT freshman experience. You take course and have seminars. You also get to go to some awesome field trips on the weekends and there are so many events set up for you. And the people are…very very awesome haha. It is an amazing experience and you will have the busiest/best six weeks of your life!</p>
<p>RSI is a research experience. It is considered one of the most prestigious high school research opportunities for you will meet really smart students with prior research experience not only throughout the nation, but also across different countries. I heard that RSI alums usually end up doing really well on Seimon or Intel Talent Search with their RSI research, so if you are more interested in those things, you might want RSI more.</p>
<p>Are standardized tests required in order to be considered for RSI/ MITES? I was unable to take the PSAT due to my location (no school in the area offered it)</p>
<p>I have done many competitions, ecs, have good grades, etc.</p>
<p>usually, yes, but depending on the circumstances / hardship you might be considered.</p>