<p>What exactly did they do at the program? That’s mainly what I’m confused about. Like, what does the program help you with?</p>
<p>Have you ever heard of independent research? I’m not sure if that what everyone calls it or just the high schoolers at SBU, but it’s when you work in a lab and don’t have any affiliation to a program. Simon’s is basically that but with an affiliation. Mostly everyone works in different labs and do their own things. Some have other high school students in their lab, while others will be the only one. On Tuesdays there are meetings at the Wang Center when you can buy some food and listen to a presentation. I heard this was the worst part lol. I’m not sure about this, but I don’t think they “help” you other than place you in a lab. The people that usually are accepted, work under great labs and get good projects and that what makes the program so prestigious. I might be wrong, but I think thats true.</p>
<p>So it’s basically [url=<a href=“http://www.stonybrook.edu/simons/hsresearch.htm]this[/url”>http://www.stonybrook.edu/simons/hsresearch.htm]this[/url</a>] but with a stipend?</p>
<p>Basically that with a stipend, weekly presentations, and prestige. It might sound a little boring but its great. You have more freedoms than Garcia and dorming there is really fun.</p>
<p>So basically me being placed in a lab 4 months before I applied was 90% of it? Lol. Yea I’ve done independent research before… I just thought Simons made things slightly more, well dependent.
Pretty much the “it’s a good program not because the mentors at SB are just so great” minus the NOT. Ugh, I’ve been so psyched for this decision since I applied but basically I’m committing myself for 7 weeks straight to have food and watch a presentation once a week. Oh well, 1000 dollar stipends are cool :)</p>
<p>EDIT: The dorming part sounds fun too :). I was THIS close to not checking the housing option. I then realized by the time we spent all that gas it would probably come close to room and board without the room and board experience lol.</p>
<p>I’m might be wrong, but if I was right, a $1000 stipend pays for it =]. Dorming is so much fun! Most everyone is fun to be around and aren’t the typical “nerds” that you might think that would attend. When I dormed last summer, I was praying it wouldnt before I went, and after the first day, I knew it would be fun.</p>
<p>@LiveLifeLoud i think it’s slightly over $1000 like $1500 or something like that.</p>
<p>Anyone get their decisions yet? I got rejected… ehhhh</p>
<p>i was accepted</p>
<p>Congratulations, who are you working with?</p>
<p>Wow, letters are out for simons? Do you guys know when it will be out for Garcia?
Congrats to those who got in!</p>
<p>Rejected :(. I think it’s mentor politics! People with less experience/awards than me are getting in when their mentors are known for being “science competition powerhouses” while this is my mentor’s first time taking in HS students.
Oh well… less of a time commitment 
I’m thinking of taking a week off at some point to do a mini-precollege type thing or maybe take a class at SB at night. I’m just annoyed at how much politics seems to be involved.</p>
<p>EDIT: Someone is probably going to have some opposition toward this post… too bad XD</p>
<p>Wow rainbowrose, I’m sorry… I thought you were a shoo-in. I don’t really know about the mentors that people have, but still… eh. Are you still going to work at Stony Brook over the summer? I’m still applying to more summer programs, but I’m considering doing independent research there anyway (Ms. Kernan actually said in a past e-mail that they can help with housing arrangements for independent research students).</p>
<p>Yes I’m still going to Not getting into Simons isn’t a reason to not do research! However, today has been a real eye opener from Simons to NYSSEF. Politics is a VERY large part of doing research and there is a TON of bias from judging to whoever you’re trying to get a grant from. At least I made it to the lightning round at NYSSEF! You win some, you lose some.</p>
<p>Congrats to y’all (yes I DID just say y’all even though I’m from LI) who made it! Have fun with that extra grand 
if you’re not being forced to use it to pay for room and board or being forced to put in in your college fund.</p>
<p>My son got admitted; He did have some basic research experience in a local hospital and decent math background; Has 4.0 GPA with rigorous courses - PSAT > 220</p>
<p>I’m working with Prof. Ojima in Chemistry, and yeah, I’ve heard that having a mentor involved in the program is a nice boost to your application.
Personally, it means more to be able to work with his research specifically rather than just being in the program.
And does anyone have any information on what we do in the program (outside the research)? I’ve read on the site something about workshops and brown bag lunches.</p>
<p>parent62 I THOUGHT PSATs had something to do with it too but everyone told me not! Oh well, I know there’s nothing I PERSONALLY could have done to improve my app (other than retake the PSATs XD or back out of a former commitment with my mentor) and I’m still going to enjoy research at SB while having some time to do other things. Good luck to all admitted and I’m sure you’ll do great in future competitions!</p>
<p>Good job on getting into the Ojima lab, I tried to get in… got rejected. Eh. I’m happy with my research topic now, though.</p>
<p>Congrats on NYSSEF! Is NYSSEF a separate entity from LISEF? I’m not really sure how the competitions work yet.
Also, I don’t think it was just PSAT’s that got him in… mine were higher than that. 
What do you mean by decent math background, parent62?</p>
<p>Another Ojima lab rejectee here. Also rejected from the program. Kind of surprised, but it kind of goes to show that research experience and 2370 SAT doesn’t mean that much in some cases.</p>
<p>NYSSEF = state
LISEF = regional
(LISEF is actually larger but you don’t need to WIN LISEF, just participate to go to NYSSEF so the competition is about the same at both since NYSSEF is mostly LI kids anyway)</p>
<p>NYSSEF has a dumb judging system though. If you have to pick one for some reason, pick LISEF. Hopefully I’ll be seeing some of you at day 2 :)</p>
<p>@infragilis CONGRATS on Ojima! That is a HUGEE accomplishment.</p>