<p>I'm applying to RSI, but seeing as how acceptance into the program is so hard, I'm thinking about what my backup plans for summer will be. </p>
<p>I already do research with a mentor: I started last summer, and I think if I don't get into RSI, I could continue my work with him this summer. He pays me well (like $4000 before taxes) and we have a very good relationship. </p>
<p>However, other than RSI, I know there are other selective science programs like Clark Scholars that I could apply too. My question is whether the name recognition of a program outweighs independent research with a mentor. I think I have a good shot at getting some research awards senior year (maybe Siemens SF, Intel SF) merely by continuing work at the lab, but if I go to a summer program with a completely new project, I don't know if I can guarantee that. Do colleges really care much about the way you get the awards (either through program or independently)/summer programs over independently with mentor?</p>
<p>I recently went on a Brown interview and mentioned that I had been doing research independently this past year. I have some mentor guidance from my research teacher at school, and a postdoc at a local lab, but not "a mentor" from a specific program. The Brown interviewer was slightly more impressed by the fact that I took the intiative to do something that I was interested in, rather than in enroll in a program.</p>
<p>I'm not insulting those programs, because by all means, if you get in, that's a fabulous opportunity.</p>
<p>I'm just making the point that you don't need a specific program for it to "look good". Just by doing the research, and applying to those competitions like INTEL and Siemens, looks "good". </p>
<p>I actually went to one of these summer programs (im a Clarkie). If you are just looking for something that will look good on your college apps, I think that staying in your current lab would probably be more beneficial. From what you are saying, you will for sure get an amazing rec as well as end up with an amazing project AND get paid really well. I think that those benefits of your current situation outweigh the benefits of going to any program.</p>
<p>First, for these programs you don't really know what kind of mentor you are going to get and what kind of project you are going to end up with, so you dont have that guarantee of a good rec/project. I know at clark some people ended up with really great mentors and really great projects and went on to get siemens and intel. But other people who were just as outstanding and qualified as the students who won just didnt get as good of a project and mentor so they werent able to win. </p>
<p>For name recognition of a program, the only ones that will probably be worth it are RSI and maybe TASP (but thats more of a humanities one). Those programs are probably the most well known, but even then I am guessing that not all admissions officers will understand how prestigious these programs are. For other programs like clarks, I am almost positive no admissions officer will know what the heck it is. I mean there are only 12 of us a year so its unlikely anything will stick in their mind. </p>
<p>Although clarkies end up doing really well in the admissions process, I don't think having the summer program is what helped. More likely the success of people who go to these summer programs is more of a correlation than a causation. I think the type of people who end up getting accepted to RSI and Clark are the types of students that many of these top colleges want. I think by doing your own independent research, you are just as well of if not better off than any student that attends these summer programs, especially if you can get INTEL and siemens recognition.</p>
<p>Oh, I forgot to mention tho that the real benefit of going to the summer programs isnt necessarily the research experience, which as you know you can get anywhere. The real reason why you want to go to these summer programs is the overall experience, the living away from home, running around a college campus as if you were in college, chilling with brilliant kids who share the same passion for science as you. Its really a great experience, but I personally don't think its going to benefit you the most for college admissions.</p>
<p>Another really awesome alternative to RSI (basically the same thing, but it costs money, is in Michigan, and is a week longer) is HSHSP at Michigan State. There's currently a whole different thread talking about it in the forum, but in a nutshell: people are awesome, the projects are awesome, the mentors are awesome, the entire experience is awesome.</p>
<p>How do you guys get involved with independent research for ISEF Projects and such? I've tried finding out what I can but there is minimal information on these subjects.</p>
<p>I don't think awards are necessary, but in some ways it's kind of a confirmation. Also, if you can say you've had a mentor, and name them, it's a bit of credibility. Otherwise, people could pass off the effect of time on WoW character's level as research. i've been doing mostly independent research, at my home, for the past 4 years (different projects, though all in the same field). I have gotten to ISEF, intel semifinalist, and more with my independent, at-home research. I have also had the opportunity to work in a lab during a summer program and have done very well in competitions with that research. I think someone said it before, but summer programs are more than just the researchBoth experiences have been awesome and i've learned different things in each. Though I've done pretty well in competitions, I definitely would say that I do research for the sake of doing research. I think you have a very good opportunity with your mentor. You'll also have much more time to develop a really nice project and maybe get published. Think of it this way as well: you would already have done most of the preliminary work by summer, and you can devote your summer to the core research, so you have more time to do stuff. If you do a summer program, you'll be restricted to what you can accomplish. If you're motivated enough , I'm sure you'll do well no matter what you do. I guess accessibility of research also depends on what fields you want to pursue. It's much harder to do biology research, independently at home, rather than math, computer science, etc. I don't know if this post helped much, but I would be glad to answer any questions you may have, just PM me.</p>