<p>I've attended/attending some highly selective summer programs that are hosted by the US State Department and usually completely merit-scholarship based, etc. but are not widely known like RSI and MITES, etc. How would I point that out on the Common App or college applications in general if I choose not to write an essay on them?</p>
<p>i have the same question. i got selected for an extremely competitive program this year- only 40 kids from around the world. 
but the program itself is not well-known.</p>
<p>I’d say that if you have an EC to explain either make yourself a resume and briefly describe each activity, or put it in the Common App extra information section. Say how many were chosen, what you did there, etc.</p>
<p>My D briefly described the selection process and content of the program. For instance, an internship she got required essays and formal interviews for selection, and at the end of the program, participants gave poster and verbal presentations. You can also include the length of the program, the number of hours daily that you participated, and the number of students applying and the number selected.</p>
<p>@ Viktory- what program did you do?</p>
<p>yeah wat programs?</p>
<p>Well there was this international institute at Wake Forest University and it was only 10 US kids with like 20 kids from around the world and all scholarship-based. Sadly, this is the last year they’re having it (as the funding was only there for a certain amount of years).</p>
<p>The other one is the Congressional Academy. My history teacher gave it our class and three people from my school got it. I think it’s a relatively new program and maybe in it’s first or second year through a grant from the US Department of Education. They said it’s supposed to be two delegates from each state, so idk how the three people thing worked but I haven’t heard of anybody else from our state that’s going. It’s all paid for and you get to spend two weeks in Washington DC so I’m not complaining.</p>
<p>That’s what it forgot, in your description, tell them that the program is paid for, as well as room and board, transportation, or anything else that is significant. This will set it apart from the many expensive, non-competitive programs.</p>
<p>has anyone heard of the Ross program at Ohio State? The program claims to be selective, but i just wanted to know if it really was…</p>
<p>haha yeah its good</p>