Hey guys,
I’m planning on applying to the Simons Program this year. I’d figure we get the yearly discussion going and people that want to post their stats to compare can.
Hi fellow Simons applicants,
I have a question regarding school nominations. Is there a lot of competition regarding nomination at your schools? I’d like to know how self-selecting the applicant pool is (so I can know on another level just how low my chances are LOL). No one from my school has ever applied so I have no idea.
@mochilate1897 let’s discuss it here. I thought they don’t want us to send in that many EC’s or simply a laundry list of them, which is why they give us that much space and in that format. I was planning on just writing my most relevant ones and the ones most important to me. But is anyone else sending a list or has anyone else done it in the past and gotten in?
@coffeeaddicted Your idea about just listing the most important makes sense, and sending over a list might defeat the purpose of what they’re trying to find out to begin with.
Have you guys gotten nominated yet? Im going next Monday when we come back from break to talk to my counselor about it.
I’m not sure anyone else in my class is even applying to Simons, besides myself…Do you guys think I should probably apply to somewhere easier to get into given than I’m applying to RSI, Simons, Garcia, UF SSTP, and HSHSP? I have the GPA and SAT for sure for all of these, but I don’t have any prior research experience.
^^ Yes, you should probably apply to easier programs and also email local professors to see if you can do research with them. GPA and SAT scores are a small part of the process. RSI only accepts at most one person from each state (with the exception of NY, CA and TX). Simons and Garcia accepts most of their kids from New York (Long Island in particular). The competition is pretty stiff especially if you don’t have prior research experience. Good luck!
^^ I didn’t mean to sound overly discouraging because kids do get into these programs without prior research experience. However, many of them distinguished themselves in math and science Olympiads or in other ways.
If you’re interested in astronomy or astrophysics, you should give SSP and the new program at Yale a shot.
I’ve actually heard that only like 25% of people accepted to Simons are from NY, and that this proportion of their applicants are from NY anyways since it’s more well known there
Three years ago 19/38 were from NY. Two years ago 26/45. Last year 19/45. So 50%, 58% and 42%. Hard to tell if they are consciously trying to bring the number down or if last year was an aberration but it’s not likely to go down to 25% anytime soon.
@Falcon1 hmm maybe it was actually 25% that was from Long Island. In any case, I’m sure a big reason for the high % from NY schools is that it’s more well-known there.
@Falcon1 Thanks for the response…I figured that I don’t have the EC’s for those caliber programs anyway, but I suppose there’s no harm in applying. I’ll probably look for some research opportunities at my local university as well. I actually am very interested in astronomy/astrophysics (put that as my first preference for RSI app)…but I kind of also want to do research and compete in Intel STS/Siemens…I know SSP has a research component, but is the research substantive enough to submit to Intel/Siemens? Also, do you know the name of the new Yale program?
Yale Summer Program in Astrophysics. No, I don’t believe that you’ll be able to submit anything to Intel STS or Siemens if you attend SSP. That being said the program is extremely rigorous and very highly regarded by top colleges if that’s your main concern.
@Falcon1 The prestige is not my main concern, although I would be lying to say that it’s not on my mind…actually SSP sounds pretty awesome, as it combines astro and computer science, two of my prime interests! I’ve already started on the application. And thanks, I will definitely look into the Yale program.
how important do u guys think previous research experience is? I know its very rare for RSI attendees to not have research experience, but I feel like its more common for Simons… There’s also the fact that’s its pretty hard to demonstrate any significant extracurriculars in a 5-sent answer…
Thank being said, have any of you guys started thinking about the essays yet? lol
also @picats3141 can I ask where you’re from?
@Dfalcon123 Ohio
I’ve been thinking about the essay, haven’t written a word yet lol
Here are my stats.
GPA: 4.0 UW / weighted idk
ACT: 35 (36 E/M/R 33 S, out of my vanity I’ve signed up to retake in February)
SAT II: 770 chem, 800 math II
AP: 5 on chem, calc AB, bio, and various non-STEM
(I’m sending a list of the scores with my application)
Current courses: AP’s: physics 1, English Lang, calc BC, environmental, USH, art history; also a programming class at local uni and orchestra and latin
EC’s: sci oly (team captain), science NHS (co-pres), orchestra (assistant concertmaster) & tri-m music honor society, beta club & other volunteer stuff, etc. etc.
Research: worked in an astronomy lab since June & presenting work at conference, getting rec from my supervisor
Research interest: astronomy/physics
My main concern is I haven’t done any Olympiads or entered any science fairs (I am but that’s in february), and none of my work has been published yet.
Good luck everyone! Anyone else want to share stats?
Trying to write RSI essays…so far have finished 2/6…haven’t started any others but hoping I can use portions of my RSI essays in others 
Does anyone know where you can find actual descriptions of past participants’ projects (for the first short answer)? All I see are lists of participants, their mentors, and their general subject area, which gives me no clue as to what they’re researching.