<p>I received an email two days ago congratulating me on my acceptance to the Simons Program (after which I completely blew off all my homework for the night). Who else here got in? And what labs are you all planning on working in (I'm working in Neurobiology)?
I'm from NJ and this is my first time that I"ll be doing hands-on research (we have a watered-down research program at my high school). Can past students jump in and describe their experiences with the program, I'm particularly worried about being bored to death dorming over weekends (considering that I'm too far to commute).</p>
<p>I too received an email of acceptance. </p>
<p>It would be nice if all of us got to know each other a bit before the program begins.
As for me my name’s Danielle, and I’m currently a junior at Plainview Old Bethpage JFK High School on Long Island. </p>
<p>I’ve already done research for about two years now. Last summer I did research at NYU and worked in Environmental/Chemistry. The previous year I attended the Biotechnology Summer Program at Stony Brook University. We also have a decent research program at my school. (Actually, my school is often known for research but I wouldn’t worry if you’re just starting out)</p>
<p>This summer I’m working with Genetics (I already had a mentor at Stony Brook prior to my acceptance) though I don’t know exactly what my project will be yet.</p>
<p>I wouldn’t be too worried about being bored though. I dormed at Stony Brook for the Biotechnology Program, and it was actually fun. (I did go home on the weekends though)
I suggest you bring a computer with you (some kid at Biotech actually brought a T.V. haha but I wouldn’t go to that extreme). Once you get to know the people there it’s not bad at all.</p>
<p>Hi! My name is Cezar and I’m a junior, in Romania. I got also got into this program, and I’ll be working in Computer Science. </p>
<p>Me and a friend of mine (same high school) who got accepted will be in the dorms for the entire period, as our homes are x thousands miles away from there :)), so it’s going to be at least 3 of us :)</p>
<p>Hope to hear from you soon :)</p>
<p>Romania? That’s intense. Looks like Simons is finally getting some international notoriety. Have you and your friend both done research in the past?</p>
<p>I was waitlisted at Simons. Hopefully some accepted students will decide not to go, so I might get a shot!!! I signed up for the math program there, but only luck will decide if I have to opportunity to go or not, and if I do I will also be dorming.</p>
<p>No, we haven’t, but we both have some international olympiads stuff, and other related activities. I guess that’s why we got in…</p>
<p>I just found out I got into the New Jersey Governor’s School for Sciences as well. Don’t know which one I’m going to end up picking, any advice would be appreciated.</p>
<p>On a side note, my mentor isn’t responding to my emails :(</p>
<p>Hi y’all,</p>
<p>I got accepted a while ago, but I just found this thread. Turns out that my acceptance arrived the day I bombed the AIME so that day was quite the emotional thrill ride. </p>
<p>My name is Jin, and I’ll be flying from California to work in the microbiology field. </p>
<p>This will be my first time doing research, and I already got a 800 page reading assignment from my mentor. Fun fun fun…</p>
<p>Anyways, I look forward to meeting all of you in person this summer!</p>
<p>I created a Facebook Group for those who are attending :)</p>
<p>[Login</a> | Facebook](<a href=“Facebook Public Group | Facebook”>Facebook Public Group | Facebook)</p>
<p>Hey, my name is Gabrielle Shea, and I got in too. I’ve never done research at this level before, but I’m excited to start. I’m working in Dr. David Green’s Applied Mathematics and Statistics lab, but Medulla, Dr. Green hasn’t responded to my e-mails either… although… this may not actually be a bad thing, given Jin’s 800-page assignment :P</p>
<p>I live in Remsenburg, which is the town neighboring Westhampton Beach. It’s only about 45 minutes/1 hour from Stony Brook, so I’ll only be in the dorms Monday-Thursday. That being said, if anyone gets here and realizes that they forgot something basic, let me know and I’ll be able to pick it up either before the start of the program or during the first weekend.</p>
<p>Hi, I’m Jeff Zhang, and I’m a junior at Wayzata High School, located in Plymouth, MN. I’m so excited to participate in the program this year! I’ve been doing neuroscience research for the past year or so at the University of Minnesota, and I’ve been placed in neurobiology. I’m looking forward to meeting you guys :D</p>
<p>I’m Vijay Viswanathan and I’m going as an independent researcher in computer science (meaning that I’m not technically a Simons Fellow but I’m still participating in the program and staying in the same dorms without getting the stipend) with Dr. Yuefan Deng. I’m from Pittsburgh, PA, and I’m really pumped to get started!
P.S. I know a kid from Wayzata who’s going to Harvard next year (initials: L.X. if you know him). It’s a small world!</p>
<p>Sadly, I will no longer be attending the Simons program (I’m spending 5 weeks at SSP instead).</p>
<p>Somehow, I got off of the waitlist as an actual Simons Fellow so I’ll be attending, studying Computer Science, and dorming.
Can’t wait!</p>
<p>Just a quick question about the program. How many of you already had designated mentors when you applied? Is that an important part of the admissions process? And if it is, how should I go about finding a mentor?</p>
<p>Hi, Vijay? I actually have some very good friends with the same last name. You aren’t by any chance related to Mayuri, Shanti, and Vishi? (who live in Florida)</p>
<p>As a really late response to Julieannab’s post, no I’m not related to them. I’ve actually seen more Viswanathans on the campus of the heavily Asian-populated Stony Brook graduate centers than anywhere else in America.
As we hit the home stretch of the research program, I would recommend it for anyone, specifically those from out-of-state who may not have heard about it. The research (if completed) is spectacular, the people are smart and fun, and the experience is really worth it.</p>
<p>Hey guys, this sounds kind of cool and I’m thinking of applying next year. I know you have to be nominated, but can that be asking your guidance counselor to nominate you or does it have to be your teacher walking up to you and asking “Hey, do you know about this program?”</p>
<p>So what I did was just go up to my counselor and request for her to nominate me, but I’m from Cali. If you’re from a school with a lot of interest in Simions (i.e. a Long Island school) then there is probably another way to select nominees though.</p>