Hey guys, I was wondering who else applied for the Simons Program at Stony Brook this summer. Post stats/questions. Lets get the yearly discussion going!
Here are my stats:
Unweighted/Weighted GPA: 3.9/4.33
Math Team Founder, Physics Team, etc.
Worked at the Vitreous State Laboratory last summer where I was mentored by a biophysicist - created a computer science related research project
Current Coursework:
Multivariable Calculus
Linear Algebra
AP Microeconomics/Macroeconomics
AP Language and Composition
AP Physics C Mechanics
AP Chemistry
Advanced Programming
US VA History Honors
What are your stats?
And I was wondering if I am at a disadvantage because I am from Virginia and the program predominantly selects students from New York.
I applied! vishmum, those are great stats. I’m also from Virginia, hopefully that doesn’t hurt either of our chances. What field did you apply for? Computer Science or something more physics oriented?
Also, for out of state students, is it a good idea to contact mentors beforehand if you don’t know whether you’ll be accepted into Simons? There are some really cool mentors on the website, plus I heard it might give you a leg up in admissions.
Did anyone get their application confirmed?
I sent mine 1/14 and im from illinois
Good luck @ivyhopes ! From VA and didn’t get it confirmed, although my school sent it in 1/16.
Hi guys, I applied last year and attended this past summer. Your stats seem pretty strong but everyone usually has done a lot of research or has a lot of science experience. Yes definitely contact mentors beforehand. I did and I feel like I had an advantage because my mentor already said he would take me. Good luck to you all!
@dianeamherst Thanks for joining the thread. It’s good to have a past attendee on here. I was wondering if you keep in touch with your fellow attendees and if you know roughly how many of them were Intel or Siemens semifinalists. Also, do you have a sense of how many kids had prearranged mentors and if you have one does it significantly boost your chance or do they turn down these kids in large numbers as well. Oh, are you from NY? I heard that most of the acceptances are given to NY residents. Is that what you saw at the program? Thanks for any answers you can provide to the above.
@dianeamherst That’s so good to hear! Going along with multiverse7, were you from out of state and thus better able to contact a mentor? Is it awkward or weird in any way to contact a mentor from out of state when you’re not even sure you’ll get in?
I applied, and I am from out-of-state as well.
Someone (I don’t remember who) told me the Simons application has a regional aspect to it - they pick qualified students from each of the different regions (around the US) and then choose from those students for the final candidates.
Does anyone know if this is true or not?
^^ Don’t know if that’s true but just looking at the alumni page on the website it appears as though over the past few years they have been steadily increasing the program size (from 35 to 45) and having NY attendees be less of a percentage of the total (held steady at around 25). That means all of the increase has been to include more non-NY kids. That’s good for me! 
That’s true. 
I emailed the head of the program today and he said they will be sending out confirmations about the applications sometime this week. Just a heads-up.
^^ Thanks! Good to know.
Just got my confirmation from Simons that my application was received!
There are about 35 fellows and yes I definitely keep in contact with them. Half of them are I’m state so some commute but most people live in the dorms. I am not from new york and if anything I feel like out of staters have a higher chance of getting in because less people from your school will know about it. Also I feel like having a mentor helps but not super significantly. There were around 10 Siemens and Intel seminifinalists and a couple finalists for Intel. But definitely contact a mentor that’s what I did and it was nice going in knowing who I would work with.
@dianeamherst Thanks for info! I thought there were 45 kids last summer (according to the alumni roster). Anyway, thanks again!
Guys how do we contact mentors? I feel awkward just giving them an email saying I am interested in getting in their lab. they will be probably like well pffft why should I let you in. Should we give them stats/ resume? I’m so confused help!
Basically just say you’re interested and tell them why you’re well suited to work in their lab. Look at previous mentors of Simons kids so you can get an idea of whether or not they’re willing.
Someone received an acceptance yesterday:
http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/summer-programs/1745540-simons-summer-program-at-stony-brook-2015.html#latest
Has anyone else heard anything?