<p>Is anyone applying to SIMR next year? I am super excited! Could we discuss here? Also are you guys applying to any other programs? Then, please share. I am going to apply to MITES, RSI, Clark, SIMR and NIH Internship.
Thanks!</p>
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<p>anyone applying to SIMR? haha lol</p>
<p>I won’t be applying this year, but my cousin made it in last year and she had an amazing experience! She was a junior when she applied.</p>
<p>Some stats:</p>
<p>SAT I: 2290 (not sure about the specifics)
SAT II: Chemistry (780), Biology (unknown)
GPA UW: 3.97 (1 B+ in H. English in 9th grade)
AP Courses: AP Biology, AP Chemistry
Honors Courses: H. English 9, H. English 10, H. English 11, H. Geometry, H. Algebra II/Trig, H. Precalculus, H. Biology, H. Chemistry.
Class Vice-President</p>
<p>I don’t know much more besides that, but I hope that gives you some insight as to your chances!</p>
<p>I did SIMR last summer! Haha. Wow, this is an early thread, and wow, that’s a lot of summer applications to write. What are you interested in? </p>
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<p>@topaz1116‌
Thank you so much for your info! Do you know what kind of ecs your cousin did?</p>
<p>@otter101‌
I am really interested in math and chemistry. I want to do some research with advanced facility and that’s why I want to apply. How was the experience?</p>
<p>@jhgong I loved the eight weeks! Our daily went something like lectures in the morning, lunch together with all institutes (usually), and lab time in the afternoon till around 5 or 6 (depends on your mentor/how much you want to work overtime). It really counts on what institute you’re interested in, and it definitely helps to know specifically what you want to get out of SIMR, and how you hope to leverage your SIMR experience in the future. For me, the experience completely changed what I wanted to do in college and gave me a good taste of my field in general. There’s just so much to explore. </p>
<p>I did NOT have top-notch scores–but still pretty decent nonetheless, and I go to a competitive local Bay Area high school–but I think what really pulled me in were my essays. At the beginning of the program, our director was telling us they rejected more valedictorians than before (acceptance rate was about 83/1600+, so it’s about 5%). So you can imagine how important essays are if you want to stand out. Anyway, this was probably an over-answer, but I can sympathize because I was very much in your position last year. 
Good luck! </p>
<p>@otter101‌
Out of 83 students last summer, was is mostly california students or do they pick students fairly from all the states? I am from Alabama and I do not know anyone who is applying to those programs listed… And also I looked at the application since it came out today, one of the essay questions says that write a “tweet” I was like what does that even mean… Could you give me an example or explain what they want me to write??</p>
<p>Also when listing the courses, since my classes are all honors classes do I mention, for example, Advanced American History Honors, or do you just say Advanced American History?</p>
<p>Sorry for mutiple posts in a row but it doesnt allow me to edit. Can I put classes that I am taking this year or do I have to put those I have taken before only?</p>
<p>@jhgong She was class vice-president that year, which meant she did a lot of community service for the school; sadly, I don’t really know any of the extracurriculars she did that year. However, I’m almost positive pretty much none of them were science-related unless it was a club; the science-related extracurriculars we have on campus are either A) Robotics (which I know she didn’t do), or B) everything else that is incredibly hard to get into. She did Speech her freshman and sophomore years, but I know she quit junior year.</p>
<p>I think she might have been part of our school’s TV station? This year she’s an anchor.</p>
<p>@jhgong If I remember correctly, I think we had a few non-local interns, like from Virginia, Massachusetts, and a few from Texas. We also had several SoCal interns, but yeah SIMR mostly takes Californians, if not Bay Area locals. Don’t let that deter you, though! I think it’s really just a matter of whether you can find housing on campus during that time of the year. You’re lucky if you have a relative living nearby, or if you can manage to snag an on-campus place for the summer, but it’s Stanford and they have a bunch of overnight camps there so it’s a challenge. </p>
<p>Haha, I think the “tweet” thing is new this year. I guess they’re just getting so many applications they need an extra short answer to see how creative you can get, so more opportunities for you to stand out! And I think the prompt is pretty self-explanatory (I just glanced at the application); just find a unique way to present yourself that’s just you. Sorry if this is a vague answer, but you’ll get more practice with this next year with college apps </p>
<p>I’d just add in the full course name, plus the honors. </p>
<p>Yeah, put classes that you’re taking this year, and when you get your first semester grades back (if your school uses that system) then just put down whatever you have, and write in-progress or something! Hope that helps. </p>
<p>@otter101 You probably know my cousin! She also came from a competitive Bay Area high school (I do believe we’re one of the most infamous ones).</p>
<p>I think their project was something on a home diagnostic kit for something?</p>
<p>@topaz1116 Ahh! Yeah I think I know who you’re talking about. MSJ right? 
</p>
<p>Oh I did not know that it’s majorly for Californians… dang</p>
<p>@jhgong Don’t worry! You should still apply. As long as you have stats around like what was said above (I had similar ones), it’s all about writing decent and thoughtful essays. Honestly I was so surprised when I got in haha. Oh yeah, my extracurriculars were completely non-science (newspaper, Model UN) save for one career-oriented club. </p>
<p>I have stats like the following:</p>
<p>Current SAT I: 2180 but sure that gonna get 2300+ on January test
PSAT: 215 last year but probably 225+ this year
SAT II: 800s on chem, physics, and math lvl 2
GPA: 4.0/4.37
AP: got 5s on AP Cal AB and Chem last year
Math: currently taking multivariable calculus I and BC Calculus
Science: AP Bio, and bunch of electives like Inorganic chemistry, Organic chemistry synthesis, etc…
Honors classes: All of my school classes are honors classes</p>
<p>Awards: USAJMO Qualifier, Chem Olympiad Honors, 4th in science olympiad national event
ECs: hospital volunteer (+50hrs/yr) academic support team (+100) math&chemistry lab proctor (+200)
How impressive of ECs did SIMR people have?
And do I even stand a chance against Californians lol</p>
<p>@otter101 were there any international students in your batch?</p>
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<p>@otter101 Yep (: Wow this is great–someone who knows where I go xD</p>
<p>Hey! I’m planning to apply to SIMR next year. I’m so glad I found this thread. Has anyone started working on their application?</p>
<p>@jhgong Yeah, you’re definitely very academically qualified! Haha. I don’t remember specifically what EC’s people had because we never really talked about them (research is more exciting, tbh :P). For me, I’m editor-in-chief of newspaper and VP of a community service club, member in Model UN, member in a math/science club. I also did some biomedical research the summer before. Maybe that gives you a better picture! </p>
<p>@Angel4884 Hmm, no I don’t recall any! But I did know someone who lives in Asia and attends boarding school in Massachusetts, so I’m not sure if that counts as international? </p>
<p>@topaz1116 Haha yes! I go to a very similar school to MSJ in terms of academic rigor/stress (rather not specify which here :P) but I remember your cousin. She’s the nicest person ever. </p>