<p>For those interested in science, the following are awesome programs: SSP, HSHSP, MITES, Garcia, FSU YSP, UIowa SSTP, NASA SHARP. I was SHARP '05 and MITES '06 but got into the other ones too so I'm willing to give you some guidelines if you need help for the applications. But for now, since im MITES alum, I strongly encourage anyone who is interested in math and science to apply (<a href="http://mit.edu/mites/www)%5B/url%5D">http://mit.edu/mites/www)</a>. Everything is basically free minus your transportation to and from the Institute. The 6 weeks was one of the biggest challenges of my life but also one of the most rewarding. I'm not going to lie, it's work but it's not busy work like in high school. You will learn how to think and hopefully reaffirm your interests in math and science.</p>
<p>can you post your stats?</p>
<p>NASA Sharp lost it's funding and did not run this year, and will not until somethng big changes in NASA's budget allocation.</p>
<p>Also, be aware that MITE's is a program for kids that are URM, low SES or have had other hurdles to overcome in their education.</p>
<p>It looks like NASA Sharp will never happen again then.</p>
<p>I well know the lost of SHARP. I was SHARP residential as rising junior so it definitely was one of the main reasons that I think I got into all the other programs as a rising senior. MITES was as diverse as you can imagine though. Please don't be discouraged to apply if you are URM or low SES. Honestly, what could you lose? $2 for postage? Everyone had very different backgrounds so my stats are not the same as any other persons. As far as stats go, my SAT/PSAT scores weren't superb, actually they kinda sucked at the time I applied. I'm Asian female (there were more males in the program if anyone wants to say i got in just because I'm female). My advice mainly at this point is to take your SAT/ACT if you havent done so already (I think they suggest by December) and actually care about what you write in your essays because stats and all may get you through the first round of cuts but your "life" will help the adcom of MITES build the class. I don't feel comfortable disclosing any more stats publicly but if you have specific questions, feel free to PM me.</p>
<p>naan,
Guess I don't quite understand why you recommended people appy to SHARP when you know of it's loss? :)</p>
<p>About MITES, my point was that it IS aimed at URM, low SES and otherwise disadvantaged students, not that URM & low SES should not apply. To clairify, here is what MITES says about participant selection:</p>
<p>All individuals who are selected must be US citizens or permanent residents, and must demonstrate bright promise of ability and interest in science, engineering and technology. Additionally, they must demonstrate that they would benefit from and contribute to the program. These factors are assessed based on all or some combination of grades, PSAT or SAT test scores, extracurricular activities, essays and letters of recommendation.</p>
<p>Additional factors that are considered for selection as plus factors (not entry requirements) include whether: </p>
<p>the individual would be the first in the family to attend college; </p>
<p>there is an absence in the individual's family of science and engineering backgrounds; </p>
<p>the individual's high school has historically sent less than 50% of its graduates to 4-year colleges; </p>
<p>the applicant attends a school that presents challenges for success at an urban elite university (e.g., rural or predominantly minority); and/or </p>
<p>the individual is a member of a group that is under-represented in the study and fields of science and engineering (African American, Latino or Native American).</p>
<p>Members of all races and ethnicities are considered. We look particularly for students who come from challenging backgrounds and those who must overcome significant odds to pursue their dreams of becoming an engineer or scientist.</p>
<p>Fine, I'm sorry for recognizing the awesomeness of SHARP; sadly it ended. Regarding MITES though, I don't think there is a need for a warning concerning MITES' selection process. It is not "a program for kids that are URM, low SES or have had other hurdles to overcome in their education." I should know, I met all the students and had incomparable 6-week experience. By the "criteria" listed above, I shouldn't have gotten in. So once again, to clarify, I strongly encourage application to MITES (and any of the other programs as you wish other than SHARP).</p>
<p>Yes, apply to MITES!!! :-D</p>
<p>for those of you who can't find the motivation to apply, here are some current stats for you: MITES 2006 took over 5% of the accepted spots for MIT EA and has gotten about a third of the MITES 2006 class into MIT already.</p>
<p>I'm Chinese, not low-income, and will not be the first in my family to attend a four-year college. Can I still apply to MITES?</p>
<p>anyone can apply to mites</p>
<p>so it is essentially just as prestigious and hard to get into as RSI?</p>
<p>well by stats, mites is easier to get into than RSI. RSI is research oriented, Mites is more take really hard classes and challenge yourself and build up ur endurance for sleep deprivation. everyone finished so its just a nice exprience to go through. prestigous, i'm not going to judge that because the different programs look for diff things in people. participants who attend both programs fare pretty well for college admissions if you care about prestige. i dont know the RSI numbers but more than a third of the mites 06 class got into mit early (20+ people).</p>
<p>is it for rising seniors only? =)</p>