Summer Science Programs v.s. Local Research?

Pre-College Issues Summer Programs
1

I had wanted to apply to research programs like Garcia and Simmons, but clearly I am late to the game as the deadlines have passed. The other research programs I am looking into that are of “similar tier” (for lack of a better word) seem to favor students from local areas, so I am 1% confident that I will get into any of these programs I am looking at. I am also an ORM from the midwest, so I am not eligible for many of the “underrepresented minorities” programs.

Long story short, how important is it that I go to one of these research programs in terms of college apps? I do truly enjoy research and have done research in the past, but is it really worth it to try to find and apply to more of these prestigious programs rather than contact professors at nearby colleges directly?

If you have any suggestions as well as any programs I can still apply to (rip it’s already towards the end of February), please share :slight_smile:

If you have been in one of these research programs yourself, please let me know what you thought and if it really was worth it.

Thank you!

2

What type of program are you looking for - there are some well regarded math programs with applications still open (they are not free though - but if I not wrong, they do offer financial assistance to some applicants).

About the local research - imo, it’s very useful. I don’t think it’s about prestigiousness of the program (well outside of the very best like RSI/TASP etc) - its more about the quality of the research and the strength of connections made. If you are able to convince a Univ faculty to mentor and able to get a good research project out of summer - its a great experience. If the faculty member is impressed enough with you to give a recommendation - it’s even better.

Word of caution - Univ faculty may not come forward to mentor that easily (they have undergrad/grad/phd/postdoc’s who maybe assigned to mentor HS students - its still a great experience but may not yield a recommendation letter if that is what you want out of it).