UCD YSP Alternate

Pre-College Topics Summer Programs
1

<p>Hello everyone!</p>

<p>I just have several questions, if you don't mind answering them! After applying to UCD's Young Scholars Program, I was unfortunately informed that I am being considered merely as an alternate.</p>

<p>Thus, my first question is: what are the chances that an alternate is allowed into the program? There are forty participants total, and I'm extremely doubtful of my chances, but I would just like to know.</p>

<p>Second, how prestigious exactly is the program? Anyone have an idea as to how many applicants there are?</p>

<p>Finally, I want to major in EE, electrical engineering, so how useful/practical is YSP? It is a prestigious program and attending it would be very engaging and interesting without a doubt, but should the fact that it's bio-oriented dissuade me from it?</p>

<p>Thanks everyone! :D</p>

<p>If you have any questions, etc. please don't hesitate to ask!</p>

2

<p>I’m also an alternate.

  1. I have no idea. Then again, this isn’t RSI, so there’s likely to be drop-outs.
  2. It costs $5000. It’s not crazy prestigious. But the experience seems worthwhile.
  3. I’m pretty sure the program is for biology and environmental sciences…perhaps you could do some bioengineering?</p>
3

<ol>
<li>Right…still hoping to attend, though. Here’s hoping some of the rising seniors get accepted into RSI or otherwise decide to attend another program.</li>
<li>I just looked on the site and there were only 330 applicants…quite a depressing statistic unless the quality of the applicants is all extremely high.</li>
<li>Bioengineering sounds like a good idea–perhaps something to do with renewable energy? The “green” fields are growing very quickly; perhaps this might fit into the environmental aspect of the program.</li>
</ol>

<p>I’m a sophomore at the moment, and as such don’t expect to be taken into serious consideration, as it might be considered unfair to deny a junior over me.</p>

<p>On a somewhat unrelated note, how does Carnegie Mellon’s SAMS program compare to YSP? There is no tuition fee, but the program as a whole seems lower-leveled.</p>

4

<ol>
<li>Don’t bet on it. (Although I don’t know how many alternates there are in all.)</li>
<li>If 40 are chosen, 330 is not a bad number of total applicants.</li>
<li>Don’t worry; there’s a good chance you’ll change your major before graduating from college. Enjoy the experience if you get in–it might make you want to major in another field.</li>
</ol>

5

<p>Seems to be sound advice! I’ll keep that in mind, thanks. Still, the top 40 out of 330 doesn’t seem particularly selective, but I suppose you’re right! I will try to keep my mind and options open.</p>