<p>I never really knew about these math programs and such. I got rejected from PROMYS and that was the only one I applied to. I read about RSI here and would love to go there next year. If I didn't get into any programs, how can I find a professor to do research?
I live in Massachusetts so Harvard and MIT are a short drive away. Could I randomly email someone and hope for a position? Do I just mass email all the science profs or something? How likely woudl I be able to actually do this? I'm so mad that I have nothing really planned for the summer. I have to do 100 hours of community service (60 for school, 40 for NHS application requirements) and am taking a 6 week long chem course at my high school so my summer will be packed!</p>
<p>EDIT: Also, do you guys know of any Math/Science programs around Massachusetts whose apps are not past due?</p>
<p>Most program deadlines have passed already (usually beginning of February to beginning of April). If you’re a sophomore, try applying to many summer research type programs next year as a junior. Lots of these research programs only accept students between their junior and senior years (the summer in between). Try programs like Boston University Research Internship, Young Scholars Program, etc. Good Luck!</p>
<p>P.S. I would highly advise against applying to RSI. No offense, but if you got rejected from PROMYS you don’t have a chance. RSI takes about 1-2 people per state and these people usually have at least one USA Olympiad under their belt along with multiple national level awards. I</p>
<p>^Yea I had two different Olympiads + national tennis (although the latter is kinda pointless) and got rejected from RSI. However, you should still apply because a person from my school got in with just high test scores, GPA, and passion (my essay was horrible so that probably cost me and her essay was amazing-i read it after she was accepted). </p>
<p>It doesnt matter where you do research, as long as you do one. It DOES NOT need to be a special summer program; infact, if I were a college admissions officer and I saw that you did a project at a local university and did well on it, I might even consider that more impressive since it shows an ability to work individually and to work with limited resources (atleast compared to a camp like RSI). </p>
<p>Send in your resume to a local college and just contact professors…atleast thats what I did and I manage to get a lab this summer to do a project for Siemens (im a junior). You might not think that works, but it worked for me and could possibly work for you; of course if you have personal connections, its even better. Im pretty sure that if you show passion, one professor is bound to accept you. Also, try to compete in competitions this junior year like AMC to show that passion.</p>
<p>Dont worry, I didnt know about these math camps either (i didnt even know about Awesomemath, PROMYS…). But Im still going to do research, just not at a special camp. These camps are great, and they prepare you well, but its just as great if you do it by yourself. I dont think there are any summer programs that are avaliable right now…they are usually due in mid-April at the latest. However, I do not think your admissions chances will go up just because you get accepted to RSI…it might help because RSI can lead to better things, but a Siemens Reg. Finalist + no RSI >>>>> RSI + nothing. Just email the professors and see what happens!</p>
<p>yup, i had national olympiads + good stats + bunch of science research and still got rejected from RSI. But the only problem with asking local profs is that they will most likely say they are too busy. So I would say apply to summer programs. There is also Simons fellows, which is a really really great program.</p>