Hey guys, I’m a sophomore and I applied to YSP back in March. I just want to compare stats with people who have applied, were accepted, or participated in it. I’m currently #1 in my class, I hold the position of project manager in Mu Alpha Theta, I’m a member of NHS (running for tutoring chair), and I’m a varsity member of the school’s debate team. My AP classes include psychology, computer science, and world history, and I also take pre-calc. I haven’t taken part in any research projects, but I’m on my school’s team for the SeaPerch challenge 2015.
So I’m not really sure what colleges look for when they choose high school students to participate in summer programs since this is my first time applying to one…
It would be great if I got some feedback on what I should do to boost my high school profile for future summer programs. Thanks!
Accidentally replied to my own thread -.- As you can see, I’m pretty new to the forums
Decisions come out this week. Likely on Monday. Good luck! I would say that the biggest factors for admission are 1) Essay/Test Scores and 2) Achievements & Leadership in STEM activities, whether it’s MAO, SciBowl, Science Olympiad, or National tests. Just show your determination and leadership next year and you should have a solid chance next year. Dunno bout this year since YSP accepts few (if any) sophomores.
@gebo342 OH MY, next week? I thought decisions would come out in May…or at least that’s what it said on their website…but thanks for the advice! I do hope I get admitted, since I really want to have more hands-on experience in engineering. My test scores weren’t too shabby, since they all fell above the 90th percentile. Again, thanks for the advice. I’m guessing you’re a junior from the prior knowledge. If you did apply this year, good luck to you too!
Hey, I just found out that I’ve been accepted 
I am SO excited.
I guess I’m a pretty competitive applicant, test scores in the 99th percentile and decent STEM grades (mostly As, 2 Bs). I’m also the president of MAO, and founded/direct a few other stem related ECs. But I’m not that extraordiary, must be luck.
Also, I haven’t won any major stem awards or anything
I just heard back today as well. I am so excited! I guess I am also pretty competitive. Good grades and test scores with a lot of extra-cirriculars. I look foward to meeting everyone else there.
@Orpheus42 what did you rank as your top choices for fields of research?
@zorba12345 Nuclear physics, physics, and chemistry