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this thread is for people to write future/past summer programs/experiences they had or suggestions!

By Fire03 (Fire03) on Sunday, December 07, 2003 - 04:12 pm: Edit

come on guys

By Gabushida (Gabushida) on Sunday, December 07, 2003 - 04:34 pm: Edit

I attended Summer@Brown this past summer for both 3-week mini-sessions.

Much fun

By Cornellhopeful (Cornellhopeful) on Sunday, December 07, 2003 - 04:41 pm: Edit

i attended Exploration Senior Program at Yale University summer 2002-3 weeks
and Georgetown University Summer College for High School Juniors(rising seniors) summer 2003-5 weeks

I highly recommend both, but Explo is more oriented to learning about different types of people, choosing from a large group of classes taught by college students, SAT/PSAT prep, and exploring the Yale campus. Georgetown was more oriented to getting the college experience before actually attending college, and taking a real college course with college students. They were both loads of fun.

By Roxysurfet (Roxysurfet) on Sunday, December 07, 2003 - 06:52 pm: Edit

I attended a summer study program at Oxford University in England. I would highly recommend it. I spent a semester at the American University of Paris, and one at the University of Madrid.

By Bamagirl (Bamagirl) on Sunday, December 07, 2003 - 08:36 pm: Edit

I went to Summer at Brown last summer, the National Youth Leadership Forum on Medicine the summer before that, and Phillips Exeter's summer program two summers before that. Except NYLF, they were awesome!

By Soblase (Soblase) on Sunday, December 07, 2003 - 08:42 pm: Edit

I loved NYLF i thought it was so much fun and i met two of my current best friends from it. I would def recomend it.

I did Yale Summer school, not explo. it was amazing and it really made me feel like i was in college. barely no rules and great curfews. i know have great friends from it who are yale college students

By Luvvlise (Luvvlise) on Sunday, December 07, 2003 - 09:00 pm: Edit

Northwestern Summer College Prep Program was a good time 6 weeks, college credit, dorm rooms, dining halls, and a short-ish train ride to Chicago. Highly recommend.

By Darussian (Darussian) on Sunday, December 07, 2003 - 11:08 pm: Edit

Hey guys, can someone list some east coast colleges that have these kinds of programs? What are they like and can we get college credits for going to them? Also, can seniors like me attend this summer? I'm very interested. Thanks.

By Pistolpete (Pistolpete) on Sunday, December 07, 2003 - 11:12 pm: Edit

What I did probably wasn't a "Program" in the sense you mean it to be, but I volunteered for the Costa Rican Humanitarian Foundation last summer. I'm not going to give the whole spiel right here right now, because I have homework and I don't know that anyone else would be interested. If you want to know about it, feel free to email me. I will tell you that it was probably the best and most important thing I have ever done in my life, if that helps.

By Britt123 (Britt123) on Sunday, December 07, 2003 - 11:30 pm: Edit

Hey guys, I went to Duke Pre-College last summer and It was the best summer of my life. I took two college classes with duke undergrads for six weeks. Although it was a lot of work it was a lot of fun. I though that all of the kids would be nerdy/hard to get along with, but I made SO many great friends and everyone was so friendly and fun.
We lived on west campus (its on the gothic side) and we had our own duke cards to pay for laundry/food/supplies. Most ppl lived in double rooms but some lived in singles/triples. There were 100 kids total in the program. THere were curfews/a few other rules to abide by but for he most part it was basically just like being in college.
I took Calculus and Womens studies (for college credit). I have transcripts and it looks great to be able to send them when you apply for colleges. The only thing is, going there and coming back to high school is kinda a let down, im warning yall. I dont know if its like that for everyone, but i absolutely loved it. I know many colleges offer these six week programs. I personally suggest going to one that you think you want to apply for. I applied early decision to duke and I hope it helps me get in. Im not sure if it will.. but i hope.

You also have to apply for the program, kinda like applying to regular college but a little shorter and it costs about $6,500 to attend (all costs minus airfare). I htink its worth every penny.

if yall have questions.. ask
britt

By Britt123 (Britt123) on Sunday, December 07, 2003 - 11:30 pm: Edit

Hey guys, I went to Duke Pre-College last summer and It was the best summer of my life. I took two college classes with duke undergrads for six weeks. Although it was a lot of work it was a lot of fun. I though that all of the kids would be nerdy/hard to get along with, but I made SO many great friends and everyone was so friendly and fun.
We lived on west campus (its on the gothic side) and we had our own duke cards to pay for laundry/food/supplies. Most ppl lived in double rooms but some lived in singles/triples. There were 100 kids total in the program. THere were curfews/a few other rules to abide by but for he most part it was basically just like being in college.
I took Calculus and Womens studies (for college credit). I have transcripts and it looks great to be able to send them when you apply for colleges. The only thing is, going there and coming back to high school is kinda a let down, im warning yall. I dont know if its like that for everyone, but i absolutely loved it. I know many colleges offer these six week programs. I personally suggest going to one that you think you want to apply for. I applied early decision to duke and I hope it helps me get in. Im not sure if it will.. but i hope.

You also have to apply for the program, kinda like applying to regular college but a little shorter and it costs about $6,500 to attend (all costs minus airfare). I htink its worth every penny.

if yall have questions.. ask
britt

By Sadeyedlady (Sadeyedlady) on Monday, December 08, 2003 - 01:57 am: Edit

if you like writing, go to simons rock college young writers workshop

By Musefinity (Musefinity) on Monday, December 08, 2003 - 02:11 am: Edit

Nothing good. Just two short stays at UNC Chapel Hill doing some media institute for NC. But it was hella fun.

I'm going to get rejected from UNC this fall though because I JUST MOVED OUT OF STATE. Grr. It's like "here's your awards, congrats, now get the edited off my campus."

Dial back the language, please.

--Moderator Obiwan

By Memememe (Memememe) on Monday, December 08, 2003 - 02:22 am: Edit

Yeah, I went to this little camp called Research Science Institute. It was pretty good.

By Ecismyhome (Ecismyhome) on Monday, December 08, 2003 - 02:23 am: Edit

Hey, you went to RSI? I went to that dump, too. The dorms sucked. Food was ok. Some cute girls. Some dorky korean kid who kept trying to play the piano like he was cool or something.

Way to curse, musefinity.

By Memememe (Memememe) on Monday, December 08, 2003 - 02:26 am: Edit

RSI also had this Asian freestylin' guy wearing a visor and looking like he needed a shave.

But museinfinity, if Michael Jordan made it to UNC, why can't you?

Are your SAT scores holding you back? Because if that's the case, all you need are Michael's shoes and you can leap like a pro baller.

I should stop watching television.

By Ecismyhome (Ecismyhome) on Monday, December 08, 2003 - 02:28 am: Edit

Paul, you need to stop taking drugs. That's your problem.
And museinfinity, don't worry about out of state crap. If you're good, you'll get in. If not, just shoot a little bit lower.
Michael Jordan? shoot? get it?

By Darussian (Darussian) on Monday, December 08, 2003 - 12:33 pm: Edit

Man, those prices are insane. I just checked the brown site and it says that a one week course cost around 2,000. That is way too much for one week.

By Alina (Alina) on Monday, December 08, 2003 - 01:45 pm: Edit

i went to harvard summer school...it was great

By Esotericstorm (Esotericstorm) on Monday, December 08, 2003 - 05:20 pm: Edit

Anyone know of any summer programs that are relatively cheap or even free?

By Crnchycereal (Crnchycereal) on Monday, December 08, 2003 - 05:22 pm: Edit

Governor's School programs are always tuition-free and tend to be much more competitive/prestigious than costly college summer programs.

By Crnchycereal (Crnchycereal) on Monday, December 08, 2003 - 05:22 pm: Edit

Whoops...double post.

By Britt123 (Britt123) on Monday, December 08, 2003 - 05:24 pm: Edit

College summer programs are still good.

By Dumplings (Dumplings) on Monday, December 08, 2003 - 05:31 pm: Edit

I went to a 4 week thing called the Women's Technology Program at MIT. It was $1000 last year and I had probably the best summer of my LIFE. I think this year its $2000 but its still welllllll worth it and they'll help you out if you demonstrate financial need. Its relatively small (40 girls from ALL over the US and a couple of foreign countries too). I had a blast. For all you junior gilrs, go to the MIT webpage and check it out!

By Fire03 (Fire03) on Monday, December 08, 2003 - 07:21 pm: Edit

does anyone else know any summer programs that are relatively cheap?

By Elfie15 (Elfie15) on Monday, December 08, 2003 - 07:23 pm: Edit

Anyone have any good programs for college bound freshman?
My parents are pushing me for a job but considering I have to go out of town for 2 weeks in August I'm not sure how employers would like that. Another option I'm considering is to go to hong kong for 4 weeks to work for my dad's friend.

By Memememe (Memememe) on Monday, December 08, 2003 - 08:41 pm: Edit

RSI. Free. 6 weeks at MIT.

By Esotericstorm (Esotericstorm) on Monday, December 08, 2003 - 11:33 pm: Edit

Dumplings-
I've been looking into that program. Could you tell me more about your experience? Is it competitive to get into?

By Ecismyhome (Ecismyhome) on Tuesday, December 09, 2003 - 02:41 am: Edit

WTP?
Don't do that. It costs money and it's short.

RSI, on the other hand, is free (in fact, they give you a stipend for travel and food), and it's a good two weeks longer. It's also very academically rigorous.

By Fire03 (Fire03) on Tuesday, December 09, 2003 - 10:54 am: Edit

this is a very helpful post! its great to see all the great programs that are out there! any more suggestions/ ideas

By Texas137 (Texas137) on Tuesday, December 09, 2003 - 11:15 am: Edit

here's a link to a bunch of math and science programs:
http://www.ams.org/employment/mathcamps.html

By Dumplings (Dumplings) on Tuesday, December 09, 2003 - 03:23 pm: Edit

To answer your question, Esotericstorm:

I had an awesome experience up at MIT w/ WTP. We took 3 classes every day (Math, Programming, and EE) and built motors during the 2nd week. I think that unlike RSI, WTP is more geared towards having fun and exploring MIT and Boston than doing actual research or work. Its not as competitive as RSI since last year only about 160 people applied for the 40 spots. However, I think it was a self-selecting group w/ the median SAT of applicants being 1510 and the median of accepted applicants being 1530. The girls I met were truly incredible: people did everything ranging from opera singers to track stars, from jugglers to musicians. We had a blast...very little stress...just LOADS and LOADS of fun. Also, the counselors, or "tutors" if you will, are current MIT students. They were really cool people, antithesis to the stereotypic image that all MIT students are nerds.

I don't agree w/ Erismyhome about the money issue. Yes, it does cost $2000 this year, but its well worth every penny of it. MIT greatly subsidizes the program (food was close to $400 alone), there were countless ventures into Boston, we got to meet professors and, yes, REAL scientists, and we got some cool books. If money is the problem, there is also financial aid for the program.

I met people from 20 states. In fact, my roommate was from California and I'm from New Jersey. There were also girls from other countries (one flew all the way from India).

The program swayed me to apply to MIT EA. I hope it will help my chances, but even if it doesn't, I HIGHLY recommend it to all girls who are interested in technology, but who may be a little bit intimidated by the male dominated field.

By Britt123 (Britt123) on Tuesday, December 09, 2003 - 04:54 pm: Edit

Do you think your MIT program will help you with EA.. im the same way with Duke ED.. i hope it will help ..

By Ecismyhome (Ecismyhome) on Tuesday, December 09, 2003 - 05:39 pm: Edit

Oh yeah, dumplings, WTP is a good idea. I'm just saying, I (if I were a girl), and every one else I've talked to would take RSI over WTP, considering the money issue. Basically, no one should turn down RSI for WTP, you know?

I'm hoping everyone else knows about RSI? 50 nationals, 30 internationals. I'd say we had about 30-40 states representing, and maybe 15-20 countries. Also, we live in the EC dorms (ergo my screenname?), which for the duration of the summer are composed of roughly 50% MIT students and 50% RSI.

By Fire03 (Fire03) on Tuesday, December 09, 2003 - 05:56 pm: Edit

anyone else have any suggestions/programs? how did you guys spend ur summers -enrichment, work, research, etc?

By Fire03 (Fire03) on Tuesday, December 09, 2003 - 05:58 pm: Edit

summer courses?

By Esotericstorm (Esotericstorm) on Tuesday, December 09, 2003 - 11:36 pm: Edit

Could someone please explain what exactly RSI is? How competitive is it to get into and what kinds of things to students normally do?

And thanks Dumplings for the info. WTP sounds great.

By Ecismyhome (Ecismyhome) on Tuesday, December 09, 2003 - 11:53 pm: Edit

RSI is the Research Science Institute. It is a program sponsored by MIT (and this year, CalTech), and the Center for Excellence in Education, fully residential, and research-based. It accepts 30 international students and (pertaining to this discussion) 50 national students every year. Applications usually number in the 1500-3000 range, from what I can ascertain. It is very highly selective, as you could probably deduce ;) It is 100% free and, in fact, I earned money this summer.

Entry into RSI generally means the following: $720 in TECHcash, redeemable at the campus stores and whatnot, plus a $180 stipend for travel and lunch if you have an off-campus mentorship. The quality of the staff and mentorship is *very* high... I, personally, was counselored/tutored by a Rhodes scholar, an Intel grand prize winner (#1 in the world), received technical assistance on linux and LaTeX from a 3-time Putnam medal winner, etc. etc. In addition, Linda West (an RSI alum from '03 like me) just won #3 in the Siemens-Westinghouse science competition with a project based on her RSI research. This closeness to MIT also means that, out of the last 20 years of RSI, only one alum who applied to MIT has gotten turned down, and that was because he really ticked off the administration. Somewhere in the neighbor hood of 70-80% of the RSI alums who apply to Harvard also get in.

And oh yes. the research. You're placed with INCREDIBLE mentors. I got to do research in a neurology lab at the Massachusetts General Hospital, sponsored by the Harvard Medical School. The other RSI person in my lab (a polish girl) and I worked with one of the two or three leading experts in our field (neurofibromatosis-1,2, and schwannomatosis) and Harvard grad and undergrad students. I did work that most kids aren't doing until at least sophomore or junior year in college.

Basically... RSI is the summer program you turn down other summer programs for. This year, 80 students were accepted to RSI. 79 of them came. Only one kid was accepted and turned RSI down, and that was for a place in the IMO.

If you want more info, just IM me or email jasonchu@mit.edu.

Oh yeah. RSI is completely residential and independent. You know how most summer programs have lights out and complete curfew at bedcheck?
At RSI, bedcheck is at 11 PM. That's when you and your counselors and other RSI kids PLAN the activities for the rest of the night. This is how my average day of research went at RSI...
8 AM - wake up; go make sure my girlfriend's up; get ready for work
8:30 - go to train station
9-12 - Arrive at work; do research online, start an electrophoresis
12-1:30 - eat lunch with the lab outside on the hill, or at the historical naval yard a block down the street
1:30-n - finish up work
n(anywhere from 4-9PM) - take train back to MIT; arrive home; grab dinner; go to a lecture or something
10-11 PM - Do random things around campus
11 PM - bedcheck
11PM-1 AM - Ultimate frisbee; soccer; watch movies or somethign; play ping-pong; hang out with friends in a random East Campus lounge
1-4AM - Eat cereal in kitchen with ``the group''; prep charts and data in notebook; watch a movie, hang out with my girlfriend and our friends in the lounge, drift off to sleep with her or go back to my room and study

So yeah. It's a wicked full day, but with complete independence . You have all of Cambridge and Boston in front of you, plus a weekend trip to Mt. Washington (and yes, some of us climbed the whole damned thing). There's just too much to express. We spent a whole weekend on the bank of the Charles River for the 4th of July, including watching concerts, fireworks, and a fair-type thing. Two counselors and a friend and I went to a Reel Big Fish/Zebrahead concert. Random alums are ALWAYS dropping in (we'd have 4-5-20 random alumni on campus at all times). We went on an unofficial tour of campus, led by certain members of the hacking community.

RSI >> all.

By Memememe (Memememe) on Wednesday, December 10, 2003 - 12:30 am: Edit

Awwww... Ecismyhome and his girlfriend.

He was one of the hardcore working people. I think you want something from the guy who was hardly seen working (but somehow did).

Okay, so this is like typical of one of the last days before He11 Week:

12 AM - Start of new day: Generally watch movie, hang out, work on stuff, take random walks along the Infinite in basements, sometimes play Frisbee, sometimes work.

2 AM - Several kids, probably including Ecismyhome and me, take trip to THE GAS STATION along Mass Ave, buying a green liquid (HULK) whose composition we never bothered to figure out nor particularly wanted to find out.

3 AM - Continue hanging out. Perhaps catch the last 10 min of a movie. Or sometimes, this is when I worked secretly, in one of the basement Athena clusters (66-080, 4-035, etc.)

4 AM - On 2nd floor, hang out w/ a handful of kids, including my RSI sister, a certain sweet girl whose name shall remain anonymous. Random eating of cereal and random music takes place.

5 AM - I decide it's time to almost get to bed. Take shower.

5:30 AM - To "dry out," I play a little Soul Calibur in the 1st floor lounge, often w/ the resident genius and Westinghouse 1st place winner. Get beat badly.

6:30 AM - Daybreak. Some kids wake up. I figure it's time to get to bed.

12:30 PM - Wake up time. Prepare myself and go out to eat at Lobdell. Ugh.

1:30 PM - Head to mentorship, in the LIDS building at MIT, and work.

5:30 PM or so - Return. Most off-campus kids are still in mentorship. To pass the time, I hang out w/ the staff, including a certain Intel 1st place winner.

6:45 PM or so - Start to get dressed for lecture.

7:00 PM - Lecture by someone famous. Many catch up on sleep but I usually stay awake.

8:30 PM - End of lecture. I go to have a late dinner w/ some of my buddies, usually including the Lebanese (5 of them).

9:00 PM - Hang out w/ friends, two in particular.

11:00 PM - Bed check. Afterwards, resume what I did since 9:00 PM.

Now, that is before Hell Week. This is what is during Hell Week:

12:00 AM - Start of day. In lab, working.

2:00 AM - Roll down chairs outside of lab. Return, work.

5:00 AM - Getting pretty tired. Go cluster hopping (visiting other clusters around campus). Return, fall asleep on floor of computer lab.

8:00 AM - Oops. I realize I've been sleeping. Get up.

11:00 AM - Wow, I need a shower. Chat with Intel winner, who reminds me, "Girls will like you better if you shower." Quick drop in and out.

12:00 PM - Lunch.

1:00 PM - Work in lab.

4:45 PM - Papers due in 15 minutes. I finish. A squeal of joy.

And the rest is kind of like the other days.

That is what RSI is like.

By Ecismyhome (Ecismyhome) on Wednesday, December 10, 2003 - 12:58 am: Edit

For a full explanation of HULK, try - http://web.mit.edu/jasonchu/Public/hulk.txt

By Esotericstorm (Esotericstorm) on Wednesday, December 10, 2003 - 06:32 pm: Edit

RSI sounds like a great experience. Would you mind posting your stats for me b/c it sounds super competitive.

Thanks a bunch.

By Fire03 (Fire03) on Wednesday, December 10, 2003 - 07:28 pm: Edit

what does it really take to get into RSI?

By Chewieshooie (Chewieshooie) on Wednesday, December 10, 2003 - 08:15 pm: Edit

RSI is extremely difficult to get in. i would noe... one of the rejectees. I think it's like a 5% acceptance rate? I went to WTP, still had an awesome time (and probably less stress)

Reason I didn't get in... it was probably because I had no previous experience with research or anything until that summer. Who noes?

By Memememe (Memememe) on Wednesday, December 10, 2003 - 09:27 pm: Edit

The 5% rate seems about right. Will probably be higher this year due to additional spots coming from opening up the Caltech campus for RSI.

I don't feel like bragging by posting my stats. I could, but I'd feel bad.

By Darklord99 (Darklord99) on Wednesday, December 10, 2003 - 09:47 pm: Edit

Hey can you guys post links rather than just the acronym or it?
Thanks

By Esotericstorm (Esotericstorm) on Wednesday, December 10, 2003 - 10:53 pm: Edit

Does having previous research experience play a big role in the selection for RSI?

For those of you who went to RSI, what kind of research projects do you do? Are they challenging?

By Ecismyhome (Ecismyhome) on Wednesday, December 10, 2003 - 11:21 pm: Edit

My ``stats''? I have to agree with Paul, here. My official resume is about 6 pages long, blah blah blah about myself, etc. Let's put it this way - if you're worried about your "stats," you only have a so-so chance to get into RSI.

And yes. from what i've heard from CEE staff, 5% is a good figure to banter around.

previous research experience plays a huge role - I believe all of us RSI alums had had research exp. *before* we were accepted.

By Memememe (Memememe) on Thursday, December 11, 2003 - 12:51 am: Edit

previous research experience plays a huge role - I believe all of us RSI alums had had research exp. *before* we were accepted.

A few did not. But they were CS/math types (though I did have some, not all that much to brag about). In other fields, you kinda need experience.

Yeah, my resume is now cut down to 3 pages. Achievements used to fill 2 pages, so I cut out all the unimportant awards and now it's one. Stats... don't even think about it. RSI isn't about it.

By Memememe (Memememe) on Thursday, December 11, 2003 - 10:44 am: Edit

Straight from CEE's RSI website:

``It is recommended that PSAT math scores be at least 75, and combined math and verbal PSAT scores be at least 140. Lower scores must be offset by strong indications of mathematical, scientific, and academic potential exemplified in recommendations, high school grades, and science activities.''

Although I said stats aren't what RSI is about, I think I said it wrong. These people are science people. They want your scores to reflect how great you are. But as Ecismyhome said, if scores are your concern, then you're probably not going to make it. You have got to be incredibly happy with your scores. I know, for a fact, that not all had 75 or higher (I mean, some tests are messed up and your score might be 74 after missing one or two questions). They may have had 74, etc. ;-) I'm sure anything in the ballpark is acceptable. But you know, I think if it's much lower than 75 and you've not had major, major awards in math (AMC, USAMTS level), science (ISEF level), or otherwise, the rest of your app might never get read. Besides, as with any other college, you'll have many, many 1600s applying for the program. Of course, many 1600s are incredibly boring and know nothing other than what is fed to them. If you have very good scores and you can create, rather than regurgitate, you should show that to be the case.

By Texas137 (Texas137) on Thursday, December 11, 2003 - 11:49 am: Edit

Do you know how they will apportion people btwn Caltech and MIT? It doesn't look like students get to state a preference.

And Memememe, on the other thread you commented that the focus of participants varies from year to year and that last year it was physics, and this year you think it will be math/CS. Why do you think so? And do you know what kinds of things some of the math/CS people did last year (not to get in. I mean once there)?

By Pinacolada (Pinacolada) on Thursday, December 11, 2003 - 07:19 pm: Edit

wow. I just got the application for RSI in the mail today. It sounds amazing but I'm not a super hardcore math/science person..at least not career-path wise. hmm how scholastically stellar are the accepted RSI students? Are they all national math competition/science fair winners who give everyone else a total inferiority complex haha just wondering.

By Jenz129 (Jenz129) on Thursday, December 11, 2003 - 08:43 pm: Edit

Just wondering, does RSI include psychology/neurology fields?

I got 219 on my PSATs (77M 68V) and have around 97 weighted GPA. I did research last summer and I'm planning to enter ISEF (though I doubt I'll do amazing). Do I have a chance at RSI or should I not even bother?

By Ecismyhome (Ecismyhome) on Thursday, December 11, 2003 - 08:47 pm: Edit

let me put it this way... don't ever ask if you have a ``chance''... You never know! haha. Even we alums are pretty clueless about why we got in, how we got in, etc. We can only deduce certain traits that seem to be correlated to RSI alums from viewing our population.

Basically, just try. You should know if you're in the right range. So just try for it, and see what happens!

By Jenz129 (Jenz129) on Thursday, December 11, 2003 - 11:24 pm: Edit

For those of you who have attended RSI, were there any students working psychology/biopsychology labs? What fields did you guys all do research in?

By Kektek (Kektek) on Friday, December 12, 2003 - 12:46 am: Edit

I went to Cambridge University in England this summer for the Cambridge College Programme. It was the best summer of my life. I took Economics of John Maynard Keynes and Philosophy: The Nature and Destiny of Man, as well as the required British Cultural History course. The academic experience was very, very high caliber. Also, however, the trip was fun. I met some amazing people who were very intelligent, accomplished, funny, and interesting. Class was barely the focus of the program, as we took multiple trips to London to see The Lion King, Ibsen's Brand, Buckingham Palace, and many other significant tourist sites. Also, I opted to continue with the program for another week touring Paris after classes ended. I highly recommend it to anyone interested in England, extra academic opportunities, or just having a great summer.

By Ecismyhome (Ecismyhome) on Friday, December 12, 2003 - 12:47 am: Edit

yeah, jenz. in fact, my gf this summer worked on psych and vision analysis. I think. I didn't really get into her project, but it's http://web.mit.edu/conniel/www/main.pdf

By Memememe (Memememe) on Friday, December 12, 2003 - 01:14 am: Edit

awww, his girlfriend again. Anyways, no, the focus was def cs/math this year, from what I could tell. I meant that the year before that was supposedly pretty physics-heavy. But I never really thought about why or if that's actually true.

By Soccerguy315 (Soccerguy315) on Saturday, December 13, 2003 - 03:07 pm: Edit

I did a program called the Junior Statesmen of America. It's a program at various schools around the country: Stanford, Northwestern, Yale, Princeton and Georgetown. Each school has different courses that they offer. Georgetown is 3 weeks, and the other 4 are 4 weeks. Everyone takes a government class and a speech class. I went to Princeton and took a class in US Foreign Policy and a Speech class. They are geared toward Policics. There are debates in the evenings, and the government class requires a term paper. Classes were 6 days a week, three hours a day (for each class).

A typical day went (monday through saturday) like this:
6:30-8:30 - breakfast (which I usually skipped, or just grabbed a bagel on the way to class)
8:30-11:30 - government class
11:30-1:30 - lunch (often turns into doing homework for speech class)
1:30-4:30 - speech class
4:30-6:30 - dinner (often used as time to gather information for nightly debates)
7:00-9:00 - debates (ranging from gun control to abortion to iraq policy etc)
10:00 - nighly meetings with RA
11:00 - in rooms working till the early morning

we could go wherever we wanted around the Campus, and around the town until 10, then we had to stay in the Quad. I gave 10+ oral presentations while I was there for the month. Lots of fun, lots of work. As you can see, hardly any free time, and you also have to fit in the 12 page term paper because they are college classes. My professor said he was teaching the course the same as he would at college - a 300 level course.

www.jsa.org

By Memememe (Memememe) on Sunday, December 14, 2003 - 03:06 am: Edit

Eww... classes, why not do some program where you can do whatever you want?

By Fire03 (Fire03) on Monday, December 15, 2003 - 06:17 pm: Edit

bummmmmmp

By Ecismyhome (Ecismyhome) on Saturday, January 03, 2004 - 04:48 am: Edit

Interesting... soccerguy, a friend of mine did it at Georgetown, too. Do you know Nitika Gupta?

By Suegymswim (Suegymswim) on Saturday, January 03, 2004 - 04:56 pm: Edit

Davidson College has a summer program called July Experience. Student run. Very structured! We had "mandatory fun"...that wasn't fun. It was still a great experience and the classes I took were wonderful. It's handy if your interested in applying to the school. Dorms are nice, food is good, lake campus is fun. Its two classes a day and plenty of time to complete all your work. If you do well in your classes Davidson takes that into consideration when you apply.