Savanna Hoffman
The Research Science Institute (RSI) is a highly selective and prestigious STEM summer program for high school juniors. It is hosted by the Center for Excellence in Education and takes place at MIT's campus, where students are immersed in scientific research under the guidance of MIT professors and scientists. The application process is rigorous, with only around 5% of applicants being accepted each year. International students must ensure they meet country-specific requirements and submit their applications by the deadline, which is typically later than that for US students. To apply, students must submit standardised test scores, high school transcripts, letters of recommendation, and essays detailing their goals and interests in STEM.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Application deadline | January 15 for US students, February 11 or March 15 for international students |
| Application fee | $60 |
| Number of applicants selected | 80 |
| Acceptance rate | 5% |
| Number of spots reserved for international students | 30 |
| Grade | Only high school juniors (11th grade) can apply |
| Standardized test scores | PSAT, SAT, ACT, or AP exams |
| Minimum PSAT score | 740 in Math and 700 in EBRW |
| Minimum ACT score | 33 in Math and 34 in English/Science/Reading |
| Number of letters of recommendation | 2-3 |
| Who the letters of recommendation should come from | Math or science teachers or a previous research supervisor |
| Other application requirements | High school transcripts, essays detailing goals in science, technology, engineering, or mathematics |
| Program duration | 6 weeks |
| Program focus | Guided research in biology, chemistry, engineering, and math |
| Location | MIT campus |
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What You'll Learn
- Eligibility criteria: High school juniors, with exceptions for US citizens
- Deadlines: January for US students, February/March for international students
- Tests: PSAT, ACT, or SAT
- Application: Essays, transcripts, recommendations, and extracurriculars
- Country-specific requirements: Contact RSI's international representative
Eligibility criteria: High school juniors, with exceptions for US citizens
The Research Science Institute (RSI) is a selective, prestigious, and challenging program with an acceptance rate of about 5%. RSI participants are called "Rickoids". The program is hosted by its parent organisation, the Center for Excellence in Education (CEE), which focuses on STEM careers.
RSI eligibility requirements are straightforward, but there is no flexibility regarding these criteria. Only current high school juniors can apply to RSI; seniors cannot apply, and younger students are rarely accepted. There are two types of applications: U.S. Citizens/Permanent Residents and International Applicants. U.S. Citizens and Permanent Residents may apply to RSI if they have one year remaining before graduating from high school. Applications are submitted directly to CEE, and students are not nominated or selected by their schools. Successful applicants will have demonstrated superior scholastic achievement in mathematics, the sciences, and verbal arts. They will have shown the potential for leadership in science and mathematics through their activities in and beyond the classroom. Many will have a lengthy record of participation in mathematics, science, and engineering competitions at the regional, state, and national levels. Some will have completed university-level coursework, worked in a research laboratory, or conducted original scientific research.
International applicants must contact their RSI international representative to ensure they have met any country-specific requirements. RSI has partnerships with several dozen countries outside the US, and there are specific eligibility criteria for each. International students must submit their applications by February 11th.
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Deadlines: January for US students, February/March for international students
The Research Science Institute (RSI) is a highly selective, prestigious, and challenging program with an acceptance rate of around 5%. The program is hosted by the Center for Excellence in Education, which focuses on STEM careers. RSI invites 100 high school students to participate in scientific research at MIT's main campus in Cambridge, Massachusetts. The program is free of cost and offers a valuable research opportunity.
The RSI application process is as follows: For US students, the RSI deadline is around mid-January, typically January 14 or 15. International students have a deadline of around February 11 or March 15. RSI notifies all applicants of their admission status in March. The program itself is held on the MIT campus for six weeks, starting at the end of June and running until the first week of August.
To be eligible for RSI, you must be a high school junior (11th grade). Seniors cannot apply, and younger students are rarely accepted. As an international student, you must contact your RSI international representative to ensure you've met any country-specific requirements. RSI has partnerships with several dozen countries outside the US, and specific eligibility criteria vary for each.
The RSI application process is very competitive, and you will need to submit various documents, including test scores, letters of recommendation, and essays. Strong letters of recommendation and a well-rounded application showcasing your extracurricular activities, competitions, and research experience can increase your chances of admission.
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Tests: PSAT, ACT, or SAT
International students applying to RSI are required to submit their scores from nationwide standardized tests, including the PSAT, SAT, ACT, and AP exams. While submitting scores from these tests is mandatory, RSI provides recommended scores for the PSAT and ACT, which are the most common tests taken by applicants.
For the PSAT, it is recommended that Math scores be at least 740 or higher, and the Evidence-Based Reading and Writing Score be 700 or higher. These scores can be offset by strong indicators of mathematical, scientific, and academic potential demonstrated through recommendations, high school grades, and science activities.
For the ACT, it is recommended that math scores be at least 33, and verbal scores be at least 34. As with the PSAT, lower ACT scores can be compensated for by showcasing strong mathematical, scientific, and academic potential through other components of the application.
While RSI does not provide specific advice for SAT scores, it is safe to assume that higher scores in the Math and Evidence-Based Reading and Writing sections would be beneficial and in line with the recommended PSAT scores.
International applicants to RSI should also be aware that each participating country has its own selection procedure and schedule. It is important to contact the Center for Excellence in Education (CEE) to determine the specific application process for your country.
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Application: Essays, transcripts, recommendations, and extracurriculars
The Research Science Institute (RSI) is a highly competitive program with an acceptance rate of around 5%. The application process is rigorous, and students must submit various documents and meet specific eligibility criteria.
International students must ensure they meet the basic eligibility requirements for their country. Each country has specific eligibility criteria, and interested students should contact their RSI international representative to confirm their eligibility and country-specific requirements.
International students must submit their applications by the deadline, which is typically around February 11th or March 15th. The application process includes submitting standardised test scores, such as the PSAT, ACT, or SAT. RSI prefers the PSAT, with recommended scores of at least 740 in math and 700 in EBRW. For the ACT, they suggest a math score of at least 33 and a verbal score of 34 or higher.
In addition to test scores, RSI requires students to submit at least two letters of recommendation, with an optional third letter. These letters should come from teachers in math or science or a previous research supervisor. Students who have participated in a research project of four weeks or longer should request a letter from their research supervisor.
The application also includes essay responses, where applicants should detail their goals in science, technology, engineering, or mathematics. Strong essays can make up for less-than-perfect test scores or grades. Additionally, applicants need to submit their official high school transcripts and a $60 application fee.
Extracurricular activities and leadership roles are also important considerations for RSI applications. Students should highlight any STEM competition achievements, research publications, or internships. Participating in science competitions, such as the Science Olympiad or Math Olympiad, can enhance an application and demonstrate leadership and exceptional STEM skills.
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Country-specific requirements: Contact RSI's international representative
If you are an international student, you must contact RSI's international representative to ensure you meet any country-specific requirements. The Research Science Institute (RSI) has partnerships with several dozen countries outside the US, and there are specific eligibility criteria for each.
For instance, if you are an international student, you must contact Ms. Maite Ballesteros, the Executive Vice President of Programs. She will help you determine if your home country participates in RSI and put you in contact with the right agency conducting the selection for your country.
The RSI receives over 1,600 applications from qualified students, with only 100 students accepted, and at least 30 spots reserved for international students from more than 60 countries. The RSI deadline is around January 14 for US students, and February 11 for international students. RSI does not accept late applications, so be sure to have everything submitted by the deadline. This means your application, test scores, application fee, and letters of recommendation all need to be submitted by that date.
If you need more specific information, don't hesitate to contact RSI by email.
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Frequently asked questions
To be eligible to apply to RSI, international students must be in their junior year (11th grade) of high school. Seniors cannot apply, and younger students are rarely accepted.
International students must contact their RSI international representative to ensure they meet any country-specific requirements. The RSI application includes basic questions about the applicant, their high school, courses taken, and extracurriculars. International students must also submit their high school transcripts, test scores, and letters of recommendation.
The RSI application deadline for international students is typically in February or March.
