Underclassmen Update: RSI and MIT LaunchX

Many universities offer STEM-focused camps to get more students interested in science majors. While it's easy to find a local program, you should know that two great camps offer a unique experience.  These two standouts are The Research Science Institute (RSI) and MIT LaunchX. Both are recommended and competitive to get into partly because they are connected to the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Ready to dive into the details of the RSI and LaunchX summer programs? Firstly, we'll investigate how to get into the RSI summer program; then how to get into MIT's LaunchX summer program; and finally, general advice for summer break.

For ambitious high school students, it's well worth expanding your perspective by engaging in an immersive camp or program during summer. Firstly, the mid-year break between school years offers teenagers a chance to recharge with uninterrupted rest and visit with friends and family. In addition to these valuable activities, however, college admissions officers highly recommend taking a few weeks aside to delve into your academic curiosities. If you haven't secured the last part, consider the following examples of excellent summer experiences.

RSI Research Science Institute is a rigorous scientific theory and research camp that is free to select students who get in. Specifically, the five-week programming with RSI takes high school students through the full academic research cycle. This includes reading the latest research on a select topic, writing a detailed research plan, then composing an oral and written report. At the end of the RSI summer camp, students present their reports in hopes of winning one of five commendations.

We've gathered highlights as spoken by student alumni about their experiences at the RSI summer program. Many students recognize the value of the opportunities to study "the future of scientific research" with incredible laboratory access at such a young age. Not only that, one student explained that the mentors "believe I can do something great," which in turn gives students "more confidence" in their ideas. Encouragement and enrichment, and being treated as a respected colleague, are foundational values that provide young minds a thriving platform from which to launch.

Some other favorite memories included the chance to "explore [the cities] of Boston and Cambridge," and College Night. Several students cite "growing as people" in an adult environment surrounded by bright peers who "all want to learn something." The socially diverse student population plays a central role at this particular camp. Not only are international students welcome to apply, but the first day of international student arrivals was also fondly remembered as "a global fair." The chance to work amongst powerful collaboration sessions on different projects increases each individual's exposure to different topics.

All participant experiences of RSI include a science curriculum and field trips to give students a jump start toward a college education at a selective school. Further, here are a few reminders to boost the effectiveness of your RSI application.

The application first opens in October, but you must apply by mid-January for the following summer.

There is a $65 application fee. Keep in mind that RSI is well-funded by donors, so financial aid may be available to you! To do so, reach out early to discuss a fee waiver or concerns about funding the costs.

The application platform explicitly asks students NOT to submit additional materials outside of guidelines. In other words, your extra portfolio won't factor in (and readers may take note of the fact you didn't follow directions).

For those applying, the program itself provides a solid guide on how to get into Research Science Institute. This page gives a detailed walk-through, including tips on filling out the demographic and transcript information. Thankfully, most of the form is straightforward—excepting the caliber of your essay submissions.

The most difficult and nuanced element of your application will be the essays. Your statements need to answer the prompt question with style and accuracy. The Center for Excellence in Education site asks: "To each question below, please provide a considered response including specific details that give evidence of performance, passion, and promise in the sciences or mathematics."

Preview the submission prompts below:

• Articulate why the research fields chosen on the previous page are intriguing and exciting to you. For each sub-field, state what you perceive as the one or two most interesting questions or problems in this area. Explain why these sorts of questions interest you. Your responses are shared with mentors. Please respond with clarity.
• What are your long-range goals?
• What activities and/or hobbies demonstrate your leadership, creativity, and uniqueness?
• Describe your participation in extracurricular or community outreach activities.
• How did you hear about RSI? What aspects most appeal to you? Why did you apply?

For more tips on how to get into the RSI summer program, consider whether working with an experienced independent counselor like Empowerly is right for you and your family.

MIT LaunchX is a unique program for high school students who want to explore launching their inventions. The flexible program combines interactive class sessions, educational discussions, mock board meetings, and plenty of teamwork. At LaunchX, you will learn not only valuable information about how to produce and launch a product but also effective communication and collaboration skills, business meeting skills, and presentation skills.

The experience culminates in Pitch Day, where student teams present their real business to community leaders and investors for feedback. Students walk away with tangible, real-world advice and a pathway to continue building their own companies.

The MIT Launch program makes a point to be inclusive of student talents and preferences. Leaders invite the "innovator, maker, designer, dreamer, explorer, visionary, coder, marketer" to apply—or even just those who "want to start something real." Each of these unique talent sets can add to a business development team in this thriving entrepreneurial atmosphere. You can preview past student standout companies for inspiration.

The LaunchX program emphasizes these goals by explaining that your high school transcript grades (or GPA) are far less important to the overall application than other elements. While admissions readers hope to see students that excel academically, the teacher recommendations are far more insightful. (You want to pick someone who knows your strengths—your recommender only has to fill out a form regarding your qualities.)

Most student participants at LaunchX join groups to collaborate on a project. The team member composition for the project itself is based on shared skills, experience, and specific qualifications. Due to this, careful guidance helps to ensure success.

There are two application windows: early and regular. We recommend early admission (December); but at the latest, you must apply for regular admission by mid-February.

There is a $60 application fee. Therefore, putting time into your application can boost your chances of acceptance into this highly selective program and make this investment worthwhile. Not only that, but the program conducts need-blind admissions, meaning that your need for financial aid will not factor into your admissions chances! The tuition does not include food, but it does include on-campus housing and working with top professors and entrepreneurs.

The MIT LaunchX summer program application requires a personal video. Before you film, test the technology to ensure the result will perform accordingly. In addition, you'll want to select a simple background and attire so the focus is on your words. You can feel free to write a script to outline what to cover, but it's advisable to avoid reading directly and sounding like a robot—your natural voice and personality are key.

Not only does LaunchX host a blog with helpful student advice, but you can also download a helpful guide on how to fill out the majority of the form. In addition, this guide answers frequently asked questions about how to get into MIT Launch and the best possible application.

Do...

• "Show us the real you, including your passions, skills, and personality."
• "Demonstrate the impact of your efforts. How many people did you get to go to the
  event? Or, what were the total downloads of your app?"
• "Be honest about your skills and impact."
• "Be patient while you wait for your admission decision—we promise we won’t forget
  to tell you."

Don't...

• "Worry that your grades will hurt your chances of getting in—they won’t."
• "Email the LaunchX team to ask if we’ve reviewed your application—it may take us
• some time to get to yours, but we will get to it."
• "Track YouTube views on your video—their analytics aren’t perfect and will only cause anxiety."
• "Be deterred by tuition costs—we offer financial assistance to students who qualify."

What's more, you don't have to have a full business plan or idea before applying. You'll likely need to be open-minded and willing to adapt to your group's ideas. While you can have previous ideas loosely planned, it's more important to compromise strategically than impose strict limits upon the members of the group.

For help exploring more summer options, outside of structured camps like RSI and LaunchX, look into a college admissions counseling service like Empowerly. You can build your independent project or enroll in an accredited class, among other great ideas! Simultaneously, a counselor will develop your college admissions strategy and help you stay ahead of the ball.

Both RSI and MIT LaunchX would be perfect for someone who wants to combine science with a profitable career. Again, it's worth taking the time to prepare more thoroughly for this opportunity. STEM majors are growing and offer high-paying jobs and exciting opportunities. Let Empowerly help you explore your college options to continue working towards your dreams.