The Research Science Institute (RSI) is one of the most prestigious summer programs for STEM research.

Many students who get into this program go on to make waves in their respective fields of study.

If you’re interested in applying to RSI, here’s everything that you need to know including the application process, the deadlines, costs, and decision dates.

RSI Application Process All RSI participants, or “Rickoids,” share the same passion and drive for STEM research, regardless of what field they choose to pursue.

The RSI application is your way of telling the program committee why you would benefit from participating in this program.

Here’s everything that you need to include.

High School Academic Record: Rickoids are exceptionally talented academically.

They can maintain a competitive GPA and are skilled in math, science, and engineering courses.

You must submit proof of your academic excellence in the form of a high school transcript.

You can request this from your counselor or academic supervisor. "Successful applicants will have demonstrated superior scholastic achievement in mathematics, the sciences, and verbal arts. " cee. org, "Apply to RSI" Standardized Testing Scores: Along with your academic record, RSI requires all of your standardized testing scores.

This includes the PSAT, SAT, ACT, and any AP tests.

They strongly recommend that you take the PSAT.

To remain a competitive applicant, you must have obtained at least one of the following test scores: PSAT: 700 R&W, 740 Math ACT: 34 English/Science/Writing, 33 Math Extracurricular Activities/Awards: RSI requires you to concisely outline your major activities or awards in the STEM field.

These can range from winning math olympiads, to science journal publications.

Even leadership in STEM clubs or hackathons can count.

They want to see that you have taken an initiative towards your passions in STEM.

In addition to these extracurriculars, they also want to see that you do more than just STEM.

The RSI application includes a section dedicated to non-STEM extracurriculars, from sports teams to poetry clubs.

Letters of Recommendation: RSI requires at least two recommendations from teachers or research supervisors, with a maximum of four.

While you can go on and on about how good you are, it helps that you have other people to vouch for you as well.

This is why it’s important to build strong relationships with your teachers and anyone else whom you may work with.

Essays: Perhaps the most important, the RSI essays allow you to showcase who you truly are.

Your essays are also an assessment of your writing abilities: scientists must be effective at communicating their results to the scientific community.

If you are a talented writer and are genuinely passionate about STEM, it will be easy to write the essays.

Check out Rickoid and Harvard student Rishab Jain’s RSI application: PlayHow I Got Into RSI (Research Science Institute)

- The Application Process Deadlines and Decisions Generally, applications for RSI are due at the start of January for students in the United States.

International students might have different deadlines, depending on the country.

Decisions are usually released in March.

If you are accepted, congratulations!

You are now part of a group of dedicated student scientists who will go on to change the world.

There are many influential scientists among the list of RSI alumni.

Some notable Rickoids are Fields Medal winner Terence Tao and CRISPR/Cas9 developer Feng Zhang.

RSI Program Timeline  The RSI program lasts six weeks, from late June to early August.

Here’s a rough breakdown of what your experience would be like.

Week 1: You will begin the program with a week of seminars highlighting current STEM research topics.

Week 2-5: Alongside accomplished research mentors, you will work on your scientific research.

You are provided with the tools needed for your research project, including databases, labs, and cutting-edge technologies. "RSI students gain access to the extensive computing resources of MIT, and receive the tools they will need to find current publications, to model complex systems, to prepare a scientific paper, and to make a conference-style presentation. " cee. org, "Life at RSI" Week 6: You will spend the final week of the RSI program preparing your paper and presentation.

Academic and corporate scientists will then select the five best papers and presentations at the RSI Symposium.

RSI Program Costs There are no costs associated with the RSI program except transportation to and from the program.

This is also a major contributor to why RSI is such a competitive program.

Didn’t Get In?

Not getting into RSI isn’t the end of the world.

It is a very selective summer program, with a very low acceptance rate.

Although participation is very helpful, it isn’t necessary to get into top colleges.

There are many strong STEM summer programs out there.

Check out Rishab’s free STEM Student Guide, which includes 50+ summer research programs.