Introduction to the Research Science Institute (RSI)
The Research Science Institute (RSI) is one of the most competitive STEM summer programs for high school students in the world, and getting in is a high honor. This guide walks you through how to earn acceptance into RSI and strengthen your college applications.
Harvard undergraduate Rishab Jain was named one of Time Magazine’s 25 Most Influential Teens of 2018. To hear how that and more helped him get into RSI, watch the video below.
What is the Research Science Institute (RSI)?
RSI is a summer program held at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) each year. Students spend six weeks doing free, demanding research on-site, with an assigned mentor guiding them through the full research process.
At the end, students write and present a conference-style report on their findings to the other students and their mentor. Along the way, they gain some of the most rigorous research experience available and build lasting connections.
Because the program is so demanding, it’s also extremely selective. RSI accepts about 100 students from over 3,000 applicants each year, an acceptance rate of just a few percent, making it harder to get into than many top universities.
That said, don’t be discouraged. This guide was put together by past RSI student and current Harvard undergraduate Rishab Jain to help you build a competitive application for this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
How to get into the Research Science Institute (RSI)
To get into RSI, you need to show both your accomplishments and your future promise in STEM. Here’s how to present your profile well, whatever your field, from computational biology to artificial intelligence.
Start by summarizing your notable awards, competitions, and projects. Each one, whether a first place at the International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF), a STEM Olympiad, or a presentation at a national fair like JSHS, shows your skill and dedication. Highlight finalist and winner results, but even unrecognized participation signals genuine interest and real experience with advanced research.
Mention any relevant research alongside competitions. Published papers, contributions to scientific publications, and conference participation are all strong. Whether you led your own project or co-authored someone else’s, emphasize both your role and the impact of the work.
Go beyond standard academic success, too. Include entrepreneurship, leadership, and volunteer work. Maybe you founded a nonprofit, built an app, or did extensive community service. These show a well-rounded background and a commitment to making a positive impact.
Extracurriculars like sports show leadership and teamwork outside the lab. Whether it’s debate club or track and field, they demonstrate you can juggle multiple responsibilities.
When describing your most important research, be concise but thorough about its scope and results. Show how those experiences connect to RSI’s aims and your long-term goals. Mention any award-winning or ongoing work, such as projects recognized at national fairs like Regeneron ISEF or the USA(J)MO.
Explain your interests in specific fields and draw as many connections as you can. For example, discuss the links between computational biology and artificial intelligence, and where you’d take that research next. This is your chance to show the two qualities RSI values most: enthusiasm and vision.
Then think about your future. RSI looks for candidates with a clear vision and a solid STEM foundation. Talk about how you want to innovate and tackle important problems, whether that’s developing new technologies, finding cures, or improving environmental solutions.
Finally, show how your distinct experiences and interests have shaped who you are. Leadership roles, original projects, and unusual hobbies help your application stand out and show you’re determined, inventive, and well-rounded.
Applying to RSI is a chance to show your strengths. A thorough account of your accomplishments, experiences, and goals is how you make a strong case for yourself. RSI seeks people who are not just academically qualified but genuinely eager to push limits and contribute to science.
Best of luck with your application. You’ve got this.
Free guide to STEM research
Research on a topic you’re passionate about matters both for college admissions and for building real skills, whether or not you get into RSI. For free guidance on steering your research journey in the right direction, check out this guide:
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