Registration FAQ
Please contact us at [email protected]
- Where can I apply? Follow the instructions here. Don't forget to pay the $10 application fee!
- What is the program cost? If your application is submitted by the Regular Application Deadline, total registration will cost $80. Otherwise, a $20 late fee will apply. If tuition is an issue, please contact us to apply for financial aid.
- What are the due dates for registration? Friday, April 30th is the Priority Application Deadline, and Saturday, May 29th is the Regular Application deadline. Students who sign up before the Priority Deadline will receive a coupon for $10 off. We will accept late applications on a rolling basis.
- Is there a refund policy? You are eligible for a full refund if requested by May 29th. If requested by June 7th, a half-refund will be issued. After this date, no refunds will be granted.
- Which division should I choose? The Junior Division is designed for students with no programming experience, whereas the Senior Division is for students who are fluent in at least 1 programming language and desire to learn more about AI/ML & its applications. A good marker for Senior Division preparedness is being able to solve ~8 problems both swiftly and independently on our Hackerrank Diagnostic Test.
- Why MIT App Inventor for the Junior Division? MIT App Inventor is a powerful, Turing-Complete programming language that provides an intuitive platform for beginners to explore coding and app development. It frees students from needing to learn syntax while enabling them to explore both fundamental (logic, loops, arrays) and high-level (AI, cloud storage, IoT) computer science concepts.
- What if I dont have an android device? The most affordable option is the $40 Amazon Fire 7 Tablet. You can find more on Amazon at https://www.amazon.com/s?k=android+tablet. Further compatible andorid devices can be found here https://appinventor.mit.edu/explore/ai-compatible-devices.
- When will classes be and for how long? Classes will occur on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays for the duration of the 4 week training portion, with Tuesdays and Thursdays as active office hours. Lectures will be 90 minutes to 120 minutes in length, usually occurring in the afternoon, although all lectures will be recorded and available to registered members.
- How are competition groups formed? Competition groups consisting of 1-3 students each are created automatically following the application process based off of a matching system that allows students to more effectively work together.
- How much homework will I be expected to complete? Students will not be given problem sets or theory homework. Instead, every lecture will end with a small take home project that demos the main focus of that lecture. AYSI-SCI students will be expected to complete these projects as a marking for progress.
- Who are the lecturers? Please visit the AYSI-SCI Team page for more information.
- What if I'm in high school but can't code? No worries! We recommend you apply for the Junior Division program to gain a better understanding of programming fundamentals. You can do this by leaving a note on the application form.
- What if I'm in middle school and have programming experience? Please indicate your experience and achievements on the application form and leave a note indicating your request to move up.
- What programming experience do I need for the Senior Division? We strongly recommend fluency in Python and Java. If you don't already know these languages, Udacity for Python and Udacity for Java are excellent resources. Since you most likely already know one language, it shouldn't be too difficult to switch syntax.
- Can I get declined from this program? After paying the $10 application fee, the admissions committee will review applications and admit students who demonstrate passion and capability. We operate with the goal of supporting as much students as possible.
Please contact us at [email protected]
Visit our other pages for more information regarding registration, programs, the competition, and eligibility!