How well does a rookie have to perform during the season to make it to IRI?
 

Ok heres he deal. I am really trying to convince my team in applying for IRI. Yes we are a rookie team but I really think that we can step of to the occasion at IRI. We made it to the semis our very competition and then we were on the winning alliance the week after and won the rookie inspiration. I noticed in the IRI download that they are very selective on selecting rookies. I am just really trying to figure out how well does a rookie have perform during the season.

Re: How well does a rookie have to perform during the season to make it to IRI?
 

I'd suggest contacting the organizers for the answer. If you're good enough for regional or championship eliminations, your chances go up. I bet I know one rookie that would get an invitation if they applied, partly because having a regional win and a regional semifinalist was a setup to getting to Einstein...

You got nothing to lose by applying. Why not apply? If you don't get in, though-- go anyway. Volunteer. It's like the MSC, only bigger and with non-MI teams showing up. IRI has a reputation as the best off-season event around. Go a day early, and take a trip up to West Lafayette, if you're looking at engineering schools.

Also, note the Early Career event. It's open to 2009 Rookies...

Re: How well does a rookie have to perform during the season to make it to IRI?
 

Last year, a single rookie team was accepted, team 2377. They were Rookie All-Star and highest rookie seed at their regional.

Based on an early list of teams applying, 1 other rookie team applied. They were Rookie Inspiration winners at their regional, but did not get in to IRI.

Of the teams on the wait list last year, none won a regional.

Re: How well does a rookie have to perform during the season to make it to IRI?
 

I would encourage all rookie teams that want to apply to do so. You never know what may happen.

Even more so this year. With the economy down the way it is there may be fewer teams applying.

Re: How well does a rookie have to perform during the season to make it to IRI?
 

Not to mention there are more amazing rookie teams this year than last year. Frankly I'd be surprised if Overdrive, 2970, and 2826 don't get in if they apply.

Re: How well does a rookie have to perform during the season to make it to IRI?
 

From 2970: I just spoke with one of our upper mentors, and we are making a push to go to the IRI. To put it lightly: If our team is not invited, or fails to be accepted, I will take it as a major personal loss and work twice as hard on whatever team I will be mentoring next year. Or I'll just try again. After all, some of the most complex software algorithms were found by brute force and huge numbers of iterations. :D