<p>i'm applying into harvard ssp this summer and do you think they'll accept me if i had bad grades FRESHMAN year? i am a sophomore now and i have straight a's (except for a b in dance class, but that's non-academic), but in freshman year, i had a's, b's, and c's. the two c's were in my only honors classes, because i only took two back then, but now i have all honors classes and one ap class and and i have all a's. so do you think they will accept me?</p>
<p>I can’t remember where I read this, but Harvard SSP, which is run by the Harvard Extension School, admits about 40% of students who apply, so it’s not as selective as the college. Students who have a “B” average or better are usually accepted, especially if you get a teacher to write you a recommendation that attests to your maturity. </p>
<p>Be forewarned though: While you do get the full Harvard experience: you take classes from real Harvard professors, live in Harvard Yard, eat in Annenberg Hall etc – the experience is very expensive and it WILL NOT increase your overall chances to the college. </p>
<p>That said, if a high school student takes a Harvard summer school class that is taught by a Harvard professor, and that class has a limited enrollment (15 students or less) where the professor can get to know you as a student, and you do extremely well in that class (A+ work), a professor MIGHT agree to write you a recommendation to the college. I know there are a lot of “if’s and might’s” in that sentence – but it does happen, and it has helped some students get a leg up in the process.</p>
<p>The reality though is that Harvard Summer school classes are real college classes compressed into a tight time frame. Because the classes cover the same amount of material in half the amount of time, the work load is significant; some classes expect students to read 400 to 500 pages of material a week, with a paper due every class. Very few high school students can keep up with the work load and get A+'s, let alone get a recommendation from their professor.</p>
<p>So, bottom line: While you may be accepted to Harvard SSP, be prepared to work harder than you have ever done in high school.</p>