Clark Scholars Texas Tech?

Pre-College Issues Summer Programs
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<p>Ah, please excuse my hasty judgment. Your username somehow tipped you to the girl side. </p>

<p>About SSP & Clark - that's exactly what I'm thinking! But, correct me if I'm mistaken, SSP has a ~25-30% acceptance whereas Clark has ~ 10-15%. However, Clark is lesser known and thus may exert a smaller "wow" factor on college apps. Also, Clark may provide a better opportunity to get a good letter of recommendation. </p>

<p>Now, I know summer programs aren't supposed to used as "tools" to get into college, but I can't deny their effects. </p>

<p>However, if I were to consider my choices based on my interest- under relatively free research vs. pedagogy - I would choose Clark (Astronomy is interesting, but I don't intend to major in it). Yet, SSP offers the peer environment that is so critical to future success. Maybe I'll learn more at SSP? </p>

<p>Back to the college thought-- SSP does cost money. Though it's known (perhaps respected) in a lesser extent, Clark is competitive because it's free. I really can't gauge how much tuition vs. merit can affect its credibility in the eyes of adcoms. </p>

<p>Okay now I'm just rambling. Maybe I shouldn't be thinking about all of this but I gotta be responsible for the quality of my higher education. I would be happy at either place (this of course is contingent upon my getting accepted.. hee...).</p>

<p>So I guess the bottom line is that if I get into both, I would probably discuss my options with the respective directors (maybe get in contact with alumi) to learn more about each program. Hm, I also applied to CMU AP/EA summer program for diversity (10% acceptance, free). But I feel like I won't gain as much there.</p>

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<p>Velleity in your case you should've applied to RSI because it's free, competitive, and arguably the strongest hook to any university in this country.</p>

<p>I feel like I would definitely learn more at Clark. I have been to a very prestigious math summer camp for two years, and I felt like the social environment is more memorable than the academics (in other words, I wasted two summers hanging out with smart people and learning little). That's why I applied to a small, heavily biology-oriented research camp although my main interest is math. SSP would mean a relatively stress free summer.</p>

<p>Where are you from? and which colleges are you interested at? I feel like schools like MIT and Caltech would immediately recognize Clark reputation and adcoms from other colleges might not...Geography is a factor too, and I'm risking my Canadian scholarship options by not going to the only good Canadian summer camp that all the Canadian universities seem to care a lot about= =+</p>

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<p>good luck to everyone, I applied o_O</p>

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<p>Clark is one of the few free summer research internship programs, a small version of RSI. It is definitely harder to get into SSP, plus SSP costs 2000-3000 dollars.</p>

<p>My friend went to Clark 2 years ago. I heard that it is a great research opportunity.</p>

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<p>Clark was an intense but wonderful experience for my kid. As with any experience, put your best efforts into it, and you'll be handsomely rewarded with the summer of a lifetime.</p>

<p>First of all, when compared to RSI, the number of kids at Clark each year is tiny, just 12. The kids really get to know each other. They live together, eat together, hang out in the evenings, and do fun "planned activities" on weekends. Some of the Clarkies will be locals, but there are kids from all over the US, plus internationals.</p>

<p>Then, there's the location. Lubbock, Texas sits on a desert plateau, flat and hot, with a huge sky. The Texas Tech campus is beautiful, well-maintained, with great facilities. Lots of birds and jack rabbits. As a Clark Scholar, you'll probably have access to the rec center, the gym, and of course, the libraries. The food is actually good. Summer in the Texas panhandle is hot, of course, but there will be fierce summer rainstorms, with lightning and (maybe) hail. Drive a few miles and you are in the "Grand Canyon of Texas," the Palo Duro Canyon. Take a look at these pictures Palo</a> Duro Canyon State Park </p>

<p>But the biggest difference is the opportunity for interdisciplinary collaboration among the scholars. Each scholar is working independently, on his own project, with a different mentor, in a different discipline. You might be working in microbiology, but your roommate will ask you to help preview his history research presentation. Clark is unique in offering graduate-level research opportunities to high school kids in the humanties, arts and social sciences, as well as the physicial and life sciences and math. By the time the summer is over, you should end up with intimate knowledge of new research in a discipline that may never have interested you before.</p>

<p>Don't come to Clark if you are expecting to coast, or hibernate, or party. Don't come if you aren't a motivated, self-starter with an unshakeable work ethic. Don't come if you can't manage your time responsibly, because those first weeks will just fly by and you will find yourself facing the deadline for your paper's submission. You will present your paper to a conference room of your peers, their mentors and other faculty; they will know just how hard you have (or haven't) worked. Do come if you like to work hard, share new experiences, meet someone like (or unlike) yourself from across the country (or globe).</p>

<p>As you can probably tell, I think Clark a hidden treasure among these types of summer programs. Plus, they pay you! What could be better?</p>

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<p>^ Thank you so much!</p>

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<p>Let's be honest. If you're a reasonable candidate for SSP or Clark Scholars, then SHAD would probably be a waste of your summer. The "seminars", level of peers, and overall experience won't compare. I guess I'm an elitist, because I couldn't stand hearing one guy in my class liken his SHAD experience to my time at TASP. 60ish people at each seminar, spread out over 10 locations, with seminars on how to do a proper handshake? C'mon.</p>

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<p>Compared to Simons, how hard is clark to get into? Is previous research experience important?</p>

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<p>I think they are equally competitive programs. I think last year the acceptance rate was ~ 12% - half of the available positions (6) were for locals. I guess it's to your advantage to have had some research experience, but I doubt it'll be too big of a deal. Like they say on the website, they are looking at your academic achievements, recommendations, and career objectives.</p>

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<p>I just got rejected from SSP, I hope I get into Clark. Anyone know which is harder to get into? Should I just give up now?</p>

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<p>Sorry to hear that scott. Unfortunately Clark has a lower acceptance rate. But there's still hope!</p>

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<p>I have applied too and hopefully i’ll get in. This is the last of the apps that I did that havent been rejected yet. ohhhhh joy</p>

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<p>yea; i’m the alternate for like 5 summer internships, I would really like to get into a semiprestigious program</p>

<p>i wish I had connections</p>

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<p>I don’t know why I’m posting in two separate forms, but anyways- Clark is pretty hard to get into. There are only 6 spots for people around the nation. Not cool. I hate the waiting.</p>

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<p>hopefully we find out soon. the waiting is killing me…</p>

<p>and clarks is now my last shot for anything this summer…</p>

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<p>has anyone gotten any messages?</p>

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<p>I have not… When did last year’s applicants hear back?</p>

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<p>is the clark scholars program a prestigious summer program? like in the same “tier” as SSP or RSI??</p>