<p>Has anyone here heard anything about/taken the test for/attended Columbia University Science Honors Program (SHP)? I've heard that it's pretty hard to get into, but that's basically all I know about it.</p>
<p>The SHP Website: Columbia</a> University Science Honors Program</p>
<p>yup it is but its very possible.</p>
<p>I'm it in...it's not really that hard, the essays and recs dont really matter cuz i applied without a rec and still got in...plus my essays were dumb (and i mean really dumb). the test that u take is the most important part of the application, and it's three parts: two math and one science. one math is like SAT math, there's no reason why you wouldn't be able to get all of them. the science is kinda like general, pretty easy science...knowledge and graphs and stuff. the last math section is harder and it's basically the determinating point. it's really kinda like the AMC12's, tho...reallyyyy similar. so if u want to practice here're some good problems.</p>
<p>Essay*s*? The only essay I did was the one that you had to write on the back of the application. Will there be another one?</p>
<p>Also, how long do you have for each section on the test? And what are some big topics in the science sections?</p>
<p>Thanks so much!</p>
<p>oh no, i meant essay singular :]</p>
<p>and the whole thing is 3 hours i think.</p>
<p>science: bio (lots of charts and graphs and common sense), earth science (Basic rock stuff), chem, a smalll bit of physics.
math: i rmember there were like 5 questions on changing bases, lol. and then you also need to know like SAT-level math. and then, you need to know the AMC12 level math which i gave u a link to :]</p>
<p>Oh, good, I'm very relieved- I hate writing essays.</p>
<p>And since I'm currently a freshman, do you think I will have a disadvantage since I haven't taken chem or physics yet? </p>
<p>Thanks again, especially for the link. It doesn't seem like that section will be very fun. And I'm just wondering, what exactly is the AMC12?</p>
<p>Admission is purely based on the test, so don't put too much effort into the writing component. Plus, don't they call it a "paragraph", not an "essay"? I definitely only wrote a paragraph. And my recommendation was the most generic thing I've ever seen.</p>
<p>Also, test scores are reviewed in relation to your grade, so if a freshman and a junior get the same score, the freshman would get in. Just show them you can do the "challenge" section (I think that's what they call it), which is essentially problem solving.</p>
<p>SHP varies incredibly according to what classes you take. I took Organic Chemistry and without reinforcement through extra studying (which I wasn't willing to do at all) I couldn't remember everything each week, so I didn't pay much attention after a couple weeks. Then I took Intro Psychology, which I recommend. It's also better if you take classes with friends, particularly if you'll be taking the train or driving (I had to take the train since I'm from NJ, and I see you are as well). Oh yeah and the instructors are graduate students, not professors, so the purpose of this program is merely to expose you to new sciencey subjects (psychology, programming, etc) and learn more about topics in subjects you're familiar with (organic chemistry, number theory, etc). I'd generally recommend it if you don't have anything better to do on Saturday mornings.</p>
<p>Look up old threads about the program for more information.</p>
<p>theoneo: pshh, i didn't even have a recommendation :P</p>
<p>oh yeah i think the "challenge" section is probably the most important..do those AMC problems, they're almost exactly the same.</p>
<p>btw do colleges know about this program?</p>
<p>Thanks for the input, theoneo. I wasn't aware that the classes were taught by graduate students. Would you say that, based on your experience, the students are knowledgeable and genuinely want you to learn? And do you get grade/progress reports? Is there homework?</p>
<p>And I don't know what colleges think about this program. I think it's prettyhard to get in, but I also feel it is a fairly local program.</p>
<p>Well, I'm going to look for some old threads. I did do a search before I started this thread, but I guess I didn't try hard enough! ;-]</p>
<p>it's not too hard to get in. many people there are smart, and want to learn. There are no grades or hw. basically it's self-motivated</p>
<p>What would you say is the percent of people who apply who are admitted?</p>
<p>it's like 30%</p>
<p>Thanks so much? And one final question, how would you rate the teachers?</p>
<p>from what i heard, this program looks really good on your college application</p>
<p>and a question</p>
<p>i am a freshman currently, do you get the same test as sophmores and juinors?</p>
<p>and i'm wondering, can u take this test again next year?</p>
<p>I'm pretty sure that it's the same test, but according to theoneo, the tests are viewed in relation to your current grand. And I'm pretty sure you could take the test again next year.</p>
<p>Also, Peach Chardonnay says the acceptance rate is 30A%, but Wikipedia says 16%. However, it doesn't give a citation as to where this stat is from.</p>
<p>Yeah, you're all in one big room together (or several big rooms, rather). But they ask for your grade, and they take that into account.</p>
<p>The teachers vary significantly among the classes. My orgo teacher didn't know who anyone was and went at his own pace. But then we did a lab for the last two weeks and that was semi-interesting. My psych teacher was interesting and kept our attention but she got mad as hell when we came back late from the break in the middle of class. That's when I stopped going. Apparently one of the math classes got homework (maybe it was optional) but I never did, and it never would have been enforced. There are no exams, so there are no grades. Just attendance records (and they don't enforce their attendance policy, so take advantage of that).</p>
<p>As far as I know lots of schools must know about SHP because so many people in the tri-state area do it and go to good schools. I even used it in my application to Columbia, using it as one of the reasons why I loved the school so much (it was such bs).</p>
<p>thx for the replies</p>
<p>So, overall, would you say you didn't have a very good experience? And I'm just curious, did you end up getting accepted at Columbia?</p>
<p>Sorry, if that was too personal a question.</p>
<p>And are you allowed a calculater at the test?</p>