<p>Can anyone who has gone to SSP and/or been admitted to CalTech post their stats here? I want to get an idea. Also, do you know how much going to SSP for the summer would help one's chances at CalTech (or for that, MIT)? I received a letter from SSP saying "A student who thrives at SSP is a student who should apply to CalTech." Does CalTech receive some type of list of who went and (did well) at SSP?</p>
<p>a forum user with the name "innsayneidiot" went to SSP and was admitted EA to Caltech. You can send him a private message and ask him his stats.</p>
<p>From your earlier thread (<a href="http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/showthread.php?t=20548&page=1&pp=20%5B/url%5D">http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/showthread.php?t=20548&page=1&pp=20</a> I don't know if you continued reading it):</p>
<p>Ben Golub
Junior Member</p>
<p>Join Date: Nov 2004
Posts: 82</p>
<p>SSP/SHARP helps. Not quite as "ohmigosh" as RSI (which, while not a full guarantee of admission to Harvard/MIT/Caltech, bumps the probability quite a bit) -- but evidence that you used the opportunity to the fullest and came out a more engaged young scientist would definitely help. The recs written by SSP are quite expansive and aren't afraid to point out flaws, so if you perform well and get a glowing rec, it'll mean something.</p>
<p>The main difference from RSI is that even the worst RSI kid probably stands a decent shot at all the schools above, partially because he's still prolly pretty good and secondly because the program has such high standards and so he's probably still achieved quite an excellent record. Mediocre students at SSP/SHARP etc. will be looked at more closely. But going to SSP/SHARP and standing out definitely is a big plus for your app.</p>
<p>Hope that helps.</p>