<p>I have read these boards where many have stated that SSP takes anybody who wants to spend 10k, even if they really don't have the credentials. </p>
<p>I would have thought that using some of the same criteria that is used to select the undergraduates would apply. The application and application process for undergraduate admission and SSP are fairly similar. </p>
<p>By selecting the best high school students it would provide valuable information to Harvard and the student. For example, Harvard would have the opportunity to evaluate the student in many more ways then the application, essay, recommendations, and interview would provide. With the support system that is in place during the summer, professors, TAs, proctors, and others could all be part of the evaluation process. For the student, besides getting some college credit, he/she gets to experience Harvard up close, and by the end of summer will be better informed as to whether or not Harvard is the right place for them.</p>
<p>So, heres my question. Is there anyone out there who attended SSP and has been accepted as, or is an undergraduate at Harvard, and can provide some insights as to what they thought of SSP and any value it played in getting in?</p>
<p>I know more than half a dozen personally who were accepted EA and many more applying RD. My proctor went to the summer school, and same with many other proctors.
One of my roomates has been accepted EA.</p>
<p>i don't think going to summer school at a college makes you any more 'special'... i mean, it shows that ur interested in the school (obviously) .. so that could be beneficial.. just like if you named the school your number one school as a national merit finalist.. but if you don't have the grades, scores, ecs, recs, essays, etc.. they're not just gonna take u in because you spent 10k over the summer at their school.. summer school students will not affect the prestige of the school (ie. averages and grad school admittance), whereas undergraduates will.. so.. </p>
<p>i know a girl who has legacy at stanford, went to their summer school, and still got rejected EA .. not even deferred.. just plain rejected.. (as far as i know, she doesnt have the scores and transcript.. low test scores, decent grades but easy classes)</p>
<p>i think that its self selective... the people really interested in the school, and often very qualified, are more likely to spend their summer there before they apply to the college...</p>
<p>The best thing it'll do for you is help YOU decide whether or not you want to spend four more years there. I went and decided it wasn't the place for me... so I applied somewhere else early. A girl in my hall loved it- and will be headed there in September. </p>
<p>In terms of admissions, sure it shows some academic initiative, but no more than a college course at say, Carnegie Mellon or Brown.</p>
<p>when i went to SSP, the dean told me that if you didn't get A's during summer school, u'd get rejected... so it only helps if u go to harvard ssp and get As.</p>
<p>that is completely untrue. My roomate received a C in his one class yet he was called backed for a second interview in Maine and someone else on this site got one B but was called back for a second interview anyway. Grades at SSP can only help not cause you to be rejected.</p>
<p>Laurenemma. Did these people you know that got in EA or RD go to the SSP? Do they think that the SSP palyed a role in their acceptance or do they think they would have gotten in without SSP anyway?</p>
<p>Swtvtgyrl. I believe you may have missed my point in this topic. I don't think just because you can pay the 10k gets you into SSP to begin with. I think you must meet certain requirements, i.e., grades, extracurriculars, recs., etc., which the application requires. </p>
<p>Here's a thought, If everyone who had the 10k could get in, then why do they only take about 1,500 when they get thousands of applications. Also, why do they offer financial aide. They don't ask if you can pay the 10k before they accept you. So your argument and those that also make this point does not exactly flow.</p>
<p>Filmxoxo17 and Rasberrysmoothie. I agree with you both here. I believe that those interested in Harvard, have the credentials, and apply and get in to SSP have taken the first step. I think that they will be evaluated over the summer beyond just the grades that they receive and that those evaluations play a role in the selection process if they apply for undergraduate study. From the students perspective, having the exposure during the summer should provide the answer as to whether or not to apply for undergraduate study. In other words is it right for me.</p>
<p>So, what I still would like to determine is what role and to what degree does SSP play in the addmission process for undergraduate study.</p>
<p>I went to SSP this past summer and so far I've heard 1 acceptance and I think 5 or 6 deferrals. I applied RD. If I remember, I'll come back on and post results when they come.</p>
<p>sfrick, i feel that my reply is really no different from what you just said in your newer posts.. when i said that they will not simply accept anyone who can hand over 10k, it was not quoting that you had said that.. it was just a statement</p>
<p>and i quote myself, "i don't think going to summer school at a college makes you any more 'special'... i mean, it shows that ur interested in the school (obviously) .. so that could be beneficial.. just like if you named the school your number one school as a national merit finalist.." </p>
<p>that is what i have heard from several counselors at least.. your question was what value does ssp have in the admissions process, and i have clearly gave my two cents.. i don't think i was off topic at all (i do digress a lot on, but not in this case ^_^ )</p>
<p>Yeah but it shows that they like you and that you are a borderline applicant. I myself just got one and the senior admissions officer himself said that its very good sign to get one.</p>
<p>I did Cornell Summer College after my sophomore year. Out of the 200 some kids, I know of four that got into Harvard EA. This seems like, if anything, a higher % of acceptances than SSP. My only point is that the only correlation is that motivated (+ wealthy) kids who do summer programs are more likely to be able to get into top schools.</p>
<p>"getting a 2nd interview doesn't mean you get in..."</p>
<p>-maybe not, but it DOES show that one has turned the adcoms' heads... i would say that's definitely a good sign. but, as they say, don't hate the playa (winner), hate the game! ;)</p>
<p>I applied EA for Harvard after attending this past summer (an unforgettable experience that made me decide to apply for the real thing) I was deferred (I got A-'s in my classes) along with my roommate (she may have gotten B's in her classes-ditched a bunch of them)</p>
<p>One of my friends from SSP i heard from did get in EA but had excellent stats anyways (of course)</p>
<p>Hoping to get in (who wouldn't?)...but if anything, the SSP program is worth it for the experience itself (IMHO)...although I'll have to get back to y'all after April 1!</p>
<p>The kids I know accepted EA did not really have an opinion on whether SSP played a role. They were generally qualified applicants outside of SSP. My roommate I believe got A's, but I am not sure. I do however agree with whoever said that it is better to go there to get a sense of whether you fit there. Don't do it just for resume padding, so it because you want to see whether you enjoy harvard.</p>
<p>I'm going to SSP this summer. I also plan on going back the following summers so by my senior year I have 24 credits from HU. Assuming I get A's in all courses, will that; (1) help my chances getting into HU; (2) be a + or - in getting into any other top school.</p>