<p>Hey guys, I'm thinking about applying to the Harvard SSP this summer, but somethings are a bit unclear to me. It would be a great help if you guys could answer all or some of the question below. </p>
<p>Thanks in advance!</p>
<ol>
<li><p>How strict is freedom over there? Are there adults constantly watching you? And are you not allowed to leave the campus unless under adult supervision? Or can you just leave and explore anywhere, anytime?</p></li>
<li><p>I'm thinking about driving there (I'm from Florida), will there be a place where I can park my car, and can I access it anytime? Or do they lock it down until its time to leave? And can I just take a trip in my car for a weekend, lets say to New York? </p></li>
<li><p>How is the weather over there in Boston during the summer? How should I dress/pack? </p></li>
<li><p>Are there facilities that the SSP students can use at Harvard, such as a swimming pool to swim laps in or a gym?</p></li>
<li><p>I hear that the food is horrendous, is it really that bad? And do they offer a vegetarian, Kosher, or Halal option as well?</p></li>
<li><p>What kind of clubs and organization do they offer? Can SSP students be part of legit Harvard clubs, or do thy have separate clubs specifically for SSP students?</p></li>
<li><p>Are the dorms separate for guys and girls? I hear stories of people sneaking out, is it really that easy to sneak out? </p></li>
<li><p>Are there cliques, outcasts, and status groups (ie. Popular kids) there?</p></li>
<li><p>Are there classes everyday, or are they like 3 times a week, or what? How long is the longest break they have? And when is it, 4th of July weekend?</p></li>
</ol>
<p>Again, thanks in advance!</p>
<p>ok so many of these questions depend on whether you are a rising senior or rising junior. rising juniors have much less freedoms than seniors, such as curfew at 11. </p>
<ol>
<li><p>If you are a senior, you have all the freedom you want. You can go anywhere at any time. The curfew at weekends was supossed to be at 2 am, but trust me no one follows and proctors dont really care that much. </p></li>
<li><p>Im not sure, although there are parking spaces around harvard. parking is kinda hard to find though. </p></li>
<li><p>weather is nice overall. Its REALLY hot, so better take lots of shorts and loose shirts. its also really sunny, although you should take umbrellas because it tends to rain once in a while. </p></li>
<li><p>yes, SSP students can use all Harvard faciliteis that you need.</p></li>
<li><p>Food tends to get borring and nasty after 2 months, but I guess htis happens everywhere. I didnt go to the sumemr to eat “good Harvard food”, so whatever. and yes, there are options for vegetariianss.</p></li>
<li><p>not sure on this one, although there are many clubs you can join.</p></li>
<li><p>girls and boys can sleep on the same floor. rooms, obiously, are single sex. and yes, many people sneak out, although some were sometiems found out and got curfew. </p></li>
<li><p>I think that depends on the people you meet, your roomates, and the poeople you hang out with. FOr me, personally, there were no “cliques”, but people did get into groups, but we all hanged otu and it was really friendly. The people I met were awesome, but that just my experience.</p></li>
<li><p>It depends on the clases you take, your schedule. Normally, classes tend to be monday through Friday, although that relaly depends on the classes you choose. </p></li>
</ol>
<p>If you know how to have fun (although without drinking) and happen to meet awesome peopel by chance, you will have the best experience of your life.</p>
<p>To preface, I was a proctor during summers '09 and '10.</p>
<ol>
<li><p>You have plenty of freedom to navigate the Boston metro area. Depending on your age, you might have a curfew, but that’s only for the youngest group (I can’t remember the age right now, I believe either 14 or 15). You do need to tell your proctor if you plan on being out late, but there’s no limit, you just need to update your proctor.</p></li>
<li><p>Bring your car would be rather impractical. Very few undergrads ever had a car on campus, let alone a student during the summer. Also, leaving the Boston metro is not allowed. Sometimes students have received permission, but that takes a lot of permission and talking to people.</p></li>
<li><p>It gets hot, plus, the dorms do not have A/C. There are also rainy weeks.</p></li>
<li><p>Students can use the Malkin Athletic Center (MAC) and Hemenway Gym.</p></li>
<li><p>I enjoyed the food, but you sometimes need to be creative. They have all the food options you mentioned.</p></li>
<li><p>Harvard’s clubs pretty much function during the typical academic year (fall and spring terms). There are some clubs set up like a summer orchestra and intramural sports.</p></li>
<li><p>The suites/rooms are gendered but the dorms themselves are not. Sneaking out seems pointless since you don’t need to be sneaking around.</p></li>
<li><p>It’s such a short time, popularity doesn’t really exist. Sure, there are students who become more known than others, but to say popular would be a bit much. </p></li>
<li><p>Class schedules are based on which courses you register for. Very few of them meet every day (usually only intensive 8-credit courses). The only day off during the week should be the 4th if I remember correctly.</p></li>
</ol>