<p>I'm an European student, in 12th year. I'm planning to apply to the Harvard SSP for summer 2011, and I had a few questions the Harvard Internet Site couldn't answer.</p>
<p>First, what do 10000$ provide ? Are these only for room and food, or can I visit anything with a "special Harvard permission" without fees ? I know I'll have to pay with my own money in shops, etc. But, for instance, do I have to pay if we decide to go to the Museum ?</p>
<p>Then, what are the activities provided by Harvard ? Besides 12h of class per week, what can we do ? Does Harvard organize special tours/activities/things ? Because at 3PM, when my class is done, am I on my own ?</p>
<p>And if you have any additionnal info, please be happy to provide me with any useful one :)</p>
<p>Be aware that I don't apply to Harvard SSP to get a higher chance to enter Harvard College as Undergraduate; it's just an occasion for me to experience college atmosphere, to get to know what Harvard is, and to have a good summertime without my family !
Also, money isn't a problem, as I can afford the $10000 8-week SSP. I just want to know where my money will go, besides courses.</p>
<p>Thanks for your patience reading this thread, and sorry for the few language errors.</p>
<p>Your money basically only covers the tuition for your classes, your room, and the food. For things such as museums you do have to pay. </p>
<p>Harvard does organize tours and activities such as trips to other campuses such as Yale and Dartmouth and other trips to various areas in the New England area. All of those trips require you to pay.</p>
<p>After your classes, you basically have time to yourself. They don’t plan events daily. The only social events might be the 2 dances that are hosted for SSP students.</p>
<p>I attended SSP last summer and I had an amazing time. It is a great experience and you’re going to meet a lot of interesting people like yourself from all over the world. It will probably be one of the most memorable summers for you. Hope this helps :D</p>
<p>So, basically, I pay 10 gran, then I have to bring money to pay for tours, trips, etc. ? Do I pay these the normal price, or a little lower? Because it seems to get expensive (besides the $10000)
Then, when I have time for myself, what can I do ? I know there is the Library, athletic facilities, musical activities and sometimes organized activities. The rest of the time, is it resting, and such? I just want to know if i’m gonna be paying for a super resting-holiday time, or if the days are filled with activities that take weeks to cover. You’ll probably understand my fear of arriving there and finding the only things to do are sleeping, take courses, eating and sometimes go on an organized trip…
This could probably sound awkward, as I don’t choose the summer school for courses, or a will to later apply for College, but just for discovering the College atmosphere, and have fun.
I trust you when you say this summer was your best of all time, I hope it will be mine too !</p>
<p>Thanks a lot for your help and your patience</p>
<p>You should know that Europe gives really large student discounts (or sometimes free admission), but here in the US the student discounts aren’t as large. Sometimes there are none. In my opinion, the US food isn’t as good either.</p>
<p>I did a similar program at Georgetown last summer and there was not very much free time at all. The programs are very fun and give you a really good sense of the college life, but you will be busy. It was a blast and will help you figure out which colleges are your first choices, and what kind of college you want to apply to.</p>
<p>I also went last summer. And it definitely won’t be a time of rest. The classes are challenging. The time is limited. You will make some of the best friends and memories. It was the most memorable and enlightening experience of my life. Of course, I’m a conservative girl who’s never gone to a summer program before SSP. Honestly, i think you, like most everyone else, will have a blast. Just don’t worry about it. Once you get there you will be so busy between coursework, friends, activities & trying to explore Boston that the time will go by before you know it. I can honestly say the worst part for me was leaving. Saddest say ever!!</p>
<p>I understand. But being busy is exactly what I am looking for. Having free time is what I fear (at least during the summer school ). And I think I can handle the food : 16 years of school restaurants forces my indulgence…
Let’s say it’s ok to pay for the extra activities (gosh the check becomes thick). I am sure, when I register today or tomorrow (I’ll have to be quick) to have a filled schedule in summer, right ?</p>
<p>Thanks</p>
<p>Elayol</p>
<p>PS : jaimeleschevaux : are you French ?</p>
<p>EDIT : Well, wisdom908 answered well to my question at the moment I posted it. Thank you !</p>
<p>there are tons of activities to take part in literally every day. Anything from sculling to swimming to going to the beach to going to NYC to just exploring Boston/cambridge is open to you pretty much at all times. There’s really no accurate way to describe a “normal day” because I rarely did the same things every day. In general, my days would consist of waking up, going to breakfast, going to class, going to either lamont or widener to study/work (if necessary), and spend the rest of the time having the time of my life with my roommates, usually doing one of the things I previously mentioned.</p>
<p>I’m also gonna need some advice about the courses. I’m planning to take Computer Science 1, but I don’t know what else to take. I’m more of a scientific person, but math will be useless, as we already did what SSP provides this year at high school, in mathematics. Astronomy : why not ?
Maybe a language ? I’ve heard a lot of good about Japanese, but it’s 8 credits (which looks too much for me). Is it worth it ?
Do you guys have any recommendation ? Any awesome teacher I should take course with ?
I prefer not taking writing/literature courses, it would be useless, I’m not really good at that…</p>
<p>I just wanted to know : when are the $10,000 paid ?
Also : how will I be able to manage my money in the US (remember I’m not a USA resident, therefore I don’t have any bank account…) ? Do I have to create an account ? Must I take it, all cash, with me ?</p>
). And I think I can handle the food : 16 years of school restaurants forces my indulgence…