<p>I just got a letter from Harvard SSP, and I have a suspicion from reading other posts about the summer program that it is not selective and doesn't carry much weight. I think the chances of me going are slim, but I have a couple questions. Do Harvard professors actually teach at the program? Have any of you on CC gone to SSP and been admitted? Do you think SSP was a deciding factor?</p>
<p>I can’t remember where I read this, but Harvard SSP, which is run by the Harvard Extension School, admits about 40% of students who apply, so no it’s not as selective as the college. You do get the full Harvard experience though: you take classes from real Harvard professors, live in Harvard Yard, eat in Annenberg Hall. But, the experience is very expensive and it WILL NOT increase your overall chances to the college. </p>
<p>That said, if a high school student takes a Harvard summer school class that is taught by a Harvard professor, and that class has a limited enrollment (15 students or less) where the professor can get to know you as a student, and you do extremely well in that class (A+ work), a professor MIGHT agree to write you a recommendation to the college. I know there are a lot of “if’s and might’s” in that sentence – but it does happen, and it has helped some students get a leg up in the process.</p>
<p>The reality though is that Harvard Summer school classes are real college classes compressed into a tight time frame. Because the classes cover the same amount of material in half the amount of time, the work load is significant; some classes expect students to read 400 to 500 pages of material a week, with a paper due every class. Very few high school students can keep up with the work and get A+'s, let alone get a recommendation from their professor.</p>
<p>If you do incredibly well in the classes you will impress the Admissions Office, considering the class is so difficult, but very few people will excel considering all of the work which needs to be done</p>
<p>I have heard that the acceptance rate is about 60 percent but I may be wrong</p>