<p>i want to apply to harvard summer school but if i do get in, i will have no way of paying for it. do they offer pretty good aid?</p>
<p>they won't cover all of it for you, but I think you could get 60-70% covered, and pay only 1200 or something.</p>
<p>Questbridge offers winners full scholarships for Harvard SSP. But its really competitive (from what I can tell) because only 6 of hundreds of applicants get picked. But the scholarship is really designed for low-income minorities.</p>
<p>How much does Harvard Summer School help in a college application - both for US and UK universities?</p>
<p>Hey everyone,</p>
<p>I've been reading up about the Harvard Summer Program, and I'm curious to know a bit more about the admissions process.</p>
<p>I understand that the acceptance rate is quite low, apparently around 20% (correct me if I'm wrong), and I wanted to know what they're looking for in the students that they accept.</p>
<p>I'm an international student, ranked 2nd in the class. I'm currently taking the GCSEs, and have just scored 9A*, 1A and 1B in my mocks, just to give you a rough indication of what the range of my actual results may be. Will I need to send any of these scores in? I also took the PSAT, but I scored quite low, as I was completely unprepared, and decided just before the exam that I wanted to take it. Will I need to send this score in my application, because I really don't feel that it reflects upon my potential!!</p>
<p>Also, are they looking for someone with decent extracarriculars etc.? Will this be a bit like a college application where I need to send in an essay and my transcripts?</p>
<p>Last question is, will this program help in my university applications - both to the UK and US?</p>
<p>Lots of questions, but I would appreciate any answers...</p>
<p>By the way, I'm not actually planning on applying this year. It's for next year, but I wanted to learn a little bit about the program first.</p>
<p>Ummm...honestly i dont mean to really burst your bubble, but the Harvard SSP program is not really at all competitive. About 50% get in. But then again, you also have to realize that every person that applies is in the same credential pool as others. No one applies if they know they don't have a high GPA, good recs, and extras. They also love international students. They really try to make the summer a great "diversifying" experience so they choose many students from all around the world. I met people from germany, italy, china, france, and saudi arabia. </p>
<p>The program is not intended to be something colleges get extremely excited about to see on a transcript. The program would definitely show that you wanted a good challenging summer rather than a summer that was completely wasteful. But you shouldn't go to the program to get into Harvard; from what I've heard only very very few have actually been accepted to Harvard after going to the program. It's also intended to give you a field for the college world and the ivy. Many of the classes are also taught by Harvard's regular professors, so it's pretty much the actual thing. I took the Harvard chemistry course and loved it. I mean I really had to work hard. It was the hardest class I had ever taken but the work was worth it and every moment I spent there during the summer was just wonderful!</p>
<p>
Ummm...honestly i dont mean to really burst your bubble, but the Harvard SSP program is not really at all competitive. About 50% get in. But then again, you also have to realize that every person that applies is in the same credential pool as others. No one applies if they know they don't have a high GPA, good recs, and extras. They also love international students. They really try to make the summer a great "diversifying" experience so they choose many students from all around the world. I met people from germany, italy, china, france, and saudi arabia.</p>
<p>The program is not intended to be something colleges get extremely excited about to see on a transcript. The program would definitely show that you wanted a good challenging summer rather than a summer that was completely wasteful. But you shouldn't go to the program to get into Harvard; from what I've heard only very very few have actually been accepted to Harvard after going to the program. It's also intended to give you a field for the college world and the ivy. Many of the classes are also taught by Harvard's regular professors, so it's pretty much the actual thing. I took the Harvard chemistry course and loved it. I mean I really had to work hard. It was the hardest class I had ever taken but the work was worth it and every moment I spent there during the summer was just wonderful!
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<p>Don't worry, you haven't burst my bubble! Thanks for the prompt response. I'm more concerned about the experience the the appeal that this program has to colleges ;)</p>
<p>It seems that everyone who has attended this program has had a wonderful and memorable experience that has given them a taste of the atmosphere, and that's exactly what I'm looking for! I also live in Italy, and hopefully I will be able to add to that cultural diversity ;)</p>
<p>SSP is fairly easy to get into. My class rank is 16/515 and I was accepted . I wrote a killer essay and was admitted a week after my application was submitted. You do not need SAT scores to get in, just send in what they ask of you.
However, If you plan on attending University in the UK I do not think they will accept the credits you will obtain from Harvard but I may be wrong. They are looking for "academically motivated students". If you think those scores will demonstrate your motivation, then send them it. The questions you are asking are answered on the SSP website. And don't expect to get a leg up on the admissions process for Harvard College. I know a girl who attended SSP for two years and was rejected for full time enrolment. However, you can get an interview with an admissions officer if you are qualified enough. The role SSP plays in the admissions process is still unclear.</p>
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<p>I see, but is the course something that I can mention to universities in the UK as one of my experiences? Also, I now understand that I will need to write an essay. What will this essay need to cover - will I be talking about myself and my achievements or will I just talk about anything that's important to me that's related to what I will be studying? Also, how long will it need to be, and is it something that will require a considerable amount of time and attention?</p>
<p>Thanks</p>
<p>Yes, it will strengthen your application to other universities IF you do well in them. A C+ is not going to impress admissions officers in the UK. If you excel in these courses it will demonstrate your maturity and readiness for college level work. My essay was fictional, two pages but very eloquent. From what I understand, the essay and questions on the supplementary application they ask you are very important. However, I spent only 30 minutes answering the questions and 1 week on the essay but I am naturally good at expressing myself quickly. The acceptance letter they send you makes Harvard sound like a theme park. I am still considering whether I should attend.</p>
<p>Sounds interesting. I think I'll give it a shot for next year. How hard is the course that you do there itself?</p>
<p>I'm going to be taking IB with Maths, Physics and Economics at higher level next year, so how will the things I study at the course compare to the ones I do at school for the IB? Will they be much harder, because I know that maths and physics higher at IB are already considerably challenging. I want to do a course that is challenging, but not so much that I stress out and get a crappy grade!</p>
<p>Bumpity Bump</p>
<p>Anyone?</p>
<p>The classes are very difficult considering they are curved with classes full of kids in the top 10% of their grades. I studied linguistics. It is also very expensive, I only took one class and paid 5K after dorming fees etc, but I would definitely do it all over again. </p>
<p>As for selectivity, my mentor told me it was somewhat selective with around 1 in 4 getting in. I remember reading about rejections here on CC last year. The essay plays a tremendous role. They love diversity, too.</p>
<p>--Edit--
SciFry: Compared to my AP classes I'd say it was slightly more difficult. Definitely manageable but these really are Harvard level classes. I wouldn't suggest taking more than two at a time.</p>
<p>I don't know whether I should Work/Volunteer or attend Harvard SSP.
I'm currently a junior in high school. Which can help boost my college resume the greatest?</p>
<p>My son took Arabic last year at the Harvard SUmmer School. 8 weeks, 4 hours a day, 5 days a week, $8000+. He loved the experience and did very well. He applied for admission to Harvard and did not get in. He did not take the course in order to get into the school. He does plan to continue with Arabic in his new school in September. As a parent, I thought it was a way for him to experience college life for a shorter period of time.</p>
<p>Thanks for all the information, It's really helpful and I appreciate it!</p>
<p>Did any former SSP student have an interview with an admissions officer? What were the requirements and how did it go?</p>
<p>No it does not. End of story.</p>
<p>Not in the least.</p>
<p>Attending Harvard SSP does not help at all.</p>