<p>I’ve heard a lot of how important the essays are in deciding if you’re in or not, but what exactly are they looking for in the essay? I understand that there are many ways to approach the essays, but I’d just like to know some of the topics commonly wrote about by those who got in.</p>
<p>Will being in-state help my admissions chances? Or are there just more Michigan applicants?<br>
Also, when I looked on the website, the picture of the participants last year sure looked diverse. Is there an affirmative action plan at hshsp?</p>
<p>asdfjkl; I am waiting and counting the days until I am in the right grade to apply. So close. Good luck to you guys though :)</p>
<p>I was an hshsper last summer and absolutely loved it! The research aspect of this camp is really top-notch. Once you get in, Dr. Richmond sends you a list of 40ish projects to rank. There are a LOT of biology projects, a good number of chemistry projects, and a couple physics and computer science projects. Unlike a lot of other research camps, everyone gets their own individual project, and most people are the only hshsper in their lab. This means you can submit to Siemens and Intel research competitions. In the past, many hshspers have been successful in these competitions. However, don’t go to hshsp just so you can win a research competition. Many projects fail (like mine). In the end, I still got a great research experience, a positive recommendation letter, and most importantly, a memorable summer spent with awesome people. Compared to other camps, hshsp gives you a lot of freedom. You are allowed to roam campus and ride the bus/take a taxi to places as you please. It’s <em>almost</em> like being a college student except there is a 10pm curfew that is somewhat enforced.
Admission tips: Obviously, it really helps to have good standardized test scores, gpa, and teacher recommendations. The best tip I got from a former hshsper was to write the essays like a college application essay. I found looking up successful college essays online to be very helpful since I had no idea what they were supposed to be like. For my first essay, I wrote about my changing views on the role of scientists and what interested me in genetics. For my second essay, I wrote about why Pi Patel’s open-minded approach to learning about new religions (from the book Life of PI) was interesting to me.
I’m not sure if there is a preference for in-state applicants. 7/30 were from MI, but I didn’t notice an achievement gap between in-state and out-of-state students. I think hshsp is just better known in MI. I don’t think there is an affirmative action plan at hshsp since there was a large number of asian girls. Hope this helped. Good luck!</p>
<p>Also, if anyone is interested, here are the early action results from the HSHSPers who applied EA or SCEA somewhere:</p>
<p>Harvard: 3
Princeton: 1
Yale: 3
MIT: 4
UChicago: 2</p>
<p>And there are still regular decisions to go! Of course, don’t apply to HSHSP because you think it will get you into a top school. Do it because you love science and want to know if research is something you want to continue with in college and/or a career.</p>
<p>What approach did you take in writing your essays to explain how you “love science and want to know if research is something you want to continue?” I’m having a hard time getting my essays started and would appreciate other pointers. Thanks!</p>
<p>hey there kaepernick, I was an hshsper last summer too (and agree with everything hcsa44 said :D).
My advice for the essays is to just be genuine. Think back to how you actually got interested in science, and how you display that interest today. One of the most amazing things about the kids I met at HSHSP was how excited they all were about science, and if you describe the activities you do that show you’re really into it too, you’ll be a great fit for the program.
For example, I wrote about robotics and how my experience as part of my high school robotics team has really shaped my passion for engineering, and that activity provides my foundation in science overall.
If you don’t do any science-oriented extracurricular activities, try thinking about your science classes and maybe how you can see the concepts you learn in class applying to the world around you.
Hope this helps! :)</p>
<p>I have a problem…
I just recently learned about HSHSP, and it sounds awesome!
The problem is that I dont have an ACT or SAT score to submit yet.
I only have a PSAT score. I am planning on taking the February 8th ACT, but I am not sure that I will get my score back in time. Is there anyway I can submit my score later that March 15th, or am I in trouble?</p>
<p>@feynmanfan: Hey there (great name btw!). You should be fine if you have a PSAT score to submit. Updating the score later shouldn’t be a problem. </p>
<p>Something you may want to consider is taking a few SAT Subject Tests (one math and one science should suffice). Most participants last year had a few good Subject Test scores to their name (though you can certainly get in without them).</p>
<p>@feynmanfan I took ACT last year on Feb 9th and got the score in time to send it out on March 15th. I would include every score report that is good in your application. If you have great ACT, SAT Subject Test, and AP scores, send them all! It doesn’t cost any extra money, and you just have to print out or make a copy of the unofficial score report.</p>
<p>Go as in-detail as you like and don’t be too worried about the essay word limit. I got in and had the summer of a lifetime at HSHSP last year but my essays were about 150-200 words over on average.</p>
<p>It says that I have to get a rec from teachers I “recently had”. Does that mean no freshman teachers? Because I really wanted to ask my freshman bio teacher for a rec, since he really liked me.</p>
<p>Can we get recs from previous research mentors?</p>
<p>Cthulukiller001 and Kaepernick, I didn’t hear of anybody turning in freshman teacher recs or previous research mentor recs. I would email Dr. Richmond and ask. However, junior/sophomore teacher recommendations from higher level math/science classes would definitely be better than a teacher recommendation from a freshman biology teacher.</p>
<p>Lol.
I have been really busy with school since January, so applying for HSHSP completely slipped my mind :(.
Is it too late to start my application?</p>
<p>Also, how many books did you guys have on your book list?</p>
<p>Oh I have a question as well. The application says that you need an “official” standardized test score report, but how do I legitly get off of CollegeBoard for my SAT? I have PSAT/Subject Tests/AP’s already on my transcript.</p>
<p>How competitive are the SATs and GPAs for this program?</p>
<p>^From what I’ve heard it’s pretty competitive. Seems to be that you need a good SAT and GPA before other stuff is considered (disclaimer: this is just my speculation). </p>
<p>I forgot to tell my teacher to include phone number and email in rec letter, is this a bad thing? Like would it hurt my chances if my teacher didn’t include phone number and email?</p>
<p>What type of book are you guys writing about for the essay? Is it better for it to be a science/non-fic book?</p>