<p>How hard is it to pass chemistry? Is it really time consuming and stressful?</p>
<p>well it depends on your background in chemistry i think. Last year, the people that i knew who took chemistry had a hard time. they were constantly studying, and reviewing, and always stressed because of topic tests. i think they felt that their professor wasn't very helpful. but don't worry, washu has tutors that can help you review: cornerstone. my friend got a fellow washu student to help him out, and he passed.</p>
<p>if you like chemistry, you should take it. but take it knowing that the course is hard, and that you'll need to work hard. it's not impossible at all though!</p>
<p>Mjinsoo- Thanks for your responses! Everybody who has previously attended HSSP seems like they really enjoyed it. Was there anybody at HSSP last year who didnt enjoy their time at the program? Did anybody go the loop during the week? Are there any must-have items for HSSP? Sorry for all the questions. Thanks in advance!</p>
<p>I actually don't know anyone who didn't enjoy their time there. it might seem a bit overwhelming at first, but i dont' think anyone regretted the experience because it's really incredible!</p>
<p>we occasionally went to the loop during the week. it's about 20 min walking distance, i would say? and so it's pretty near and you can go there to shop or eat ice cream. </p>
<p>as for must have items... hmm i'm trying to think what i used the most, but i can't think of any! but i will tell you bring about half the amount of clothes you are plannign to bring!! i think most of us overpacked and it sucked really haha, i didn't use 1/3 of my clothes! sunglasses?? oh, ipod and speakers are pretty useful when you're hanging out in the dorm rooms. some people brought their own laptop; it's not necessary because there was a computer lab on the first floor, but you can bring it if you want. other than that, i can't really think of any must-have items. oh! a camera is a must! :)</p>
<p>mjinsoo- You are my new favorite person. I know I'm going to end up overpacking. How much spending money did you bring? Once again thanks for your tips and I'll hopefully see you this summer!</p>
<p>haha, funny story actually. i think i brought about 300?? or no 400?? i was flying internationally, so it cost me alot more since i had 3 different stopovers and basically flew for 30 hours total. sooo, i think i spent like 100 dollars at teh airport esp with the shoppping! haha. um, actually i needed my parents to send me over some more money by teh last week of the program. i spent alot of money on food (other than the ones you can get with the WashU card), and i went shopping ALOT, and ate out alot. so i did spend alot more than i expected.</p>
<p>you just have to ration your money wisely. oh also, it was my bday during the program, so we had a fancy dinner which really cost alot haha. and since i usually stayed up till 3 or 4 in teh morning chilling, we eneded up ordering pizza or casa dilla late every night.</p>
<p>any other questions feel free to ask me, i love talking about hssp haha. Hope to see you this summer!</p>
<p>How are the dorms? Are they clean?</p>
<p>Well, the dorms that I stayed in, Forsyth, was really clean. I stayed in the new dorms so it was extra clean. They didn't want us to post anything on the walls without a special tape that doesnt rip out the paint. We had our own bathroom that we shared with another suitemate/room. the rooms were big for a dorm, and it was clean and spacious. and during the week, ther ewould be helpers who helped clean the common rooms etc. they were so nice!</p>
<p>Thanks a million for the info! I'm kind of worried about physics, though--how many people actually took it last year? </p>
<p>Here's another question: In the information packet that I got, it said that students should bring sheets, a pillow, a blanket, or a comforter. That seems like it would take up a lot of space in a suitcase...how did you get your stuff there?</p>
<p>as for physics... i can only remember a few people who took it. one of them was a friend loveddd physics, and she took it and she seemed to have an good time doing that class. I think maybe 3-5 people took it last year? </p>
<p>well, i was actually really lucky; i was the only international student, and WashU provides free beddings, and blankets etc for international students so i didn't have to bring any. My roommate was from st.louis so she had no trouble with that. if you're flying in, i'm trying to think, they all just stuffed it in their suitcases. I think alot of people ended up bringing 2 suitcases because of that. one for everything, and one for the bed. but you'll need the blanket or the comforter, the dorms have airconditioning in the rooms (our controller in our room broke so we basically froze to death every night haha)</p>
<p>hope this helped! sorry i couldn't answer your question fully!</p>
<p>How many people take chemistry?</p>
<p>i'm not sure... i know more people took chemistry than physics. there wre actually alot more than i thought. maybe like 7-11?</p>
<p>How stressful are the days? How much freedom are you given? Is there access to TV's? How is the surrounding area?</p>
<p>they days are usually not that stressful. I think it depends on how well your high school prepares you. I come from a school that is really academically driven, and I do the IB diploma, so i found the workload the same amount as my IB classes. There are some nights that you have to stay up and work a bit more, and some nights where you don't have any work. just make sure to NOT PROCRASTINATE. it really hurts you later then. and midterms and finals are teh stressful times but they turn out ok. our RAs cooked pancakes for us at night during the finals. it was so good.</p>
<p>freedom wise, i think you're probably given themost freedom for a high school program. you can do whatever you want,and whenever you want most of the time. there are group activities that you can join as well, so that still helps you to bond together. curfew was at 11 on weeknights and 12 at weekends for us. i think you'll find that you can really experience college life here while still having some boundaries.</p>
<p>there was a huge TV downstairs in the common area in the dorms. But i don't know if you'll stay in the same dorms. Some people brought their own TVs but personally i don't think it's necessary. you'll be so busy working and hanging out wiht your friends, TV isn't even an option! haha alot of times, we just watched videos/DVDs on teh big TV downstairs</p>
<p>the surrounding area is nice. there is the Loop, which i aleady talked about, and it's really awesome; a nice place to just hang otu with your friends. there are different restaurants, and shopping areas. Also they have central west end whcih is more culturally diverse i think, and it's so cute! and the Hill, which is liek a "little italy". There are buses provided from WashU that takes you to different areas outside of WashU and you use that to get around. There are blue emergency phones even in the surrounding areas so you're pretty safe. There is also a mall, Galleria, and you can watch a movie there or shop. and the Forest Park!! go there, and use that wisely, there are a TON of things to do there!! seriously, you won't have time to do everythign! i only got to see a part of st.louis. :)</p>
<p>I'm thinking of bringing a laptop to the program...how much does internet cost?</p>
<p>I was thinking of that also. I have an ibook. Are macs compatible with the network and how do you access the internet (wireless or wired)?</p>
<p>alot of people brought laptops actually. i'm not sure how much it cost since neither me or my roommate brought one, but there was a meeting about it. I think it was around $30+. it depended on how long you wanted the internet connection for (1 month or less, or 1month or more kind of thing).</p>
<p>macs are definitely compatible with the network. there is also macs in teh computer lab if you're more used to apple. i'm not sure but i think it's wired. but don't take my word for it, there are areas where you can do wireless though i think.</p>
<p>your questions probably better for the program coordinators :)</p>
<p>On the weekends what is the schedule like?</p>
<p>let's see.. during the weekends, you're pretty free to do whatever you feel like. there's always something planned every weekend but it takes up half a day or sometimes a full day depending on what it is. you just hang out with your friends and are free to do what you like. you definitely do need to take time studying though, but it's fun because you still can do it while being with your friends. there's also a pool at washu and sometimes we went there. and a gym. really it's just time for you to d whatever you want. sleep, go out, read etc. :)</p>
<p>Did anyone recieve a list of students in the mail yet? I was looking at it and it seemed that there were fewer than 75 students attending...but that's just an estimate.</p>
<p>It's amazing that a week from today we'll be there!</p>