<p>I'm applying to SSP and NJ Governor's School for the Sciences. Given the choice to attend both, which would you select and why?</p>
<p>NJ gov school, because everyone knows about it, and it's hard to get in.</p>
<p>I went to NJ Gov School and both my brothers went to SSP. IMO, SSP isn't half as selective as NJ Gov school, and it's also more costly. </p>
<p>NJ Gov School was definitely worth it. You meet people from nearby - and many end up going to school with you. I know 5 or 6 people from my gov school who are now attending college with me.</p>
<p>Which would YOU attend?</p>
<p>If you want to do astronomy, do SSP. If you don't, do Governor's school. Summer programs have essentially no relevance to college applications if that's what you're worried about. It's idiotic to waste a summer doing something you don't want to do because you think it will look good as a single line on a college application.</p>
<p>If you're applying to Caltech, not "everyone is going to know about" Governor's school, SSP is more familiar. If you apply to Princeton, the opposite may hold true. Colleges are not an important factor when deciding how to spend your summer. Gosh, should I go to a program becuase it's more selective? Why don't I just make a list of the colleges with the lowest acceptance rates and apply to them? I'll sure have a better time at the colleges that take less people! It doesn't work like that. Choose a program you think you'll enjoy spending your summer doing. I know people who have had a good time at both SSP and Governor's school, but they were very different kinds of people.</p>
<p>What was that rant about?</p>
<p>Both SSP and NJGS science have physics and math, but SSP's physics/math seems more rigorous and stimulating. However, NJGS also offers courses in chemistry and biology. Also, NJGS is free as opposed to $3000. I guess NJGS seems more appealing at this moment.</p>
<p>uhh i went to New Jersey Gov. School in the Sciences and I took physics & math courses. The math was actually VERY stimulating...it was mostly number theory and crazy stuff. The physics was pretty cool- selected advanced topics. My team project was in celestial mechanics so it was pretty intense. We had to derive all the laws of spherical trigonometry, translate planar trigonometry into spherical, make a sundial, derive keplers laws, etc. NJGSS was amazing. Basically everyone there was brilliant.</p>
<p>kanem07, can I know your stats when you got admitted to GS??
wow i really hv no idea how the other candidates are gonna be like...</p>
<p>i go to a small public school in Bergen C. & im a minority..
it's my second year in US cuz im an international student
the prob is i didnt do well on PSAT this year.. [like 1800ish?]
my gpa's like 4.7...im not valedictorian but i rank 2nd..
A+ in AP Calc and AP Stats, and an A in Chem H...and i hv held various leadership positions in science/ math clubs & Honor society..</p>
<p>what do u think my chances are?</p>
<p>i think you have a great shot since you're already taking AP calc & stat + leadership...your PSATs come into play i know but mainly just your math score probably. i didnt do as well on my PSATs as on my SATs. i got 214 on PSAT junior year i think (80 on math). as long as you did well on the math section plus if you did well on any science/math SAT IIs you should send them. uhh im not exactly sure what my stats were when i applied BUT i will let you know what my stats are soon. i'm really busy lately with apps- im waiting on princeton ED so my stats will need to be posted within the weed on the princeton forum for the ED results thread. when i fathom the courage to post all my stats ill be sure to let you know pikachu. GOOD LUCK :)</p>
<p>btw what town are you from in bergen county, because i'm from glen rock. also- it depends what minority you are when dealing with advantages. im pretty sure minority status plays basically no role in NJGSS admission. i know this b/c the majority of kids were indian or asian, 1 hispanic, no african americans or american indians, and a good number of whites. i doubt URM had anything to do with admission</p>
<p>thx for the reply! :P my town's near to Leonia lol i live in ridgefield.
i tried out for Columbia SHP in my sophomore year but got rejected cuz they didnt add any special weight to my GPA from my freshman year, which came out to be like 3.8... [i am from asia] oh well. lol. who knowz...GOOD LUCK 2... princeton? that's so cool!!</p>
<p>Just from my experience (NJGSS 05), most people there had extremely good PSAT scores. It plays a huge role, though genuine interest in science and other academic achievements will certainly bring you quite far as well.</p>
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<p>Just a heads up.</p>
<p>Beginning in 2007, the NJ Governor's School is **NO LONGER FREE OF CHARGE<a href="due%20to%20the%20esteemed%20Mr.%20Corzine">/b</a>. Tuition is estimated at $3500 per family, unless an obscene amount of private donations is found. Need-based scholarships will be offered.</p>
<p>With that said, Gov. School was the best four weeks of my life. You'll meet a crazy amount of insanely intelligent people and develop ridiculously strong friendships. Plus, Jeremy Tang will be there. Isn't that reason enough?</p>
<p><a href="http://www.nj.gov/govschool/FAQ.htm%5B/url%5D">http://www.nj.gov/govschool/FAQ.htm</a></p>
<p>last updated Nov. 6, 2006.</p>
<p>We got private funding again. Full scholarships to all schools.
Hooray.</p>
<p>Merry Christmas!
Happy New Year.</p>
<p>Not really quite sure about the validity of that FAQ.</p>
<p>The Sciences website states that private funds are still needed. </p>
<p><a href="http://www.depts.drew.edu/govschl/%5B/url%5D">http://www.depts.drew.edu/govschl/</a></p>
<p>(Word to the wise: finish college applications before winter break begins.)</p>
<p>Happy holidays!</p>