<p>Real quick...do you have to have an astronomy background, like know alot about it beforehand?</p>
<p>Also, is having taken Physics, Calculus, Programming, Astronomy classes beforehand important for being accepted/considered?</p>
<p>Thanks, in advance!! =)</p>
<p>no, you do not necisarily need an astronomy background. and that goes for the other subjects as well; you do not NEED to be exelent in ALL of these, but if you are it would really be helpful. </p>
<p>ssp is really amazing! you should definately apply, even if you dont think you will be accepted and if the program seems perfect for you. just dont expect to get much sleep while you are there...</p>
<p>Thank you for your insightful post. It really helped!!</p>
<ul>
<li>mrniceguy</li>
</ul>
<p>Actually, I have one more question:</p>
<p>What do you need to put on the application and what helps increase one's chances for acceptance??</p>
<p>first let me apologize in advance for being so verbose, although i could have written a lot omre about ssp
hmm, to answer your question about what needs to be on the application, obviously all the stuff that the application asks for, which does not include awards
The ssp application process is pretty special; they don't care as much about scores or grades (although is you have amazing scores or grades, it will help a lot). Instead, they take time to carefully look over each application and analyze the person's own qualities and characteristics. If you aren't a science allstar, you should still apply, because they will take you if you are truly interested in learning science or are a good student who wants to spend the summer doing something worthwhile.
The cool thing about ssp is that they assemble a group of all kinds of people (just like most colleges). The majority of people who get in show interest in astronomy and/or have a background in astronomy. However, there are also the usual outstanding students with great grades and test scores, and there are also people who have interesting life experiences.
I would say that there are a couple ways of getting in. One way is to have participated in something that shows your interest in science, particularly in physics or astronomy. The program needs students to help other students (who may not have taken physics yet) out with the more advanced homework. Another way is to have an interesting life story that you can delineate in your application. You share 6 weeks with this group of people, and it really helps if people have stories to tell. This way the program isn't filled with your average science geeks, but instead with people who have all types of experiences. Another thing i've noticed is that as the program starts employing the use of computer programming more and more often, they need more proficient computer programmers to help other students out as well. Finally, you can obviously be a perfect all-rounded student, but this will probably work less often.</p>
<p>So basically, since I am a sophomore (juniors are preferred), and I have not even taken the Physics classes at my high school, or even anything computer-related (other than typing), my chances are going to be pretty slim.</p>
<p>The only significant science-related award I have received is a national medal (4th place) in my eighth grade year (Science Olympiad). However, the event has nothing to do with physics or astronomy.</p>
<p>Also, I have a couple of state medals from 8th and 9th grade year.</p>
<p>Do I even stand any chance?</p>
<p>Are your grades good? Have you taken any AP/SATs yet? If so, what'd you get on them?</p>
<p>Grades are pretty good. I haven't taken any APs yet but I did take the SAT I in 8th grade (I have PMed you my score) =/</p>
<p>Competition for sophomores is REALLY tough. If you're a sophomore, I think you will either have had to take numerous APs and scored well on the SAT if you have already taken it. Good grades are a must. Most importantly, you need the one extrcurricular activity or participation in a special astronomy-related program to give you a "hook."
And if you do decide to apply, apply during their early application slot.</p>
<p>Hey.. I've heard a lot of good stuff about SSP but the thing is that I am not intersted in Astronomy. I plan to major in Mechanical Engineering..Do you guys think its still worth it or I should check out other summer programs?</p>
<p>thanks</p>
<p>apply to ssp! you wont regret it! inless you get into rsi, there is no other better place to go.</p>
<p>as for the application, perhaps emphisise how hard working you are and how you take your own initiative (taught yourself stuff, done research, etc.)
and it is still possible for sophmores to get in, there were several this year including me. ;-) and really, DO submit your application for the earlyer deadline.</p>
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Competition for sophomores is REALLY tough. If you're a sophomore, I think you will either have had to take numerous APs and scored well on the SAT if you have already taken it
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<p>At least three of them did Siemens Westinghouse (the ones I know from collegeconfidential). </p>
<p>I'm a SSP sophomore rejectee who got 213 PSAT, AIME qualification, several team math awards, 790 SAT II Chem, 800 SAT II Math IIC, self-studied 3 APs that were mentioned in app (though I ended up doing 4 on my own), and was already taking both calculus and C++. While I probably wasn't exceptional enough in the first place due to a lack of extremely prestigious awards, the main killer may have been my disclosure of a mental illness. Nonetheless, I landed an astronomy research opportunity at the local university afterwards, although the rejection was so emotionally devastating to me that I dropped out of high school so I'm ineligible for SSP this year and won't be applying.</p>
<p>The website clearly emphasizes that you don't need to love astronomy. </p>
<p>Also, note that SSP was much more competitive last year than it was in previous years.</p>
<p>gahhh, I meant INtel Science Talent Search, not Siemens Westinghouse.</p>
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gahhh, I meant INtel Science Talent Search, not Siemens Westinghouse.
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<p>Actually, Intel Science and Engineering Fair. For some reason I got really embarrassed when I realized I said Siemens so I quickly changed it to the first word I associated with Intel which was the Intel STS.</p>
<p>SSP is gonna get crazy competitve this year w/ the closing of SHARP and all</p>
<p>Hey tennisdude, what did you do over the summer?</p>