<p>so did anyone apply there, i mailed my piece in today, does anyone know how hard the test is?</p>
<p>copied and pasted from the last thread:</p>
<p>Breakdown of the test:
-Ridiculously easy math section; no reason to get a single question wrong
-mehhhish science section. I took the test as a freshman, so I didn't know any of the physics or chemistry (didn't know what a mole was), but you should be able to reason out the earth science stuff. If you're a freshman like I was, I would brush up on the bare basics of chemistry and physics. If you care enough, I suppose you can study a lot of each science, as these are know-it-or-you-don't questions more than reasoning.
-challenge math section: this is what will get you in. The questions are AMCish, but you don't have to know as much math. It's all reasoning. Perhaps try practicing on AMC questions? I don't see how these questions can be prepared for.</p>
<p>One thing to note is that the test is curved according to your grade level. That means that it is much, much easier to get in as a freshman than as a senior. Everyone be sure to apply as a freshman - the program is incredible. It's well worth the commute.</p>
<p>Then again, I think the admissions process has evolved quite a bit in three years. All I did was send in my math/science grades, a math/science rec, and I took the test. No essay. I'm guessing that Columbia wants to evolve SHP into an RSI equivalent. And why not? It attracts smart math/science kids to the school and, if it keeps on growing, it'll provide a discriminating factor to sort out all of the briliant kids that come out of northern NJ/NYC/Southwestern CT. (I sincerely hope)</p>
<p>On another note, does anyone know how much of a factor SHP is for getting into SEAS? They're are ~250 seniors in it, and nearly all of them that don't get in early somewhere will be applying to Columbia. Any guess as to the admission rate for SHPers?</p>
<p>umm, they've done an essay since the 60's for SHP</p>
<p>I know this because I know that Gregory Chaitin (who invented the field of algoritmic information theory), came up with the basic idea as part of his essay app for SHP.</p>
<p>SHP is NOT like RSI (as I understand RSI to be), though they serve similar purposes</p>
<p>Whatever the case may be, I am 100% positive I never wrote an essay to get into SHP, and neither did the other person from my school who has been doing SHP.</p>
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On another note, does anyone know how much of a factor SHP is for getting into SEAS? They're are ~250 seniors in it, and nearly all of them that don't get in early somewhere will be applying to Columbia. Any guess as to the admission rate for SHPers?
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<p>The stats on SHP alums and the undergraduate schools at Columbia don't exist... but I can tell you that it will always look good to have a selective program on your resume.</p>