<p>Does going to SSP (<a href="http://www.summerscience.org%5B/url%5D">www.summerscience.org</a>) really give you an edge when applying to CalTech? I received a letter in the mail saying "if you go to SSP, you should apply to CalTech." Does anyone know how this program compares to Nasa SHARPS and RSI?</p>
<p>Thanks,</p>
<p>--Alex</p>
<p>SSP is a great program. One of my students did it last summer, learned a lot, and had a great time. It is less selective than RSI. I don't know about Nasa SHARPS. Is that one of the ones just for minorities?</p>
<p>You should try to get into the best program for you and not worry about getting an edge at any particular school.</p>
<p>Yeah, I don't know about NASA SHARPS. There was a list of the best summer programs and the first three were: 1. RSI, 2. NASA SHARPS, 3. SSP. If I am accepted, I wouldn't go just to make my college app. look better, I would go because that is what I am interested in. I have heard that RSI is almost guaranteed admission to MIT and/or CalTech, and was just wondering if this was similar, seeing how they accept 36 students for the summer.</p>
<p>Thanks for your help.</p>
<p>"One of my students did it last summer, learned a lot, and had a great time."</p>
<p>What subject(s) do you teach?</p>
<p>I "coach" a math team (it's mostly administrative).</p>
<p>I was reading some of your earlier posts and you said that your son got into MIT. What were his stats if you don't mind me asking?</p>
<p>Ah yes, SSP. I am completely obsessed with getting into it, and I'm basing my entire self-esteem on getting in. I've already e-mailed the admissions officer more than 5 times, to the point in which I think I'm annoying him. =/ It's a great program for starting up too - if you haven't been fortunate enough to find any research opportunities and go to a school where science is not necessarily valued very much - then it's the easiest of the prestigious programs to get to. Then you get connections and actual hands-on research. If I don't get into the program, then it's certain I'm going into the local state university for early entrance next year.</p>
<p>It's much easier getting in SSP than into RSI or NASA SHARP. RSI only accepts around 7% of applicants; NASA SHARP accepts 10%, while SSP accepts over 50% (for some reason, not very many people apply to SSP). Unlike NASA SHARP, SSP is one of the few summer programs that does not give preference to underrepresented minorities. </p>
<p>SSP actually sends the plurality of its alumni to Caltech, but since it's not terribly competitive, it won't necessarily grant you free admission. On the other hand, it gives huge boosts: you now have actual research and Caltech now knows that you've spent your summer for a worthwhile purpose. If you have strong stats in other areas, it will get you in.</p>
<p>If anyone has any more info, I'd really be happy to take it. I know someone who took it last year (without super-amazing stats as well, and I am without those too) and am absolutely determined to get into it.</p>
<hr>
<p>By the way, the person who I know who got in didn't even fill in the optional application supplement.</p>
<p>Also, if anyone here chances upon this thead, can anyone give me a rough idea of my admission chances?</p>
<p>PSAT: 213 (76 math)
Math IIC: 800</p>
<p>Grades:</p>
<p>Calculus: probable A
Chemistry: A- or B+, it looks like. I'm taking the SAT II Chemistry to make up for a poor grade. So easy to make sig fig stupid mistakes. I'm correcting them at last, but it may be too late to save them.</p>
<p>Past two summers: taking math courses, went from just starting algebra in 8th grade to calculus in 10th. </p>
<p>Recs: I think one good one from calc teacher; but I lost my temper twice in my chemistry class and don't know about my chem teacher.</p>
<p>Essay: I honestly don't know if I should write about my passion in science (but this may weaken me because I didn't do anything in 9th grade) or about some future endeavor that I'm trying to do. I'm definitely going to try for DuPont.</p>
<p>Ok, some omissions:</p>
<p>C++ (almost definite A)</p>
<p>9th grade: Advanced ALg/Trig A/A-
Physical Science (no choce) A/A
SUmmer: Pre-Calculus: A</p>
<p>Also, can a mention of Asperger's Syndrome (mild autism) help or hurt? I'm not mentioning it, but it may be disclosed in one of the teacher recommendations (since the app asks for "any possible concerns about attending a residential summer program") After all, it's been long suspected that Newton and Einstein have it; but it may affect performance on a summer program.</p>
<p>sounds like you're a stronger candidate than my student who got in, but I'm not sure that's helpful since girls may be assessed differently. I wouldn't mention the Asberger's.</p>
<p>do you do USACO? If not, you really should with that A in C++.
<a href="http://www.usaco.org%5B/url%5D">www.usaco.org</a></p>
<p>i went to SSP last summer and recently got into caltech EA (probable correlation... possible causation?). here's my take on the program: it's not very hard to get into, but once you're in, you will work your butt off. i think the admissions advantage (if any) it gives you for caltech is more "i've gone through something like caltech before and survived" and not "i was cool enough to get into this super-competitive program so i should be good enough to get into caltech."
even though SSP's acceptance rate is quite high, the pool is pretty self-selecting, because the people there are pretty darn smart (somewhat extreme example: one of them won the siemens westinghouse competition this year).
if i remember correctly, the top colleges that SSP alums attend (in order of frequency) are caltech, harvard, MIT, stanford and berkeley. also, SSP has what i would call "good relations" with caltech. in fact, it used to be run by caltech (now it's run by SSP alums), and the atmosphere at SSP is not too different from caltech's (small community, collaboration > competition, painful problem sets, etc). though i guess SSP has a more even gender ratio than caltech... =P</p>
<p>innsayneidiot, did you go to Ojai or Socorro? I know a classmate (Jameson Neff SSP '04) who went to Socorro. Also, can you give me your stats please?</p>
<p>I don't think there's any affirmitive action at SSP. It only "encourages" women and underrepresented minorities to apply - but - doesn't specifically say that it boosts their chances. I suppose its connection with Caltech may affect this somewhat. But there are so many girls - that it's hard to believe that SSP doesn't use gender-based affirmitive action. Most colleges that utilize gender-based affirmitive action also utilize minority-based affirmitive action, but there's a possibiity of exceptions.</p>
<p>Yes, I did do the USACO during the second round but didn't do particularly well because the learning curve is particularly steep (as in, you have to use all this new input/output writing code .so I only finished with the first program and submitted that successfully) Hopefully, I'll be much better prepared next round (and should do some self-studying for that too).</p>
<p>The problem with USACO however, is I don't know where I could mention it in the application. SSP doesn't ask for awards or recognition on its application - it only asks for one page of a 300-word optional application supplement - and I'm planning on using that to explain why I'm perfectly compatible with SSP and what got me enthralled instantly once I leanred of this program.</p>
<p>Same with AIME qualification too - I'm definitely aiming to qualify for it this year. ALthough I may have to e-mail them about it - since I'll learn of AIME qualification after I send in my app.</p>
<p>I wonder - if surfing collegeconfidential and AoPS counts as a good investment of time... ^_^</p>
<p>Ok, innsayneidiot, I read through your earlier posts and found them. But how about any awards/other ECs/other summer programs? Any research from elsewhere?</p>
<p>SSP/SHARP helps. Not quite as "ohmigosh" as RSI (which, while not a full guarantee of admission to Harvard/MIT/Caltech, bumps the probability quite a bit) -- but evidence that you used the opportunity to the fullest and came out a more engaged young scientist would definitely help. The recs written by SSP are quite expansive and aren't afraid to point out flaws, so if you perform well and get a glowing rec, it'll mean something.</p>
<p>The main difference from RSI is that even the worst RSI kid probably stands a decent shot at all the schools above, partially because he's still prolly pretty good and secondly because the program has such high standards and so he's probably still achieved quite an excellent record. Mediocre students at SSP/SHARP etc. will be looked at more closely. But going to SSP/SHARP and standing out definitely is a big plus for your app.</p>
<p>Hope that helps.</p>
<p>ANother Q: Does anyone know if Richard Bowdon takes any part in the admission process, or is he just there for answering Q's? (since e-mailing him too frequently might affect my app if he does take part in admissions). </p>
<hr>
<p>ALso, for another example of a person who got in (my classmate's stats): IIRC. He's not as serious as I am so he might forget some of his stats, unlike me, whose every SAT score is memorized for life. ;)</p>
<p>Sophomore from suburban HS with IB who applied before 1st deadline (school is good, but classmates aren't of highest qualityl I have to lecture unzealous students about RSI/NASA SHARP/registering for AIME on both dates).</p>
<p>9th grade: Physical Science A/A
Pre-IB Advanced ALg/Trig: A/A</p>
<p>Summer: PreCalc: A</p>
<p>10th grade: Pre-IB CHem: A
IB Calculus: A</p>
<p>PSAT: He said National Merit scores but I'm not really quite sure - since this year he only scored at 98th percentile composite, which are lower than National Merit scores. </p>
<p>No SAT II's, APs, AIME qualification..</p>
<p>DIdn't fill in anything for the optional application suppleme</p>
<hr>
<p>And if you're a sophomore who got into SSP, you can also use their recs for RSI or NASA SHARP, which would certainly be considred to a higher extent than the flattering rec from the local HS teacher.</p>
<p>to simfish: i went to ojai, so i wouldn't know your classmate.
and actually, i applied as a sophomore, got deferred, and went junior year, so a lot of the stuff on my list weren't factors in their decision.</p>
<p>Hey innsayneidiot, so you went to SSP '04 in Ojai?</p>
<p>To the OP: don't worry too much about admissions to SSP. In all honesty, I think you'll get in. You have better test scores than I did, and your grades are fine. Even on their webpage, they say something like "if you have good grades and you're into science, you'll probably get in."</p>
<p>Also, if you're wondering where to put your extra stuff, just attach an extra sheet and be sure to mention it somewhere on your app. They aren't extremely formal with their application forms, so I don't think they'd mind.</p>
<p>I don't think SSP practices affirmative action either. First off, over 50% of the people there were Chinese, and the rest were mostly white or some other type of Asian. The genders were split evenly, but the girls there were as smart as the guys, so I don't think it was any form of AA that got them in.</p>
<p>And as for it helping for college admissions... probably. A lot of SSP alum go to great schools, but correlation=/=causation.</p>
<p>Lastly, don't worry too much about you annoying Mr. Bowdon. He's a nice guy and it probably takes a lot to get him riled up, and even then I doubt he'd take the annoyance personally and somehow prevent you from getting admitted.</p>
<p>innsayneidiot, you applied to SSP as a soph and got deferred, you're saying? I know that SSP has some sort of wait list; do they notify you if you're placed on a waitlist or something?</p>
<p>Thanks for the comments and for the info, binarystar. :) I was always thinking that I had a good chance of getting in - but then there could be a couple of strikes against me - the primary one being my Asperger's SYndrome and my below-average ability to cope with setbacks that could be revealed in a teacher rec.</p>
<p>Yeah, my concerns about including extra info came from the statement that the app supplement should contain no more than 300 words. Also, this quote from Bowdon:
[quote]
The application reviewers generally don't have time to read submissions
outside of the application itself, but you're welcome to include a URL to a
website containing something you wrote.</p>
<p>Each reviewer decides how much time to spend on each application. I assume
it varies.
[/quote]
</p>
<p>But if each reviewer spends how much time to spend on each app, it really shouldn't hurt to attach awards. But on the other hand, if I don't have many awards, then I probably shouldn't really attach any (which doesn't always imply that I have none if I've filled in the space for other parts of the app), perhaps leaving the section to "what ECs you participate in." Hmm.. WIll it hurt to say "participated in USAMTS and USACO" if I don't attach results if I haven't done so well on either of them?</p>
<p>Also - they're willing to read recs from students who've already attended the program (this is great because I already do :D). So they're willing to read more than necessary. </p>
<hr>
<p>Also, does anyone know if Mr. Bowdon takes part in the admissions process? Perhaps on the other hand, e-mailing might boost my chances since it really does show interest and that would be a plus (and certainly no one would be too annoyed with questions as long as they weren't harrassing questions). But in his e-mail to me, Mr. Bowdon implied that only one person reviews each app - so he might not be taking an active part in application review.</p>
<hr>
<p>Yay - SSP alums! I'd like to know a little more about the life at SSP. First - I'm a strict vegetarian - does SSP accomodate vegetarians easily? And also - can we check our e-mails occasionally? Hotmail's going to delete my account if I don't check my e-mail in the 6 weeks of SSP. Does the telephone have to cost us money? (Azn parents, so they are going to get very anxious about me and I'll probably have to call them...like...almost daily). And do we have to bring our own money?</p>
<p>I've heard - from my classmate (who went to Socorro) that the cafeteria food sucked but the social life was great - some people even cried on the last day. ANd definitely - if there are reunions - the social life must be fantastic. Oh - and yes - it was very frustrating at times and he especially advised me not to take it too seriously since disappointments with problems will be inevitable. Hmm - I really need to get work on that problem solving book I have - should really help for SSP!</p>
<p>Finally - how many sophomores are in the program? I know there are many more juniors than sophs. But what I found interesting - is that they've changed the app from 2004 to 2005 and one part that SSP changed was "exceptional sophomores" to just "sophomores".</p>
<p>I would mention USAMTS and USACO, and also put how you placed. How well (or badly) did you do on them? In any case I don't think they'll ding you because you didn't make it to IOI on your first try, heh. Having participated in those things show your interest in math/programming, so they're probably positives.</p>
<p>I don't think the whole Asperger Syndrome will hurt you that much, if at all. How much does it affect you personally?</p>
<p>Mmm... I 25'ed first round on USAMTS but bombed the 2nd round with an 8. ANd honestly, I could have spend more effort on 2nd-round (it was during a temporary decline in which I got too obsessed with the 2004 election and spent the weeks staring down minute details such as how many votes Kerry got in say, Pitken County, CO) - so it might be that I'm just showing participation for the sake of participation. ANd if I don't include 2nd round scores; SSP might question as to why I didn't continue. Also, as for the USACO; I only submitted the first program on the second round still in Bronze division (and had to endure the painful process of actually learning how to submit the program with the input/output once I clicked on the START button, wasting much of mt time since I started rather impatiently but that's something I don't have to do again).</p>
<p>I think it's an accurate assessment to say that I've pretty much overgrown Collegeboard's math and MATHCOUNTS math (to the point in which I can get almost-perfect scores with maybe a couple of stupid mistakes) but haven't really gotten proficient to the point in which I'm competitive in terms of competition-style math. I've been trying to work on it - but my inherent laziness (and major distractibility) has been a major burden.</p>
<hr>
<p>As for Asperger's... It doesn't hamper my social skills exceptionally (I can still have friends but really - I've never visited anyone else's house for non-academic purposes since 7th grade) but it still does hamper them to an extent - and misunderstandings with teachers are not too uncommon- it could result in negative feelings towards me. I also can sometimes be very immature - I still throw the occasional temper tantrum. ALso the excessive distractibility I have - since so many things are going in my mind at once that I don't do my work until it's almost too late thus explaining why I've been a huge procrastinator. And I'm quite eccentric but I prize that. Obsessions with the wrong things too - like the 2004 election that wasted so much time that I probably could have finished AOPS by now had I not spent the weeks analyzing the results by county and by state. The obsessions part I've really been trying to refocus onto math and science but it's still on political science and on what universities Nobel laureates and prestigious university alumni went to.</p>