<p>I was hoping for some quick advice. I'm not an extraordinary student or applicant, so I was quite surprised to discover that I had been admitted to both SSP and Simons (my top two choices!). I guess I have average grades, test scores and EC's, but I didn't think I had a chance at any of these programs until I got my admittance emails. </p>
<p>Now, I am stuck on making the decision as to which summer program to attend. I've heard amazing things about both programs, as my school's senior class had one attendee of each last summer. From what I deduce with my limited knowledge, it seems that the pros and cons of both summer programs are as follows: </p>
<p>Simons
-Amazing research experience
-Highly qualified staff
-Lots of pressure to produce a good project
-Pretty prestigious</p>
<p>SSP
-Tons of fun, amazing experience
-Less pressure and more focus on learning rather than scientific research
-EXTREMELY Prestigious (people say that going to SSP practically guarantees you MIT/Caltech) </p>
<p>Additionally, the most important factor in my decision right now is that I am interested in going into biology in college. I got into the biomed sector for Simons while SSP is completely physics/astronomy/math. However, I am worried I won't be able to build a great project over the summer at Simons because of lack of experience. Also, however superficial this may be, I am scared I'll be passing up the opportunity of getting into amazing colleges by passing up on SSP. </p>
<p>Does anyone have any advice? Have they heard anything about these programs that could hopefully help in my decision? Any help or input would be highly appreciated :)</p>
<p>Thank you so much! I'm really grateful I'm even granted this opportunity to choose between these two programs.</p>
<p>Yea and… Simon is considered #2 according to my RSI friend. It’s really good. In addition, either one you pick… You’re going to enjoy it. May I ask your stats?</p>
<p>1) you’re too modest; it seems like your begging for compliments. average people dont get into ssp or simons; generally, only exceptional people do. </p>
<p>2) based on what my friend who got into ssp and simons (weird coincedence, no?) for 2013 summer said, ssp=auto-mit, whereas simons is really good research. said friend also emphasized that ssp would practically guarantee to most top colleges. although i doubt the guarantee of getting into all colleges just because of mit, ssp seems to have a general trend of getting people into exceptional colleges. on the other hand, simons has a huge hypsm rate too.</p>
<p>3) Lol you actually took the time to read through this. i would recommend ssp because (based on what previously states friend told me), it’s more prestigious. it seems that you’re doing these summer programs purely for college, and since it doesn’t seem that you care a great deal about the program itself as compared to the eventual college that it will take you to, it seems like SSP is the best choice due to the incredible prestige that it seems to carry with it. </p>
<p>4) If, on the other hand, i am mistaken and you actually care about learning at the summer program, then do simons. it will be more helpful in the long run as you want to pursue biology</p>
<p>SSP didn’t get them into college. There is a correlation not causation. Since you got into sSP, chances are you will be able to get into one of the top colleges. And since you want to go into biology, I would recommend getting some experience now while you have the chance. Go with Simons and don’t worry about the prestige.</p>
<p>Thanks everyone for the kind advice! I’m pretty certain I’ll go with Simons, but I’m extremely grateful for all the feedback I’ve gotten already! </p>
<p>@lacrossegirl123 - Congratulations on getting into both of the programs too! Are you already in the Simons Facebook group? (I am!) Hope I see you there @Alpha2014 - My stats aren’t that amazing and I don’t think it’s what got me in, but if you’re really curious…I have a 2300+ SAT score and 4.5+ GPA with no B’s on my transcript.</p>
<p>@biovball - Well, I come from a pretty “driven” high school in which people oftentimes get caught up in the stats competition, so I guess my stats are pretty average there, haha @lacrossegirl123 - Wow, I think you might’ve applied to the same summer programs as I did! I also applied to HSHSP without knowing that it was quite well-known…I totally thought it was an average research program that little people knew about when I applied. Pretty clueless of me…Is HSHSP a really good program? Best of luck to you on your results!</p>
<p>lol yeah i forgot they intentionally do the 50-50 male female ratio haha. I forgot this was STEM XD I just said that cause, well… theres more white and asian people.</p>
<p>I have a question though. This is just a general question. Since most of the MITES applicants were minorities, does this mean I am among the top 4% minority applicants (attractive to schools seeking diversity)? I’m not gonna put myself down and say I got into SSP cause of race, but it def helped balance out my non-4.0 GPA and my barely-over 2000 SAT. I showed PASSION and potential in both apps, and I’m relying on that for the real reason I was accepted :-/</p>
<p>Simons’ deadline to apply has passed. Apparently if you haven’t given them the thumbs up, they take you off the list and head to their extensive wait list (I know several students who are on it!). Perhaps you all who are still “undecided” are off the wait list, since the deadline to accept was March 29. I hope no one has accepted and is still “deciding” as that would be pretty cut throat and unethical I think, not to mention really not nice to be someoneholding a spot</p>
<p>Hello!
I am in the process of applying to Simons for the coming summer, and was wondering if any of you have any suggestions for the essay portion (how specific should the problem be/should you suggest ways to solve it)?</p>
<p>Thanks in advance! I would really appreciate any help you could give.</p>
