<p>don't know if anyone has read this before, but I thought it was one of the best reviews of SSP I had read so far.
It's based on a Socorro participant's account, but since we do the same things, it can be enjoyed by everyone</p>
<p>i found that review very useful; thanks juzam-!</p>
<p>one thing i noticed, and was sort of puzzled by was this: "I cannot think of a better foundation for a science program that incorporates many fields of science - physics, chemistry and biology - and has a certain romantic, or idyllic, appeal."</p>
<p>how does astronomy incorporate biology??</p>
<p>haha no idea, I do know that students take hikes during the program. Perhaps that incorporates nature, biology, and geography all into one activity?</p>
<p>Thanks rahrah - I see.. Hmm - I guess for some reason your newer research paper wasn;t't on the Internet.</p>
<p>Dmitriy_Y, what did your waitlist letter say? Did it have the tone of a "sorry" message or a "hopeful" message? My hshsp waitlist letter had the tone of a "sorry" message...</p>
<p>Oh and juzam_djinn, I was just rambling 'cuz I was at school and nervous of getting caught foruming lol so umm I first used some chinese just for fun since someone else did then asked rahrah a question and then asked a qustion about stellar evolution. i.e. what stage was a red supergiant directly before it was a red supergiant; same for blue supergiants and if a red supergiant could turn into a bluesupergiant and vice versa. I've heard they can so... And also what would a massive star evolve into first?</p>
<p>lol i see simfish, I do that too in my comp sci class...</p>
<p>Hey, everyone!
My name's Geeta and I did SSP Soccorro last summer. It was a really amazing experience for me. The people were wonderful and the unusual, intense situations that the program put us in really created a bond between all the SSPers. I went as a sophomore and I really couldn't tell who was a sophomore and who was a junior. So to all you sophs who are going: don't feel intimidated at all (if any of you do feel intimidated, that is). Anyway, I know most of you have made your decision already, but if there are any deferred people still undecided, feel free to ask me about stuff!</p>
<p>Wow, questions galore.</p>
<p>First of all welcome to CC and congrats on your prior SSP experience. I hope to meet you on reunion day if you are going.</p>
<p>What I want to know is, how are the living conditions at New Mexico Tech? Are the dorms big or small? How is the food? I heard that it is not the greatest...How is New Mexico Tech in general? And one last thing, how is the weather? Any info would be greatly appreciated. This is the first time I have ever asked anyone who actually attented SSP socorro information and I think it would be useful on top of what they write in the SSP student handbook and website.</p>
<p>Yeah, as an addendum to Ladros's questions, I also wanted to know how your daily/nightly schedule was like, besides all the stuff they cover on their website.
Thanks so much for your help astrowanna, and congrats on SSP and RSI too!</p>
<p>Sorry, guys, I just drove in from Bawss-ton...was away all weekend.</p>
<p>Anyway, I'm a junior, from NJ, and my waitlist email was kinda on the somber side, like a college denial letter. "you are totally awesome, but there were a lot of people more totally awesome than you, too bad" or somesuch.</p>
<p>Anyways, yeah. By the way, I have webspace, and I can probably whip up a page. (check out <a href="http://dmitriy.snerdia.com%5B/url%5D">http://dmitriy.snerdia.com</a>)</p>
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<blockquote> <p>if you don't mind, Ladros, of course. (hiss freewebs hiss)</p> </blockquote>
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<p>Hey Geeta! You were on the research group with Jameson Neff, right? He's a classmate of mine! Plus we both have Asperger's Syndrome diagnoses lol. And you got into RSI too wow..... </p>
<p>Well anyways this year has many fewer sophomores since SSP apparently cracked down on sophomores the most when the admissions rate went down this year. So despite his rec, I didn't get in. =(</p>
<p>Ahhh, I really should have skipped that grade when I had the chance to do so - then getting into SSP and having a wonderful time wouldn't be hard at all!</p>
<p>sigh simfish, sounds like you are still mad about not getting in</p>
<p>
[quote]
sigh simfish, sounds like you are still mad about not getting in
[/quote]
</p>
<p>Hearing about what I'll miss there revitalizes those feelings especially if I think I could have tried another approach (I hope they do motivate me to study harder though). And that I'm finding astronomy more addicting than other sciences again - wished it was just in time for SSP this time. So I'm feeling like I just want to go back 6 months and change it all. Oh and whenever I say I got rejected I just can't resist inserting something emotional along the lines. </p>
<p>Either way though, SSP or SIMUW (accepted) or HSHSP (waitlisted) I'll gain something from any.</p>
<p>simfish, it's awesome that you know Jameson! He was the most hilarious research partner I could imagine. Tell him to email me if you see him around soon.</p>
<p>Wow! SO many questions, so little time. ;)</p>
<p>Okay, Dorms: The dorm rooms are really big in comparison to what I've seen at other programs. Each student (2 to a room) got a bed, desk, closet and chest-of-drawers, and each room has its own sink. Showers and toilets were communal. Only problem: The dorms are "air conditioned" by something called "swamp cooling." I'm not sure how exactly it works other than that it doesn't actually work. Long story short--bring a fan. My roommate actually doused herself in water one night when the AC wasn't working. There's a common room on the first floor and floors are gender segregated. In my year (and I found this kind of ridiculous), girls were not allowed to even go in the boy's hallway and vice versa, which made it kind of hard for me (only girl in my research team) to get in touch with my teammates. The dorm we stayed in was called President's Hall (I think), if you guys want to try searching for specs on the NMT website. </p>
<p>The food: sucked. Really sucked. They seem to have a strange affinity for potatoes at this place and like putting beef and pork in EVERYTHING. Vegetarians are usually in a tough spot and picky eaters will probably be sticking to the salad bar. We bought pizza almost every night, so the TAs started telling us we could only order pizza every other night. Also, there is absolutely nowhere to get food after dinnertime at the cafeteria. And, trust me, you will want food for the late nights at the observatory and computer lab. They make weekly trips to the only grocery store in town (although I think they've actually gotten a WalMart in Socorro since last summer), so I would suggest stocking up on cereal bars, ramen (if you can find hot water) and power drinks. </p>
<p>NMT Campus:From what I saw, it's a really gorgeous campus. Honestly, you won't see much of it apart from the dorm, the computer lab and maybe the library. But it's got lots of green spaces and pretty buildings. There's a pool, tennis court, and indoor basketball cum badminton court, as well as a billiards room. The campus doesn't have a whole lot of student life during the summer, though. Beware of the cockroaches and frogs that riddle the sidewalks at night. They're not so fun to step on. Also, don't play in the sprinklers (which are usually directed straight over the sidewalk for some reason) because they utilize "gray water," water reused from showers and washing machines.</p>
<p>The weather: is insane. At 4 o'clock it will be perfectly sunny and at 5 o'clock you'll be in the middle of the biggest thunderstorm you've ever seen. The storms are usually short and spectacular, though, and leave everything looking really gorgeous and washed clean. It can get chilly outside at night (particularly in the dome) and the days are usually moderate, bordering on hot (this from a Texan, mind you). Overall pretty nice.</p>
<p>On our daily/nightly schedule: It depends on which time slot you get. There are 3 slots for observatory time: 9-11p, 11-1a and 1-3a. There's class from 9 to noonish (I don't remember exactly), then lunch, and then class from 1 to 4ish (I think). Then you're free to do what you will (probably homework or the question of the day) until dinner at 6ish. Dinner is the only required meal and they do announcements and such at dinner. Then, from dinner until your observation time, you're free to do whatever. People in the 1-3 slot usually take a nap before going out. Also, you don't observe every night. Depending on the strength (and luck) of your group you may end up getting all your exposures fast (our group got lucky) and then not going out at all, or not getting lucky for the 1st 2 weeks and then end up going out every night. There's no curfew, but the campus essentially shuts down after 9pm.</p>
<p>I know this doesn't do SSP justice, but it's a really unique experience. It sticks you in the oddest situations (like 3 am in the dark with your exposure overdeveloped) and you have to grow and learn in order to keep up. It was definitely a step in the right direction for me.
Anyway, I hope this somewhat answers your Qs. Keep asking as things come to mind!</p>
<p>~Geeta</p>
<p>"Beware of the cockroaches and frogs that riddle the sidewalks at night. They're not so fun to step on."</p>
<p>lol that was my favorite line
Thanks so much for all your help Geeta!</p>
<p>Thank you so much. That info really helped me out. I am kind of bummed about that food thing, but I guess we will be able to manage. Now, I am even more excited to go. I am pretty sure your tips will come in handy while I am at SSP. I hope you're coming to the reunion day, I would like to meet you.
Thanks again.</p>
<p>Ladros</p>
<p>alright, i'll try to remind Jameson next time I see him. ;)</p>
<p>Heh, Jameson told me the same thing about the Socorro food. He said it really sucked and that I would have almost no choices due to my vegetarianism.</p>
<p>:-( no info on ojai. :-(</p>
<p>rahrah,</p>
<p>The two SSP'ers there went to Ojai. Only that I filled that thread with my crap. :p</p>
<p>This looks really tasty...</p>