SSTP at University of Iowa or SSTP University of Florida?

Pre-College Issues Summer Programs
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I need help deciding. I’m also looking at Summer Science Program (SSP), but I’m still waiting for the decision for that one. Any advice between these two SSTP’s?

Thank you!!

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@khanhvu98kk‌ Awesome job for getting into these two programs! First things first, though, what about SSP? I’m assuming you;ll need to send in the deposit for SSTP very soon, so you need to decide whether if you were admitted by SSP you would go there or to one of the others… SSP is very different from the two SSTPs (which are actually fairly similar) so you should have some idea about which you prefer…

Between the U of Iowa and U of Florida, I’d say it comes down mostly to personal preferences. Both are superb programs, highly regarded by teachers and colleges (on MITs website, for example), focusing on lab research. Would you rather spend 5 weeks or 7 weeks-- do you want to miss June or some of August? How do prices compare? The only real notable differences I can tell are that:
a) Florida has a lecture program and seminar program in addition to the research
b) Iowa seems more relaxed and a smaller environment: half the number of participants

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@toofless‌ Hi! Thank you so much for your reply.
Do you by any chance know about the college town around the two universities, like which one is more populated and “fun” to hang out in?

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Hi Everyone!

 I went to SSTP at Uiowa last year, and I can say that it was definitely one of the most memorable summers of my life. I think I may have told khanhvu98kk about it, but the environment definitely does have quite a few places for entertainment and "fun" :) We'll often go on a bunch of trips to ice skating rinks, observatories, aquariums, baseball games, etc. and there are a ton of cafes and stuff around the town. We also got the chance to go to a jazz festival there and get hooked with ping-pong lol.
 Entertainment aside, the research there is legit, although it varies from lab to lab like any other research program. Most of the labs are biology-focused in SSTP (even the engineering lab, which I was in), and I know some people did pretty well in science fair with their projects. At least one person I know made ISEF with the project she did at SSTP.
  If you're debating over SSTP because of other events during the summer, don't worry; they're generally pretty chill with any other arrangements you have. One person was gone half the time because of MOSP, and a couple of us left for like a week because of FBLA Nationals (myself included). You'll definitely meet pretty talented individuals there, and a bunch of the seniors last year made like Ivy Leagues and stuff.

 Overall, it's a great experience, but it's really what you make of it. I'm pretty sure other alumni of the program can testify to it, and feel free to PM me if you have any other questions! :smiley: