Anyone else applying to CERN S’COOL LAB summer camp 2017 or Yale Summer Program in Astrophysics?
@florencewelch666 I might do the Yale one, but I don’t want to burden my professors with teacher recs, so we’ll see. I hate those darned recs:/
@stopthistrain Yep! Begging for recs is the thing that I loathe. Are you also doing the SSP astrophysics?
How long are your guy’s essays? I’m worried whether mine are concise enough
@florencewelch666 yes, astrophysics. I just hate recs. I’m not that close with my teachers, and also I feel bad if I ask for more than one rec. even one rec is awful. it scares me.
@HappySquirrel I’m still drafting, which means I really have no clue. How long is yours?I think my essay about extracurricular activities or whatever will be maybe 900 - 1000 words? I have a lot to say about that to be fair. The rest will likely be maybe 500-600? Not sure, since I’m still working on them
@stopthistrain I’m not so close to my teachers either, let’s see how the recs turn out! I so want to do the SSP though.
@HappySquirrel I’m just drafting essays, haven’t submitted them officially yet. I’m worried that they are turning out to be quite lengthy, rather than to be concise.
@stopthistrain I’ve just done one of them so far, it’s almost 800 words long. Hopefully the admissions officials won’t get angry at me. It’s so much work but I really want to go there.
@HappySquirrel i feel you. I feel like my essays are way too long-- the word limit is INSANE! Usually they are like 500 words max for other programs, but 1500??? and 3500 for the last one? Just wow. I guess I really can expand though
Hey @stopthistrain it’s def not 3500 word limit. That’s the character limit.
@toofless oh my gosh, thank u so much. I cant believe i never noticed. oh my god lol. Thankk you for letting me know, haha, makes more sense now X_X
UGH NOW THAT’S TOO SHORT! I hate this
I will be applying next year, but am still lurking around here to find out more about the application process. I have a couple questions. 1.) is it possible to screw up your chances by writing about a particular “thing for fun” that could be perceived as inconsistent with your interest for science 2.) Are math AND science teacher recs required or is it possible to have, for example, chemistry recommendation and physics recommendation. (I’m planning on doing biochem.)
@stopthistrain I think my weakest part will also be the recommendations. I just have trouble connecting with my teachers, especially in a school that is largely apathetic about these kinds of things.
kj
^^1) Yes. Why would you possibly apply to a scientific research program and write about a “thing for fun” (whatever that means) that could be perceived as inconsistent with your interest in science? 2) Follow the instructions about recs. 3) you have a whole year to “connect with your teachers”. If you don’t have stellar recs you are at severe disadvantage.
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@Levnerad same. Teacher recs are awful. Maybe email SSP about the teacher recs thing
@Multiverse7 really? I feel like you should be truthful about your “thing for fun.” Certainly, not something totally horrible like doing drugs or something, but I feel like as long as it’s something legitimate that you’re seriously passionate about and shows another side of you, you should write about it. also, @Multiverse7 are you an alumni? I feel like I saw you on some 2011 thread or something, because I went through those to help me for this (although it didn’t help all that much except stress me out) 
Sorry, I may have misinterpreted what the poster was saying. I don’t recall there being a “thing for fun” question when I applied but I might have forgotten that there was. If there is such a question, just answer it honestly imo.
What?! So assume each word has 5 characters, the 1500 max=300 words?! OMG! Thank you @toofless for reminding me that. Luckily I’ve only got 1 and a half essay done, otherwise, I would waste so much time writing then deleting!!
@stopthistrain what do you mean by emailing SSP?
also, let me know about how the admission went for you.
@Levnerad just find a Contact Us page I think
@multiverse7 the question was basically like “we know you have a busy schedule, but what is something you do for fun?”
I applied to RSI as well and the personal statements needed for that were three-four times longer than those for SSP haha.