<p>ah, thanks for the comments guys. I guess I'll just try applying- it wouldn't hurt. Funny thing is, I didn't realize my english/humanities grades were higher than my math/science ones until you pointed it out to me xD.</p>
<p>I am a student from India and REALLY passionate about science especially physics. In fact I am aspiring to do research in nuclear physics to help in he development of nuclear fusion as an energy source. Currently in class 11, I have secured 90%+ in my 10th exams. Besides I have won some good competitions like -
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i. Selected for final award of scholarship in the National Talent Search Scheme after clearing all 3 rounds.
ii. Qualified for Indian National Maths Olympiad through the Regional Maths Olympiad
iii. Qualified for the Indian National Astronomy Olympiad Jr. conducted by Homi Bhabha Centre for Science and Education through the National Standard Examination in Physics and was placed among top 10% of 35 students enrolled at the centre.
iv. Qualified for 2nd Round of National Science Olympiad and attained all India rank of 126
v. Achieved all India ranks 60, 67 and 163 in different years in National Level Science Talent Search Examination conducted by Unified Council.
vi. Qualified for 2nd round of National Cyber Olympiad and attained All-India Rank of 172
vii. Won 1st prizes in Inter-Branch Olympiads for Physics(twice) and mock NTSE conducted by Inspection Department, City Montessori School(My school holds the world record for most students(35K+) in a single city with its 22 branches and has also won the Unesco Prize for Peace Education)
viii. 1st prize in Elocution and Quiz competitions conducted by Regional Science City.
ix. 1st position in Science Talent Search Exam in West Bengal
x. Came in top 3 in the written round of Birla Scholarship exam and won the interview round.
xi. Came third in the regional round Discovery Kids Quiz
xii. Cleared the written round for KVPY fellowship and awaiting interview results(Can be called India's RSI)</p>
<p>Besides, I'm a good poet, writer(both stories and plays), amateur singer, lyricist, like making models at school..anything from trebuchets to Van de Graaff generators :p
I am also a good orator and have won a few prizes in essay writing/debates etc.
A few summer camps like an electronics one at the Regional Science City have also been attended by me.
I have given my first SAT and am awaiting my results on 12th. I hope I get a 2200+
I have really OUTSTANDING recs from my maths and science teachers at school as well as one from the HOD Physics Dept. in my coaching institute for competitive exams where I have undertaken a 2 year course in Phy, Chem and Maths. As per leadership and school clubs and stuff, there isn't much to say as there are no such school clubs here. There is also a bit of a confusion regarding the courses undertaken coz there is no such EC/AP/GPA system in India. The course I'm going through is simply called Indian Secondary Certificate.....
Only thing I can think of is getting a copy of the course descriptions specified by ISC board. But that will probably get a bit too descriptive I guess lol. At the moment, I've just got a Character certificate from my school stating I'm a bonifide student of blah blah...I dunno if International Applicants have a good chance of getting in either. As it is I haven't relly cracked some big International Olympiad and stuff. Moreover my achievements here are unlikely to be fully appreciated by someone who hasn't even heard of NTSE and KVPY in all probability. Please help with the course thing specially if possible. There should have been a clear international guidline for SSP but guess I'd have to bear with it :p
P.S. My essay writing skills are pretty good. So all in all how would you weigh my chances? :-/
P.S.2- Sorry, I've typed in a real hurry. So please excuse my disorganization of info :D</p>
<p>scratch my last question. psh.</p>
<p>will you not get in if your app gets there after february 20? for some reason, im just fearing that if my app gets there like a week later all the spotsll be filled up. </p>
<p>reassure me. did anyone get in last year after submitting their app after the first deadline?</p>
<p>I would absolutely love to apply to SSP, but the problem is that my school isn't finished with finals and things until June 26th. Am I allowed to arrive late?</p>
<p>j6h2y5 - I would talk to your principal and email SSP, but focus on convincing your school to let you take finals early.
trickysocksman - I know of at least three people that submitted applications extremely close to the final deadline and were accepted. Definitely submit earlier rather than later, though; a friend of mine was admitted before I had even applied.</p>
<p>I got my recommendation form from my Math teacher today. Physics is still working on it, but there you go.</p>
<p>I also only have to do one more essay question -- problem, though! I just realized that barely any of my essays (other than the obvious ones) focus on science. i.e. my clubs are mostly humanities ones, my hobbies are things like writing and guitar, and what's unique about me is that I like both the sciences and the humanities. Considering that I made a very big point in that I want to go to SSP BECAUSE I only recently discovered a love for science and because I don't know anything about science and I really, really want to learn, do you think this detracts a lot from my application?</p>
<p>But yeah, other than that I just need to do the financial aid thing. How many stamps do I need from Texas to SSP? Two? IDK.</p>
<p>@gary7
You should definitely apply. SSP has a few internationals at each campus every year. Just explain the significance of your activities if you are not sure whether the readers know what you are talking about.</p>
<p>@trickysocksman
Don't rush/worry. Focus on putting together the best things you can(as soon as possible, though). People do get in after the first deadline. In fact, I submitted my stuff on the last day....But don't do that, please. I'm just saying it's very possible. </p>
<p>@j6h2y5
I don't think you are allowed to arrive late(more than 1 day). Even if they did allow it, you would be pretty behind even by the 2nd day. Material gets covered freakishly quickly. Definitely talk to your school about having finals earlier.</p>
<p>Coin: That was almost exactly my situation when I applied. It shouldn't hurt your chances at all.</p>
<p>@ gary7:
Ojai had quite a few internationals last year, and a good number from the Indian subcontinent.
I was almost in your exact position when I applied. I spent 8th, 9th, and 10th standard in India, then moved back for 11th grade. Far less awards than you, and no major activities but tutoring. You have a decent chance, provided that you have incredible amounts of fun with your essays.</p>
<p>@ trickysocksman:
My app arrived after the final final deadline. That of a good friend arrived even later. Don't worry if you're a little late for the first deadline.
That being said, DON'T DO IT. Procrastination is bad, kids. It's nice knowing that you're well in time, instead of worrying about shipping times. Also, I believe that the first round gets decisions earlier, too. Always a plus.</p>
<p>@ j6h2y5:
I know that someone did miss a couple of days in the middle of camp for something. Talk to your principal first, then Mr. Bowdon. I'm sure something can be arranged.
Also, material may be covered "freakishly quickly" (I'm tempted to cite this. You can tell that I'm putting off an english paper,) but if you've taken even basic physics/calculus, it should be mostly review for the first week, at the least.
Socially, though, the first couple of days are important. Playing through an entire box of Apples to Apples and crazy Taboo games kind of established the inside jokes for the rest of the summer.
Definitely apply. Definitely try to work something out with your principal.</p>
<p>@ coin:
Not every SSP kid is a hardcore science/math/engineering person. Carboholic, for example, has a pretty strong humanities background. I'd say that the love for both humis and sciences is more of an advantage than something to be ashamed of. Shows that you're interesting (might be the next admissions catchphrase. . . . no?)
I believe it's 83 cents for the first ounce (large envelopes.) Then 17 cents for every additional ounce. Don't take my word as gospel though. Ask your friendly postal service worker. Or go to the post office. Use certified mail--you'll know whether your package got there or not.</p>
<p>Thanks a lot eternallysleepy(As a matter of fact I was about to sleep when I saw your post :D) I sent you a PM but I guess you've gone offline by the time I messaged you.... I hope you'll be able to address the course and levels confusion coz you know the Indian system of education. Your post does give a LOT of confidence. I assure you I'm gonna have some serious fun with my essays :p
Btw, I forgot to mention my mid-term school reports really suck....
I have 79/69/91 in Phy/Chem/Maths. I hardly studied at all coz of my IIT-JEE coaching classes and tests(which I give much much more importance). The classes were going on even during the exams and as the course structure was pretty different, many of the chapters to be examined at school were not taught at my coaching for competitive exams. Now, most of the lessons have been covered in far more depth than school and there is a break from the coaching classes so I expect around 95% in Phy,Chem,Maths in my finals. Anyone who has studied in India will know that class 11th mid-terms don't hold any importance here. As a result I was focussed on my coaching classes. But how do I explain that to the person who'll read my SSP application? :(
P.S. 2 hours, 45 mins to my first SAT results :-/</p>
<p>Just got my SAT scores <em>WAILS</em>
2020/2400 Percentile
Critical Reading- 660 (91%)
Maths- 720 (96%)
Writing- 640 (89%)
Multiple choice- 62
Essay- 9</p>
<p>How bad is that coupled with my horrendous mid-terms? :(
I think you normally need 22K+ for these kinds of programs?</p>
<p>^ I feel your pain. I missed my goal too :(</p>
<p>I think your chances just dropped slightly - but at least math is the highest score ;)</p>
<p>Thanks book_worm!</p>
<p>I reached my goal, but math was my lowest. I don't know how to feel...
800 cr 790 writing 760 math</p>
<p>^Very similar situation, I ended up with 800cr, 790 writing, and 750 math.</p>
<p>do you think the 750 math will hurt my chances?</p>
<p>I got 700/790/770, for which my mom was furious and I was down all day. Missed my goal of 2300. Ah well. I really want to know what I missed in math, though!</p>
<p>I'll probably be mailing mine on Monday... is that good enough to make it, you think?</p>
<p>I'm assuming you guys have put in multiple attempts? Those are AMAZING scores!
I could hardly prepare for SAT in 3 days coz of other exams just before it...</p>
<p>I got 680, 800, 790. 2270. really angry at myself for doing so poorly on CR. did not break my goal of 2300. should I send it? (got 700, 780, 780 before) or should I send both? thanks. yea, ill prob send on tues.</p>
<p>You guys suck. I didn't take the SAT. But I have PSAT. I only got a 208 though. I hope I don't get rejected by this.</p>
<p>Hi, I applied to be a TA this year, lol.</p>
<p><em>fingers crossed</em></p>