<p>^ My answer was pretty to the point. I stated my interest, elaborated a little bit. Nothing too fancy. </p>
<p>As long as you love your topic, you can't go wrong :)</p>
<p>Could you be more specific?</p>
<p>I wrote my essays last week, and I focused more on the topics, their nuances, and why each is so important in the field and in general. I didn't focus much on why I was interested in the topics because within the 250 word limit I couldn't write about both equally. Is that okay?</p>
<p>What topics specifically did you write on?
Would explaining how one field of theoretical physics (for example QM) relates to various fields? Or did you go hard-core and (try to) explain the FRW metric or Schrodinger's equation? :D
When you say "elaborate" do you mean try to explain the basic principles of those fields?</p>
<p>are teacher recs a big part of whether or not you get in?</p>
<p>ill get two great recs, but then my current sci teacher doesnt know me very well personally and so iono how thatll be. even though im owning the class but =/.</p>
<p>@yohobroncos, I'm going to plagiarize myself. </p>
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<p>If you really feel that uneasy about your teacher writing recs, why don't you arrange a lunch or something and discuss it with them?</p>
<p>well, i mean, she knows i pwn at school thus far and we get along fine. its just that she doesnt know me on a personal level. im just concerned about having a rec that doesnt act as as much of an advocate as my other two recs. i mean, i dont want them to see two great recs just to see another rec that says "this guy is really smart and really sociable" without the whole superlatives and stuff". :O</p>
<p>or is it just fine overall since i dont have any bad recs and i have two good recs anyways?</p>
<p>Could a few of you answer my (perhaps rather complex...) question?</p>
<p>quote:
What topics specifically did you write on?
Would explaining how one field of theoretical physics (for example QM) relates to various fields? Or did you go hard-core and (try to) explain the FRW metric or Schrodinger's equation?
When you say "elaborate" do you mean try to explain the basic principles of those fields?</p>
<p>I have a very IMPORTANT Question!!!
the deadline for summiting my app stats is on 3/20/2009.they require my test scores,however,so far i haven't taken any sat/act yet,not even sat II or AP,what should i do? (i did so poorly on my PSAT :/ especially on math because i made SO many careless mistakes that the score that i got in my junior year is even A LOT lower than the math score i got in my sophomore yr,so,do they need to see my psat score?)</p>
<p>Well, I dunno if that many of the teachers are going to know their current students on a personal level, right? Especially when it's only mid-year now and a lot of us go to really big public schools (my math and science classes have 35-40 people). So I'm not worrying all that much about it anymore, because I figure I've done all I can with my teachers, and they know my academic ability and integrity, at least, if not my personality. :/</p>
<p>magi, you make me feel small XD I know what quantum mechanics are but that's it from the things you listed.</p>
<p>Question: I'm taking the SAT this month and scores get back online on the 12th of February, and in paper, the 20th. I really want to get my stuff in by the 20th, though, to be considered early, what do I do?</p>
<p>Also, it says in the doc that the transcript should be enclosed in a sealed envelope to be sent along with the rest of the app ... what do I do if my school policy insists on mailing it themselves, alone?</p>
<p>Anyway, yeahhh. I can't wait to apply! (:</p>
<p>Seeing the daily schedule posted up makes me so nostalgic. I can't believe there are SSP2009 applicants already. God I'm old.</p>
<p>magi: Though I can't speak for every other applicant, honestly, it's not necessary to write about Schrodinger's equation and try to explain quantum mechanics. A lot of people have probably already said this, but SSP looks for passion, interest, and curiosity, the key message being they are NOT looking solely for knowledge. Plus I think it's safe to say that no matter how much you think you know about physics/astronomy, the SSP adcoms will know more, so don't try to impress them with your understanding. Show your excitement instead! It's a summer program app, not a research paper. Instead of writing about the topic, write about why you love it.</p>
<p>For your reference, I didn't know about Schrodinger's cat before I came to SSP and hadn't even learned simple projectile motion. My essay about physics/astronomy was about watching TV.</p>
<p>yipyip: You might want to take the SAT or ACT if you don't want to submit your PSAT; otherwise, it's the only thing you have for them. I think SSP does use test scores, but only to see that you're getting reasonable scores (i.e. no 300's on the math section of the SAT).</p>
<p>coin: One of my friends applied last year and emailed SSP about it, and I think they said a printout of your online score report was okay, but you might want to double-check. And you should maybe talk to your school about the transcript? I know my school mails out transcripts by school policy but will allow you to pick them up at the office to mail yourself if you ask.</p>
<p>^^can i submit the psat that i took in my sophomore year? i had got a 65+....but i got a 58 this year.....</p>
<p>exactly as i thought oriya. discussing something high-level is arrogant and they probably know whatever topic way better...
thank you for your other advice.</p>
<p>i'm guessing in the dark, but i'm assuming your essay dealt with how fascinating physics/astronomy became after watching documentaries on TV?</p>
<p>erm...so saying something like: "because of its interdisciplinary nature, incorporating various fields, etc..." too general/broad?
discussion at that level or discussion at a level more like: "quantum mechanics is so interesting because it ties in various physical sciences, for example the atomic spectra....etc, etc."</p>
<p>I had no physics experience when I applied, so I ended up writing about bohr's hydrogen model that we learned in chemistry and how amazing that was. I also wrote about science olympiad events that I was participating in (astronomy, scrambler) and their significance. I then mentioned how I thought black holes were awesome even though I didn't understand what they were.</p>
<p>What would be the lowest score on the PSAT that wouldn't negatively affect your application?</p>
<p>oh ok, so you dont have to bust out ridiculously weird things to get in.</p>
<p>cuz i dont know about anything insanely crazy or anything like that, and i was concerned that would stop me from getting in -__-</p>
<p>so ive deducted that the people who get into ssp dont have to insane like olympiad geniuses? and that people like me (2300+, 800s on 2c and sciences) actually have an ok shot at getting in?</p>
<p>So excited for ssp! Do you guys think a sophomore has a chance of making it?
I am taking ap physics and calc bc right now though, and i love problem solving; AMC/AIME for ec's.. (238+ psat, 2300+sat)
the reminiscing from alumni makes it sound so fun!</p>
<p>ps how did you guys fit everything for number 4 in 500 words? :(</p>
<p>^lol great stats, but what's a 238+ on the psat supposed to mean?</p>
<p>sorry, as in score of 238 or higher out of 240 on psat. 80 math of course.
thanks! but do sophomores have a history of being able to make it? :/</p>
<p>i'm quite excited to mail my application this saturday. while i have no idea what my math teacher will write about me (i'm one of the top students in the school, but we've never really gotten to know each other well) i hope the ssp folks will see that i really am dedicated and devoted to be a participant.</p>
<p>now ... must study for sats.</p>