Summer Science Program (SSP) 2010

Pre-College Issues Summer Programs
61

<p>@a23910: It looks good to me. Much better than mine, and if my profile was considered good, then your’s will be fabulous.</p>

62

<p>There doesn’t seem to be anywhere to mention your EC’s (except for that one essay asking for what you do for fun). Also, is it ok if like half of my responses have absolutely nothing to do with math/science. I mean, I’m passionate about science but I so many other non-science related things as well.</p>

63

<p>A few days ago, somebody e-mailed me wondering what to write for the essays. I’ve said most of this before here, but somebody might find this helpful, so I’m posting my e-mail response.</p>

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64

<p>one of the questions is
“what topic in science interests you most…?”</p>

<p>is it all right to say “physics” or do we have to choose a subfield like “quantum mechanics”</p>

65

<p>I think you could mention both within the response pretty easily</p>

66

<p>All right. I was planning on just discussing physics, though. I just didn’t want SSP admissions staff to look at my answer and be like “… she didn’t specify what subfield of physics she likes”.</p>

67

<p>I went to SSP last summer. It was amazing.
About the apps, I remember worrying a lot about them too. I ended up just writing; don’t worry about the subfields or anything. Just write about what interests you: from what I could tell, they really value passion for physics/astronomy as well as some previous knowledge (you don’t have to have a lot, they teach you while you’re there).</p>

68

<p>What if I don’t have a specific field of science that interests me above all others?</p>

69

<p>i made a 2210 on my SAT (680 CR, 790 M, 740 WR). Although I know I can do better, that is the best score I have as of right now. </p>

<p>First, would they think this is a bad score? If they do, should I retake it and see if I can get a better score and send the better one? </p>

<p>Second, when they say I can send an online version of my score report. Should I send them only the first page of the online report (which includes only my scores and how many I missed), or should i send them the entire 10 pages (which includes a copy of my essay, detailed report of each subject, and some explanations about the SAT in general)?</p>

<p>Third, Is it okay if my essays go over the 150 word limit by a few words? Also, do I have to say something about SSP in every essay question answer? (If at all possible, can an alumnus proofread my essay? If anyone can, please pm me. I will love you to death.)</p>

<p>Fourth, or am I just worrying too much?</p>

70

<p>I will answer your last question first and say you are probably worrying too much haha.</p>

<p>A 2210 is a perfectly fine score to send, and you shouldn’t feel compelled to take another unless you really expect a lot higher.</p>

<p>When you send your score report, I’m assuming you should only send the first page so that they have actual documentation of your mentioned scores.</p>

<p>And I doubt they are too stringent on the word limit, as long as you roughly comply with it.</p>

71

<p>yay it’s my second time applying for SSP! ^<em>^
i applied last year as a sophmore and i see some familiar names around here (book</em>worm, tomjonesistheman…?) hehe
last year i got rejected but for some reason that motivated me even more O_o
and about those essays with cross country…and Star Wars…and uh, chopsticks…did you guys use casual language? as if you were chatting with a friend? or more of a formal (SAT essay style) language? (as in, aiming to use more advanced sentence structure/vocabulary)
though last year i was tempted to include a " =) " in one of my essays…=P</p>

72

<p>and @ Sadahila
you have a REALLY great shot at making it
so i suggest all you worry about are your essays
and take advice from former SSPers =)</p>

73

<p>My SAT scores are good but are no where near what you all are posting, taking 4 AP’s this year (Biology, Chemistry, United States History, and English Language) after 1 last year (World History) and the rest of my classes are honors and honors/gifted, and I am deeply involved in my school. I am really interested in this program but I don’t think I can get in: never taken physics or calculus, average grades, and I can’t take the SAT again til after the deadline. My dream is to go into the sciences but are my scores good enough?</p>

74

<p>Why do you guys need SAT scores? I didn’t even take the SAT before I went to SSP. Your PSAT will suffice.</p>

<p>I’d recommend to just be casual - SSP is a really chill place after you get in - but not too casual. You’re still applying to a summer program, after all.</p>

<p>I think what SSP looks for a lot is promise and potential in science. No one really goes to SSP having any idea of what astronomy is like, or programming in Python (do they still use that?), for that matter. If you can articulate your love of science clearly and well, you already have the upper hand in the process. In addition, SSP focuses a lot on the ability to “learn-as-you-go,” and this is something that I think they’re trying to look for in your essays and the teacher evaluations about “academic promise.” (teacher recs I think are pretty key too)</p>

<p>Anywhoo, I’m probably the oldest SSP alum here ('06, Ojai!). I might apply to TA next summer since SSP was such a blast ; ) Definitely go if you get in! Also, I know many of you are probably also applying to RSI, so I’ll let you in on a secret: don’t be too sad if you don’t get into RSI (I was rejected : (), because a large percentage of you will end up at MIT anyway since SSP is such an awesome program : P (just look at the alum matriculation rates in the SSP newsletters if you don’t believe me) Have you ever noticed the similarities of the SSP essays to the MIT essays? ; )</p>

<p>Good luck! (:</p>

75

<p>Will there be a HUGE difference to apply earlier? I finished my essays and rec letters, and I took SAT II math II and physics today. Should I wait till the scores come out(which I suppose should be good) or just send them the application right now?</p>

76

<p>I SENT MY APPLICATION!!! HURRAY!!!</p>

<p>Now I am just hopping I get in…still waiting for their “I received your application” notice.</p>

77

<p>@Selena731: I’m proud that you remember me :P</p>

<p>I thought I’d post something that a fellow '09er posted on Facebook a few days after we all went home. It pretty much summarizes what the program meant to us. </p>

<p>It’s rather long, and has some (read: a lot of) inside jokes, but I bet you all would appreciate it anyway :)</p>

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<p>And Wisconsin won that fight :)</p>

78

<p>lol way to spoil the secrets of our awesomeness you cheesehead</p>

79

<p>I got an e-mail a few days ago mentioning that there will be no “first-round” review this year. I assume that it means all applicants will be notified at roughly the same time, regardless of when they submitted their application. Just wanted to let you all know.</p>

80

<p>woow =D it sounds like you guys had tons of fun >_<!</p>

<p>@poachedivory
oohh i actually don’t know how to react to that…is that a good thing or a bad thing tho? O_o</p>