My SSP experience was incredible, which I think most alumni will say. Academically, it was obviously challenging. I attended SSP without having formal training in Calculus, so certain problem sets presented special difficulties. However, the other students were so incredibly helpful and the TAs/ADs so supportive that whenever I sought assistance or clarification, it was provided. Lectures were definitely a marathon. The OD project itself wasn't the difficulty; the real work comes from gaining the skills and the knowledge on how to apply them.
I feel that the social aspect of SSP isn’t focused on as much on these threads (or at least last year’s thread) and it turned out to be as important or even more important as the academic part. The point of SSP is not only to learn a lot of math and physics and to leave with a pretty publication for your CV; it’s to be a part of a community of people who love to learn and want to understand the world around them. The SSPers from my campus became and have become some of my best friends. I played board games late into the night and laughed until we got kicked out of the dorms for disobeying quiet time. I met people who were willing to help me debug programs until 2AM and would take decompression walks around campus with me. My team (the 36 students are separated into 12 3-person teams) became my family. We bickered, argued, laughed, and created our own inside jokes.
SSP sometimes feels like hell when you’re going through it, but there were moments when I would be walking around campus and get a sudden pang that I was actually attending the summer program I had obsessed over for a long time. I was doing a project that interested me with people who cared about me in a beautiful, unfamiliar location.
SSP also reaffirmed my faith that I want to be an astrophysicist. There are many people who attend and realize that physics/astronomy isn’t really for them; in fact, only 1/4 TAs at my campus were physics majors and none were pursuing careers in it. SSP exists for this purpose. It will break you and rebuild you. Then, when you have to leave, it will break you again and you will end up crying over your birthday cake when your flight finally lands and you get home because you miss your friends so much (at least, you will if you’re me).
Sorry about the romanticism! The 6-month return anniversary just arrived and I’ve been rereading my SSP blog posts. I hope this answered your question and gave you insight into the program.
It is competitive, I am not going to lie. I'm not quite sure how many get in each year; at my campus (NM) we had ~5, but I am not counting those who are not American but attend school in the United States.
It definitely does help! The syntax of Python is reviewed early on but it will definitely speed up your work if you are familiar with it already. However, none of the tutorials I've seen online (via Codecademy or other sites) really prepare for the work done with Python. I would suggest talking to a computer science teacher if you know one or looking online for Python tutorials that are specifically made for scientists.
Also, I find it amusing that there are almost 3,000 views of this thread and only 40 (or now 41) posts! Hello, those of you lurking in the shadows. I, too, was one of you.
Southpaw45 – Thank you for that post. It sounds like an incredible, life-changing experience. I particularly appreciate that you discussed the social as well as academic aspects of the program. If you don’t mind one more question, what was the gender breakdown? Was it 50-50?
@Southpaw45 Thank you for that post! Reading it makes me want to attend SSP more than ever.
I had to learn to use Python because a research project that I was working on required certain programs. I learnt Python from another medium altogether. I did not use the online courses.
Just another question, in case I do get accepted is it okay if I do not have any formal introduction to astronomy? I have taken one course on MIT OCW but that is about it. However, I am pretty comfortable with Calc and Physics. Will they(the TAs) help me regarding my little background in astronomy? And finally, do they let you use the sports facilities on campus?
@mumbai98 Thank you! I try my best to do the SSP experience justice, but it’s better than I could even begin to describe.
That’s great! Knowing how to use Python-by how I don’t mean how to type and format but rather how to communicate the steps that you want to take into a program- is incredibly important. Never fear, though, because there were still people at my campus who didn’t have any programming experience and still did very well.
Don’t worth about not having experience in Astronomy! The vast majority of SSPers (or SSPeons as I prefer to call us) do not. The only people with any experience were the Astronomy Olympiad people (IOAA and IAO), Science Olympiaders who competed in Astronomy (a few others and myself), and anyone who took an Astronomy course in school (a very small handful of people). Other than that, most people were very new to it. The AD at both campuses covers Astronomy from the fundamentals onwards and you’re not expected to show up with any knowledge of it. Calculus and Physics are way more important-and we still had people who had not taken either in school-so as long as you’ve got experience in those you’ll be fine.
Hi, looking for some advice on my application, mostly on problems I’m having because I’m home schooled.
1) I (obviously) can’t get an official transcript from my school, since I don’t HAVE a school, so what would be the best approach to that? I have a transcript, but I’m a little worried about SSP having confidence in it, and I don’t think having my parents seal it in an envelope would make much of a difference.
2) I am taking the ACT in April and the AP Chem and AP Bio exams in May. I’m getting top scores in all my prep work, and have top scores in both Advanced Bio and Advanced Chem (I take my science and math classes from co-ops), as well as in Pre-Calc. But… I haven’t taken any standardized tests. Ever. So, basically, I’m looking for a way to inspire a little more confidence.
3) I haven’t taken physics. I took an Applied Engineering course last year, so I know the basics and I really like what I’ve done, but I don’t really have a passion for physics. I do, however, really, really love chemistry. Will that play for or against me?
Thanks!
If you don’t have a passion for physics, you probably shouldn’t be applying to this program. It is absolutely grueling and if you don’t love what you’re doing, you’ll have a hard time making it through. That being said, without transcripts you feel they will not be suspect of, any standardized tests, or strong physics (and math and comp sci) preparation it will be hard for you to be one of the chosen few. Anyway, good luck!
I would definitely email SSP and let them know of your situation. I think it should be fine, but let them know that you are homeschooled. As long as the work you do as a student is reputable (which I hope it is), they can’t penalize you for it.
Have you taken the PSAT? If so, submit that. I applied (and was accepted) only submitting that (and my scores were not stellar) so it's not impossible. If you have other AP tests or subject tests, consider those.
Have you taken calculus? Calculus is more important to have than physics. Regardless, we had many people who had not taken physics or calculus who did well. It will be hard for you and you will have to ask for help, but it's not impossible. One of the challenges of being a scientist is filling the gaps.
Regarding whether your lack of a passion for physics will play for or against you, I think it depends. At my campus there were many people who knew going into SSP that they did not want to be physicists and many people who realized this at SSP. They still did well and enjoyed themselves. However, you may find yourself not enjoying the program. Do you think you could work productively on very difficult problem sets if you aren’t crazy about the subject? Are there are chemistry programs you can apply for? Why do you want to go to SSP-for the experience or for the prestige? These are questions only you can answer.
@Southpaw45 Since SSP is such an incredibly competitive program to get into, how is it that some kids didn’t have the requisite calculus or physics background (as you’ve mentioned in your posts)? Do you know what attributes they had that made up for their lack of coursework? Was diversity (geographic or demographic) a factor in your opinion or did they just do something extraordinary? Thanks for any information on this!
Okay, I'll definitely do that. Thank you! (And yes, it is, lol, though, see my problem?)
No, I haven't. One of the downsides to homeschooling is that there isn't much advise to be had with this sort of stuff. I could have my Adv. Bio and Adv. Chem teacher send copies of my midterms (they were each two hour in-class?
I'm taking Honors Pre-Calc w/ Trig currently, but I haven't taken a full calculus course. I suppose what I said about not having a passion for physics was a little misleading. It's not that I don't like physics, in fact what I've done of it I really do like, I just haven't had a chance to really do a lot with it, since I haven't taken a physics course, that's why I said I didn't have a passion for it, I just haven't had enough experience to know either way. Plus, I really love astronomy and kinda had an obsession with being an astronaut for the majority of my childhood. While I love chemistry, there isn't a career in that field that I am particularly interested in, where there are several (but mostly astrophysics) that I find extremely interesting.
Thank you so much for responding so thoroughly! It was really helpful.
@Multiverse7
Great question! The first thing to keep in mind is that calculus and physics are not technically required to go to SSP. They are definitely integral to the process, but nowhere in the application materials does it say that one must take these courses. That’s the first part.
Obviously I can’t know exactly what about everyone’s application made them admittable. However, as someone who did not take Calculus pre-SSP, I made it a point in my application to highlight the fact that I was willing to do whatever it took to learn. I wrote about how I took a community college math class to be able to jump into Calculus for my senior year despite the course progression that I was supposed to stick to and promised that I wasn’t going to let my lack of training set me behind if I was admitted. I think the fact that my grades/recs/ECs/other essays were already competitive and that I took a lot of responsibility in saying that I wasn’t going to let a lack of calculus hinder me made me admittable.
The other SSPers at my campus who did not take calculus or physics probably presented similar cases. Also, I don’t think there was anyone who didn’t have experience in both (I had taken physics already but not calculus and the only person I can think of who didn’t have physics did have calculus).
As for diversity, I think that is always a factor in SSP admissions, regardless of whether or not the person has had adequate preparation. Both SSP campuses are half women and half men (and yes, there are fewer female applicants) and there was a lot of geographic diversity. Honestly, there was very little racial diversity (at least at my campus) but I think that is more symptomatic of STEM as a whole rather than SSP as a program.
@rugitusastra
No problem! The people in charge of SSP are incredibly understanding, so don’t be afraid to ask questions or let them know.
I would send those in. Once again, I would explain your lack of standardized testing and tell them about how your STEM classes are at a co-op.
I also went to SSP after having only Precalculus and Trig! All you can do is learn as much calculus you can and brace yourselves. I must warn you: it's not easy. There were some concepts that I just had to accept my misunderstanding on and continue to use them without context. It's not impossible, you just have to work hard and ask for help when you need it. Start now because even if you don't get into SSP, you'll still know Calculus. Calculus is the best.
Your case seems fairly common amongst SSPers. SSP is the sort of place where you learn whether or not physics/astronomy is what you want to do. It seems that the majority of people at my campus did not have actual “experience” with astronomy besides an intense fasciation with it.
Bottom line, I would still apply if I were you. If you don’t get in, you don’t get in. If you do (and choose to go) you may find yourself loving astronomy more than you ever did before and finding yourself on a path that you didn’t expect. Like the website says, a number of people are always surprised that they didn’t get in and a number are always surprised that they did. You won’t know if you don’t try.
@mumbai98 I’m not comfortable sharing statistics (a principle I try and uphold on CC) but the scores and grades of the people admitted are what you’d expect. I would say that if you think your scores are competitive for HYPSM/Caltech/other Ivies (the schools where the highest percentage of SSPers matriculate) then your scores are competitive for SSP. Even if they’re not, you’ve still got a shot. Obviously numbers are important for any rigorous program, but at a certain point when almost your entire pool is competitive they become less important than involvement and passion. At least, that’s what it looks like from my perspective.
@Southpaw45: Hi! Thanks for adding your input to the thread! Glad to see another SSPer sharing their own experiences (I went to CA this year, by the way :D)
@Multiverse7: To add on to what Southpaw45 already said, I noticed that at my SSP, people came from all sorts of educational backgrounds. Some attend private schools that offer linear algebra and number theory classes; some attend public schools that don’t offer anything past AP Calculus AB and AP Physics B; some attend schools which don’t give grades; some attend schools that require them to take a certain course sequences, such as AP Biology junior year and AP Physics senior year. What was important, though, was that all of these students take full advantage of the opportunities offered to them at their respective schools, and even go beyond their curriculum because they care about learning that much. And yeah, many of my friends have done some extraordinary things, though they might not be perfect in the traditional sense of the term.
Note on diversity: as Southpaw45 said, there was not very much racial diversity on our campus either - I’ll admit that it was predominantly white and Asian. I think that this might be because STEM itself is not very diverse, but also possibly because the SSP admissions committee isn’t looking to fill a racial quota (though there is a gender quota). (Which leads to the debate on Affirmative Action, a topic I have divided feelings about and can’t address definitively.)
However, I did notice a huge diversity in thought. Everybody contributed their own unique personalities and senses of humor to the group. Everybody contributed their own unique perspective on life; I think I spent as much time learning about other people’s worlds and worldviews as I did learning about spherical trigonometry. I learned so much about celebrating different backgrounds and perspectives, so SSP is eye-opening in many senses of the term.
Hey guys, question about the teacher recommendation. My science teacher emailed his recommendation to SSP. Is this allowed, or should I ask for a physical copy to mail in with the rest of my application materials? I know it says that teachers can send it to them directly, but does that mean by mail, email, or both?
Trying to finish up my essays and i’m looking for some advice. Do you guys think it would be best to focus on one achievement in the 500 word essay? Or should i try and fit in as much as possible to seem more impressive?
Hey guys, so how good of an applicant do you have to be to get into this program as a sophomore? currently I am taking AP Calculus, AP Statistics, AP Physics, and AP Computer Science. I got a 228 on my PSAT, and am probably gonna get the same, maybe a little worse on my SAT. I have some very good extracurriculars, but I am not sure. Is this program as competitive as RSI and the lot? If not, how competitive is it?