Hi everyone, how do you guys think about the SSP, is it worth applying? How hard is it to get in? (Astrophysics) Also, I loved cosmology since I was a child, but have no awards (i was living in Sibiria for 8 years and now on a tiny island in the middle of pacific, so I couldn’t participate in any of those).
Anyways, happy new year!!
I would definitely apply to SSP. I have heard that it is a very prestigious program and it is listed in the MIT summer program page. However, you should probably think of backups as the acceptance rate is around 10%. It is pretty competitive.
My son attended an astrophysics section of SSP last summer – it’s a fantastic, extremely rigorous program. Admission is very competitive, so you should definitely have alternate summer plans. If you go to the SSP website and view this year’s Universal Times newsletter, you can get an idea of the acceptance rates for the astrophysics and biochemistry sections by gender.
I would not let the lack of high level awards deter you from applying, as my son was accepted without any awards beyond the local level and without any prior physics coursework. However, applicants should have strong math skills. SSP reports that the median SAT math score for participants is around 790. Programming skills are also helpful as Python is used extensively during the OD project.
Yale also runs a similar program called YSPA so you may think about applying there as well to increase your odds; I think the founder of YSPA was an SSP alum. Different project and format but also of interest if astrophysics is your thing.
Hey there. I just sent in a transcript request to my school today and the SSP checklist page says “Yes” to “SSP confirms receipt of transcript from school”. I’d like to confirm that it has actually changed and I’m not being gaslighted. Yes, I may be a bit paranoid. What can say, around my place, 3 - 5 business days is essentially a proverb.
would it be sus if i submitted only my act score to ssp (and not my psat score)? I performed wayy better on the act and kinda bombed the psat
Hi guys I was part of SSP at New Mexico Tech (Astrophysics) last year if anyone has any questions.
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Hey everyone! I’m a biochem alum from last year. I can answer any questions and perhaps give some insight as an international applicant 
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Hi, any tips on application? If not a secret, what was your background when you applied (e.g sat scores, competitions, AP classes)? Also, if I took the SAT before the PSAT, and performed really well on the PSAT and not that well on SAT. Should I provide both scores? Also, I just took the math II and got 770, should I provide it or no?
Thank you.
Is there anywhere where I can include subject SAT scores? I don’t see it on the application?
Most of us had scores of 1550+ though I know of one or two people who had 1400s. 770 is a great score on Math II!
I’m curious about how you guys approached your essays, and what kind of stuff you said in them. Also, did you guys write to the character limit or did you stay concise?
@sacevos I believe I included my SAT 2 scores.
@pineapplelover6 I tended to go pretty much up to the word limit, still staying concise. That way I was able to fit as much into each answer as possible. I was very straight-forward in my answer to the “what do you find interesting” question and used it to describe my passion for science and its presence in my life so far. I used the second essay to describe my love for music and was just honest throughout. I used the third essay to describe the lack of science opportunities in my area and how my community has affected me. Finally, in the last essay, I emphasized the importance of collaboration at SSP and that it would allow me to discuss my passions with others.
Hope this helps!
hi everyone! i’m a sophomore who’s applying to the biochem program (not expecting to get in). any tips for what to include in the short answers to help validate my relative lack of experience?
also ! is it worth it to try and explain my lower test scores an grades? for example - i have a 1500 on the sat since i only took a diagnostic test and my score was delayed so i wasn’t able to take it again, etc
1500 isn’t a bad score by any means! In fact, people have gotten in with lower scores, but as a sophomore I heard it’s realllllllly hard to get in
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So for Subject SATs, we can just send a screenshot of the score report and it will be considered as such? Bcuz there’s no option to enter Subject SAT scores anywhere on the actual “Test Scores” page.
If you submit to the SSP Admissions email (as a pdf) the SAT Score Report downloaded from the College Board, the second page of that report should list all of your SAT subject tests taken to date. My son (who attended an astro section last summer) submitted that document by email along with the AP Student Score Report and the PSAT/NMSQT Summary Score Report as one pdf document.
Agree that successfully applying as a rising junior is very, very difficult, I think there was only one rising junior in my son’s section out of 36 students.
Hi,
Do you guys know how much value a recommendation from a research supervisor would give to an application?
Hi, All!
I am interested in the program. However, I am not sure if my statistics would really lower my chances of getting in. I do have some awards, but test scores are not great+I have no prior research experience.
About me:
First generation immigrant (moved here 2 years ago
Attends public school in CA
Applying for biochem
GPA: 4.0 UW
SAT: 1490 360/350 780
SAT II: 780 Chem
AP exams taken: Chinese(5) Chem(4)- I don’t know if a 4 on chem would significantly lower my chances?
APs taking:
Bio, Lang, Comp sci, Art
self studying three: Stats, APES, physics
Calculus AB at local community college
Awards :
2019 CEE Biology Olympiad Semifinalist
2019 Toronto National Biology Competition Certificate of Achievement and top score from school
2019 LA Science Olympiad chemistry Lab individual 2nd place
2019 LA Brain Bee Neuroscience Competition 6th place
2018 Nasa JPL Invention Challenge 3rd place - advanced to finals
2019 JPL Invention Challenge - advanced to finals
Relevant courses taken but not in transcript:
Cell and Molecular Biology — 2019 UCLA summer session. Grade: A, awarded credit
Cell Biology: Mitochondria — Harvard University on EDX.org
Cellular Mechanisms of Brain Function — EDX.org
Proteins: Allignment, Analysis, and Structure — USM on EDX.org
Bipedalism: The Science of Upright Walking — Dartmouth University on EDX.org
Single Variable Calculus I(AP Calculus AB equivalent) — 2020 spring term at Pasadena
City College, credit
AP Statistics — Self study, AP exam 2020
AP Enviromental Science — Self study, AP exam 2020
AP Physics I — Self study, AP exam 2020
EC:
ELD Club - Founder/president 2017 ~ present
Biology Club - Vice President 2018-19, treasurer 2017-18
Science Club - Secretary 2018-19
Medical Careers Club - Vice president 2019
Taiwanese Club - Co-founder/vice president 2019
Science Olympiad Team 2018, 2019
Science Bowl Team - 2019
JPL Invention Challenge Team - Co-captain 2019, member 2018
Varsity Badminton Team 2018, 2019
Crescent Gateways Association - Student representative
Club 21 Down Syndrome Learning and Resource Center - Tutor 2019 ~ present
California Medical Center - Piano performer/volunteer 2017 ~ present
Huntington Hospital - Volunteer 2019 ~ present
American Red Cross LA Chapter - 2017 ~ present
Veritas Academic Tutoring - Tutor 2018 ~ present
Chinese Language and Culture - Tutor 2017 ~ present
EDX.org online courses - 2017 ~ present
Can someone please tell me if I would still have a shot even with my relatively lower SAT I and 4 on AP Chem exam!
Thank you!
@SeanFeng15 Wow, it seems to me like you’re an extremely driven science student with strong levels of interest. I did not have any prior research experience, and neither did most of my fellow participants. A lot of them did SciOly though. I think they care more about your math subsection than the overall SAT score, especially since you can demonstrate language ability through the essays.