@SeanFeng15 I was accepted to SSP last year with almost identical test scores and GPA and AP scores so it’s definitely possible. You can’t be accepted if you don’t apply!
Thank you for all the advice! I am starting my application!
I have a few questions:
- For the prompt about “life challenge”, is it ok if I talk about having sweaty hands and how that’s like a barrier between myself and others? It really matters to me and I’ll probably be talking about how having the condition makes me socially perceptive and relate that back to me being an extrovert. I will be talking about learning English as a second language in the essay about “the world you came from” and I don’t think it’s a good idea to write another essay on similar topic. What are your advice?
- For the first essay about the topic in science or math that you find interesting, should I talk about cell biology in general or should I mention specifically about the topics within the field of cell biology?
- For the supplemental material, I am planning on sending a pdf file with 1. A brief resume with awards and online courses taken as well as My EC’s that show leadership skills and 2. A two paragraph essay on my long range goals(one being convincing the world to put more emphasis on research and another being getting six packs that I wrote a few years ago. (I included two pictures of myself, one from 2016 when I was skinny af and a beach photo taken in 2019 after training and working out for 2 years. In the paragraph I talked abt the training process and what I learned
Would this be inappropriate?
- Would submitting the application well before the deadline increase my chances of getting in?
Thank you all!
Hi,
I was wondering if is it significantly more difficult to get accepted as an international student?
I don’t have any major awards (e.g. science olympiads) or any research experience, although I really love maths and astronomy (applying for astrophysics). I have a 1540 SAT (740 R&W, 800 Math), 4.00 GPA and some science extracurriculars.
Did every international student at the program have major awards in olympiads etc. and perfect/near perfect test scores?
@astrocode I’m not sure of international acceptance rates, but typically on each campus, 5 or 6 out of 36 will be international
Just try to convey your love of astro as well as you can and why you want to attend, you don’t really need research experience (I’m not astro but it seems a bit difficult to find research opportunities for that compared to bio?)
Hey guys what’s a typical stats for SSP? I kinda have weak standardized scores (PSAT sucks, didn’t qualify for commended, and SAT I took it once without studying so it sucked as well 1410) I’ve only taken one AP Exam which is for World History (taking my other exams in May) but I guess that wouldn’t really be relevant in this case. I’m taking the ACT in Feb and the SAT again in March, but I’m curious about the usual stats of accepted students. Do I have a chance at all? I’m stresseddddd because I didn’t achieve anything super amazing or impressive.
Hi everyone!
I am applying to biochem as a sophomore. I was wondering if I have a chance to get in. I would really appreciate a gauge on my chances. So here is my stuff:
PSAT-1510 (10th)
I’m taking SAT in March (WIll that be before decisions?)
GPA- 4.0
~9 AP weight classes in total (freshman+sophomore year but some were PLTW courses)
~1 AP before Sophomore (kinda feel bad about that): Score: 5
~6 AP classes this year and some independent studies
^ I don’t know if any of that had any value but I figured I should put it since it would be on my transcript
Freshman year, in terms of classes, my hs didn’t offer much. But this year I take AP Chem, AP Bio, AP Physics, AP Calc AB (we have to take AB first 
), and 2 other non-science/math AP’s.
I’ve done UIL comps (Texas thing) and almost always get 1st in science and have gotten top bio.
^probably the only consistent major thing
Biology Olympiad (always had a love for bio and look forward to this opportunity and hope do very well)
~I have research experience (Biomed)~
^not sure if that is a necessarily good thing
Science National Honor Society (2nd Vice)–Hope to do Science fair
Science Olympiad
Engineering Camp at local university Fresh year
Technology Student Association -(tech-related so probably doesn’t count but state placement/ also since fresh)
Mu Alpha Theta- math comps (since fresh)
Brain Bee
I do some other UILs: Math, Calculators, Number Sense (but once again not directly related)
I’ve always had a deep-rooted fascination in biology and that is what I think I will expound in my essays, but I am worried about how I compare to other applicants.
*Also sorry this is so long.
@proteinkinases and anyone else who has done Biochem How was the experience?
Hey, I’m a junior applying to biochem. For the scores, my math scores aren’t really the best (33 ACT, 720 SAT, and 690 PSAT oof). Which of these scores is best to report?
I attended Astro last year.
The essay topics sound fine as long as they’re genuine and compelling. For the topic in science one, I would recommend mentioning the specifics surrounding the field you’re interested in and dive into why those subtleties are so interesting.
As for the supplemental, I would stray away from the pictures but include the statement about ur gains lol.
Edit: According to SSP admissions it doesn’t matter if you submit your application early or right before the deadline.
I am a junior this year and I really want to apply for biochem, but I am taking Chem senior year. Is it still possible to get in biochem?
Can someone chance me real quick? I have 1410 SAT (only took it once, taking it again in March), 1320 PSAT (bad, I know) and I’m taking the ACT next month. GPA is 103.5, and ranked 2 out of 555. I haven’t taken any SAT II’s, only taken one AP exam (World History, 5) and will take AP physics 1, APUSH, and AP English and Lang this May. I don’t have any scientific awards… I feel like everyone that got in have such amazing stats…do I have a chance?
@hinterland do you mean AP chem or regular? If you haven’t taken any chem class in high school I would say your chances are slim because there’s quite a bit of chem knowledge needed and it may make admissions concerned that you wouldn’t be able to catch up in time. If you’ve taken a regular chem class but no AP, that’s totally fine and there are definitely people accepted without having taken AP who are very successful in the program.
^^I’m applying for astrophysics
is there a lower chance of admission next year if i apply and don’t get in this year? lowkey freaking out about this but.,
also here are my stats for more perspective
1500 diagnostic SAT
790 biology e
1390 PSAT - 211 selection index (i don’t think i’m going to report this bc sophomore scores aren’t valid and i didn’t prep at all/went to a concert the night before, etc)
honors biology 9th grade
honors physics, honors chemistry, honors precalculus 10th grade
only underclassman on school biolympiad team - i know all of the ap bio material bc i need to to be on the team and test in, etc
idk i feel like i have a chance of getting in but im not sure
i also shadowed a researcher at a lab and took an advanced science-based research project course at my school over the summer
Hi all!
I’m in the process of applying to the ssp astrophysics program. I’ve submitted my transcript and test scores and am in the process of getting everything else in. Are there any tips/advice for what I should do to boost my chances for admissions? (For example, what is good advice for the essay portion)
Also, if I’ve done Astro research before the year before, should I mention that on my application. Would it boost my chances that I have it, or would it decrease them due to SSP wanting to hand the opportunity off to someone who hasn’t gotten the chance to do such research?
@symmbowL If you’ve done research you should definitely talk about it. Many people with prior research are accepted and attend every year. They want to see genuine passion and involvement in your field. That said, they also look to accept people who will benefit most from the program, take from that what you will.
@symmbowL Just be honest; best piece of advice I have.
Hello!
I just finished my application to SSP 2020 and to the same track.
I hope you get accepted!
Munira, Saudi.