<p>Can someone tell me whether I should put in time to apply. I am a junior from NJ taking Calculus BC next year (AB this year), and have taken physics as a freshman, and chemistry as a sophomore (bio this year). Here are my stats:
GPA: 3.5 UW, 3.6 W
PSAT: Dont ask (below their minimum ...)
SAT: I'm planning on taking the SAT in March (will they still consider the scores, if i apply early?)
I have a good amount of EC's, though none of them are astronomy related. However, I do have some astronomy background, and I plan on majoring in astronomy, so the essay would not be a problem. The thing is that I am weak when it comes to awards, especially in math/science competitions. Hopefully my essay and interest in astronomy +ec's will overlook my weak PSAT?</p>
<p>I'd say you might want to apply regular decision round, only because then your SAT scores might arrive in time. I think it's not too late to apply for (late application) January SATs if you are ready, but don't rush it. Do make sure your essays are good though, especially if you have some knowledge about astronomy and passion for it, it should show through pretty well. I don't know what else to say.</p>
<p>I really can't say much about admissions, I can't read people's minds. I can only really tell from experience, and all I can really say is that SSP was an amazing experience (see posts above) and it really can't hurt to apply. All you spend is postage and some time. :D</p>
<p>Z particle,</p>
<p>What about the physics and programming curriculum? I do not have the greatest exposure to computer programming, but does that matter a whole lot? Yeah, passion is probably one of the biggest factors in the application from what I hear. Anyways, thanks for the encouragement.</p>
<p>They teach EVERYTHING from the beginning. I went in without physics, and very minimal programming experience. They do teach everything from the beginning, but they do go very fast. I think we did all of ab and bc calc in one hour? maybe two? But you can definately get a lot out of SSP without any knowledge. The problem sets are difficult, but there so many people there to help you. It's a lot like college when (i think) there are study groups and people do homework together and whatnot.</p>
<p>you said that, but I didn't know they start ALL the way from the beginning. i am feeling more confident in applying now that i heard that. another question is then, is it worth it to take Calculus BC AFTER the program? And if I did, I should probably take a university class concurrently. at least, that is what I am thinking.</p>
<p>I don't think ssp gets you credit for for calculus so I don't know if you'd be allowed to, but it certainly does help. I'm taking honors physics after ssp, and the class is a breeze, but I'm self-studying ap physics alongside, and I have a lot more time to focus on other classes. I do believe that taking BC after the program would be useful, because not everything is covered at SSP. I don't think like integrals with revolutions, polar, and parametric stuff is covered. Also, Calc BC was one of the most rewarding courses I've ever taken. It's challenging but do-able and I think taking it after SSP would be an even more rewarding experience because you can dig deeper into the concepts and torture your teacher. :)</p>
<p>hey, i am all for torturing my teacher! stunning him with my knowledge sounds pretty sweet. i guess that's an added bonus to the program!</p>
<p>Will this program be any helpful to my D, if she has already taken AP Calc BC(10th Grade) and AP Physics C(11th Grade)?</p>
<p>Many many people there have taken both. I would say that the vast majority had succeeded in both and were still challenged at camp. :)</p>
<p>I might add that in addition to the basic program, there are many "add-ons" available, depending on how much free time you have, your interests, and how much you want to sleep. There are a lot of side projects available, and you are given the opportunity to delve further into the project.</p>
<p>Please note classof09's apparently incidental clause: "and how much you want to sleep". This is actually a MAJOR factor, trust me. I reckon my body clock will never be the same again.</p>
<p>apostle365, don't worry too much. As classof09 says, they cover everything from the beginning, and go pretty much in depth. Just don't fall asleep in class (once again, this is easier said than done). I did that once - one moment the teacher was defining limits and when I woke up after a quick nap he was developing the essential points regarding the Taylor Series. I was like, whoa?</p>
<p>As for programming, I didn't have much experience either, but I was fine. They are pretty good at teaching everything from scratch. And physics is very basic, you don't have to worry about it at all. Except some undue stress on gravitation, for obvious reasons I guess. I think that - if you haven't had adequate exposure already - it's astronomy that you mainly have to worry about. They teach that really fast.</p>
<p>I'm not too worried about the rigor of the program anymore, just the whole admissions process. By the time I apply, I will only be a sophomore (rising junior), and they don't admit too many of those. But I think that I will be just as qualified as most people, having taken calculus, some physics, and a whole summer of astrophysics and astronomy prior to the summer of the program. Anyways, I still have a year...</p>
<p>Ahhh, feels so good to be talking about SSP once more.
Haha "stunning him with my knowledge". I've been doing that long before I went to SSP. Not that I know too much, but he just doesn't know even the most basic concepts about algebra. C'mon people we are talking about the AM-GM inequality here.</p>
<p>Anyways, for all of you thinking about applying to SSP, all I have to say right now (part of which is because it's 3:45 am in the morning for me. This also emphasizes z-particles warning for sleep deprivation and bioclock modifications) is that if you've got the Passion for science in general, and if you think that you'll be able to enjoy SSP, then go for it. It's definitely the best way to spend your summer and, at the same time, doing something that you like and will probably gain a lot from. Where else do you get to work with a 14" Schmidt Cassegrain telescope with equatorial mount, and work in the darkroom developing the picture you have taken yourself, in the same night?</p>
<p>Oh and btw, I'm sorry for changing the screen name. Maybe I've just becomoe mentally retarded after doing all those college apps, or maybe CCs password recovery system just sucks.</p>
<p>can we apply to ssp, rsi and cornell nano bio at the same time? All three programs are very intersting to me, and i would apply to only one, but all three programs are so selective</p>
<p>i was wondering what the chances would be for me...</p>
<p>High School Junior - Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy</p>
<p>UW GPA - 3.75
PSAT - 218 (M72, CR73, WR73)</p>
<p>Has Taken - By summer will have taken Intro Bio, Intro Chem, Intro Physics, Advanced Chemistry, Intro Methods in Scientific Inquiry, BC I Calculus (a three part series), Intro to Computer Science</p>
<p>I am also currently conducting research on campus. I do cancer research using dichloroacetate as a treatment for MCF7 breast cancer cells.</p>
<p>Does going to a Math and Science Academy help a lot?</p>
<p>Is there a psat/sat min. My sat is 2130 (i screwed up) but my psat is 223.am i fine concerning standardized test score. I just don't want them to hurt me you know what i am saying?</p>
<p>@apostle365
Hey, give it a shot. If you don't get in, you've got next year's SSP anyway. But this year's SSP is gonna be a lot more fun, because it's their 50th year. So I think, go for it!</p>
<p>@A-Card
There is no psat/sat minimum score. Scroll up to find out more. Lots of those who got in didn't even have a single SAT under their belt. RSI, SSP, and Cornell Nano-Bio are VERY different, so I suggest you research each of them individually and decide which one you'd prefer most. But there's no harm in applying to all three of them, I guess.</p>
<p>@imsanerd
Your research experience is pretty awesome. Like I said (as did a lot of others) before, there's no harm in applying. The program really helps for people who are into that kind of research. But from your stats, it appears (correct me if I'm wrong) that you are more into chemistry and biology. SSP doesn't touch those at all. It's more about physics, astronomy, and a little bit of mathematics. Again, having said that, you are free to apply, because SSP is FUN. It is just AWESOME, and there's no better way to spend six weeks in summer.</p>
<p>Cheers to all those who plan to apply, and make sure you can survive with about 3-4 hours of sleep every night before deciding to go for it. Oh yes, and Wing Commander, welcome back. Hail The Duck!</p>
<p>No Duck No Duck!!</p>
<p>Can Anyone who went to it tell me how many Chinese students are in?</p>
<p>I wonder whether I'm the first in my country to apply for it.</p>
<p>Hmm, does anybody know whether or not submitting my application for the second deadline in March will hurt my chances? Do they defer applicants from the first round, or do they just tell you whether you are accepted or denied a few weeks afterwards?</p>
<p>I just want some more time to show my accomplishments in my ecs and get better teacher recs.</p>
<p>@shspyc
There were no Chinese students this year at Ojai. Maybe Socorro, but I'm not sure.
That reminds of the time when I was applying. Even I had wondered if I was the first one to apply from my country before I met z-particle on CC. Then z-particle found out that we both were beaten to it by someone who went the year before last.</p>