<p>Has anyone ever gone to the UPenn summer academy of applied science and technology program? If so, did you like it? What grade were you in when you applied? Was it hard?</p>
<p>I went last summer! I’m a senior this year, so I was a junior when I applied. I was in the Biotechnology class. I didn’t find the material itself very hard… but the course (Biotechnology, anyway) was SO MUCH WORK. Seriously. I know at least half the people in my class stayed up past midnight every night working on homework, journals, lab reports, research project proposal, etc. It is definitely work - not like some other summer programs where the emphasis is on having fun. Not to say you won’t/wouldn’t have fun - I absolutely LOVED SAAST and of all the summer programs I’ve been to (this one plus MMSS at the University of Michigan and summer@Brown) I definitely learned the most at this one. </p>
<p>I think it’s DEFINITELY a good program to go to, but you have to be prepared for intensity.</p>
<p>Like I said though, I took the Biotechnology course, and from what I gathered our course had the most work. Not to try to sway you from it though - like I said, I learned a lot, even though I took it after having finished AP Bio and AP Chem with 5’s :)</p>
<p>That sounds awesome! I was thinking about doing the biotechnology course but I’m more towards swaying on taking computer science. I already got accepted to summer@brown but this is my first choice. I am only a freshman and have not taken any SATs, PSATs, or ACTs so I am worried that I am at a disadvantage. Hopefully I get in! :)</p>
<p>Three of my friends went this past summer and they apparently LOVED it to death. One of them just got a likely letter actually.</p>
<p>My RA during my time at Penn’s Biomedical Resarch Academy said that summer@Brown was fantastic and the nightlife can be equally as good.</p>
<p>I really can’t decide which one to go to. I still need to submit my materials for UPenn but I know that less people are admitted compared to S&B.</p>
<p>I’m currently a senior. I did SAAST robotics last summer and loved it. Academically, I thought it was pretty challenging and I learned a lot. I had experience with robotics and RC circuits coming into the program, but I was still challenged and had to learn to code the micro controllers which I had never done before. Furthermore, I received a credit at Penn for the course work.
Some programs had more written homework, whereas in robotics we were working on projects most of the time. There was definitely time to have fun and hangout with your new friends. Additionally, even while in labs, you were with your classmates so it never really got boring.
Beyond the academics, I feel that the program is most helpful for rising seniors interested in Penn for undergrad. Going into the program I knew I was interested in Penn, but would not have applied early decision. After SAAST that changed. Three weeks on campus allowed me to explore campus and get a true feel for Penn. I was able to work in the undergrad engineering labs with current professors.
It was also extremely helpful to be able to talk with the current undergrad TAs during the program. They were able to answer any questions I had about Penn or college in general. They were all really cool people and each one truly loved Penn.
While I don’t know if this is possible, but even if you don’t like Penn after the program, you will come away with a better definition of what you want in a college. Apparently some people would rather study in a rundown cornfield, not a vibrant urban campus, and it is worth knowing what you want come Senior year.
I would definitely recommend SAAST for rising juniors and seniors interested in engineering. (Penn also has summer programs for Business and other fields).
Ohh and also, while they may not say it, I believe participating in SAAST helps in college admissions especially when writing your “Why Penn?” essay. I was accepted to Penn Mechanical Engineering '16 Early Decision and I am a SAAST alum.
If you have any other questions just let me know.</p>
<p>Congradulations Fireexplr93! I already know that Penn is probably one of the places I would apply to in the future just because I love the campus, the academics, and the eateries across the street, hehe. However, I am going to be a rising sophomore if I were to go this summer. Would it be a disadvantage for me to be accepted compared to other kids? I really do like the computer science program and elaborated well on the reason why in my app. Also, I thought that my essay was really good and I showed a lot about who I am as a person. I really hope they see that. Oh, and do actual Penn professors teach these courses or just people coming for the summer? Thanks!</p>
<p>Good luck! I think they give preference to rising juniors and seniors, but in my program of 30 there were two sophomores. If you are a good applicant, you should have a very good chance.
As for professors, Yes! Actual Penn professors lecture and are in charge of each program. You will learn from them, but you will also have undergrad TAs that assists. The TAs are very helpful when in the lab as most of them have recently done similar stuff during the school year. At least for my robotics program, the professor based it off his sophomore level mecatronics class, but scaled his expectations and the material to fit the age group.</p>
<p>Thanks again and good luck to you at Penn! I actually just appealed to switch to biotechnology since it is something I think I would love more. I love hard work. Well, my application will be sent out on Monday so hopefully I will get positive news back. Also, does anyone know how many kids do apply to this program? Just wondering…</p>
<p>Bump! Bump! Bump!</p>
<p>Buuuuuuuump!</p>
<p>Not sure if you still need info, but from what they told us when we got there, they accept about half the people who apply.</p>
<p>I got accepted for the 2012 SAAST program in Biotech. I’m just a freshman so what do you guys recommend studying until then? I’ve only taken Bio H and self studied a little chem.</p>
<p>Just found out I got accepted too! Thanks to everyone on this thread. Looks like we’re going to be classmates albert29!</p>
<p>My son was just accepted to the SAAST computer science program. He is a rising sophomore and his first choice was robotics. He applied for financial aid but received nothing. Without the aid we cannot afford to send him. Has anyone ever tried to negotiate for aid after being denied assistance?</p>
<p>I’m sending in my application within the week, but are there any pointers that you can provide? My GPA is about average, 3.4, but I had moderately rigorous course loads and I volunteered fairly extensively on the side. I applied to a summer program earlier in the year and I was rejected, so are there any tips on how to write a better personal letter/short answer response? </p>
<p>Any and all help you can give is really appreciated.</p>
<p>hey abbybear, i have to say that for the short answer and personal letter, you really just have to be yourself when responding. I know that because I am a rising sophomore, they look for maturity in my age group. I think that telling them my true feelings and what I did really proved my personality and helped push my application for the better. Just talk about stuff you love, your ideas, your life, etc and you’re good to go. That’s what I did I guess.</p>
<p>im going to biotech this year too :)</p>
<p>Congrats to everyone who got accepted. I got accepted for SAAST 2012 in nanotechnology. Is anyone else attending nanotech?</p>
<p>@Abe1995 I am also attending Nanotech!</p>