Now accepting applications for Yale Summer Program in Astrophysics (YSPA) 2022. https://yspa.yale.edu/
YSPA is a 2-week online + 4-week residential research and enrichment program for 32 rising high school seniors who are interested in astronomy, physics, math, computer programming, and other science and tech fields.
YSPA has a small student-to-faculty ratio (32:5), so students get to know each other and the faculty very well. It’s a summer experience like no other.
Do students with good grades, high test scores and strong letters of recommendations but no prior research or prestigious awards ever get admitted? Trying to stay hopeful.
Congratulations! Will you attend? Also, can you share a bit about yourself such as interests, stats, etc. Anything at all, really. I’m keeping an eye on this program as it sounds really amazing.
Thanks! I’m still waiting on SSP decisions, and once they are released, I will decide. The YSPA application doesn’t really ask to for many stats. For instance, they don’t ask for test scores or ECs, but they do ask for a transcript. At the time I submitted my app, I was ranked top 5% of my class of around 600 students with a weighted GPA of 4.7+/5. Additionally, I am currently taking AP Physics C (electricity and magnetism) and Calculus III as my math and science classes for this year. For my recommendation letters, I asked my current science teacher and a past math teacher.
My essays mainly talked about how and why I came to love chemistry and physics. I discussed my passion for experimenting with common household chemicals at home, and explained my eagerness to seek opportunities during high school through Science Olympiad. I ended my essays by saying how I hope to put my past experiences to use at YSPA to inspire others and become inspired. I hope this helps!
hoping to be admitted if someone turns down their acceptance!