Q. How many students apply to SSP? Is it very competitive? What are my chances? A. In 2011 we enrolled 67 juniors out of 569 applicants, and 5 sophomores out of 94. Admitted students generally earn top grades in the most advanced math and science courses available to them. Even if that describes you, don't assume you will get in. Apply to SSP, but have an alternate plan. But here is the main point: every year some students are surprised when they are admitted, and some are surprised when they are not. As long as you meet the pre-requisites, it's impossible for you to predict how reviewers will view your application compared to the others they read. Q. I'm a sophomore (over two years away from starting college) with perfect grades and test scores. Should I apply? A. We strongly encourage most sophomores to wait, and here's why. Very few sophomores are admitted (only a handful each year). From our perspective, 1) every sophomore we admit is taking a spot from a junior who will never get another chance, and 2) every sophomore applicant would be even better prepared a year later. From your perspective, if you are not admitted, you may feel too discouraged to apply again next year, even though your preparation (and therefore chance of admission) will be considerably better.

SSP's Takahashi refractor at NM Tech

If you are a sophomore excelling in math & science courses normally taken by seniors, especially both calculus and physics, then you should consider applying as a sophomore. Or, if you are a sophomore who will turn 17 before August, that is another good reason to apply as a sophomore, because we do not admit juniors who will be 18 during SSP.

Q. Will SSP help me get ready for college?
A. Definitely. Even if you don't get in, the application process will be good practice. If you do, the "college-like" environment at SSP will help you understand yourself better, and therefore what you should look for in a college. More specificially, you will get a very visceral sense of whether majoring in science or engineering at a selective college is the path for you, or not. If so, SSP will make you a better applicant, because it's strong evidence that you will succeed as a STEM major in college. (By the way, many alumni write about SSP in their application essays.)

Q. Will SSP help me get into my first choice college?
A. Maybe, but frankly "college app padding" is not a good reason to apply to SSP. If the idea of spending your summer working very hard on an astronomical research project doesn't excite you, don't let someone else (a counselor or parent, perhaps) talk you into going just because it will look good on your college applications. You will be much better off doing something this summer that really interests you.

Q. How are the NM Tech and Westmont campuses different?
A. Primarily in location (obviously) and program dates (NM Tech starts and ends one week earlier). The student experience is very similar, and descriptions on this website apply to both campuses. Details will vary according to the interests of the faculty.

Q. Are my chances better if I'm willing to go to either Westmont or NM Tech?
A. Yes, for the simple reason that some students may not be, and one campus will fill up first. Check your school schedule and talk to your parent before deciding whether to specify one campus or not.

Q. I would have to miss some of the activities, because of [a medical condition / religious observances / an important family event / a contest / final exams / etc.]. Should I apply?
A. Probably not; late arrivals or early departures are not allowed, and required activities are scheduled every day of the program. Contact us for more information.

Q. Is there much free time during SSP? I need to spend a couple of hours a day [training / studying / practicing my instrument / etc.].
A. During the program students stay very busy; there is "unscheduled time" but little "free time". You can count on carving out no more than about half an hour a day for a purely personal activity. It is best to arrive with no other commitments to worry about for the duration.

Q. I don't have any of the test scores listed on your application. May I still apply?
A. Yes. We don't require any particular test (nor do we use test scores to rank applicants). We simply require that you give us your scores for any of these tests that you have taken. But if you haven't taken any of them, our reviewers may have less confidence that your preparation is adequate for SSP, so consider other ways to give them that confidence.

Q. I don't have a current science teacher to complete your form. [or] I'm taking math online and the teacher doesn't know me personally, may I ask my previous teacher? [or] May I ask my CS or psychology teacher to complete the science teacher form?
A. Actually you may include evaluations from any two teachers, and we'll accept them as meeting the requirement. But your goal here is not to meet the minimum and check off the box, or to ask the teachers who like you the best. Your goal is to help our reviewers 1) understand your current preparation and interest in math and science, and 2) compare that to other applicants. So a physics teacher is better than a history teacher, a current teacher is better than one from a prior year, and a teacher who knows you well is better than a teacher who does not. If you do not submit a form from a current science and math teacher, the reviewers will wonder why not, so you should explain it in the Short Answer part.

Q. I sent everything in, but I haven't heard back from SSP that my application is complete.
A. After a complete application arrives it can take up to a week for us to log it and email you that it is complete. After that, if you have not received an email, contact us. Possibly a required part was missing (usually a teacher evaluation or transcript, in which case we'll give you a chance to get it to us even after the deadline).

Q. I submitted my application weeks ago. When will I hear whether I was admitted or not?
A. After you receive an email that your application is complete, be assured that we will email you again as soon as we have a final decision, about 4-6 weeks after the deadline. Please be patient.

Q. Who decides whether I will get in?
A. Each application is read and carefully considered by an Admissions Committee. SSP's Executive Director coordinates the process, and handles all communication with applicants and parents.

Q. If I end up on the alternate list, what are my chances of getting in?
A. Everyone on our alternate list is qualified to attend, and some will be offered admission. But you should have a backup plan for the summer.

Q. Will you provide transportation to and from the closest airport on arrival and departure day?
A. Yes, either Santa Barbara (SBA) or Albuquerque (ABQ). There is a public Airbus shuttle from LAX to Santa Barbara. Complete travel instructions (and lots of other instructions) are sent to admitted students with their enrollment documents.

Q. Does SSP have any religious affiliation? Can I attend services during the program?
A. SSP is a secular program that welcomes students of any religious background. On request we will arrange transportation to a local religious service on Sunday mornings (on Saturdays, required lectures and field trips are scheduled). We support observance of religious dietary restrictions.