Imagine Yourself …

… tracking and imaging a near-earth asteroid with your two teammates, up in the dome after midnight … writing your own software to calculate its orbit … working harder and learning faster than you ever thought you could … and sharing the whole mind-expanding experience with some of the brightest, most interesting friends you'll ever make!

The Summer Science Program is a six-week residential enrichment program, held on two campuses (one in Southern California, one in New Mexico). Since 1959, gifted high school students have come to SSP from around the world for its research-based curriculum, stimulating guest lectures, and behind-the-scenes field trips to places like NASA's Jet Propulsion Lab or the Very Large Array (of radio telescopes). The challenging, college-like "SSP experience" accelerates students' academic and personal development, by immersing them in a supportive community of scholars. And, it's a lot of fun!

Is SSP for You?

Are you currently a high school junior, now taking calculus or planning to next fall? Will you be at least 15 years old, but not yet 18, this summer? If so, you're eligible to apply. (Note: the age limit for international students is 19.)

While sophomores may apply, we accept only a handful of sophomores each year; they are typically students who will be eligible to graduate a year early. With very few exceptions, sophomores should wait a year. Click here to be reminded by email.

The academic program is challenging - lectures in astronomy, physics, calculus, and programming are taught at a college upperclass level - but every one of the 36 students receives a very high level of personal attention from the eight resident faculty, so no one is left behind. The spirit of cooperation is reinforced by the absence of grades or formal credit. Teams of three students tackle the asteroid orbit determination research project together.

To be admitted, you should be earning top grades in the most advanced math & science courses available to you. Your standardized test scores should be in the top 10% in math, and the top 25% in verbal/reading.

We also look for scientific pursuits outside of the classroom, and evidence of good character and motivation. We take into account any personal or family circumstances that may have presented obstacles to your academic achievements. The application will provide an opportunity for you to explain your unique background and situation.

Choosing a campus

SSP takes place at two campuses, starting and ending one week apart:

• on the campus of New Mexico Tech in Socorro, New Mexico (about 80 miles south of Albuquerque)
  Sunday, June 14 through Saturday, July 25, 2009

• on the campus of Besant Hill School in Ojai, California (about 80 miles northwest of Los Angeles)
  Sunday, June 21 through Saturday, August 1, 2009

How To Apply

SSP's college-like experience starts with the application. To open your application, you first complete an online form that tells us who and where you are, and your test scores and grades. (You can log back in later to change or add information.) Next you download the main application and instructions. The rest of your application will consist of Short Answers, official transcript, test score reports, and two teacher recommendations. This is just a summary; the application document contains detailed instructions.

See FAQ for students and parents, FAQ about admissions, and quotes from alumni.

Your application will be complete when all required parts have been received in our office (not postmarked). Incomplete applications cannot be reviewed. We will start the review process on February 20, so try to have your completed application to us by then if possible. The final deadline is Friday, March 20. Give your teachers as much time as possible to complete your recommendations. Don't wait until a few days before the deadline to ask them, and don't let spring break get in the way!

Please allow us 2-3 days to acknowledge receipt of your application. Your application will be read by three reviewers, including current and former SSP faculty, who will carefully consider all of the information presented. This process takes several weeks. After we reach a decision on your application, we will notify you by email or letter as soon as possible.

The Summer Science Program does not discriminate in admissions on the basis of gender, race, color, citizenship, residence, or national or ethnic origin, or on the basis of application for financial aid. Young women and traditionally underrepresented minority students are especially encouraged to apply. All applicants receive equal consideration.

Program Fee

Financial concerns should not be a factor in your decision to apply. There is no application fee. Need-based financial aid is available, up to and including the full program fee plus airfare. Typically over a third of students enrolled receive financial aid, averaging $3,000 each. Applying for aid has no effect on whether admission will be offered; the Admissions Committee is not told which applicants have applied for financial aid. Financial aid decisions are made by a Financial Aid Committee only after admission is offered.

For those families who do not qualify for full or partial financial aid, the 2009 program fee of $3,750 covers tuition, room & board, local transportation, and supplies … virtually everything except travel to and from SSP. (It does not, however, cover all of SSP's budgeted expenses of $6,000 per student; donations from alumni and others make up the difference.)

Click here for Financial Aid FAQ.

New Mexico fee waiver: due to a special grant from the State of New Mexico, any admitted student who is a New Mexico resident will automatically receive a full program fee waiver.

Los Angeles County fee waiver: due to a special grant from the Ahmanson Foundation, any admitted student who is a resident of Los Angeles County, and from an economically disadvantaged family and/or an under-represented ethnic minority, will receive a full program fee waiver. "Economically disadvantaged" means meets the criteria for free or reduced-price school lunch. Eligible minorities include African-American, Hispanic, Native American, or Pacific Islander.