Iowa sstp 2012 - Page 19

ketone · 07-02-2012, 02:27 AM

I'm not saying the research quality is poor, but some friends who have gone in the past tell me labs are extremely unpredictable. You can get a really innovative lab with science fair potential paper involving nanoscience etc, or get a terrible lab like cataloging seeds.

wishhimwell · 07-02-2012, 07:43 PM

@ketone, you're right about the labs.

ketone · 07-03-2012, 12:04 AM

@wishhimwell, how's your lab?

spaddes · 07-04-2012, 12:05 AM

I find it funny that my lab is the worst case senario...

ketone · 07-04-2012, 02:58 AM

Cataloging seeds? lol

iamaho813 · 07-10-2012, 01:56 PM

actually its more like 40/120+

wishhimwell · 07-20-2012, 02:28 AM

Actually there're 36 students this year.

@ketone, it's a pretty good experience.
If you are a rising Sr. next year, then you will have more selections for more prestigious research programs.

shinexalive · 08-05-2012, 01:04 AM

it's definitely a good experience. it's more reputable than sstp at uflorida, since they're extremely state-biased. the research you do is also pretty valuable, although it's not the best if you're depending on this for science fair. this science is real stuff and you'll actually run into failure at some point - it's not engineered to be your perfect science fair project. the labs take time, the papers take time, time and work - it's not just for anyone. but aside from that, you make lots of connections as well - to the campers, and also to some well-known professors and scientists, from whom you can learn a lot and even get recs from.

it's definitely worth going to. most amazing summer i've spent actually doing something. it's not perhaps as selective as a few other camps, but it's definitely valuable, and definitely not easy.

shinexalive · 08-05-2012, 01:05 AM

oh gosh what is this i'm getting withdrawal symptoms all over again i miss everyone ;o;

volleyballdude · 08-07-2012, 04:24 PM

Hi guys this is James! I miss you guys too!! XD

volleyballdude · 08-07-2012, 04:26 PM

How is your summer going JW?

WeIsCool · 11-10-2012, 04:27 AM

HEY EVERYONE!!! I missed all of these posts! But here's some info for future applicants - there were 36 applicants, and after I got in, I asked them how many had applied and they said around 90 QUALIFIED applicants. I am assuming this means that some kids just applied and had like 2.0 GPA's or something - not that you couldn't get in with a 2.0 GPA if you had really awesome extracurricular's or research experience! I must tell all future applicants - APPLY. It was an awesome experience! My lab was a bit meh @Ketone I had nanoscience and it was not exactly what I had expected haha. But I learned a lot! The problem, I think, is in which mentor you are assigned to. The director of the lab assignments was a math education lady (not mathematics - math education) who had just become the director of such and didn't follow through on certain things. Some people had awesome mentors who they talked to, joked with, and who allowed them to design their own research projects and cool stuff like that. Mine pretty much told me what I was going to do and assumed I was an intern who was there to help his graduate student with her research. We only had 2 conversations that lasted more than a sentence for the entire 6 weeks, and it was never one-on-one. He also only came in sporadically every other day or so, so he wasn't really around. It is kinda a crackshot on where you are assigned. If you don't like where you are assigned, ask them to switch you early on! You will get more out of your experience at a lab you like and that you switched to than one you don't like and that you stayed at halfway through the program. Seriously. The application process is a breeze compared to the other program I applied to (SEAP with the Navy), and though SSTP is a bit pricey, financial aid is your friend.

THE BEST part about SSTP was the people there! They were intelligent human beings and were awesome to hang out with! For our session, there were twice as many males as females accepted, but us females bonded and had fun - we pranked, we had all-nighters, we watched movies, and a bunch of other things. So, apply! Know that the "college credit" class will not likely be transferred if you go to places like Harvard, where the requirements for college credit are much higher than other colleges. Most others will accept the credit. The class itself was not useful at all. It was probably the biggest downside to the program. But it was worth it! So... apply!!!!

On the other hand... any veteran SSTPers applying to RSI or other programs? I am going to try

shinexalive · 11-12-2012, 09:37 AM

Apply~~ You get to have dance parties, pizza at 11pm, and late-night excursions to Java House.
The (scientific) experience is partially what you make it.
The RA's are great (CLAIRE, ARE YOU LURKING?)

Ishbir · 12-08-2012, 10:15 AM

To future applicants, do not hesitate to apply for this. It was the BEST summer of my life. Definitely an experience I can never forget. The intelligence and skills of everyone were amazing and one could talk to anyone else about anything and expect a fruitful conversation. It was like the gathering of smart people from around the globe. We had 2 Indians, 1 Turkish guy, 1 Italian guy, my roommate James (volleyballdude) from Hong Kong, some US Permanent Residents and other citizens of USA so there were people with diverse backgrounds and interests.

Best of all were our RAs, John, Claire, Fernando and Morgan, the coolest people you're likely to meet. They were all U of I students when I went this year but John and Fernando have (I think) graduated. They had all the fun with you, and guided you whenever you needed any help or felt down. We even planned pranks on the female RAs and girls together. xD

As ketone said, the labs are a bit unpredictable because they're decided by your professor. You could always talk to them though. What I got was parallelization of an artificial intelligence algorithm on the graphics processing unit of a computer. It's still not finished but it will hopefully be done in the winter vacations and research be sent to an accredited journal after that.

I'm considering applying to SSTP again this year as well as another program that I have not yet considered. Applying to RSI is impossible because there is no official Indian sponsor and they simply do not accept applications without one, apparently for the purpose of making it equally accessible to everyone.

pleiotropy · 12-08-2012, 04:20 PM

Hey guyss I want to apply here
But it is too expensive

and the website says that "Those that apply for financial aid will only be charged half the cost of the program. However, after your information has been reviewed, a decision will be made, and you will receive an email regarding the amount of your award."
Does it mean if you apply for FA, you will automatically receive half the cost; and if you are qualified enough, you can get more money?