I got in! Happy because last year my teacher forgot to submit a complete rec.
I didn’t make it! :(( :(( :(( I’ll have to see what happens next year 
Congrats to those get in and sorry for those who didn’t, including my son.
A question to those who got in. Are you first time applying or repeat from last year? What grade are you in September? How did you prepare? Just want to collect some tips to prepare for next year. I’m sure everyone who wants to apply again next year could use some advice. Thank you so much in advance! Congrats again!
Hey Micc,
I am a junior (going to be a senior next year) and this was my first time applying. I did not prepare whatsoever but I still managed to get in. Because I am older than most of the other students taking the test, I have taken chemistry, physics and biology so I think my knowledge base for the required subjects is probably much larger than other students. My recommendation would be to study these three subjects as there are numerous questions that require fairly deep knowledge of these subjects in order to be answered. Other than that, there are questions about weather patterns and rocks that I don’t think anyone can really prepare for. I hope this helps! Please let me know if you have any other questions
FWIW, I’ve heard the most important section of the test is the challenge math (AMC-style question) portion. I’ve also heard that curves are done by grade level- so freshmen have the easiest, while juniors have the hardest.
I didn’t make it!! :((
Thank you @anenya! My son’s school has physics in 9th grade and then won’t really get to it until senior year, after finished with calculus. But thanks for your advice, that makes a lot of sense. I hope you enjoy the program and good luck in senior year!
Thank you @hope469! My son didn’t think the AMC math was too difficult but I guess he got a lot wrong without even knowing it. LOL! Thank you for the insight. We’ll try again next year.
I have done it in the past. Personally, I think my problem has been that I put too much pressure on myself. I love competition math but when I put pressure on myself I mess up. This year I didn’t worry because I realized that this is just one small thing and went in to the test without too much pressure. I practice a lot of competition math because math is what I’m most interested in. I believe I solved and answered 14 of the 15 math questions, if I remember correctly. I’m not sure if the problem last year was that my teacher never completed my rec. so I can’t compare my performance last year but it does seem that competition math is a key part of admissions. However, one thing I would give as advice is not to sweat it because in the long run (which for me is getting into Columbia for actual college next year) this shouldn’t matter that much.
My son attended the program for 3 years. He got rejected by Columbia last year
Thank you @IequalSmart! That’s very good advice! I’ll have my son work on his competition math. Will definitely try again. Doesn’t hurt to try. 
Enjoy the program and good luck with your college application next year!
@RoselandWeighing I’m sure getting into the science program has very little to do with the admission to Columbia. I actually think colleges prefer students bring in outside experience. Where did your son end up going? If you don’t mind me asking.
I agree with @micc. I know multiple atudents in the he program that haven’t been admitted into Columbia for college. Admissions between the two aren’t related.
Can anyone recommend me a sort of fast and cheap way to get to the city from central NJ? I am thinking of taking the subway/train or a bus…
I’d like to get the answer too. anyone in the program can give us some suggestion?
I take the train and subway, its pretty cheap for me because my parents have a train pass so I only have to pay the cost of the subway
@micc, I didn’t see your question until now, but better late than never… I’m going to be a Junior in September. Last year was my first time applying (I was a freshman) and I didn’t get in. I had only taken Biology and I remember trying to cram in a bunch of chem and physics a month before the exam (didn’t help because there was so much information that I forgot all of it). Knowing only the basics of these subjects probably isn’t going to help you much. I tried again this year as a sophomore and got in (having completed Chemistry and Biology this time around). On the exam, I either guessed on the physics questions or just left them blank (penalty for wrong answers). I didn’t think I was going to get in, so I didn’t study at all. In my experience, studying doesn’t help. Sorry, I know this isn’t much advice, but feel free to ask any questions.
Hey everyone!
I was just wondering if SHP sends you a confirmation email or any notification that they have received your decision to attend. I’m just worried that my confirmation mail got lost perhaps.
Thanks!
Hi everyone!! I got into SHP this year, and I am really excited about the program, but I will be a junior next year and do not know if SHP will be too much of a time commitment. I am a part of many clubs and am taking hard classes. I was wondering if it would be okay if I could quit the program after enrolling. Thanks!
@sh.elite Hi! Thank you for your response. My son had very little physics and no biology knowledge when he took the exam. Also he may not even know about wrong answer penalty now that you mentioned it. Hope you enjoy the program and good luck!