<p>I’m going to SSP this summer as a high school freshmen. I also plan on going back the following summers so by my senior year I have 24 credits from HU. Assuming I get A’s in all courses, will that; (1) help my chances getting into HU; (2) be a + or - in getting into any other top school.</p>
<p>The SSP book explicitly says attendance does not aid/guarantee acceptance at Harvard, but it definately would show interest. </p>
<p>The downside would be that other colleges would see that they are obviously not your first choice. If I were you, I’d do SSP one year, then apply to other summer programs at different colleges. One reason being money, and two being that you would show you are not completely focused on Harvard (there are other summer programs/colleges out there).</p>
<p>I know what the book says. But, I was encouraged by a HU admission’s member to apply even through I am only a freshmen, and as I really want to go to HU after HS, I figured I might just as well show them how much I really want to be there. I know it is expensive but that is not a problem. I guess my biggest concern is how and if it will effect applications at other colleges in the event that I don’t get into Harvard.</p>
<p>I never went to SSP, but I would think that chances are a college would not reject you if you are a top candidate for admission just because you show an obvious interest in Harvard. After all, you might very well choose to go to one of those schools, and admission to Harvard is in no way a sure thing for anyone.</p>
<p>meganf, don’t burn out on Harvard. Don’t get me wrong, I love Harvard, but there are other awesome schools out there. I went to SSP this past summer which helped me to figure out what I want from a university, I applied early and was deferred. As much as I would have loved to do SSP again, there are plenty of other summer opportunities. Harvard wants you to have a varied background anyways, if you can afford to do SSP then there are plenty of research opportunities or humanitarian efforts abroad etc. that would look good, if not better than attending Harvard. Don’t get too overworked by this…do something you love (and you WILL love SSP IMO)…but don’t trap yourself… good luck :)</p>
<p>geminihop. Thanks for your thoughts. I know there are some awesome colleges out there but I have wanted to go to Harvard since forever. I am starting a research project in the fall and next summer (2006) before SSP I will be in Europe for a month working on my research project at a lab there. I do a good amount of EC’s during the school year volunteering at a nursing home, which I have done since the 6th grade.</p>
<p>Yeah, don’t get too set on college already. When I was a frosh, I had no idea what I wanted to do… then I found physics :). But anyway, make sure you enjoy high school, too. It’s not THAT bad, most of the time :).</p>
<p>kates1422. I love my HS and I love physics. I am taking honors physics this year.</p>
<p>dude…3 years of summer school at harvard… i enjoyed harvard very much, but that is insane. try other things, you’re still in high school… if you end up attending harvard in college, you’ll have plenty of time to be around the school. </p>
<p>according to what you said, ur well qualified for harvard, u dun need to spend 3 summers there just to “show interest”… go travel, hang out with friends, volunteer, whatever… 
just my two cents…</p>