<p>Is t at all possible to enter the program with a couple of b’s? I’m strong at math/science subjects but in all honesty…I’m lazy and my grades have been slipping because of this</p>
<p>Hey guys,
I’m waiting for the 2013 application to open on the 15th. This sounds like a wonderful experience from your comments. Quick question about chance:</p>
<p>I am a current junior and have a 3.7 GPA. Does this kill my chances? I am at a magnet school and already took 9 AP’s, currently 2 math and 2 science.
I have excellent EC’s and research experience. I heard Caltech doesn’t put non-merit attribute into consideration, but I am also female, hispanic, first-gen, lower income.</p>
<p>What criteria do you think acceptance is based on? Is there anything in particular about past participants I should consider too?</p>
<p>Thanks!</p>
<p>It’s amazing that 4 years ago, 250 applicants, while now, 650 applicants</p>
<p>When do they announce the results?</p>
<p>irizzz are you an alum?</p>
<p>Just dropping my two cents for any future potential applicant that is discouraged by the stuff they read on this thread or on CC in general: Listen closely, I started prowling this thread a few months back, with high hopes and ambitions; CC pretty much killed them all in one day. However, I did hear of RSI, SSP, MITES, and all the rest, on this site, as well as general information about colleges and applications. Anyway, I was already working on an application for a local internship in-state, but I decided to try for something high end, just because I’m a gambler. I researched around, and decided SSP is what got me the most excited and would be best for me (mainly because of how intense it is, and it’s focus on astronomy). I started working on my application around 3 weeks before the deadline. Now here’s the punch line: my stats SUCK. I mean, I didn’t even have an SAT score to submit, only my APHG score. I didn’t have any PSAT, ACT, or whatever else. I have passion for what I do, and I got in. Essentially I’m trying to say, as I’ve said on other posts here, pleaseeeeeeeeee don’t feel discouraged to apply. CC is useful, but it’s a damn cancer that will stop you from applying anywhere if you let it. I gave it my all, and now I’m getting ready for the best summer of my life so far. Be confident, future SSP’er! I believe in you!</p>
<p>Okay, I completely agree with Denis, I would encourage EVERYONE who is interested to apply, even if they don’t have the best stats. Many people on this forum have MUCH better stats than I do, but somehow I got in. The only standardized test score I submitted was my PSAT, which was a 209. I hadn’t taken the SAT, and I only had 1 AP test score, and it was history, so I didn’t submit it. I found SSP a couple weeks before the deadline, and decided to give it a shot. I was really scrambling to finish, but I was sure to put lots of effort into the essays, which I think really helped me. The one essay question that really stuck out to me was, “What do you do in your free time?”. I never mentioned academics once in that essay, I described instead the crazy antics that go on at a middle school youth group that I lead at my church. I can see now after reading the handbook that the kind of antics I described are exactly the type of things that go on at SSP. The evaluators must have read the essay and thought, “Now here is a girl who will fit in here.” Also, I have to second that passion is more important that any test score. Both of my teachers said that I wasn’t one of the brightest students they’d ever had, but I was one of the hardest working, which was probably pivotal in my application. I really don’t think they’re looking for someone who will list off every significant scientific accomplishment they’ve ever achieved (by the way, I had none). I think they’re looking for someone who will work hard and get the most out of the SSP experience. I wish the best of luck to all who wish to apply in future years, and I can’t wait to spend what will presumably the best summer of my life thus far in Santa Barbara with 35 other passionate students.</p>
<p>Oh it’s a wild Megan, I believe I’ve already met you on the FB page :D</p>
<p>And the commit date has already passed awhile back, final enrollment apps are already sent.</p>
<p>Well… you never know when someone might drop out, things could happen, so there’s always hope. However, I regret to inform you financial aid decisions have already been announced, final apps have been due for the past few days… so the chances of getting in off the alternate list are quite low now, I would recommend making other summer plans, such as research at a local university… sorry, good luck though :(</p>
<p>Haha, I thought I recognized your name! I didn’t want to say anything, in case you were from the New Mexico campus. But yes, we have met. :D</p>
<p>Oh I see, well congrats then! And yeah, with a <10% acceptance rate, a 2400 could easily have been turned away, so it happens. </p>
<p>And nope, Cali for life :D</p>
<p>I was just offered the chance to switch to the New Mexico campus, but I turned it down. I feel like I know everyone at the California campus already, I couldn’t possibly switch! Plus, I decided that 75 and sunny was probably preferable to 100 and monsoons. :p</p>
<p>Yeah for sure, we’ve already said introductions and stuff, it would suck to switch. And hey, you can’t beat a field trip to Caltech, JPL, aaand the beach! 
Plus it’s just Cali, it’s awesome.
How come they offered a switch though? Was your original first choice the NM campus?</p>
<p>They said that they had a girl that who couldn’t attend the New Mexico campus, but the California campus was full, so they were looking for volunteers to switch. Originally, New Mexico was my preference, but I thought about it for a little and decided that California was probably the better choice.</p>
<p>Well, glad you decided to stay with us! We would’ve missed you :)</p>
<p>Hi all! I found out that I got accepted from the alternate list on Wednesday! I am eternally grateful to the unknown person who decided not to go. THANK YOU SO MUCH. </p>
<p>I was originally assigned to the CA campus, but then was later informed that the campus was full, so now I am tentatively assigned to the NM campus. I hope that someone from the CA campus will be able to switch since I can’t attend the program unless it’s in California. :/</p>
<p>Regardless, I am still excited that I got accepted. :D</p>
<p>On another note, when will I know about financial aid?</p>
<p>I’m still being optimistic. The above posters don’t represent all 36 of the CA campus.</p>
<p>I would remain hopeful if I were you. I’m sure someone will be willing to switch, he probably asked me first. He has to ask people one at time, so it will take him a long time to get through all 36 people. Be hopeful! Good luck!</p>
<p>Who won’t you be able to attend the CA session? 
</p>
<p>And about financial aid, they’re pretty prompt about it, you should find out very soon.</p>
<p>@DenisRS</p>
<p>I can only go to the CA session because my parents are unwilling to pay for transportation to New Mexico unless the financial aid comes through and pays for my transportation to NM.</p>