Q. How many students apply to SSP? Is it very competitive? What are my chances?
A. About 250 students apply each year. Most are well qualified. Our enrollment is only 72 ... you do the math. Admitted students are typically juniors earning top grades in the most advanced math & science courses available at their schools. Even if that describes you, you should not assume you will get in. Apply to SSP, but have an alternate plan too.

Every year some students are surprised when they are admitted, and some are surprised when they are not. It's hard for you to predict how you compare to applicants from around the world!

Even if you are not admitted, applying to SSP is good practice for applying to college, which you will be doing soon enough.

Q. I'm a sophomore very interested in SSP. Should I apply this year?
A. The short answer is no. While we do accept applications from sophomores, most sophomores should wait, and here's why. If you apply and are not admitted, you will feel discouraged about applying next year, when your preparation (and chances of admission) will be considerably better. We look for juniors who are excelling in math & science courses normally taken by seniors. Very few sophomores (as in, maybe 100 in the entire US) have as much preparation as the best juniors. Put another way, if you will be qualified to be admitted to Caltech or MIT as a junior, then you should consider SSP as a sophomore.

Q. Will SSP help me get into a top college?
A. Maybe, but frankly that's not a good reason to apply to SSP. If the idea of spending your summer working very hard on an astronomical research project doesn't excite you, don't let someone else (a counselor or parent, perhaps) talk you into applying anyway just because "it will look good on your college applications". You're better off doing something this summer that really interests you.

Q. How are the Socorro and Ojai campuses different?
A. Primarily in location (obviously) and program dates. Otherwise they are as identical as we can make them. The Socorro program starts a week earlier, before some schools are out for the summer. The Ojai program ends a week later, after some schools have opened again. Since the Socorro campus is a college, it is larger with more facilities (such as a swimming pool). As colleges go, however, it is compact and fairly quiet in the summer.

Q. Are my chances better if I'm willing to go to either Ojai or Socorro?
A. Yes, for the simple reason that some students may not be, and one campus will fill up first. Check with your parent(s) before deciding whether to specify one campus or not.

Q. I sent everything in, but I haven't heard that my application is complete.
A. Sometimes, not often, something gets lost. Do not assume that your application is complete, unless you get an email from us that says so. On the other hand, give us a few days to process incoming mail before inquiring, especially right around the deadline.

Q. I submitted my application weeks ago. When will I hear something?
A. After you receive an email that your application is complete, be assured that we will let you know as quickly as possible. We start evaluating applications on the day after the first-round deadline. The process takes 3-4 weeks to complete.

Q. It's already March. Is it too late to apply?
A. Not if we receive all required parts of your application by the deadline (see instructions). But please don't wait until the last week to get started!

Q. Who reads the applications?
A. The application committee consists of current and former SSP faculty members. Each application is read by three reviewers. SSP's Executive Director coordinates the process, and handles all communication with applicants and parents.

Q. If I end up on the alternate list, what are my chances of getting in?
A. Everyone on our alternate list is qualified to attend, and some (not most) will be offered admission by the end of April. But you should have a backup plan for the summer.

Q. Will you provide transportation to and from the airport on arrival and departure day?
A. Yes, to either Los Angeles International or Albuquerque. Complete travel instructions are sent to admitted students with other enrollment documents.