The Summer Science Program offers teens an exhilarating and inspiring immersion into hands-on experimental science. Working in teams of three, 36 participants and 7 faculty form a supportive “living and learning community” over 39 days. Each team completes a real research project, taking and analyzing original data. Afterward, they join a worldwide network of 2,500+ alumni of all ages. In 2023 we will operate six programs:
SSP is an independent nonprofit, the only summer program operated, governed, and largely funded by its own alumni and former faculty … eloquent testimony to its impact on young people for more than six decades. Many alumni call it “the educational experience of a lifetime.”
SSP is open to current high school juniors (and a few truly exceptional sophomores) who have completed the pre-requisites by summer, and will be at least 15 years old, but not yet 19, during the program. (Too young? We can remind you later.)
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"SSP has truly been a transformative experience for me, both socially and academically. The five weeks we spent living and learning together were extremely valuable. With no other group of students would I feel more comfortable plowing through problem sets, racking our brains to analyze data, and spending late nights reviewing material together. I've learned from so many different personalities, and have seen firsthand the importance of collaboration in this unique environment. I now leave this summer with increased confidence in my abilities, a network of lifelong friends, and an excitement to witness the future that lies before me."
-- Akshata T. '22
Thursday, December 15, 2022 Applications open. | Friday, February 3 , 2023 Deadline for international applicants – all non-U.S. citizens and U.S. citizens attending school outside the U.S. | Friday, March 3 , 2023 Deadline for U.S. citizens and green card holders attending school in the U.S. |
Mid-March, 2023 International admission decisions released | Mid-April, 2023 U.S. admission decisions released | 2023 Programs will run mid June – end of July |
The Summer Science Program is an independent non-profit 501(c)3, operated in cooperation with its host campuses and affiliates California Institute of Technology, Harvey Mudd College, and Massachusetts Institute of Technology.