Dear future SSPers,
If you stumble upon my letter today after stress scrolling on the SSP website, I
hope this little story of mine will give you some reassurance.
To understand a story, you must understand the writer. When someone asks me to
describe myself, the first word that pops in my mind is “introverted.” I am an
introvert at heart: I’m reserved, quiet, and oftentimes, socially inept. Throughout
3 years of high school, I’ve always felt lost and lonely. No matter how hard I tried,
I could never feel a true connection to anyone at my school. When others were
partying with their friends during homecoming or junior prom, I rotted in my room
to study for AP exams. When I got high grades or accomplished something
impressive, I didn’t have any friends to celebrate with. I may get A+ in class, but I
definitely secure an F for my social life.
Despite my introverted nature, trust me when I tell you that no one desires a true
connection than an introvert. So, I decided to take a leap of faith and applied to
SSP, a program that advertises itself on its vibrant social atmosphere and
collaboration-focused research, a nightmare for an introvert in a nutshell, or so I
thought…
SSP curates a specific environment to foster friendship and collaboration. My
fondest memories of SSP came from late night working on data analysis with my
roommates in the computer lab in our dorm, staring at the computer screen for
hours trying to figure out MOE modeling assignments with my friends, and
conducting 13 trials in the lab with my teammates. The challenging academic aspect
of SSP may seem intimidating at first, but it’s also the catalyst to create (trauma)
bonds between you and the other 35 participants.
SSPers work hard and we play harder. In addition to the (trauma) bonds that we
form from struggling together through we labs, MOE, and class activities, we also
hang out during weekly field trips, play board games until 5 minutes before the
dorm curfew, share late night snacks, and explore the nearby college town on the
weekends. In just 6 weeks, I grew closer to the talented peers at SSP more than I
ever did with my high school friends back home. To some people, having a group of
friends to hang out with and to talk to is a very normal thing; but to me, an
introvert, being at SSP was the first time I got to experience the joy of having a
group of friends who are super-duper smart and nerdy yet extremely kind and
considerate. Being at SSP was the first time I got to experience what it feels like
to be accepted for who you are. I didn’t have to worry about not being able to fit in
with others because at SSP, everyone is connected by their shared passion for
science and their endless curiosity to explore new topics. Besides, SSP gives you
many opportunities, such as weekly field trips, weekly game nights, and daily group
dinners, to meet new people and “networking.”
Before I came to SSP, I expected the program’s prestige was built from its
rigorous academic curriculum. After 5 weeks of being in SSP, I realized that it was
the people who made SSP “the educational experience of a lifetime.” So, some last
notes to the future SSPers, be scared but don’t be discouraged. You’ve made it so
far by being accepted to SSP, and trust me, you’ll be fine. Enjoy the next best 6
weeks of your life!!!
Eve’s signing out
