About

The Summer Science Program (SSP), founded in 1959, is one of the oldest and most respected STEM programs for high school students. What distinguishes SSP is its longevity, very active alumni management, and its unusual academic structure: a six-week, team-based research experience where students tackle open-ended problems in astrophysics, biochemistry, or genomics. Unlike other elite programs of its caliber, SSP is not free—tuition runs about $8,000—but the program provides significant financial aid, and many students attend at low or no cost. Its history, rigor, and breadth make SSP a mainstay in the top tier of STEM summer opportunities.

SSP enrolls roughly 500–600 students annually across multiple campuses (including New Mexico, Colorado, Indiana, North Carolina, and UC campuses). The applicant pool numbers several thousand, with admit rates likely about 10%. Applications require essays, transcripts, and recommendations, with admissions based on intellectual curiosity and demonstrated achievement in math and science. SSP is open to both U.S. and international students, making it one of America's more globally accessible flagship research programs.

Students live in residence halls and work in small research teams guided by faculty and teaching assistants. In the astrophysics track, participants calculate the orbits of near-Earth asteroids using nightly observations on research-grade telescopes. In the biochemistry and genomics tracks, they design and execute experiments with real-world implications, learning laboratory protocols, coding, and data analysis. Every student contributes to both the scientific process and the collaborative final paper, culminating in a symposium-style presentation.

Operating continuously for over sixty years, SSP is renowned for both the extraordinary academic experience it offers and its nearly unmatched reputation. Alumni have gone on to excel in Regeneron STS, ISEF, and later in academia, medicine, and technology. SSP is one of the handful of STEM research programs given instant and measurable weight by any Ivy-plus admissions office.