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Don’t just take our word for it...
100 percent of the girls who participated in the 2011 SSEP reported satisfaction with the program. Here's some of what past participants had to say:
I wasn’t sure that I would be happy at an all-girls program, but it wasn’t long before I had to remind myself that the environment wasn’t a typical one. I had a blast at SSEP, and I learned so much.
I thought it was a great balance of fun and learning, and it is such a diverse program that anyone can find her place in the SSEP.
SSEP allows girls to meet other girls who are equally as in science, and it provides a great opportunity to work with professors who are excited to share what they know.
What’s not to like? Awesome people, awesome classes, awesome activities…it's all amazing.
Smith has such a beautiful campus!
The classes were great. Everyone I met was extremely nice (especially the
teachers)…even the food was good and that’s rare!
At the SSEP you meet the best people from all over the world.
The SSEP was so beneficial when it comes to learning about your interests, college and possible careers.
And from a parent:
Our daughter had a wonderful time at SSEP this summer. We could see that she not only learned a lot and made many new friends, but came home with much more self confidence than she had three months ago. To our delight everything that we read about the SSEP on your Web site was true!
And where are they now? More comments from SSEP alumnae:
In all honesty, SSEP greatly impacted my life. Previous to the summer of 1999, I was uncertain about the direction I should take with my life. The SSEP courses and activities helped me concentrate on the sciences. From there, I chose chemistry as my major in college and now my profession.
It is wonderful to think of the summer I spent at Smith—what good memories! That experience changed my sense of what was possible (former participant who just finished her residency in internal medicine at Columbia).
Here are additional quotes from girls who participated in past Smith Summer Science & Engineering Program:
It is a helpful, fun, and . . . informative program. I've learned so much and made so many friends.
It is a great environment to spend 4 weeks out of your summer. Also, great teachers, staff etc. made the experience awesome!!!!!!
I think any girl could benefit from being in an environment of strong motivated young women.
It is an opportunity to experience college life without a four-year commitment. Also, you are accepted for who you are.
SSEP is a fun learning experience. Not only did I learn new subjects, I learned new activities and was exposed to an entirely different environment. It was an extraordinary experience.
I think more and more girls should attend an event like SSEP!! It was just great!!! You meet so many people, professors; it's just a great experience. Also, the fact that we had access to ALL Smith College resources was great!!!
I met a lot of people from all over the world and learned how to talk about what I discover and communicate my ideas.
I've made friends that I'm sure will last a lifetime, and have taken intensive science classes that I never would have been able to take at home.
The activities, the places to go, and the people all contributed to make the SSEP one of the most memorable experiences of my life.
I learned a lot about science, math, and writing and I really think that will help me do well in school.
SSEP is a great opportunity to have fun with science during the summer. It teaches a lot about college life and the professors and interns are really awesome..SSEP is a lot of fun and it offers and opportunity to explore all fields of Science as well as to meet and make friends with people from all over the world.
SSEP is an awesome program for girls who want to learn more about science or math. . . . I've made so many new friends from all over the country and the world. This program boosts student's confidence and sends a message to girls that it's ok for girls to be interested in science and math (a male dominant profession). The professors were very encouraging and make me feel that I can do anything!!!!
The first day I got here; I was really nervous and scared. The next 4 weeks have gone by so quickly!! I cannot believe I am leaving the day after tomorrow. I've met some really interesting and fun people. I've grown more independent and I've explored more opportunities. There is something to do for everyone.
You meet and learn to live with and share with new people from all walks of life, the classes are very informative, the teachers are all nice people, don't fear, the experience is invaluable, you spend your summer doing fun things while keeping your brain and intellect alive.
The food is good, the campus is clean, the scenery is beautiful, the people are very friendly and the teachers are very nice. The interns are like our friends not teachers!!!! ( they are some cool interns!!!!!!).
It will be the best summer of your life!!!!!!!!
It's a rewarding, fun, life changing experience to bond with girls like your self from all over.
The classes are very hands on; the learning environment is very supportive. It is a good place to come and explore science, while making friends and having fun, it is also very supportive of girls, being that it is a women's college. I like Smith's convenience to downtown; I also like the shops on campus.
The SSEP . . . is a great and enriching learning experience as well as a chance to meet some amazing and awesome people.
SSEP has been one of the best experiences of my life. The classes were fun and interesting; there was always something to do, like arts and crafts, and various discussions and sports activities; and there were girls from everywhere to learn from.
When should I apply? As soon as possible. We receive three to four times the number of applicants as we have places in the program. It is best to apply before the early application deadline of March 1; you may call or write us if you have any questions regarding application deadlines.
When will I know if I am accepted to the SSEP? In general, we review complete applications and respond to you within 6 to 8 weeks. Please feel free to contact our office to ensure that your application is complete.
Is there an application fee? Currently, there is no application fee to apply to the SSEP.
Can I attend the program for two weeks only? We do offer admission to a limited number of students (two or three each summer) who attend only half of the program (either the first or the last two weeks). But be warned: most students who sign up for the first two weeks end up asking if they can stay for the final two weeks!
Do I get credit for the courses in the SSEP? No--and you don't get grades, either. Students learn so much in this environment where there are no pressures. They learn because they are interested. At the student's request, faculty will complete an evaluation for each student.
What do students do besides classes? Lots of things! In your free time you can use all of the campus facilities (sports and fitness, museums, libraries, gardens, etc.), and the SSEP staff plans on-campus events (movies, games, crafts, a talent show, etc.) and an occasional field trip (music, theater, fun, and recreation) for afternoons, evenings, and weekends. There is always an organized activity to join--or you can spend time on your own with friends from the program.
Will I get my first choice of classes? Upon acceptance to the SSEP, students receive a course selection sheet that they fill out and rank their preference for courses. We read these forms along with your application essay to place you in your classes. Although we can't guarantee that everyone will get her first choices, most students do.
Can my parents and I talk to someone who participated in the SSEP last summer? Yes, we have a list of students who have agreed to be contacted. Just ask us, and we will pass their information along to you.
I live near Smith--may I commute to the SSEP? The SSEP is a residential program and there are no commuters. The experience of living with away from home with your friends in the program is a great learning experience (plus it is lots of fun). We don't want you to miss out on this by going home after classes.
How much financial aid do you offer? Financial aid awards are based solely on financial need and range from a partial award (several hundred dollars) to a full award ($4,900 in 2012).
I am an international student. May I apply to the SSEP? Yes. Over the past 20 years, students from 53 countries outside of the U.S. have participated in the SSEP.
Who attends the SSEP? Since 1990, the SSEP has served nearly 1,800 girls (ages 13-19) representing 46 U.S. states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Virgin Islands, and 53 foreign countries. What these students have in common is an interest in science and a willingness to explore. In addition to all that you learn in SSEP classes, living together for the month with such a diverse group of peers is a great learning experience.
What if I get homesick? We expect that some SSEP participants will feel homesick. When you arrive at Smith on that first Sunday, you'll see right away that our staff is prepared to help you. We'll greet you, assist you in settling into your room, give you a tour of the campus, sit with you over dinner in the house dining room, and introduce you to lots of new friends. The very next morning, we will escort you to your first class and you'll be on your way! Most important, the SSEP staff will be there to listen at any time. Our past experience assures us that there will be many more tears shed on the last day of the program (when you have to leave your great SSEP friends) than on the first day.
Can friends and relatives come visit me while I am at Smith? Except for emergencies, we have a strict no visitors policy. Family members and friends are welcome to come for the final days of the program (Friday, July 27th, in the evening and Saturday, July 28th, in the morning) to hear student presentations and attend the final SSEP luncheon.
Can I bring my car? No, students are not allowed to bring cars to the SSEP.
Do we have homework? In general, no--with the exception of the Experiment and Exploration: A Laboratory for Writers course that will have some reading and writing to do outside of class time.
Do we have tests? No, no tests are given in any classes.
What are the presentations like? Each SSEP course has between 10 and 16 students in it. At the end of the two-week class, all of these students give a presentation of their work in the class. Everyone takes part in planning and delivering her class presentation (each class presentation is about 30 minutes in length). Some presentations are serious, while others are very light-hearted--but they are all very informative. Some use PowerPoint, the Internet, or video, and some involve audience participation. All of the presentations reflect the collective creative energies of the individuals in each class, and they are very informative and fun to watch.
How many participants are there? There are about 100 to 110 participants each year.
What percentages of participants are in each grade level? In the 2007 SSEP, for example, approximately 12% of participants were entering the 9th grade, 26% were entering the 10th grade, 38% were entering the 11th grade, and 26% were entering the 12th grade.
How much science background do I need? The critical factor in attending the SSEP is that the student is motivated and interested in learning about the sciences. Each course in the course list will indicate what kind science background is required. Classes are also tailored to different needs. There is a place for everybody--from the beginner to the very advanced.
I want to be able to continue my horseback riding lessons while I am attending the SSEP. Are there facilities for riding at Smith? Yes, there are. To arrange to ride, please contact Fox Meadow Farm, the subcontractor that runs the stables at the College, at 413-585-2734.
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