Campus Living
Campus living is an integral part of the Summer Science Program experience. Along with research, Summer Science Program is about working and living in community.
For five weeks, you will live on a campus with other high schoolers from around the world who bring different experiences, ideas, and cultures and become part of a diverse community that empowers each other to succeed.
For many of you, this will be your first time away from home and living independently for an extended period of time. It may also be your first time sharing living space with another person. Through the program, we will ensure that you become comfortable with your newfound sense of autonomy, which will give you the confidence and skills you need to feel ready for college.
Days at the Summer Science Program
Each program has its own schedule, but you can expect your experience to include:
- Lab or observation time
- Lectures
- Field trips
- Recreational activities, like outdoor games and craft nights
- Formal dinners with faculty, staff, and guest lecturers
What to Expect
Housing
While each residential experience may vary depending on the campus, for the most part, you will get to experience living on a college campus, including: housing in traditional freshman style residences, sharing a double occupancy dorm room with a roommate, sharing bathrooms, and using common lounge spaces. Typically, participants spend little time in their room except for sleeping, resting, and dressing; most time is spent in shared community spaces.
Bed and bath linens are provided, but you may choose to bring your own as well.
Using a shared bathroom is more comfortable when you bring a bag or container to keep your personal hygiene items together and flipflops or other shower shoes.
Dining
Meals are taken together in community spaces. Participants and staff dine in the campus dining hall for most meals, which in most cases features all you can eat buffets with several different dishes available. On occasion, participants will dine in a food court, share group meals provided by local restaurants, or take a trip off campus to eat at a restaurant. Participants are not permitted to order their own delivered meals.
Every night, the group dresses up a little and sits at assigned tables with faculty for dinner and conversation.
Packing
The group will travel between buildings on campus each day, going from the residence hall to the dining hall and to the academic spaces in all weather, hot, cool or raining. You’ll want to have comfortable walking shoes and a backpack or bag to carry your personal items like an umbrella, water bottle, etc.
Participants dress up for dinner, and we ask that you bring at least one formal outfit for special events like College and Career Day.
In the lab, participants must wear close-toed shoes and long pants. Long skirts that do not inhibit movement are also permitted.
A complete packing list of what to bring and what not to bring is provided to all during enrollment. Clothing stipends have been provided to some admitted students as part of financial aid packages.
Equipment
We provide a rented laptop for all participants for both work and personal use within our community guidelines. Participants are not permitted to bring a personal laptop or tablet.
Request an ADA Accommodation
If you need any accommodations, contact admissions@ssp.org.
