For Parents & Families

We understand that the idea of your child traveling away from home may be intimidating. You may also have a lot of questions on whether their transportation and accommodation needs will be met. We hope these answers to commonly asked questions can ease your mind and give us your trust to take part in your child’s future.

Frequently Asked Questions

Participants’ health and safety are our highest priorities. Summer Science Program follows all minor protection policies as required by the college campus or state. In addition, we have our own policies and procedures in place to protect our participants, which are often more stringent. Four teaching assistants and residential mentors live in the dorms with the participants, and the site director manages all residential life concerns.

Summer Science Program does not discriminate based on race, sex, gender, national origin, religion, or disability. We are able to provide reasonable accommodations for many circumstances. Please contact admissions@ssp.org to discuss possible accommodations.

Yes, Summer Science Program faculty will meet all participants who arrive by air at the designated airport on the designated day and time. Flights that are delayed on travel day will be accommodated on a case-by-case basis. A chartered bus or van will provide transportation for the group from the airport to campus and back to the airport on departure day. The site director of each program will send an introductory email to you and your child before arrival with specific instructions for finding the group at the airport and will provide a means to be in touch with everyone arriving.

Summer Science Program faculty are trained in basic first aid, CPR, and have 24/7 access to a nurse for consultation. Per Summer Science Program’s policy, nurse recommendations for treatment are always followed. We do not provide nor require medical insurance for participants, and parents are responsible for the cost of all medical treatment. Read more about Health and Safety on this page.

In rare circumstances, we may send a participant home for chronic or severe violations. Each admitted participant receives a handbook, ensuring that rules and expectations are clearly defined and agreed upon before arrival. Moreover, any serious infractions are discussed with the participants and their parents before any action is taken.

Yes. Participants share a room and bathroom with another participant of the same gender. Universities provide varying levels of separation based on gender – sometimes in a different building, on a different floor, or in the wing of the same building.

If you have further questions or concerns, know that we are able to provide reasonable accommodations for many circumstances. Please contact admissions@ssp.org to discuss possible accommodations.

Typically, only participants arriving by car are accompanied by their parents. Participants are not permitted to drive themselves to campus. If flying, parents may choose to accompany their child, but the Summer Science Program cannot provide financial assistance for parent airfare nor provide ground transportation for parents. Most participants fly on their own, however. Our faculty and staff will provide specific instructions for communicating during travel day to provide support to participant travelers as needed until they’ve connected with the group.

Each program has one designated Sunday, around the middle of the program, when family may visit or take their teen off campus. The site director will provide more information to make arrangements if you choose to visit on this designated day.

Yes, there is a brief ceremony on the morning of departure, which families are welcome to attend.

We do not directly communicate with admissions offices on behalf of alumni. However, the Summer Science Program supplies alumni with a letter of completion, and academic faculty are often willing to provide letters of recommendation for participants. Additionally, all participants are eligible to participate in SSP Connect, a mentorship program pairing our most recent participants with young alumni in college to help them navigate the college admissions process.