My participation in CSSP 303 played a MAJOR role in my college application process, with many of my essays centering around the skills and experiences I gained while working aside Jovanté, the course instructor. Applying as an Anthropology major, my involvement in such a unique Anthropological research project surely gave me the edge over many other applicants. If you are applying to college as a prospective humanities or social science major, then CSSP is a wonderful opportunity!

This summer research program was one to remember. I learned more than I could ever imagine about coding and how to apply my skills. Calvin (CSSP 301 instructor) was an amazing mentor throughout the whole process. A challenge is what I wanted and that’s exactly what he gave! The tasks I got were both fun but difficult which is what I loved most about the program— it kept me thinking. In the end, I exponentially improved my coding toolkit. Overall, the experience was really beneficial as I got a taste of how coding is applied in the real world. The internship also helped a lot in my college application process. I was able to write so many of my essays about my internship thanks to how much I learned as well as how it impacted my coding journey. If I had the opportunity to work with CSSP again I 100% would! I Couldn’t have asked for a better experience.

Honestly, when I signed up for the CSSP, I wasn't sure what to expect. However, after completing the program, I can confidiently say that the value it provides is immeasurable. I was privileged to learn from graduate-level instructors who introduced me to advanced university-level topics and even created a research paper comparing regression models on different stock exchanges. Calvin is still replying to my messages and helping me with projects even after my completion of the program, which goes to show the instructors' commitment to our present and future success. he weekly office hours were also invaluable, providing me with guidance on the college application process, constructive feedback on essays, and assistance in constructing a college list. The hands-on experience of designing a heat exchanger from scratch taught me invaluable skills pertaining to research, engineering, physics and even Excel usage. (shoutout to Alex for answering my midnight questions). Additionally, the connections I've made with PhD students have opened opportunities for me to participate in graduate-level research in the future. Overall, the CSSP was challenging but totally worth it. It's a gift that keeps on giving that I'd recommend to anyone up for a challenge!

I first discovered GradQuo through my English teacher who saw that I might be a great fit for the CSSP program. Since day one the CSSP and GradQuo family had my best interest at heart. They consistently went above and beyond to offer their support, particularly when it came to securing a scholarship. My teachers Alex and Jelani not only introduced me to college-level studies in a simple and easy to understand way, but also were extremely patient when it came to spamming their inboxes with dozens of questions. This is definitely an excellent opportunity for incoming college freshmen or even a student looking for a challenge to occupy their summer!

Being a part of the CSSP 2023 cohort was nothing short of an amazing experience! Jovante's Anthropology class has opened my eyes to bold questions and important topics surrounding race, gender and slavery. His classes were beyond engaging and our assigned readings helped to broaden my knowledge on said topics. Marissa's Clinical Psychology class simply reinforced my interest of the mind and our final paper allowed me to conduct advanced academic research. Additionally, Calvin's college prep advice gave me a lot of direction for this admission cycle. I was able to clarify aspects of my application that I was unsure of, I was able to solidify my college list and I was able to earn feedback on my essay! I'd 100% recommend this program to students looking to participate in a dynamic and intellectually stimulating experience.

The CSSP summer program was a very impactful and enjoyable experience that left a lasting impression on me. It provided a unique opportunity to break free from my comfort zone and delve into challenging yet fun subjects. Under the guidance of exceptional instructors like Victoria Puglia and Astrid Jenkins for contemporary politics, Alex Ashley for thermodynamics and heat exchange, and Calvin Wright for programming for profitable investments, the program was a perfect blend of comprehensive learning and support. Their thorough coverage of the topics made the learning process engaging and enriching. Meeting these knowledgeable instructors and enrolling in the courses was an absolute pleasure, leaving me both inspired and motivated to pursue further academic and personal growth. Although it was a challenge, it was amazing.

CSSP was a rigorous but fun summer programme. It was near-austere with its workload; the weekly readings and assignments across multiple classes were intended to reflect a college setting. Nevertheless, it was a fitting spend of my time during the application season because I got to participate in university-level courses that equipped me for my interests, in engaging discussions, and in research that made my profile more attractive. The flexibility of the tutors and class time slots helped to fit the programme neatly into an already hectic summer schedule. And it was online: I could keep a job, compete in a debating tournament, occasionally travel out of town, and still make it to all my classes conveniently. Most importantly, being awarded a scholarship to participate allowed me, coming from a lower-income family who could not otherwise afford such an expense, to enjoy all the benefits of the programme. I thank all my tutors and wish GradQuo much continued success!

I appreciated being placed in a group with a counsellor that had interests that were similar to mine so that it was easier for us to brainstorm and run through ideas. Calvin, the counsellor, was patient but was also firm when necessary like in regards to deadlines and just generally making sure everything was done properly. Another aspect I enjoyed was the creative writing course that I took. I believe my instructor, Joanne Anderson, was very encouraging and very excited about this experience as much as we (his students) were. I was exposed to different types of literature that I would not necessarily have been exposed or interested in before and as a result, I felt my outlook and my interests broaden. It was truly an informative and inspiring experience.

CSSP's Biotechnology and Computational Biology Course was by far my most intensive and engaging experience into the ways we can manipulate organisms to improve our lives. Being surrounded by passionate and driven students, as well as a supportive and knowledgeable instructor, made me feel motivated and inspired to take my research outside of the time allotted for the course. The mock research proposal was my favourite part of working with Jelani. It provided me with the push I needed to explore the things that interested me, and consequently opened my eyes to subjects that have now become my passions.

The sheer magnitude of the project got me thinking about aspects of programming that I’ve never had to think about before, like making the code as efficient as humanly possible. The experience was really insightful and I really do think that the tasks and deadlines structure gave me an experience that has helped me prepare for my future studies and future job.

The captivating and esteemed CSSP GradQuo program held my attention in its grasp throughout the entire 5-week duration. Every moment was infused with excitement as I tackled coursework that pushed me beyond what I thought possible. I left behind my three courses invigorated and motivated to explore the depths of each subject within society. This experience not only propelled me beyond my comfort zone but also bestowed upon me a deepened understanding of my career aspirations and the strategies I will employ to achieve them. Without a doubt, I can confidently say that this journey was transformative. Diving into some specifics, each course presented its own set of highlights. Creative writing emerged as the catalyst that unlocked my passion for writing as a hobby. Week after week, I embraced fresh challenges that compelled me to experiment and surpass my boundaries. Notably, the course fostered an atmosphere of acceptance and encouragement, allowing me to conquer my fear of public performance. This newfound confidence will undoubtedly influence my future pursuits. In the realm of Biotechnology, every class served as an inspiration and a challenge. In just five weeks, I acquired proficiency in a range of new skills: deciphering and analyzing scientific journals, coding with UBUNTU, and navigating intricate genomes across various organisms. These skills are invaluable assets as I embark on my journey in the sphere of Biotechnology.

My experience at CSSP 2023 is definitely one to remember. The program was rigorous but fun and had exceeded my expectations and pushed me to excel in areas that I was not familiar with. My eyes have been opened to potential that I had not seen in myself previously and I have a new found interest in fields that I had not given much consideration. The biotechnology course with Jelani provided great insight on the importance of biotechnology, how it is important in everyday life and how alterations to genes can impact the organisms and the environment. The psychology course with Marissa gave me a look into the world of psychology and I was hooked. I absolutely loved the psychology course and the fact that there were so many different outlooks on one topic and how controversial some parts of psychology are. While all courses were great the psychology course was by far my favorite I enjoyed seeing psychology from many different angles and providing my insight on the topics. Thanks to the course I am now interested in taking psychology in college. As it relates to Calvin’s course, analyzing the Jamaican stock market, it was an extremely rigorous but rewarding course. The knowledge that I gained in that course was extremely advanced and valuable. I will be forever grateful to my course instructors as well as CSSP overall. It was an unforgettable experience and I am extremely happy that I decided to do this summer program.

When I applied to CSSP, I did not think it would be very difficult to be honest. However, after only the first week I was proven to be very wrong. CSSP for me was a big success because I could do so many other things to maximize my summer, like keeping a job, as it was online. The projects at the end were really helpful and I feel CSSP helped me greatly in knowing what I wanted to pursue in the future. I wasn't much of a business fanatic before the program, but this changed with Calvin's class on stock exchange and I still got to embrace my STEM side with Alex's thermodynamics course. I'd definitely recommend CSSP to anyone looking to maximize their summer ahead of the college application process.

The Caribbean Summer Scholars Program (CSSP) was an incredible experience that pushed me out of my comfort zone in the best way. Receiving a scholarship to attend was a blessing, as it allowed me to fully embrace this opportunity. The courses I took — Introduction to the Jamaica Stock Exchange and Data Analysis for Investment Strategies (CSSP 300), Thermal Dynamics: Mastering Heat Transfer (CSSP 302), Introduction to Biomedical Engineering (CSSP 309), and Introduction to Actuarial Science (CSSP 310) — were all rigorous, yet rewarding, each offering something unique. In CSSP 302, designing a heat exchanger from scratch taught me practical skills like calculating thermal efficiency, performing sensitivity analyses, and creating detailed graphical plots, knowledge I know I’ll use in future engineering projects. The program’s hands-on, interdisciplinary nature, combined with supportive instructors like Calvin, Alex, Sydni, and Othandrea, made learning engaging and transformative. They not only made complex topics relatable but also encouraged me to push myself academically and creatively. CSSP broadened my academic horizons, helped me refine my interests, and gave me practical skills that I’ll carry forward in my academic and professional journey. For anyone considering this program, I can’t recommend it enough because it’s a challenging yet inspiring experience that will stay with you long after it’s over.

This program was an amazing experience for me. The opportunity to engage with college-level content really challenged me and deepened my academic interests. The program’s online setting and flexibility of the instructors and classes allowed me to participate while also completing an internship. My favorite course was definitely CSSP 300 (finance and programming) with Calvin. This course was rigorous yet captivating. Calvin was extremely patient and helped with all the questions I came to him with. I highly recommend this program for students seeking intellectual stimulation, and a competitive edge in their college applications. I am incredibly grateful for this opportunity and wish GradQuo continued success with CSSP.

The CSSP summer program was an intensive yet highly rewarding experience, and I would strongly recommend it to future applicants. The program provided invaluable lessons in various fields, allowing participants to explore areas of study they may not have otherwise had access to. One of the highlights for me was the Finance and Programming course with Calvin, which brilliantly intersected two subjects I am passionate about. Despite its rigorous nature, the course was incredibly engaging, making learning feel more like an enjoyable pastime rather than a challenge. The dedication and expertise of the instructors made complex concepts accessible and exciting. or future applicants, my best advice is to embrace new experiences and step out of your comfort zone. The program offers a unique opportunity to explore interdisciplinary subjects, and I highly encourage students from STEM backgrounds to try courses like Creative Writing. The support from consultants, tutors, and administrative staff ensures a smooth and enriching learning journey. I would have appreciated seeing past participants emphasize the program's ability to expose you to various professor that are eager to help you with your journey outside out the program.