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.