Clark Scholars vs SSP: Which Program Is Right for You?
Two research summers for students heading into senior year, built in opposite ways. Clark Scholars places a small cohort with Texas Tech faculty for one-on-one research in almost any field, the humanities included; SSP runs a prescribed science project in a team of three on a host campus. Choose Clark for work with a professor, SSP for a team and a method.
Below is a side-by-side comparison of Clark Scholars Program and Summer Science Program (SSP). A blank row is a fact we do not hold — not a zero, and not a no.
| Clark Scholars | SSP | |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | Not listed | $11,800 |
| Application deadline | February 15, 2027 at 11:59 p.m. Central Time — complete application | Dates not announced |
| Grade eligibility | Not listed | Grade 11 |
| Format | In person | In person |
| Location | Lubbock, TX, United States | United States |
| Program dates | June 20, 2027–August 5, 2027 | Not listed |
| Application destination | Not listed | ssp.org |
| Organizer | Texas Tech | SSP International |
Clark Scholars vs SSP: the short answer
Both are research summers for students heading into senior year, and they are built in opposite ways. Clark takes twelve scholars for seven weeks at Texas Tech and pairs each with faculty for one-on-one research in almost any field — the humanities and fine arts included. SSP takes around 700 students across its host campuses for five weeks and puts each in a team of three on a prescribed project in astrophysics, biochemistry, bacterial genomics or cell biology; it says plainly that it is not the place to bring your own topic. The money works differently too. Clark charges no program participation fees, provides room, board and meals, charges a $25 application fee, and pays a $750 stipend when your research report is complete; you pay travel. SSP is free to apply, publishes a 2026 program fee of $11,800 as a ceiling, meets 100% of demonstrated need after admission, and has a limited number of $3,000 stipends for students who would otherwise work. Clark wants test scores and three recommendations; SSP is not considering test scores. If you are a junior now, you are eligible for both next summer.
Program details
These are the current details stored for each program. A blank cell means the catalog does not hold that detail.
| Clark Scholars | SSP | |
|---|---|---|
| Cost to attend | No program participation fees; on-campus meals, room and board and weekend activities are provided. | Capped at $11,800 for 2026 and scaled to income: under about $100,000 will likely qualify for free attendance plus travel, under about $140,000 for a partial discount. |
| Travel and other costs | Not covered: travel to and from Lubbock, personal and medical expenses, and the $25 application fee. | Can be covered: aid meets 100% of demonstrated need for admitted students and can include round-trip airfare. |
| Stipend | $750 on completion of a successful research project report. | For select participants who would otherwise need to work: $3,000 stipends in addition to free admission. |
| Who can apply | At least 17 by the start date and graduating in 2026 or 2027 — the summer before senior year or the summer after graduation. U.S. citizens and permanent residents. | Current juniors only, at least 15 but not yet 19 during the program; seniors are not eligible. |
| Places each summer | Twelve scholars; the average SAT score of the 12 is usually in the 99th percentile. | Around 700 participants in 2026, across all host campuses. |
| Fields you can work in | Almost any area: the natural sciences and mathematics, and the humanities and fine arts as well. | One science track, chosen when you apply. |
| How the research is organized | Hand-in-hand with Texas Tech faculty, on the main campus or at the Health Science Center, plus weekly seminars, discussions and field trips. | Not your own project: SSP says that if you want publishable work or to bring your own topic, it is not the best place. |
| Standardized tests | Required: SAT or ACT scores, or at least a PSAT or PACT score if those are not available by the deadline. | Not considered for 2026, including PSAT, ACT/SAT and APs. |
| Recommendations | Three, at least two from teachers; the third can be a research mentor. Recommenders fill in an online questionnaire, not a letter. | Not stated as a number on SSP's Getting Started page, which asks you to think about who could serve as a reference — a teacher, mentor or coach. |
| What you leave with | Clark says many scholars have used the research to shape their career paths. | A letter of completion for everyone, and a faculty recommendation letter if you ask. |
| Deadline, most recent published cycle | February 16, 2026 at 11:59 PM CT. | January 29, 2026 for international applicants, February 19, 2026 for domestic applicants. |
Inside Clark Scholars
Seven weeks at Texas Tech in Lubbock, in a cohort of twelve. Each scholar works with faculty — on the main campus or at the Health Sciences Center — in a research-intensive setting, and the field can be almost anything, from the sciences to the humanities and fine arts. Weekly seminars, discussions and field trips run alongside; room, board, meals and weekend activities are provided, and the stipend is paid once your research report is complete.
Inside SSP
Five weeks on a host campus in a small cohort, working a prescribed research project in a team of three — in 2026, astrophysics, biochemistry, bacterial genomics or cell biology. You commit exclusively to the program for those weeks, with no other coursework, programs or internships. The research belongs to the program: SSP keeps the intellectual property and says it is not the place to bring your own topic. You leave with a letter of completion and, if you ask, a faculty recommendation.
Choose Clark Scholars if…
- Your field is not a lab science. Clark is open to almost any area, the humanities and fine arts included; SSP runs four science tracks.
- You are graduating this year. Clark takes recent graduates as well as rising seniors; SSP takes current juniors only.
Choose SSP if…
- You would rather not send test scores. SSP is not considering standardized test scores for 2026; Clark requires at least a PSAT or PACT score.
- You want a team and a tried method. SSP puts you in a team of three on a project its faculty have designed, with lab or observation time, lectures and field trips.
Applying next cycle: what to do now
| Clark Scholars | SSP | |
|---|---|---|
| Next program dates | Not yet published. Clark's pages still show the 2026 program, June 21 to August 6, 2026. | SSP's 2027 interest form is open to students who will graduate high school in 2028. |
Applying to Clark Scholars
- Your top 5 activities, with room for a sixth in the service essay; a resume or an additional list of activities is not allowed.
- Nothing beyond the required components is accepted.
Applying to SSP
- Need-blind: you request aid only after you have been admitted.
- The application page draws the free-attendance line at a family income of $75,000 or less, with a discount under about $140,000.
- Coursework for your track must be taken for credit and a grade and finished by June; AP or advanced classes are not required.
What this comparison cannot tell you
- SSP's own pages draw the free-attendance line in different places: $75,000 or less on its application page, about $100,000 on its fees page. Ask SSP which applies to you.
- Neither program publishes an acceptance rate; Clark's twelve places and SSP's around 700 are seat counts, not odds.
- Clark had not posted 2027 dates when we read its site, so the 2026 schedule is the last published one.
Clark Scholars Program
An intensive seven-week summer research program for twelve rising high school seniors and recent graduates.
Summer Science Program (SSP)
Five weeks of college-level research in teams of three; in 2026 the programs were Astrophysics, Biochemistry, Bacterial Genomics and Cell Biology.
Frequently asked questions
Which is cheaper, Clark Scholars or SSP?
SSP: $11,800. Confirm each figure on the program's official page before budgeting.
Can I apply to both Clark Scholars and SSP?
The application destinations are evaluated independently. SSP: ssp.org. Review each provider's current instructions before assuming either application is open or compatible with the other.
Which is better for college applications, Clark Scholars or SSP?
We do not rank enrichment programs by admissions value. Use the comparison to assess whether each program's documented constraints fit your situation, and check the details that decide it for you on each program's official page.
What grades can apply to Clark Scholars and SSP?
SSP: Grade 11. Eligibility can change between cycles, so confirm it on each program's official page before applying.
Related comparisons
Clark Scholars appears in 1 of 56 comparison pages. SSP appears in 3 of 56 comparison pages.
How we count
Our comparison list has 56 pairs covering 91 catalog programs. Those numbers count this list only. They are not a ranking or the size of the full catalog.
We don't rank programs or name one of them the best.
When we don't list a cost, it is unknown, not free. Check the official page.
Catalog-wide numbers, and what each was counted out of, are on Statistics.