# 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.

Side-by-side comparison of [Clark Scholars Program](https://extracurricularhub.com/extracurriculars/clark-scholars) and [Summer Science Program (SSP)](https://extracurricularhub.com/extracurriculars/summer-science-program-ssp). A blank row is a fact we do not hold — not a zero, and not a no.

## At a glance

| | Clark Scholars | SSP |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Cost |  | $11,800 |
| Application deadline | February 15, 2027 at 11:59 p.m. Central Time — complete application | Dates not announced |
| Grade eligibility |  | Grade 11 |
| Format | In person | In person |
| Location | Lubbock, TX, United States | United States |
| Program dates | June 20, 2027–August 5, 2027 |  |
| Application destination |  | ssp.org |
| Organizer | Texas Tech | SSP International |

## Clark Scholars Program

An intensive seven-week summer research program for twelve rising high school seniors and recent graduates.

Full profile: https://extracurricularhub.com/extracurriculars/clark-scholars (markdown: https://extracurricularhub.com/extracurriculars/clark-scholars.md)

## 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.

Full profile: https://extracurricularhub.com/extracurriculars/summer-science-program-ssp (markdown: https://extracurricularhub.com/extracurriculars/summer-science-program-ssp.md)

## 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.

---

Canonical page: https://extracurricularhub.com/compare/clark-scholars-vs-ssp
ExtracurricularHub (https://extracurricularhub.com) is a program discovery directory. Details come from the catalog record shown on the canonical page above.