OSSM changes you in a way that you don’t initially see or realize. It’s only now, looking back on where I am and where I could have been, that I can see how my time at OSSM changed my life completely. OSSM challenged me academically, physically, and psychologically, bringing me experiences and opportunities that I could never have even imagined. These experiences are priceless to me; I would not trade them for the world.

OSSM is a mix of the most challenging experience I have ever had, and the most rewarding at the same time. I have learned so much so far, and I have gained friends I would have never gained anywhere else!

OSSM has provided me with a community and education I could not have achieved at my home high school. The friendships I have made at OSSM will last a lifetime and the academics have prepared me for a successful career. OSSM has also allowed me to grow as a person. Being at OSSM has made me a kinder, more resilient, and more well-rounded person. I wouldn’t trade this experience for anything.

OSSM is an amazing institution with unmatched academics as well as faculty and staff that only want the very best for each and every student.  OSSM has pushed me to do my best both in academics and in my everyday endeavors.  The relationships I have made here are definitely going to last my whole life and I couldn’t be more grateful for the experience of attending this amazing school.

At OSSM, I was challenged not just by the academic rigor, but by the quality of people that I met. They helped me to challenge myself by being a better person.

It’s important to remind yourself that no matter how many disappointments you face or how many times you fail, you just have to pick yourself up and keep working towards your goals.  If you do, eventually your successes will outweigh your failures and you will accomplish the goals you set for yourself.  It took me two semesters at OSSM to learn this, but I know I will never forget it.  

There is a sense of security to be gained from similarity.  At OSSM, however, I have found my best friends are the most different from me, and I relish in our unique approaches to problem solving.  We all share in the ambition to better ourselves and the community we share.  

The past two years, I’ve had the privilege to help a team of doctors with Alzheimer’s research. I’ve learned a great deal from this experience, but most importantly, I’ve discovered that my curiosity for the way the brain functions is endless. I find that each piece of new information I learn leads to more questions that I want answers to. I am excited to learn more as I pursue a degree in neuroscience and prepare for medical school

Being at OSSM has driven me to focus more on my academics, and it has taught me how to utilize my time well. I constantly find myself surrounded by supportive peers and teachers, and . . . I will always be thankful for OSSM and everyone that I’ve met here, because through this school, I’ve found a new and more confident “me” that I know will thrive in the future.

OSSM not only allowed me to mature and develop important life skills, it gave me a community of people (friends and faculty) whose influence will stick with me for the rest of my life.  Remembering all the hard physics problems, long labs and random study sessions in the mezzanine, I realize all the fun I had and I’m truly happy to be a part of something so special.