FAQs
Academics
- What is the Accelerated Weekend Experience (AWE)?
- What type of feedback will be received at the end of the AWE course?
Admissions
- How and when is an acceptance sent?
- What does "send in all supporting materials," mean when applying online?
- Why must a complete application form always be filled out even though we have been coming to CTD for years?
- Why enroll in an AWE course?
- How are these applications reviewed?
- What are the admission criteria for AWE courses?
- Is an application fee required every time a student applies for AWE?
Faculty
Financial Aid
- Is financial aid available? What are the eligibility requirements?
- What is the deadline to apply for financial aid?
Logistics
- When are AWE classroom locations made available to participants?
- Where and when are these courses held?
- What can be done to get a weekend class in my area?
- Why do you have these "compacted" classes?
- When is the deadline to apply?
- What about lunch?
Academics
- What is the Accelerated Weekend Experience (AWE)?
AWE is an intensive two-day learning experience where students gain in-depth knowledge on a topic of their choice. It is ideal for students who are eager to learn but have difficulty fitting the consecutive Saturday Enrichment Program courses into their schedule.
- What type of feedback will be received at the end of the AWE course?
AWE courses are for enrichment and are not assigned grades or credit. Feel free to ask the instructor for verbal comments at the end of the course.
Admissions
- How and when is an acceptance sent?
An acceptance e-mail containing pertinent information regarding the course usually is sent within four weeks of submitting an application. If you have not heard within that time, please contact the office at 847/491-3782 extension 4.
- What does "send in all supporting materials," mean when applying online?
If you are:
◦ submitting new test scores,
◦ applying for financial aid,
◦ new to CTD classes, or
◦ applying by admission portfolio
the supporting documents must be received by CTD before your application is considered complete. Applications are not processed until all required information has been received. An incomplete application does not reserve a seat in the class.
Depending on which category you are in, these “supporting materials” include new test scores, requested financial aid information, a report card and teacher recommendations. This information may be scanned and sent to ctd-testing@northwestern.edu or mailed to 617 Dartmouth Place, Evanston, IL 60208. It can also be faxed to 847/491-3833.
While we accept faxed documentation, we strongly suggest that you keep a hard copy as faxes are not always clear, and we may request another copy.
If your child is a returning student who has tests scores that qualify for the class s/he has registered for on file at CTD, then that is all that is required and you need not submit additional paperwork.
- Why must a complete application form always be filled out even though we have been coming to CTD for years?
This is necessary to ensure that the information we have is current. Many families move, thus changing their addresses and landline phone numbers. Additionally, people frequently change their cell phone numbers and/or their e-mail addresses. However, after applying online once, much of this will be filled in for you as you proceed through the application. You will be able to make revisions as needed.
- Why enroll in an AWE course?
Gifted students enroll in AWE to enjoy the opportunity to take challenging courses from inspiring instructors who are experts in these fields. As AWE courses take place over the time span of only one weekend, busy students are able to manage one weekend more easily than a series of classes over several weeks. Research emphasizes the importance of outstanding instruction with an appropriate level of challenge for gifted students. CTD offers this in all its courses, including AWE.
- How are these applications reviewed?
Complete applications are reviewed by Center for Talent Development staff. A complete application consists of a copy of test scores or two teacher recommendations and a current report card.
- What are the admission criteria for AWE courses?
Students must be in the 95th percentile on a nationally normed test in the content area for which they are applying. If they are applying for a science class or a technology class, a qualifying score in either reading or math is acceptable.
- Is an application fee required every time a student applies for AWE?
Application fees are charged each time. The only exception to this is if a student is applying for a Saturday Enrichment Program session during the same season.
Faculty
- Who teaches AWE courses?
AWE courses are designed and taught by professionals in their fields and/or by highly qualified teachers in their area of expertise. Other AWE courses have been created by teachers who have an enthusiasm for, and a background in, a particular subject or topic. Still other AWE courses have been designed due to requests from past participants and are taught by certified teachers with experience with gifted children.
Financial Aid
- Is financial aid available? What are the eligibility requirements?
CTD offers a limited amount of need-based financial aid. Aid awards are based on family income and extenuating circumstances (e.g., loss of job, unforeseen medical expenses); most families awarded aid have a total household income of less than $50,000.
Families seeking financial aid are encouraged to apply early, as aid money is limited.
Financial aid requests must include a completed financial aid form*, a signed copy of the first two pages of the family's latest federal income tax return, a statement of financial need, and payment of a $75 fee to be considered complete.
*Currently, AWE applicants use the SEP forms.
- What is the deadline to apply for financial aid?
Financial aid applications, including the first two pages of the family's latest federal income tax return, the statement of need and the $75 fee, are due no later than the Monday before the class.
Logistics
- When are AWE classroom locations made available to participants?
Specific room locations and other pertinent information is e-mailed the week before an AWE session is held. Please contact the office-847/491-3782 extension 4 if you have not received this information by the Wednesday before the session begins.
- Where and when are these courses held?
AWE courses are held at many sites on various weekends. Classes are continually added after the print brochure has gone out. Please check the AWE course listing page for updates.
- What can be done to get a weekend class in my area?
CTD is always looking for host sites for AWE classes. Please let Amy Gyarmathy know what school district you are in and your district's gifted programming coordinator's contact information (if applicable).
- Why do you have these "compacted" classes?
These courses were designed after listening to families saying that at times their children were not able to commit to a six- or eight-week session but still wanted to participate in classes that CTD offers.
- When is the deadline to apply?
The last day to apply is on the Wednesday at 5 p.m. before the AWE course you are interested in takes place.
If you are interested in applying for financial aid, however, financial aid applications are due no later than the Monday prior to the AWE start date.
- What about lunch?
Please send a packed lunch that does not require refrigeration on both Saturday and Sunday. Many sites have vending machines but others do not, nor can we guarantee that the vending machines will be in working order.
Due to the number of students with peanut allergies, please do not pack peanut products in your child's lunch.
