How to Apply, Summer Program, Center for Talent Development, Northwestern University

Summer Program

How to Apply

When to Apply

Applications are accepted beginning on January 1, 2008. The application deadline is May 15, 2008. Applications postmarked after that date must be accompanied by a $50 late fee. Incomplete applications will not be considered. Early applications are highly encouraged since courses close quickly.

Choosing the Right Course

When choosing a course, students and families should first consider the student's area of strength - math, science, humanities, etc. CTD Summer Program courses are intended to build upon a student's strengths; courses do not remediate areas of weaknesses. Test scores and teacher recommendations may help you determine where a student's strengths lie.

Students should then read through the descriptions of courses that match their academic strength, and select a course that truly interests them. Each three-week course is an intensive experience; studying a topic of interest helps students stay focused and achieve success. Students should also consider including second and third course choices; see Making More than One Course Choice.

Completing an Application

For Apogee (4th-6th), Spectrum (7th-8th) and Equinox (9th-12th) courses, students may apply for one or two sessions on the application. A tuition deposit of $200 is required for each session and must be submitted with the application.

For Leapfrog (PreK-3rd) courses, students may apply for one, two or three weeks on the application. The entire tuition amount must be submitted with the application.

For all programs, only one application fee is required for each student.

Note regarding Returning Students
(see the program specific charts below for additional information)

This method is for returning students who meet both of the following criteria:

Successful completion of a CTD Summer Program or Saturday Enrichment Program course.
Test scores or an admission portfolio on file that meet the criteria for the 2008 course choice(s).

This method may not be used by:

returning students progressing from Apogee to Spectrum.
returning students wishing to take a course without scores or an admission portfolio on file that meet the 2008 criteria.

For Leapfrog (students completing grades PreK - 3):
Students previously enrolled and successful in CTD's Saturday Enrichment Program or Leapfrog Program are automatically eligible to re-enroll in the subject area of their demonstrated strength.

PreK, Kindergarten, and 1st grade students new to CTD must be evaluated by the CTD testing service, or submit another qualified evaluation. Testing appointments can be scheduled by calling 847-491-3782.

Qualified 2nd-3rd graders must have scored at the 95%ile or above on a math or verbal composite or subtest of a nationally-normed, standardized achievement test. 2nd and 3rd grade students who lack qualifying test scores may either sign up for an evaluation through the CTD testing service or submit an admission portfolio.

Tests accepted for Leapfrog applicants:

CTD Evaluation
EXPLORE Test
Stanford Achievement Test
Iowa Test of Basic Skills (ITBS)
Illinois Standards Achievement Test (ISAT)
Cognitive Abilities Test (CoGAT)
Terra Nova Test
ERB Tests: Comprehensive Testing Program, Independent School Entrance Exam
Northwest Evaluation Association Tests (NWEA): Measures of Academic Progress (MAP), MAP for Primary Grades
Otis-Lennon Test
Kaufman Test of Education Achievement (KTEA)
Weschler Tests: WPPSI, WISC, WIAT
Woodcock-Johnson Test
Peabody Individual Achievement Test (PIAT)
California Achievement Test
Any other achievement test with a National Percentile Rank (NPR %)

Returning Students should submit:
•	a completed application form and full payment of tuition and fees;
•	Returning students who wish to take a class in a subject different from that which they initially qualified must submit new test scores or an admission portfolio.
Students Meeting Testing Requirements should submit:
•	95% or above on a math or verbal composite or subtest of a nationally normed, standardized achievement test or the CTD evaluation;
•	a completed application form and full payment of tuition and fees.
Admission Portfolio Students should submit:
•	2 teacher recommendations, indicating that the child is completing above grade work in the relevant academic areas;
•	current school report card, indicating strong academic performance in the appropriate academic areas;
•	a completed application form and full payment of tuition and fees.

For Apogee (students completing grades 4 - 6):

Students previously enrolled and successful in CTD's Saturday Enrichment Program, or Leapfrog or Apogee in the Summer Program are automatically eligible to re-enroll in the subject area of demonstrated strength.

Students enrolling in the Apogee Program must have scored at the 95%ile or above on a math or verbal composite or subtest of a nationally normed, standardized achievement test, or submit an admission portfolio.

Students enrolling in Algebra 1 must submit a report card, letter, or transcript showing that the prerequisite has been met.

Tests accepted for Apogee applicants:

CTD Evaluation
EXPLORE Test
Stanford Achievement Test
Iowa Test of Basic Skills (ITBS)
Illinois Standards Achievement Test (ISAT)
Cognitive Abilities Test (CoGAT)
Terra Nova Test
ERB Tests: Comprehensive Testing Program, Independent School Entrance Exam
Northwest Evaluation Association Tests (NWEA): Measures of Academic Progress (MAP), MAP for Primary Grades
Kaufman Test of Education Achievement (KTEA)
Weschler Tests: WIAT
Woodcock-Johnson Test
Peabody Individual Achievement Test (PIAT)
California Achievement Test
School and College Abilities Test (SCAT)
TOEFL (required for international applicants)
Any other achievement test with a National Percentile Rank (NPR %)

Returning Students should submit:
•	a 250 word essay, completely conceived of and written by the applicant, describing his/her reasons for wanting to attend the Summer Program and what he/she hopes to gain from a CTD summer experience;
•	a completed application form, the tuition deposit(s), and the application fee.
•	Returning students who wish to take a class in a subject different from that which they initially qualified must submit new test scores or an admission portfolio.
Students Meeting Testing Requirements should submit:
•	95% or above on a math or verbal composite or subtest of a nationally normed, standardized achievement test;
•	a 250 word essay, completely conceived of and written by the applicant, describing his/her reasons for wanting to attend the Summer Program and what he/she hopes to gain from a CTD summer experience;
•	a completed application form, the tuition deposit(s), and the application fee.
Admission Portfolio Students should submit:
•	2 teacher recommendations from teachers who are familiar with the student's work and can speak to his/her ability to complete an intensive enrichment course in the subject for which he/she is applying;
•	copy of the latest grade report, indicating high achievement in the relevant subject area;
•	a 250 word essay, completely conceived of and written by the applicant, describing his/her reasons for wanting to attend the Summer Program and what he/she hopes to gain from a CTD summer experience;
•	a completed application form, the tuition deposit(s), and the application fee.

For Spectrum & Equinox (students completing grades 7 - 12):

Students previously enrolled and successful in CTD's Spectrum or Equinox programs are automatically eligible for course enrollment in the subject area of demonstrated strength.

Students enrolling in Spectrum or Equinox must meet the minimum SAT or ACT requirements as 6th, 7th, 8th, or 9th grade Talent Search participants or submit an Admission Portfolio. Students who have not participated in a talent search or whose talent search scores do not meet the minimum requirements should submit an admission portfolio.

Any student applying to a course with a prerequisite must submit a report card, letter, or transcript showing that the prerequisite has been met.

Any student applying to a writing course must submit a graded writing sample.

Tests accepted for Spectrum and Equinox applicants:

Off-level SAT (through the Midwest Academic Talent Search or another Talent Search)
Off-level ACT (through the Midwest Academic Talent Search or another Talent Search)
TOEFL (required for international applicants)

Returning Students should submit:
•	a 250 word essay, completely conceived of and written by the applicant, describing his/her reasons for wanting to attend the Summer Program and what he/she hopes to gain from a CTD summer experience;
•	a completed application form, the tuition deposit(s), and the application fee.
•	Returning students who wish to take a class in a subject different from that which they initially qualified must submit new test scores or an admission portfolio.
Students Meeting Testing Requirements should submit:
•	SAT (taken as a 6th-8th grader) or ACT (taken as a 6th-9th grader) scores that meet the minimum requirement for the course(s) listed on the application;
•	a 250 word essay, completely conceived of and written by the applicant, describing his/her reasons for wanting to attend the Summer Program and what he/she hopes to gain from a CTD summer experience;
•	a completed application form, the tuition deposit(s), and the application fee.
Admission Portfolio Students should submit:
•	2 teacher recommendations from teachers who are familiar with the student's work and can speak to his/her ability to complete an intensive enrichment, honors or AP course in the subject for which he/she is applying;
•	copy of the latest grade report, indicating high achievement in the relevant subject area;
•	a 250 word essay, completely conceived of and written by the applicant, describing his/her reasons for wanting to attend the Summer Program and what he/she hopes to gain from a CTD summer experience;
•	recent standardized test scores, if available;
•	for writing classes, a sample of student work is highly recommended (submitted samples will not be returned);
•	a completed application form, the tuition deposit(s), and the application fee.

Rolling Admissions

Applications are evaluated as they are received. It is recommended to apply early, since many classes reach maximum enrollment prior to the application deadline. Qualified students applying in January and February have a much better chance of receiving their first course choice than qualified students applying in April and May . Students are notified of the application status within four weeks of receipt of a complete application.

Application Evaluation

The selection committee reserves the right to interpret the information contained in the application packet in order to select students most likely to contribute to and benefit from a Center for Talent Development Summer Program experience. Students should apply for courses that match their areas of academic strength as shown by performance on standardized tests. Individual courses have different testing requirements, and students should apply for only those courses for which they are academically qualified.

Making More than One Course Choice

Because courses fill quickly, students are encouraged to list several course selections. Listing several choices does not hurt a student's chance of being assigned to the first course choice. Conversely, listing one choice does not increase a student's chance of receiving that course.

Waiting List

Students whose applications arrive after the first choice course is filled may be placed on a waiting list at their request. Students can be accepted from the waiting list at any time until the start of the session. A maximum of three students are placed on a course waiting list.

Increasing Chances of Attending a Program

Students increase their chances of securing a place in a program if they do the following as early as possible:

send a complete application, including a check or money order for the application fee and tuition deposit(s), an admission essay and teacher recommendations (for students submitting an admission portfolio), and a copy of an EXPLORE or a nationally normed achievement test score (for Apogee students), or an ACT, SAT, or PSAT (for Spectrum and Equinox students);
apply for courses that match areas of academic strength as shown by performance on standardized tests;
choose alternative courses, particularly if applying close to the deadline;
include a complete financial aid application with supporting documents, if applying for financial aid.