Summer Program

Can my child be admitted if he/she does not have qualifying test scores?
If a student does not have qualifying test scores he/she must submit an admission portfolio. The portfolio includes current grades, teacher recommendations, and an essay. Please see the eligibility section of the program you are interested in for more information. (For Spark eligibility click here. For Solstice eligibility click here. For Apogee eligibility click here. For Spectrum eligibility click here. For Equinox eligibility click here.)

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Can students really finish one to two semesters of curriculum in three weeks?
Yes, they can and do! CTD students, as gifted learners, need relatively little instruction to gain mastery of academic materials. They read, listen, and discuss material at an extremely quick pace with very good retention and little need for repetition and reinforcement. As a result, instruction at CTD is efficient yet thorough. Students receive, on average, 75 hours of classroom instruction with the teacher and teaching assistant. Spectrum and Apogee students are also involved in supplemental study sessions with the teaching assistant for an additional 6 to 9 hours. In Equinox, Residential Teaching Assistants attend classes and live in the residence hall with the students, providing easy access to academic support. With these structures in place, most students are able to complete the courses successfully.

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Can students receive credit for Summer Program courses?
Given the Center for Talent Development’s accreditation through the North Central Commission on Accreditation and School Improvement (NCA CASI), students may earn credit for three-week courses successfully completed (with a grade of C or better). The acceptance of credit(s) at a student’s academic year school depends on that school’s institutional policy about the recognition of credit from outside institutions. See the Credit and Transcript pages for more information.

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Do students receive grades?
All CTD Summer Program students receive an in-depth written evaluation of their progress and performance in the course. However, only students enrolled in high school honors or Advanced Placement courses receive grades. This includes all three-week Spectrum and Equinox courses and Algebra I in Apogee. Students in the Spark, Solstice and all other Apogee and Spectrum two-week courses do not receive grades.

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How can I get more information or a syllabus for a specific course?
Syllabi from some past courses, along with samples of student work, are available on the Academic pages of each on the website. If your school needs a copy of a syllabus for an upcoming course, please contact the Summer Program office for assistance.

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How do I know if my application is complete?
Please be sure to review the checklist of required materials on our application form or on the website. Application materials are reviewed as they are received, and students are notified of their application's status within four weeks of an application’s receipt. You will be notified by e-mail or phone call if the application is accepted or has any missing information. If you do not receive notification within four weeks, please contact the Summer Program office. See the Program Application pages for more information.
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If a course has a prerequisite, what information must I provide?
A 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. Please see the eligibility section of the program you are interested in for more information. (For Solstice eligibility click here. Apogee eligibility click here. For Spectrum eligibility click here. For Equinox eligibility click here.)

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If my child took the EXPLORE test, does that qualify him/her for Spectrum or Equinox?
No. Because the EXPLORE test is designed for students in grade eight, it is not considered an above-level test for the students applying to Spectrum and Equinox. EXPLORE evaluates students’ academic development in English, Mathematics, Reading, and Science as of the end of the middle school years. It does not provide the necessary information about how middle school students are prepared for high-school level courses taught at an accelerated pace. The ACT and SAT are much better tools for that purpose.

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What are the admission criteria for the Spectrum and Equinox Programs?
Students applying to Spectrum must have completed grade 7 or 8. Equinox students must have completed grades 9 through 12. Students must have taken an above-level SAT or ACT and meet the requisite scores and any course prerequisites. If scores are not available, students may submit an admission portfolio. See Spectrum Eligibility and Equinox Eligibility pages for details.

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What does it mean to be a “prequalified” student?
Students who have previously attended, and been successful in, a CTD program may be prequalified to enroll in another CTD program in the subject area of demonstrated strength. If a student is prequalified, he/she does not have to resubmit test scores or portfolio documents. For example, a student may be prequalified if s/he has taken a Saturday Enrichment Program science course and plans to enroll in a Spark, Solstice, or Apogee Summer Program science course. Likewise, a Gifted LearningLinks math student who plans to enroll in an Equinox Summer Program math course may also be prequalified. Students are not automatically qualified by having taken a previous CTD course. Returning students who wish to take a class in a subject different from that for which they initially qualified must submit new test scores or an admission portfolio. Please see the Eligibility page for each program for more information on prequalification criteria.

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What evaluation and feedback material is provided to schools and families?
All students receive a final, written evaluation of their work. Evaluations are sent to families in the fall, following completion of the last session of the summer. For credit bearing courses, families may request that a transcript and a copy of the evaluation be sent to their school. See each program’s Academics page for more details.

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Whom do I call if I have academic questions?
Each program has an Academic Coordinator who facilitates communication with instructors and manages academic issues while courses are in running. At the start of the program you will be told the Academic Coordinator’s name and the best way to communicate with him or her. If you call the Summer Program Office, someone can connect you with the correct person. If you have questions before the summer session begins, you may call the Summer Program office.

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Will my child need a computer?
While a computer is not required for most CTD classes, residential students, particularly in Spectrum and Equinox will find it convenient to have their own laptops, flashdrives, and printers with them. There are small computer labs in each residence hall that students may access, if needed; access to University computer labs is very limited.

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Activities

My child is a commuter. Can he/she participate in activities?
Part of the summer program experience is the activities after class! Commuter students may attend afternoon activities by signing up in advance and notifying their commuter assistant of their plans. Information about the activities will be provided during the session. Equinox students may attend activities as long as they have signed in at the residence hall, and depart by 9:00 p.m. Due to safety and supervision concerns, commuters may not attend weekend activities.
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My child lives in the area and would like to participate in a regular activity (sports practice, music lessons, etc.) while living on campus. Is that possible?
Students, both commuter and residential, should avoid scheduling any other regular activity while attending the Summer Program. Five hours of class and one to four hours of homework a night (depending on the age of the students) is a rigorous schedule, and students need time both to study and relax. Because of the on-campus schedule and requirements for supervision for residents, we are not able to accommodate requests for students to leave campus on a regular basis for lessons or practice of any kind.

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My child participates in sports. Will he/she be able to train while at CTD?
In most cases, intensive training will not be possible because of students’ rigorous academic schedules and the challenges of securing facilities and transportation. The Sports and Aquatic Center (SPAC) at Northwestern University is available, on a limited basis, to students age 16 or older. Equinox students can use their sign-out privileges to visit SPAC with a buddy, on a pay-per-visit basis.

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Admissions

How are the admission criteria determined?
CTD and the other talent search centers have been conducting research in the field of gifted education for over 25 years. Research on talent search summer programs and our years of experience have provided insight into entrance criteria that predict success in our programs.

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Faculty

Who teaches Summer Program courses?
Our distinguished faculty is selected from premiere schools throughout the Midwest. Instructors are chosen for their mastery of subject matter, classroom experience, enthusiasm, ability to individualize their teaching and skill in providing interesting, thought-provoking, and varied classroom experiences.

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Financial Aid

Is financial aid available? What are the eligibility requirements?
CTD offers need-based financial aid awarded on a rolling basis (as requests are received) beginning in January. 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. Financial aid is awarded for no more than one session per child. For application information, visit the program Financial Aid pages. (For Spark Financial Aid information click here. For Solstice Financial Aid information click here. For Apogee Financial Aid information click here. For Spectrum Financial Aid information click here. For Equinox Financial Aid information click here.) Families seeking financial aid are encouraged to apply early, as aid money is limited and is distributed on a first come, first serve basis.

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Living on Campus

Are males and females housed on separate floors?
In Spark, Solstice, Apogee, and Spectrum, students are placed in same-gender groups. Typically a floor or hall is the same gender, but sometimes males and females live on the same floor. In Equinox, students are placed in co-ed groups, with all students in a class living in close proximity. All floors in Equinox are co-ed, but roommates are always same-gender.

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Are the residence hall rooms air-conditioned?
Yes. Each residence hall room has an air-conditioning unit even if the building is not equipped with central air-conditioning.

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Are there computers in the residence hall for my child to use?
Each residence hall has 1-2 computers that students may use, if necessary. If you feel that your child will want access to a computer on a regular basis, it is best that you arrange to bring one to campus. Internet access is available from on-campus computers. Students desiring Internet or e-mail access via their personal computers should bring an Ethernet cable. Additionally, Northwestern residence halls and classroom buildings are equipped with a wireless system, and students are given access on their first day on campus. No technical support is available for students setting up computers in their residence hall rooms, and students are NOT provided with Northwestern University e-mail addresses.

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Are there laundry facilities?
Each residence hall has coin-operated washers and dryers that students will be able to use. Residential staff will show students where they are located and can help students who have questions about how to get started. We recommend that you show your child how to launder his/her clothing before s/he comes to CTD.

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Do all students have roommates?
Most students are housed in double rooms, although occasionally, due to space restrictions, students are housed in single or triple rooms. In Spark, Solstice and Apogee, roommates are students of the same gender and of similar age. In the Equinox and Spectrum programs, roommates are students of the same gender, and are usually enrolled in the same course or discipline.
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Do rooms have their own bathrooms?
Residence halls are equipped with communal bathrooms, one bathroom on each floor for each gender. Toilet and shower stalls have doors for privacy.

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How are students assigned to rooms/roommates?
For the Spark, Solstice, Apogee, and Spectrum programs, staff members make residence hall and residential group assignments based on gender, age, and course just before students arrive on campus. Students who are the same age and in the same class have the best chance of being roomed together. For the Equinox program, residence hall assignments are based on course enrollment, gender and grade level.

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How do I contact my child during the program and how often can we communicate?
If your child has a cell phone, you may call him/her in the evenings after classes and meals are finished for the day. Students are required to turn off their cell phones and other communication devices during the day so as not to disturb classes, meals or activity times with other students. If you need to get a message to your child during the day, you will be provided with contact numbers for the Summer Program staff. Evenings are the best and most appropriate times to arrange phone calls, and we encourage you to set, in advance, a schedule of communications that will connect you with your child but still allow them full engagement in the program activities and learning community.

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May we make a roommate request?
Students are encouraged to meet other students who share similar interests from other parts of the nation and world. Although CTD will accept roommate requests, they are not guaranteed. Requests must be made by each of the students involved to assure that all parties are interested in rooming together. Because of residence hall configurations and the way assignments are made at each program, it may not be possible to accommodate requests.

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My child is enrolled for both Session 1 and Session 2. Can CTD store his/her luggage during the intersession?
We are not able to store luggage during intersession. This is because University maintenance staff requires that all personal belongings be cleared out of rooms while they clean and repair buildings between sessions. CTD does not have access to storage facilities.

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We would like to visit our child while he/she is in the residential program. Is this possible?
As much as we understand the desire to spend time together as a family, visits are strongly discouraged. A valuable part of the residential summer program experience is building relationships with the people in the community, and taking advantage of all program activities. Although visits may seem like a great way to maintain communication, our experience shows that they often intensify feelings of homesickness, and make it difficult for some students to adjust to the environment. If a visit is absolutely essential, you may work with the Residential Coordinator of your child’s program to arrange a short visit between 8:30 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. on a Sunday morning. Extended off-campus absences will not be approved, except in cases of a family emergency, as they affect the student’s performance in the course and engagement with the program community. Students are not excused for July 4th, as it is a regular program day.
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What if my child does not get along with his/her roommate?
Learning to live with others is an important component of the Summer Program experience, and we encourage students to take time to get to know and understand all the members of their learning community. Not every roommate assignment is a perfect match, so we encourage students to communicate with each other and with the staff if issues arise. Most of the time, open communication and staff-assisted problem solving will address the issues, and a roommate change will not need to be made. Only in rare cases where significant issues cannot be resolved will a change be made.

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When will we find out where my child is living and who his/her roommate is?
Aside from the name of the assigned residence hall, which families receive when they access the Family Handbook after acceptance to the program, all information related to housing (room number, roommate, etc.) will be provided on Opening Day.

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Whom do I call if I have questions about campus living?
Each program has a Residential Coordinator who manages the residential program. At the start of the program you will be told the Residential Coordinator’s name and the best way to communicate with him/her.

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Meals at the Summer Program

Where do students eat meals?
Students eat their meals in the University dining halls.

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My child is a commuter. Will meals be provided?
Lunch is provided for all commuter students. In Evanston, if commuter students plan to stay for an evening study session, they may purchase dinner for a fee of $10.00. Dinner is not offered in Elmhurst.

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My child eats only kosher meals; will there be kosher options?
Kosher options are available in all dining halls. If a student has questions or needs assistance, dining staff will be available to help.

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My child is a vegetarian; will there be vegetarian options?
The campus dining halls always offer at least one vegetarian entrée and a variety of vegetarian side dishes (salads, fruit, vegetables).

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Safety

Does CTD provide health insurance?
No. The residential fee covers clinic services; it does not provide for medical insurance coverage. Families are responsible for any hospital or clinic fees incurred by their child.

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In case of illness, how do you care for students?
The Summer Program fee covers basic health services at University health facilities for residential students. Students who require more extensive assistance are taken to a nearby hospital. With any illness or injury, we communicate with parents regarding the situation. If a commuter student becomes ill or is injured while on campus, parents are notified so appropriate arrangements can be made. If necessary, commuter students will be brought to university health services.

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Once I drop my child off at the drop-off point, how will my child get to class?
In Spark, Solstice, Apogee and Spectrum, commuters are dropped off every morning at a commuter drop-off/pick-up point. A staff member will meet the students and take attendance. The exact drop-off/pick up location will be explained at a family presentation on Opening Day. Equinox commuters are responsible for getting to and from class on their own.

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What is your staff to student ratio?
The ratio varies by program. Spark, Solstice and Apogee students are assigned to residential groups of 6 to 11 students per residential assistant. Spectrum students are in groups of 10 to 15 per residential assistant, and Equinox students, under the supervision of a Residential Teaching Assistant, are in groups of 12 to 18. Additional staff members, Commuter Assistants, Assistant Residential Coordinators, Residential Coordinators and auxiliary staff are also on-site providing additional adult supervision.

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What safety and security measures are in place at the residence halls?
CTD is assigned a Northwestern University residence hall for each program, and only the staff and students residing in that residence hall have keys to access the building. Doors are kept locked at all times, and there is always a staff member on duty. During evening hours, each residence hall has a Community Service Officer, under the supervision of Northwestern University Police, stationed at the front desk. University and CTD representatives also talk with staff and students about residence hall safety and security measures.

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