Eligibility
Tests Accepted
Admission Portfolio
Prequalified Students
Students previously enrolled and successful in the Center for Talent Development Saturday Enrichment Program or Leapfrog in the Summer Program are automatically eligible to re-enroll in the subject area of demonstrated strength.
International Applicants
CTD welcomes applications from international students (non-U.S. citizens). Please follow the guidelines for new students with qualifying test scores, prequalified students, or admission portfolio applicants as described in the section entitled Domestic Applicants. In addition, if English is not the first language, students need to submit TOEFL or SLEP scores. Students need a good command of written and spoken English to succeed in the fast-paced, intensive courses. For information about TOEFL or SLEP tests, contact TOEFL/TSE services at www.ets.org. CTD strongly recommends students who require visa sponsorship apply before April 1, 2012 as it may take 8 to 10 weeks to secure a student visa. Visa applications must be submitted to Northwestern University's International Office by June 1, 2012. Visa applications submitted after June 1, 2012 will not be processed. CTD is not responsible for an accepted student's inability to secure a student visa.
Spark is designed for academically talented students completing grade 4 or 5.
Admission Criteria | Tests Accepted | Admission Portfolio | Prequalified Students | International Applicants
| Students completing grade 4 or 5 |
Prequalified Students | |
| English & Writing Courses | Verbal score ≥ 95th percentile on nationally normed grade-level achievement test or participation in EXPLORE® test or Admission Portfolio |
Students previously enrolled and successful in the Center for Talent Development Saturday Enrichment Program or Leapfrog in the Summer Program are automatically eligible to re-enroll in the subject area of demonstrated strength. Prequalified students who wish to take a class in a subject different from that in which they initially qualified must submit new test scores or an Admission Portfolio. |
| Mathematics Courses | Math score ≥ 95th percentile on nationally normed grade-level achievement test or participation in EXPLORE test or Admission Portfolio |
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| Technology Courses |
Math score ≥ 95th percentile on nationally normed grade-level achievement test or participation in EXPLORE test or Admission Portfolio |
|
| Science Courses | Math or verbal score ≥ 95th percentile on nationally normed grade-level achievement test or participation in EXPLORE test or Admission Portfolio |
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Tests Accepted
- 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 %)
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Admission Portfolio
Students who do not have test scores to submit as part of their application, or whose scores do not meet the minimum requirement may still apply to the Spark program with a portfolio application (learn more information about the portfolio application here).
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Prequalified Students
Students previously enrolled and successful in the Center for Talent Development Saturday Enrichment Program or Leapfrog in the Summer Program are automatically eligible to re-enroll in the subject area of demonstrated strength.
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International Applicants
CTD welcomes applications from international students (non-U.S. citizens). Please follow the guidelines for new students with qualifying test scores, prequalified students, or admission portfolio applicants as described in the section entitled Domestic Applicants. In addition, if English is not the first language, students need to submit TOEFL or SLEP scores. Students need a good command of written and spoken English to succeed in the fast-paced, intensive courses. For information about TOEFL or SLEP tests, contact TOEFL/TSE services at www.ets.org. CTD strongly recommends students who require visa sponsorship apply before April 1, 2012 as it may take 8 to 10 weeks to secure a student visa. Visa applications must be submitted to Northwestern University's International Office by June 1, 2012. Visa applications submitted after June 1, 2012 will not be processed. CTD is not responsible for an accepted student's inability to secure a student visa.
Visa & Passport Requirements for International Applicants (non-U.S. citizens)
The CTD Summer Program has been identified by the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) and Northwestern University as academic programs that require a student visa for any non-U.S. citizen/permanent resident. Any admitted student who is not a U.S. citizen, U.S. permanent resident or in another visa category that allows for study, requires sponsorship for a student visa. Failure to comply may negatively impact a student’s ability to secure another non-immigrant visa in the future.
- Non-U.S. citizens are required to have the appropriate student visa (for more information visit www.travel.state.gov/visa/temp/types/types_1268.html).
- All non-U.S. citizens are required to have a passport to attend summer programs in the U.S. The passport must be valid for a minimum of six months after the completion of the program.
- Accepted students who require visa sponsorship may incur additional fees to cover processing and mailing costs.
