Summer Program

Are Spark students required to bring a computer?
No, a computer is not required for Spark classes, though residential students may find it convenient to have their own laptops and printers with them.
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Do Spark students have evening study sessions?
Yes, Evanston evening study sessions take place after dinner on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday evenings. All residential students participate in study sessions. Commuter students are invited but not required to attend study sessions. In Elmhurst, there are no evening study sessions.

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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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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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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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Activities

My child is a commuter. Can he/she participate in activities?
In Evanston, commuter students may attend afternoon activities by signing up in advance and notifying their commuter assistant of their plans. In Elmhurst, students will sign up with a staff member also. Information about activities will be provided during the session.
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What is the activity schedule for Spark students?
Afternoon activities, such as sports or arts and crafts, take place each day after class. Commuter students are welcome to participate in afternoon activities. In addition, residential students participate in evening activities at the dorm. There are no weekend activities in the Spark program.
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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

My student is completing grade 5. Is she eligible for Spark?
In Elmhurst, students completing grade 4 and those completing grade 5 are eligible for Spark courses.

In Evanston, students completing grade 4 are eligible for Spark courses. Students completing grade 5 ay apply and will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
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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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What are the admission criteria for the Spark program?
Students applying to Spark must be completing grade 4 or, in some cases, grade 5. Students must have taken the EXPLORE test, have scores at the 95th percentile or above on a nationally normed standardized test or submit an admission portfolio. See the Spark Eligibility web page for details.

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Eligibility

My student is not a U.S. citizen. Can he/she still apply?
Yes. CTD welcomes international applications. Any 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. Information regarding how to apply for a visa will be provided upon program admission. CTD strongly recommends that students who require sponsorship apply before April 1, 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. Visa applications submitted after June 1 will not be processed. CTD is not responsible for an accepted student's inability to secure a student visa.
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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 parents allowed to visit the Spark residential program?
The short, one-week schedule of the Spark program does not include time for parent visits. A valuable part of the residential summer program experience is getting to know and build relationships with the people in the community and taking advantage of all the 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.
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Are there computers in the residence hall for my child to use?
Shared use computers are not available in the residence hall to Spark residential students. Any homework that requires the use of a computer can be completed during the evening study sessions.
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Are there laundry facilities available for Spark students?
While laundry facilities are available, the short one-week schedule of the Spark program does not include time for residential students to do laundry. Residential Spark students are expected to bring enough clean clothes to last for the entire week.
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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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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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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

In case of illness, how do you care for students?
In Evanston, the Summer Program fee covers basic health sevices at the University health facilities for residential students. In both Elmhurst and Evanston, students who require 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 participating in the Summer Program, parents are notified so appropriate arrangements can be made.
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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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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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