Grades 6 - 12 Academic Summer Camps at Northwestern University

When you are ready to apply for a course or CTD program, you can do so by creating or logging into your MyCTD account found on the top right corner of this page. Once you have logged into your MyCTD account, please follow the prompts to enter required account information, apply for the course(s) of your choice, and submit additional application materials if necessary.

For summer courses, students are to apply based on the grade they will enter in Fall 2026.

The deadline for each session is one week before the start date.  E.g.To join the session starting on June 28th, a COMPLETE application must be received by the admissions office by the end of the day, June 21st.

For detailed guidance on the application process, we encourage you to reference the following documents:

• Step by step course registration guidance: With screenshots
• Step by step course registration guidance: Text only

Accelerated, Credit-Bearing Courses

Three-week, accelerated, credit-bearing courses are at the Indigo eligibility tier. Please make sure to thoroughly read the admissions requirements, including any prerequisites in the individual course descriptions.

Students whose MyCTD profiles are not already at the Indigo Tier in the stated qualifying area or areas may demonstrate eligibility by ONE of the following:

• All students may apply with their grade report/unofficial transcript and our online teacher recommendation form if test scores are not available.
• Students may apply by submitting the requisite Indigo Tier above-grade-level scores, achieved within the last two years, in the stated reading or math qualifying area.
• Students from India, UAE, Kuwait or Singapore who have tested with ASSET Talent Search qualify for Indigo Tier programs with scores of 90% or higher.

Prerequisites 

A few courses require additional prerequisites for admission. Any prerequisites are included the course description. Any student applying to a course with a prerequisite must submit documentation showing the prerequisite has been met unless CTD already has such information from previous applications, or if the prerequisite has been met via a CTD course.

Advanced Enrichment Courses

Three-week, advanced enrichment courses are at the Magenta eligibility tier. Please make sure to thoroughly read the admissions requirements. 

Students whose MyCTD profiles are not already at the Magenta Tier in the stated qualifying area or areas may demonstrate eligibility by ONE of the following: 

• All students may apply with their grade report/unofficial transcript and our online teacher recommendation form if test scores are not available.
• Students may apply by submitting grade-level scores, achieved within the last two years, at 95% or above in the stated reading or math qualifying area, on a nationally normed achievement test (e.g. NWEA/MAP, iReady, ACT, SAT, PSAT, etc.).
• Students who have participated in above-grade-level testing (e.g. ACT, SAT, PSAT 8/9) within the previous two years, typically automatically qualify for Magenta Tier programs.
• Students from India, UAE, Kuwait or Singapore who have tested with ASSET Talent Search qualify for Magenta Tier programs. 

One-Week Enrichment and Civic Education Program Courses

Due to service learning/volunteer site age requirements, Leadership for Today requires students to be 12 years old by the first day of the program.

One-week enrichment courses are at the Emerald eligibility tier. Please make sure to thoroughly read the admissions requirements in the individual course descriptions.

Students whose MyCTD profiles are not already at the Emerald Tier in the stated qualifying area or areas may demonstrate eligibility by ONE of the following:

• All students may apply with their grade report/unofficial transcript and our online teacher recommendation form if test scores are not available.
• Students may apply by submitting grade-level scores, achieved within the last two years, at 90% or above in the stated reading or math qualifying area, on a nationally normed achievement test (e.g. NWEA/MAP, iReady, ACT, SAT, PSAT, etc.).
• Students who have participated in above-grade-level testing (e.g. ACT, SAT, PSAT 8/9) within the previous two years, typically automatically qualify for Emerald Tier programs.
• Students from India, UAE, Kuwait or Singapore who have tested with ASSET Talent Search qualify for Emerald Tier programs.

Once the tuition or tuition deposit has been paid, applicants may return to the home page of their MyCTD account.  Select “To Application” and then “Start Your Application” from the right side of the screen.  Once there, choose between “Request Teacher Recommendation and Upload Grades” or “Upload Test Scores”.

English Language Proficiency

Because courses are taught in English, test scores are used to assess proficiency and assist in course placement. TOEFL (or TOEFL Jr. for grades 4-8) or IELTS scores are required for students applying with an admission portfolio for whom English is not the first language, do not attend school where at least half their instruction is in English, and who do not have PSAT, I-Excel, SAT, ACT, ASSET, or PreACT scores.

Requests for Grade Advancement/Acceleration

Since students apply to summer programs based on the grade they will enter the following fall, acceleration requests for summer are very rarely approved.  If an acceleration request for summer is granted, it is almost always due to a clear academic need for an advanced math class (e.g. Precalculus for a student not yet in 9^th grade). Visit the Requesting an Accelerated Placement web page for more information about the process, timeline, and required materials.

2026 Tuition 

CTD provides lunch for all students, breakfast and dinner for residential students, and afternoon activities for everyone.

Grades 6-12 Tuition for Three-Week Camps:

• Three-Week Day Camp:
• Three-Week Partnership Camp:
• Three-Week Residential Camp:
• Three-Week Residential Partnership Camp: 

Grades 6-12 Tuition for One-Week Camps:

• One-Week Day Camp:
• One-Week Residential Camp: 

Full tuition is due at time of application and increases by $100 for all courses after May 31, 2026.

Withdrawals

Please see our withdrawal information for policies specific to this program.

Financial Aid

CTD offers need-based financial aid awarded as requests are received. Families are encouraged to apply early because the amount of aid available is limited. Please see the Financial Aid page for details. 

• You will receive the FACTS application link in your application confirmation email once the $65 dollar tuition deposit is paid and the application is submitted.
• It is imperative that you complete the financial aid application as soon as possible as it may take FACTS up to ten days to process your information.
• If you previously completed a FACTS application for the 2025-2026 academic year for CTD, you must still attach the 2026-2027 FACTS application to your FACTS account. You will be able to link your FACTS account to this new FACTS information. You may need to update financial information.
• If you experience difficulties with the FACTS process please call the FACTS helpline at 866/412-4637.

Technology Scholarship

Students with financial need applying to technology courses may apply for the Sandra Dennhardt Technology Scholarship.  For a list of eligible courses and more information please see our Scholarship Opportunities page.

The application deadline for this scholarship is April 15.

Summer 2026 Dates: 

Academic Environment

• Experience a true living-learning community at Northwestern University.
• Learn alongside a diverse cohort of advanced students from across the country.
• Build strong connections through academics plus cultural and recreational experiences outside class.
• Daily schedule (all sessions): class runs 9:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m., including a 1-hour lunch break.
• Courses are built on CTD’s Talent Development approach and Framework for Student Success.
• Two course types:
  • Advanced Enrichment: interdisciplinary exploration that develops skills and passion.
  • Accelerated: fast-paced; covers 1–2 semesters of content in a three-week intensive.
• Homework expectations:
  • Advanced Enrichment / 1-credit Accelerated: 1–2 hours/night
  • 2-credit Accelerated / AP: 2–3 hours/night (in addition to the school day)
• Students should expect a meaningful academic challenge that strengthens higher-level thinking, focus, and persistence.

Experienced Staff Members

• Educators selected for their commitment to teaching students with exceptional abilities
• Instructors are content area experts, experienced in their grade-band and adapt curriculum for academically advanced students
• Invested in every student’s success and growth
• Create a safe, supportive environment for learning and self-discovery

A High Standard of Student Conduct

• Highly structured programs with clear rules and expectations
• Firm boundaries for campus/community behavior and required staff supervision
• Policies prioritize the safety and well-being of students and staff
• Students are expected to follow all rules and act responsibly
• Families and students review the Honor Code to understand expectations and support a positive living-learning community

See Community Health and Safety below for information on health and safety protocols.

Notes:

• The Zoom Study Sessions on Tuesday and Thursday evenings are TA-led and optional for our Day Students.
• Students taking enrichment coursework and coursework conferring one semester of high school honors credit can expect between 1-2 hours of homework per night.  Students taking two-credit or AP courses can expect 2-3 hours of homework per night.
• Evenings and weekends find residential students enjoying a broad range of activities, such as dances, talent shows, field days, and trips to downtown Chicago.

All students who successfully complete CTD Academic Summer Day and Residential Camps receive a brief narrative evaluation that includes comments on the student’s performance in class, grade and credits earned (if applicable), service-learning hours for CLI students, as well as recommendations for future study. Residents also receive a brief narrative evaluation that includes comments on community membership and contributions. These evaluations are available starting in September.

Summer 2026 academic summer camp transcript schedule: 

Students who have completed a for-credit CTD summer course and have requested an official course transcript can expect to receive that in mid October. Transcripts will be mailed by October 1, 2026.

Students who need to verify their final grade for their for-credit courses prior to receiving their official transcript can request a provisional grade report. Please note that provisional grades are available upon request within one week of the end your students program closing date. Provisional grade reports can be requested by emailing ctd-summer@northwestern.edu.

If you have a question about whether a transcript was requested for your student’s application, please email ctd-admissions@northwestern.edu. 

The health and safety of our students and staff has always been CTD's top priority. This year is no exception. Families are strongly encouraged to monitor their students for symptoms of illness, keep sick students at home, and get them tested for communicable illnesses such as influenza, COVID-19, and strep throat.

While on campus, students diagnosed with contagious illness (e.g. influenza, COVID-19, chicken pox, etc.) that will take multiple days to resolve, or students who sustain a fever for more than 36 hours, or who experience sustained episodes of vomiting or diarrhea will return home in the care of the family within 24 hours of receiving notice from CTD staff. Families may authorize an adult designee to take their student home.

• For questions regarding CTD Academic Summer Day and Residential Camp admissions and financial aid, please contact:
  ctd-admissions@northwestern.edu
   
• For questions about current CTD day and residential camp enrollments, please contact:
  ctd-summer@northwestern.edu
   
• For questions about CLI Program enrollments, please contact:
  cep@northwestern.edu
   
• For questions about school partnerships, please contact:
  ctd-school-services@northwestern.edu