UVA Summer Gifted Program

[Anonymous]

I don't know about SEP, but CTY has a lot more slots than that available. They offer programs at several campuses and each campus holds about 200 students at each of its two 3 week sessions. She is a 7th grader this year and took the SAT this fall to re-qualify.

I am curious what your kids have taken at SEP? My DD will be doing her third straight CTY camp this summer, but she prefers science. The SEP science offerings seemed a little slim. But OTOH, the three week CTY sessions become difficult to plan around. A 2 week session would make our summers a lot more flexible.

[Anonymous]

I did the summer program at UVA 20+ years ago. It was really freakin' hot and very hard to sleep (and my mom rarely ran the a/c at home, so I wasn't unacclimated to hot weather). I would really think twice about sending a very asthmatic kid.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I don't know about SEP, but CTY has a lot more slots than that available. They offer programs at several campuses and each campus holds about 200 students at each of its two 3 week sessions. She is a 7th grader this year and took the SAT this fall to re-qualify.

I am curious what your kids have taken at SEP? My DD will be doing her third straight CTY camp this summer, but she prefers science. The SEP science offerings seemed a little slim. But OTOH, the three week CTY sessions become difficult to plan around. A 2 week session would make our summers a lot more flexible.

What's the qualifying test for the UVA program?

PP, can you tell me a little bit about the logistics of your daughter taking the SAT as a 7th grader (my kid is also going to re-qualify). Did she just sit through the essay portion, or go ahead and try to answer something? Was there any issues at the test site with the proctors wondering what such a young person was doing there taking the SAT?

Thanks for the info!

[Anonymous]

PP, can you tell me a little bit about the logistics of your daughter taking the SAT as a 7th grader (my kid is also going to re-qualify). Did she just sit through the essay portion, or go ahead and try to answer something? Was there any issues at the test site with the proctors wondering what such a young person was doing there taking the SAT?

8:55 here. The logistics were mildly challenging, mainly because she was not yet 13, so couldn't do the on-line SAT enrollment. We had to do it all on paper. We had not realized this and actually missed the deadline for the November test because of this and she had to do it in December instead. Oops. And we had to wait for paper scores because she didn't have an on-line account.

She took the test at Robinson SS. On test day we showed up and were mildly concerned because we couldn't find her name on the posted pages of lists. Turns out they had kids below 9th grade on a different list. But other than that it was no problem. I had to drop her off and then come back later, they wouldn't let me wait.

Oh, she said they did give her a mild hard time because her ticket for entry did not have her photo ID on it. One proctor was not familiar with that, but they called in a supervisor and it was fine.

She did do the essay. I think that may have been first? But the essay does not count for CTY qualification, just the math and verbal scores. She actually enjoyed the test and thought it was fun. Overall, I think was a good experience for her. She didn't do any prep other than the on-line practice test on the SAT website. I wanted her somewhat familiar with the format. And I also told her about the guessing penalty.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I don't know about SEP, but CTY has a lot more slots than that available. They offer programs at several campuses and each campus holds about 200 students at each of its two 3 week sessions. She is a 7th grader this year and took the SAT this fall to re-qualify.

I am curious what your kids have taken at SEP? My DD will be doing her third straight CTY camp this summer, but she prefers science. The SEP science offerings seemed a little slim. But OTOH, the three week CTY sessions become difficult to plan around. A 2 week session would make our summers a lot more flexible.

My child has taken Neuroscience and Genetic Engineering, and had afternoon courses (chosen after acceptance) in things like polymer science and hydrology...but surprised me this year and chose Arisitotle and the art of persuasion.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

PP, can you tell me a little bit about the logistics of your daughter taking the SAT as a 7th grader (my kid is also going to re-qualify). Did she just sit through the essay portion, or go ahead and try to answer something? Was there any issues at the test site with the proctors wondering what such a young person was doing there taking the SAT?

8:55 here. The logistics were mildly challenging, mainly because she was not yet 13, so couldn't do the on-line SAT enrollment. We had to do it all on paper. We had not realized this and actually missed the deadline for the November test because of this and she had to do it in December instead. Oops. And we had to wait for paper scores because she didn't have an on-line account.

She took the test at Robinson SS. On test day we showed up and were mildly concerned because we couldn't find her name on the posted pages of lists. Turns out they had kids below 9th grade on a different list. But other than that it was no problem. I had to drop her off and then come back later, they wouldn't let me wait.

Oh, she said they did give her a mild hard time because her ticket for entry did not have her photo ID on it. One proctor was not familiar with that, but they called in a supervisor and it was fine.

She did do the essay. I think that may have been first? But the essay does not count for CTY qualification, just the math and verbal scores. She actually enjoyed the test and thought it was fun. Overall, I think was a good experience for her. She didn't do any prep other than the on-line practice test on the SAT website. I wanted her somewhat familiar with the format. And I also told her about the guessing penalty.

Thank you so much! Really appreciate the info!

[Anonymous]

Do any of the kids take small portable cooling devices since fans may not help with the heat?

How well are they supervised in the dorms? Are boys allowed in the girls dorm or vice versa?

Did anyone who sent a 9-10 y/o feel that 2 weeks with older kids was too long?

How did they find the enrichment - was it worth the heat/ going out to Charlottesville?

Any feedback would be greatly appreciated!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Do any of the kids take small portable cooling devices since fans may not help with the heat?

How well are they supervised in the dorms? Are boys allowed in the girls dorm or vice versa?

Did anyone who sent a 9-10 y/o feel that 2 weeks with older kids was too long?

How did they find the enrichment - was it worth the heat/ going out to Charlottesville?

Any feedback would be greatly appreciated!

If you're asking if they can bring a portable AC unit...no.
Fans are it.

The kids are well supervised, and they're always with kids their own age.

The courses, instructors, and peer group are amazing and my dd looks forward to it all year.

[Anonymous]

My DD started as a rising 7th grader. She was with kids her own age. The boys and girls are in separate dorms at that age and always supervised. She had so much fun, she didn't notice the heat. They are in AC most of the day for classes. She made great friends and it is always the highlight of her summer. One year we had some issues at home and the office was great about getting right back to us over the weekend and helping us communicate with her about the situation.

[Anonymous]

I am still waiting for the result, I would like to know that usually when will they inform the parent ?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Somewhat disagree with above - CTY does want your money, no denying, but you do have to take the SCAT or the ACT and have scores c/w those who are about 2 grades higher than your own.
If there are 1300+ kids applying for 888 spots at SEP, and one assumes they fill all spots, there is close to a 65% acceptance rate. SEP accepts whatever score you provide them with no requirements of actual
results. Also, who knows what kind of help kids get with their essays. (From what I hear, some college application essays are written by professionals hired to do so.)

I am not, however, suggesting that SEP is not a great program - I know of two families who sent their girls last year - both recommend the program. Can't beat an enrichment program on Mr. Jefferson's university grounds!

To us, it was like applying for egg roll at the White House. It really is just luck of the draw if you get in.

[Anonymous]

Our DD attended in middle school. Great first away camp experience. Well supervised & didn't mind the heat.

[Anonymous]

Anyone done the Fuke top center classes or the classes through Davidson institute at U of Nevada? How do they compare? Thx

[Anonymous]

Does anyone have an average price that it costs? I know that they offer financial aid, but how much is it normally?