UVA Summer Gifted Program
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Anonymous
| My child has just been accepted to the UVA SEP Summer Gifted Program. We do not know anyone who has attended the program and my child, who is 12, has not been to overnight camp before. The website has very little information. Has anyone sent their kids to this camp before? Did they enjoy themselves and benefit from the program? Were the kids well-supervised? Any information about the program would be most appreciated. Thank you. |
Anonymous
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The kids are well supervised, and my kids have always had a great time. The only heads up is that there is no AC in the dorms and it gets very hot.
Has your child spent the night away from home before? If not, I recommend planning an overnight away from home a couple times before then so the 12 days isn't such a shock. |
Anonymous
| Thanks so much for the information- good to know about the AC. My child has been on plenty of sleepovers at friends houses but just not at camp- he has only done day camp. Did your child find it easy to make friends? Were the classes interesting? Are kids allowed to have cell phones so we can contact them? Sorry for all the questions we are just really clueless... |
Anonymous
| My child has gone for 2 years and just loves it. They are well supervised and really work to make sure the kids mix. There is a handbook somewhere that has more detailed info about what to bring, calls home, etc. Plan to send a fan and lots of clothes -- they don't do laundry. Also, the day after pickup is for sleeping--they come home tired. |
Anonymous
| I too had a concern about the heat, esp since DD has asthma. I know this is a strange question, but is it any worse than visiting the tropics (inland) where many homes have fans but no AC (and no ocean breeze)? |
Anonymous
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They can bring cell phones, but the counselors keep them. They will be handed back on three pre-set occasions for a 10 minute phone call home. Other than that, there is no contact.
They usually stay up all night on the last night, but still have to be at breakfast and class the next morning. That's why they're so tired when they're picked up. |
Anonymous
| OP here - many thanks for the helpful feedback. I've tried searching for a handbook but can't seem to find one. If someone could share a link to it, I would be grateful. Thank you again. |
Anonymous
| The handbook will be sent later |
Anonymous
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Just fyi - the program is called UVA Summer Enrichment Program. There is no "gifted" in the title. Not sure why that word has to be thrown around so much in this area. 1386 kids applied for 888 spots. That would imply that it is not that competitive. Looking at the email that they sent out, I think you have to accept the offer to get more info. There is no more info on your account when you log in even if your child was accepted. You could also call the office or email them. |
Anonymous
http://curry.virginia.edu/community-programs/student-enrichment/sep/summer
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Anonymous
| Just curious where you found the acceptance numbers? |
Anonymous
The program is still not Called "summer gifted program". As the above quote states, the program is also for "high ability" students. The main criteria for acceptance is an essay. They also ask for a score such as the SOL. How many kids around here get 600's on their SOL's? I would not say that they are all "gifted". Re the numbers, they were in the email sent out on Friday. |
Anonymous
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When we first applied 4 years ago, the program made it clear that it was for gifted students, and the application and teacher recommendation asked if the child was enrolled in a gifted program. The language has since disappeared from everything except for that blurb on the main page.
And for what it's worth, SEP is much harder to get into than the CTY summer programs who will take just about anyone who is willing to pay the extraordinary price. |
Anonymous
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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! |
Anonymous
My kids both breezed through qualifying for all CTY programs, but one of them was waitlisted (but eventually offered a spot) for SEP last year after having attended the previous two years. It's an amazing program, but not necessarily easy to get into. |