PRE-COLLEGE
SUMMER PROGRAMS

2008 Brochure - (PDF)
Download application - (PDF)

Applications will be accepted starting January 2, 2008.

Application Deadline: May 15, 2008

Students should apply for courses that match their areas of academic strength as shown by performance on standardized tests. It is strongly recommended that students apply early, as many classes reach maximum enrollment prior to the application deadline. Qualified students applying in January and February have a much better chance of receiving their first course choice than qualified students applying in April and May.

You may apply online at https://onlineapp.ctd.northwestern.edu/webapp/login.php or print an application that can be submitted by mail. We do not accept faxed applications.

The selection committee reserves the right to interpret the information contained in the application packet in order to select students most likely to contribute to and benefit from a Center for Talent Development summer program experience. Individual courses have different requirements, and students should apply for only those courses for which they are academically qualified.

Submitting an application does not guarantee admission to a program. Students increase their chances of securing a place in a program if they do the following as early as possible.

	send a complete application, including a check or money order for the application fee and tuition deposit
	apply for courses that match areas of academic strength shown by performance on standardized tests
	make sure you have fulfilled the prerequisites for the course and include proof with your application
	list alternative courses, particularly if applying close to the deadline
	include a complete financial aid application with supporting documents, if applying for aid

Application Forms  |  Back to Top

Student Application

Financial Aid and Payment Plan Form

Teacher Recommendation Form

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Eligibility |  Back to Top

Students enrolling in Spectrum or Equinox must meet the minimum SAT or ACT requirements as 6th, 7th, 8th, or 9th grade Talent Search participants or submit an Admission Portfolio. Students who have not participated in a talent search or whose talent search scores do not meet the minimum requirements should submit an admission portfolio.

Any student applying to a course with a prerequisite must submit a report card, letter, or transcript showing that the prerequisite has been met.

Any student applying to a writing course must submit a graded writing sample.

Tests accepted for Spectrum and Equinox applicants:

Off-level SAT (through the Midwest Academic Talent Search or another Talent Search)

Off-level ACT (through the Midwest Academic Talent Search or another Talent Search)

TOEFL (required for international applicants)

*An off-level SAT test must have been taken as a 6th, 7th or 8th grader. An off-level ACT test must have been taken as a 6th, 7th, 8th or 9th grader.

The charts below detail test score requirements based on tests taken in the 6th-9th grades*.

Spectrum (7th-9th grades)

Scores refer to SAT or ACT tests taken in grades 6-9, not in grades 10-12.

Course Name	Course #	Test Score Requirements	Prerequisite
Algebra I	CASE008-42	SAT M=540 or greater, or ACT M=20 or greater	Successful completion of Pre-Algebra course
Algebra II	CASE08-43	SAT M=540 or greater or ACT M=20 or greater	Algebra I
Creative Writing Honors	CASE08-27	SAT V. or Crt. R 470 or greater or, ACT R=22 or greater	none
Geometry Honors	CASE08-44	SAT M=540 or greater or ACT M=20 or greater	Algebra I
Forensic Science Honors	CASE08-57	SAT V or Crit. R=510 or greater, or ACT R=24 or greater, or ACT SR=22 or greater	none
Persuasion & Debate Honors	CASE08-34	SAT V or Crit. R=510 or greater, or ACT SR=22 or greater	none
Robotics Honors	CASE08-48	SAT M=540 or greater or ACT M=20 or greater	Algebra I

 

Equinox (9th-12th grade)

Scores refer to SAT or ACT tests taken in grades 6-9, not in grades 10-12.

Course Name	Course #	Test Score Requirements	Prerequisite
Algebra II and Trigonometry	CASE08-75	SAT M=540 or greater, or ACT M=20 or greater	Algebra I
Chemistry Honors	CASE08-96	SATV or Crit. R = 510 + SAT M = 540;  ACT R = 24+ ACT M = 21; ACT S = 22	one year of lab science
Computer Game Programming Honors	CASE08-82	SAT M=540 or greater, or ACT M=20 or greater	Geometry, previous computer programming experience using C, C++, or Java
Engineering Concepts Honors	CASE08-92	SAT M=540 or greater, or ACT M=20 or greater	Algebra I
Genetics and Biotechnology Honors	CASE08-84	SATV or Crit. R = 510 + SAT M = 540;  ACT R = 24+ ACT M = 21; ACT S = 22	1 year honors biology
International Relations Honors	CASE08-70	SAT V or Crit. R=510 or greater, or ACT R=24 or greater	none
Journalism Honors	CASE08-59	SAT V or Crit. R=510 or greater, or ACT R=24 or greater	None
Pre-Calculus Honors	CASE08-76	SAT M=540 or greater, or ACT M=20 or greater	Algebra 1 & 2 and Geometry
Philosophy Honors	CASE08-73	SAT V or Crit. R=510 or greater, or ACT R=24 or greater	none
Sociology Honors	CASE08-72	SAT V or Crit. R=510 or greater, or ACT R=24 or greater	none

Application Checklist  |  Back to Top

Returning Students should submit::

	a 250 word essay, completely conceived of and written by the applicant, describing his/her experience at the program last year (was it a success, what did you learn, how could you improve it, etc.) and then explain how you think this year will provide additional benefits and/or what you hope will be the value of the program for you.
	a completed application form, the tuition deposit(s), and the application fee.
	Returning students who wish to take a class in a subject different from that which they initially qualified must submit new test scores or an admission portfolio.
	Any student applying to a writing course must submit a graded writing sample (samples will not be returned)” . as a bullet under “Returning Students should submit and a bullet under Students Meeting Test Requirements should submit.

Students Meeting Test Requirements Should Submit:

	SAT (taken as a 6th-8th grader) or ACT (taken as a 6th-9th grader) scores that meet the minimum requirement for the course(s) listed on the application;
	a 250 word essay, completely conceived of and written by the applicant, describing his/her reasons for wanting to attend the Summer Program and what he/she hopes to gain from a CTD summer experience;
	a completed application form, the tuition deposit(s), and the application fee.

Admission Portfolio Students Should Submit:

	2 teacher recommendations from teachers who are familiar with the student's work and can speak to his/her ability to complete an intensive enrichment, honors or AP course in the subject for which he/she is applying;
	copy of the latest grade report, indicating high achievement in the relevant subject area;
	a 250 word essay, completely conceived of and written by the applicant, describing his/her reasons for wanting to attend the Summer Program and what he/she hopes to gain from a CTD summer experience;
	recent standardized test scores, if available;
	a completed application form, the tuition deposit(s), and the application fee.
	Any student applying to a writing course must submit a graded writing sample (samples will not be returned)