OT: Center for Talented Youth
 

Does anyone here have any personal experience with the Center of Talented Youth? I received an information packet for my son (7th grade) that he scored high enough on a state test, but hadn't heard anything about the place before that.

Basically, it says you apply for the program, the youth takes the SAT or ACT, then they can be accepted into a summer program or online courses.

Just looking for some personal experiences with the program. Is it worth the time and money? What could he realistically expect to get out of the program?

Thanks.

I didn't do that particular program, but I did a program that sounds somewhat similar. I took it in 8th grade, and I had to take the SAT's. I did well, and was accepted into this honors institute which only took about 50 nationally. It was hard for my mom to come up with the money, but it was well worth the time and money to me. That was definitely a plus on my transcripts for my getting a full ride to USC, and it was a plus even when I was applying to medical school (the interviewers asked me about it where I ended up going.)

Edit: The one I did was called the John R. Kirk Honors Institute, but without doing any research, it sounds similar to what you are talking about.

Give your child the best education you can afford. It will be well worth it.

Great post, thanks. Did you attend a 3 or 4 week course at the Institute? How far from home did you have to go to attend?

After researching on the web, we are leaning toward sending him, if he is truly interested. They have some cool courses you don't see at public school.

I went to a private school for many years (K-8th grade). My mom worked her ass off to send me there. There were a lot of advantages to it. The discipline is infinitely better at private schools. The smaller classes are beneficial for obvious reasons. There probably won't be many (if any) drug problems at the school, if you are worried about that. The higher academic standard is a good thing, as it keeps you on your toes.

The negative effects? Well, socially. You aren't around a real diverse crowd at a private school. It's basically smart kids, rich kids, and smart and rich kids. I went to a public high school after attending the private school, and I was socially lost for a while. I had been around the same small group of people for so long that I had forgotten how to make new friends. I suppose this won't be as much of a problem, as he's not going there for 9 years.

I took a 4 week course in "Discrete Mathematics." Studied fractals and a lot of other things that I don't remember. I planned on being an engineer back then. Of course, I went through a period of H.S. where I thought I was going to be a lawyer as well. Went back and forth on those 3 choices until I actually entered college.

The program I attended was in Missiouri. It was my first time flying or being away from home. I had a blast and actually still keep in touch with 2 of the guys I met at that program (and one of them also got a full ride to USC.)