Advice for a Rising Seventh Grader

Pre-College Issues Summer Programs
1

<p>So... I go to a highly selective (about 200/3000 get in lol) high school that's 7-12. My brother also got into the said high school. Although 7th grade is not technically "high school" our school has a policy where 7th grade doesn't appear on our transcripts (aka don't go to college) so 7th grade is the only grade he has to explore. Starting from 8th grade, since we are an advanced school, most courses are the same as freshmen classes in ordinary high schools. Also these grades do appear on the all "holy transcript". I'm not all that well rounded so I'm not very aware of programs, competitions, or any other interesting opportunities available in America. For those of you who's heard of the term "super student" yup that's what he's gonna become. He's got a good head on his shoulders. I teach him about how to manage time etc. <-because I suck at the following)</p>

<p>My brother's good at math. He's studying to be double accelerated maybe even triple accelerated so he can obtain a minimum of 2-3 years of college math before actually going to college. He like science, can dance very well (in most people's opinion), is good at making friends (who are older then me. They thought a 10 yr old being friends with them was kinda creepy.), and draws well. The only problem is he's not as passionate about anything. So I call him someone with "no personality". I mean he's good at things but he doesn't really feel the HOOK that you feel when you know you've found something you want to do. Is there anyway he can explore his various interests? We (my family) is trying to prepare for EVERYTHING. Including activities, clubs, everything so that it reflects his passions (which we will support when we find out...). </p>

<p>Also... my family wants us to be doctors, in my family (we're asian if you couldn't tell). Are there any legitimate, highly selective, low cost summer or during the year programs he can attend to learn to write science research papers, to conduct research, or to gain some basic lab skills? (because next summer not this one... he'll be 13 so the normal internships will not accept him). </p>

<p>Finally I really regret not being able to TRY learning to write papers. Not knowing how to write really killed my three short years in high school so far. My brother and I went to a public elementary school that never told us how to write a formal paper for english class. We wrote creative pieces, short stories, memoirs etc. but never ESSAYS. Is there also any good, cost-effective, highly selective writing programs that teach you how to write personal essays, formal literary essays, and term papers? also are there any about journalism? </p>

<p>If anyone has any programs to suggest, could you please list the names and websites if available, if not phone number sof the programs? And if those programs looked good on college apps that would be even better. </p>

<p>Finally I'm wondering what else to tell my fickle brother to help him be a super student. Including things you wish you did in your first year of high school. things you regret. Because really my school's kind of just 6 long years of high school. </p>

<p>Thanks!</p>

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<p>Your brother is 13? In the 7th grade?? You should let him enjoy life. He should not be worrying about "having a partiular passion" or being a "super student" at 13 years old. Let him have fun and live a little.</p>

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<p>Yeah... I spent my 13-year-old summer reading philosophy, hanging out with my boyfriend, going to the mall, and playing piano and softball. Not quite science research.</p>

<p>If HE's sure that he loves science, I'd say go ahead, but maybe it's best if he did an exploratory program or just spent a summer as a kid. It's a bit too early to start thinking about college.</p>

4

<p>um... the above post says he has many interests. He will turn 13 the following summer, he's born in February. I just don't want my parents throwing away their money and getting into a bunch of scams. (I feel.) The kid doesn't do anything otherwise. Seriously he sits and vegetates. So we force him to do other activities. By not doing anything, I mean sitting in front of a computer screen or tv for hours on end.</p>

<p>Personally, I want to be a superstudent but that's near impossible now. Nothing of the above potential exists for me. I'm jealous. So... for me I would prefer to go through a very experimental hellish year with little to no expectations. Then... find out what you're good at so you can work on that for 5 years or so. Isn't that better?</p>

5

<p>for that age, you are limited -- plus, programs in the US cost quite a bit of money.</p>

<p>I would suggest that you check out CTD or CTY or some of the other summer programs for the gifted. The supervision/freetime activities are set up well for that age -- but the academic challenge is much more.</p>

<p>I do know that CTD offers an excellent writing class -- non-fiction writing honors -- which my son took last year. At CTD you can take one class for three weeks, or you can go for two sessions and take two classes.</p>

<p>My son has gone to CTD the past two summers -- as a rising 7th graders and as a rising 8th grader. he loved it and had the time of his life -- made great friends, played games and had plenty of time to hang out. Lots of asians attend (my son's roommate each year was an international student from Asia).</p>

<p>Summer</a> Program, Center for Talent Development, Northwestern University</p>

<p>Summer</a> Programs</p>

<p>Summer</a> Institute for the Gifted and Gifted Education Resources</p>

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<p>thank you! yeah personally me being a sophmore thought my parents wasted money esp. because we are ineligible for finan aid for CTY. So I was wondering what other programs there are.</p>

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<p>the CTD and CTY programs are about the cheapest programs out there for middle school kids (unless you are looking at day options in your home town).</p>

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<p>I was 13 when I was in 9th Grade :/ Weird.</p>

<p>EDIT: Whoops, just read he's turning 13 next summer ;) My bad!</p>

<p>Anyhow, enjoy life. Take it naturally. Read books, do whatever extracurriculars fascinate you, but science research? Isn't it a little early to worry about that (unless he's really into it)? I understand where you're going, though. You want him to develop these skills and discover his passions early in life so that he can persevere. I would say that, at this age, it's far more important to send him to courses where he can have a good experience and discover more about himself, rather than ones that will appeal to universities. Also, make sure that, rather than making him do a million different activities and extracurriculars, make him focus on 2 or 3 that he has a strong passion for, so that he can get really good at them... I'll stop mumbling on now, but, hopefully that helps, even though it doesn't answer your question :/</p>

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<p>yes i do want him to discover his passions and know. ==>more exposure lol. But science seems to be the most interesting so far. My bro's good at so many things but has no interest in anything he's good at except for drums (which is just playing mind you not concerts, or performing, or practicing for teh matter) and he's brought home a bunch of science books at the end of 5th grade? and he read them. 0.o at that age I HATED science but whatdoyaknow. But that's about as "passionate" it gets. </p>

<p>hsmomstef: yeah they're not cheap. $3,000 for 3 weeks is not cheap. We can go to 6 mo worth of cram school with that. Haha thanks to the lack of financial aid that my family is ineligible for, just because we pay our taxes right and apparently those people who cheat their taxes aren't 0.o</p>

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<p>financial aid is for those who are low-income, not just those families who would feel a strain on their finances if they paid for the program. FA is not for families that "cheat" on their taxes -- so you might want to adjust that attitude.</p>

<p>the cost of summer programs just increases, so until your brother can apply to the highly competitive, selective programs offered for juniors and seniors in high school, he will be stuck at home unless your parents want to pay.</p>

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<p>It's not for them. I never said it was for them. Implying anything does not have any legal standing-->insignificant. Yes I'm still not going to adjust my "attitude" problem. I don't have one. I believe my arguments are well thought out. </p>

<p>Contrariwise I said that this is not fair. The fact that other families who pay taxes correctly are stuck with the short end of the stick. Whereas these people by cheating the IRS and the government are awarded with scholarships. I view that as unfair. </p>

<p>I also think I should not be bashed for my lack of unspecificity. I didn't want to be specific. It's called being lazy. </p>

<p>Personally I believe there are a lot of programs out there that are out to get the parents. These companies play on parental anxieties to get at their wallets. I don't think all of these programs are necessary at all. </p>

<p>My family's general concern is education. That's what we care about. Yes the most educational program may not be the most fun program in the universe, but at least as a participant, you can learn something. </p>

<p>"Why don't ya'll leave him alone?" Because we care and time unfortunately is limited. If we do go with the "fun" option then we may miss the chances to grab at opportunities that present themselves to us. </p>

<p>Money is a very hard thing to earn. Earning other people's money is not easy. I don't think it is fair to go have fun when your parents broke their bodies working to raise you so you can become someone who is educated and not ignorant. If you do go to that "fun" option that is being wasteful and unappreciative. Basically I mean to say it is a waste of money to pour money into something you never really needed or meant to do.</p>

12

<p>
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Contrariwise I said that this is not fair. The fact that other families who pay taxes correctly are stuck with the short end of the stick. Whereas these people by cheating the IRS and the government are awarded with scholarships. I view that as unfair.

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<p>1) People don't get FA because they cheat the IRS, they get FA because they can't afford the program. Not everyone is fortunate enough to be able to pay for these things.</p>

<p>2) What scholarships are granted to people who cheat on their taxes? Please, enlighten me.</p>

<p>Your perverted, classist view of the world is disgusting.</p>

13

<p>freeshirtsorg -- I don't even understand your last post, you don't make sense.</p>

<p>Financial aid is for low income families -- not for people that cheat on their taxes. The IRS is not connected to any financial aid programs. I will admit, there are probably a few people who lie on the federal financial aid applications -- but the penalties for doing so are severe and schools do verify the information. I think if you talked with most financial aid officers, you would find that 99% of the information submitted to them is accurate.</p>

<p>The programs (and schools, later on) evaluate the students and award financial aid based on need and merit. If you don't have need and/or aren't that good of a student why would the program give you money to attend? There are summer programs out there that provide financial aid to families that make as much as $100,000/yr (more than twice the national average income). Not all programs have the funds to provide financial aid.</p>

<p>Feel free to keep your attitude -- it will do nothing but cause you problems in the future. I posted information to help you and your brother -- I am sorry that your brother is just too good for the programs available and your family feels ripped off when asked to pay for a program. Unfortunately, I think that what you are looking for (a free program for very special kids who really just like to chill but whose family thinks is ready for upper level research) is not available in the US.</p>