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jrc1963 posted 9/20/2013 18:16 PM

Does anyone know anything about this?

My DS was invited to apply/enroll in the Duke University Talent Search due to his being in the top 95% for his Math scores.

Has anyone had a child/children participate in this?

Would advise doing it? Not doing? Why?

TIA

HFSSC posted 9/20/2013 20:59 PM

Ds14 has been in it since 7th grade. Great opportunities for classes and educational sessions,weekend programs, etc. He's in 9th grade now and already getting college recruitment letters. I think it's a great program

jrc1963 posted 9/20/2013 21:15 PM

Thanks H...

Have you been able to take advantage of the weekend classes?

inconnu posted 9/20/2013 22:16 PM

Did it with older son, decided not to when it came time for younger son. The only programs offered in our state were summer programs, and honestly, neither of my kids seemed all that interested in what was offered here.

caregiver9000 posted 9/20/2013 22:20 PM

There is a cost associated with it too. Just FYI.

I did it when I was school aged. It meant that I tested a lot. (Early ACT, PSAT, etc.) But I think it is how I got on the national merit scholar track?

Not sure what I am going to do with DS yet.

Congrats though, to boy our boys!!

jrc1963 posted 9/20/2013 22:25 PM

Yeah, I saw the costs involved.

He'd have to take the SAT or ACT in December.

I just don't know if it's useful or just hype?

One of my co-worker's DD participates and she said she really liked it.

hurtbs posted 9/21/2013 06:50 AM

I didn't work for Duke, I worked for the same program at Johns Hopkins. It was an amazing and life changing program for many students. Not just the academics, but the social element - being able to learn alongside their gifted peers; a place where being a 'nerd' was a badge of honor not a social stigma.

HFSSC posted 9/21/2013 08:29 AM

DS signed up for one program last year that ended up being canceled because of a conflict with the teacher's schedule or something. He has done a couple of other things he enjoyed.

His school paid for the SAT and PSAT testing; we didn't have to pay for those. But we do have to pay for the extra programs and summer programs. We were just not able to do it this summer but are definitely planning for next summer.

The best part for him has been the validation that hurt was talking about. He is the only boy he knows who reads ALL THE TIME. He has been made fun of at his school because of it. It's been great for his self esteem to realize the power that his intelligence will give him if he learns to use it.

jrc1963 posted 9/21/2013 09:35 AM

DS isn't really being teased at school. So many of the kids are in the Pre-IB program or identified as gifted/advanced that he's in really good company there.

HFSSC posted 9/21/2013 11:26 AM

jrc, that's great. I love his school, and there are great academic programs, but this is still a rural area with more of an athletics mindset.

ROTC has been another huge blessing this year.

hurtbs posted 9/21/2013 22:55 PM

jrc - even if he's in a good environment academically, there is something to be said about learning and studying with those who are as advanced as he is (in the top 5%). They tend to challenge one another more and reach farther. There is also the added environment that it's about learning not about earning a grade.

Often in these program (Duke and JHU), this is the first time students actually are challenged or struggle in their schoolwork.

jrc1963 posted 9/22/2013 13:11 PM

Thanks Hurtbs... it's good to know.

And yes, so far there hasn't been a whole lot of "struggle" with his school work. It all comes easily to him.

I think he definitely needs to be challenged, which is why I often give him "enrichment" type activities here at home to "round" out his education.

tushnurse posted 9/23/2013 09:11 AM

Yup, both of my kids were invited, and we did not have the funds available to send them.

They did do the ACT early though through another program, can't remember what at the moment, but they take it as 8th graders.

I think it's a really neat opportunity, and I do have a friend that sent both of her boys, and it looked good on their college applications. My one kid was like eh whatever when it came, (boy).
My other was like how come I can't go, blah blah blah (girl).