Johns Hopkins CTY Summer Program

For high school students all around the world, summertime is an opportunity to delve deep into passions and interests that exist outside of the high school classroom. One of the best options that high schoolers who are looking to one day attend a highly prestigious university is to sign up for a Johns Hopkins CTY Summer Program.

Some of the best universities all over the world open their doors to high schoolers from all over the world every summer to give those students a taste of university life. Not only do these Johns Hopkins CTY Summer Program courses open students’ eyes to the wonderful world of higher learning, but they also can play a role in students finding out about the college or university of their dreams.

Before we break down what Johns Hopkins CTY Summer Program is and why it is such a fantastic option for high school students no matter which school subjects they are most interested in, let’s quickly go over what is so valuable about attending summer programs at universities.

Why summer programs are so valuable

Attending a program such as a Johns Hopkins CTY Summer Program offers high school students much more than just a guaranteed good time. University summer programs are a fantastic way for students to prepare themselves for undergraduate school. On top of that, it even helps increase their chances of getting into the school of their dreams.

That’s especially true if the school of their dreams is Johns Hopkins and they enroll in a Johns Hopkins CTY Summer Program!

So, what are the other primary reasons why a Johns Hopkins CTY Summer Program is such a great idea for any high schooler? Here are some primary factors for parents and students alike to consider:

• Students get a taste of college life: As we previously mentioned, one of the greatest reasons why high school students should attend one or more university summer programs during the summer months is because it gives them an idea of what college life will be like once they finally begin that exciting part of their life. By attending a Johns Hopkins CTY Summer Program, students can see what it’s like to not only live in dorms and make their way around campus like a real college student, they’ll also get a better idea of what to expect when it comes to the style of lessons that they’ll encounter once in school.

• Students get to dive deep into a topic of interest: High school is meant to serve as a fantastic foundation of education and knowledge for all students, and it does a great job of doing just that. With that being said, while students are required to study and excel in many different topics, they often don’t get the opportunity to primarily focus on one subject that is their primary interest and passion. When they enroll in a university summer program of their choosing, they get to focus exclusively on that topic. Not only can that help fuel their passions even further, but it also gives them a feel for what it is like to have a college major. As college grads know, once a major is chosen, a student spends the vast majority of their time focusing on topics related to that major. Finally, the chance to focus on one subject on a college campus will very likely make a student even more excited to get into the college of their choice and could lead them to work even harder in high school to achieve their goals.
• Students get the chance to beef up their college application: By now, it is common knowledge that one of the best ways to strengthen a college application is to invest heavily in invaluable and impressive extracurricular activities. Many of those activities, such as joining sports teams, leading school clubs and more will take place during the high school year. However, summertime is a fantastic way for a student to make themselves even more attractive in the eyes of college admissions officers. Believe it or not, the admissions process at top universities is so competitive that many parents have their children preparing even before high school. Here at AdmissionSight, we know that fact very well. We also know that one thing that college admissions officers look very fondly on is students who attend college summer programs. The reason why is because it proves that a student is dedicated to learning and growing as both a student and an individual.
• Students get the chance to meet university faculty and students: One of the best ways to improve a student’s chances of getting into a university of their dreams is to form a relationship with people at that learning institution prior to sending in an application. If a current student or faculty member at a college can write a letter of recommendation for a hopeful incoming freshman, college admissions officers will take that letter very seriously. The reason why is because admissions officers want to discover whether or not a student who has applied is a good addition to the college’s culture and community. If a member of that community vouches for them, it can only help that student’s chances of getting in. For summer programs, high schoolers who attend get the chance to work with and learn from current students and staff. That means there are ample opportunities to forge relationships that can last a lifetime!

Now that you understand the primary benefits of attending a Johns Hopkins CTY Summer Program, let’s break down some basic information about the actual programs that are offered, and what high school students who attend them can expect to get out of them from a learning standpoint.

About Johns Hopkins CTY Summer Program

As a world leader in gifted education since the late 1970s, Johns Hopkins CTY, or Center for Talented Youth, is a nonprofit that is dedicated to identifying, working with, and developing the passions and talents of children who display advanced intelligence and abilities prior to their college years.

The goal of the Johns Hopkins CTY program is to serve talented students and learners through research, advocacy, and counseling. They not only offer summer programs for high schoolers and pre-high school students but also offer online, international, and family programs.

In the world, there are over 165,000 individuals who are CTY alumni. Some of their most successful alumni include founders of world-changing companies such as Google and Facebook, as well as Regeneron Science Talent Search winners, Rhodes Scholars, and MacArthur Fellows.

The goal of every Johns Hopkins CTY Summer Program is to offer students the opportunity to take part in challenging and enriching educational opportunities that they will not be able to find in their normal school curriculum. On top of that, students will find a place that they are safe and supported amongst a community of peers, mentors, and teachers who are fully capable of working with advanced students. The memories, lessons, and friends they make along the way are likely to last a lifetime.

Johns Hopkins CTY Summer Program Options

One interesting aspect of the Johns Hopkins CTY Summer Program is that they are available for both high school and pre-high school students. CTY offers five residential summer programs for qualified students who have completed seventh grade and above.

There are a number of different CTY summer programs that students can choose from. The options are as follows:

Intensive Studies 

Grades 7 and above are eligible

All courses in the Intensive Studies program require students to score Advanced CTY level scores on designated standardized tests. The scores that allow children to join have to place them above the mean for college-bound high school seniors. On top of that, students must meet the following requirements:

• Have completed 7th grade by the summer of the program year
• Be at least 12 years of age by June 30 of the program year
• Not turn 17 before September 1 of the program year

Academic Explorations

Grades 7 and above are eligible

All courses in the Academic Explorations program require students to score CTY level scores on designated standardized tests. On top of that, students must meet the following requirements:

• Have completed 7th grade by the summer of the program year
• Be at least 12 years of age by June 30 of the program year
• Not turn 17 before September 1 of the program year

Global Issues in the 21st Century

Grades 10 to 12 are eligible

This program focuses on global issues that have shaped the world in the 21st century. In order to be eligible, students must score CTY level scores on designated standardized tests. On top of that, students must have completed at least grade 10 by the time the program begins.

Civic Leadership Institute

The Civic Leadership Institute is a service-learning program for students of high school age. Previously, it was available through collaboration with Northwestern University’s Center for Talent Development. Now, this program is offered directly through to the Center for Talent Development.

Other Johns Hopkins Summer Programs

The Johns Hopkins CTY Summer Program options are not only available to your student. In fact, there are some other incredible options that high schoolers can choose from to enrich their summer vacation and their education.

ASPIRE High School Mentoring Program

Thanks to the ASPIRE program, students will gain hands-on experience within the STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) fields. During this program, students get the chance to explore exciting career possibilities and work at Johns Hopkins’ famous Applied Physics Laboratory, the largest university-affiliated research center in the entire United States.

Working under the guidance of skilled mentors and researchers, students enrolled in the ASPIRE program will learn how the STEM concepts they learn apply to important and exciting work in the real world.

Through the program, students will be placed in areas such as computer science and engineering. There are some other placements that are more limited and include subjects such as chemistry, biology, biomedical engineering, and neuroscience.

ASPRE high school mentoring program is available for students who are entering the 11th and 12th grades.

Discover Hopkins

Through this highly popular summer program, students get the opportunity to gain insight into the college experience through intensive explorations into different exciting and important fields. For example, students might get the chance to learn about the world of research and explore the medical field while attending lectures and classes that are led by experts who work at the Hopkins Medical Institutions.

Beyond attending lectures and listening to engaging guest speaks, students enrolled in the Discover Hopkins program take part in field trips and weekend trips to fantastic destinations such as Baltimore’s Inner Harbor and Washington D.C. On top of the great experiences that students will enjoy will enroll in the Discover Hopkins program, they will also get the opportunity to earn one college credit per session.

Programs available to students include:

• Introduction to Surgery
• Miracles of Modern Medicine
• The Magic of Physics: How Things Work
• Combinatorial Game Theory
• Introduction to Clinical Psychology
• Psychological Profiling
• Public Health Cardiology
• Introduction to Laboratory Research
• Biomedical Engineering: Rehabilitation and Devices
• Biomedical Engineering: Stem Cells
• Medical Innovation and Entrepreneurship
• Medical School Intensive
• Anatomy, Physiology, & Disease
• Clinical Nutrition

Conclusion

When it comes to summer vacation during high school, it is no longer considered a wise decision to let a promising student spend the whole summer hanging out with friends and enjoying the free time. While that is of course an important part of letting every young student blow off steam, high schoolers should also get the chance to improve as students.

Not only does attending a summer program at Johns Hopkins offer students an experience that will enrich their lives, but it will also very likely play a strong role in helping those students gain acceptance to some of the most prestigious universities in the United States.

All that’s left for you to do is find out which program interests your student the most.