Motivation + Talent + Opportunity = Success October 2021
Dear Southwest Michigan Student and Family,
For 40 years, the Academically Talented Youth Program (ATYP) at Western Michigan University’s Office of Pre-College Programming has served advanced and accelerated students from across southwest Michigan. If you are in 6th or 7th grade, interested in working in greater depth and at a faster pace in language arts or mathematics, and if you are motivated and excited by the prospect of demanding coursework, we encourage you to consider testing to determine if you are eligible to participate. If you qualify, and if you’re up for the challenge, you could begin ATYP in the fall of 2022.
Your school has provided us with your name as someone whose exceptional mathematical, reading, or writing ability might qualify you for these classes. We invite you (student and family) to discover more about qualifying for the program at an upcoming information session. We hope you will join us in-person or online at one of the following meetings to learn more:
Monday, October 25, 6:30 p.m. – online Thursday, October 28, 6:30 p.m. – Gull Lake M.S.
Wednesday, November 3, 6:30 p.m. – Mattawan M.S. Tuesday, November 9, 6:30 p.m. – WMU
Thursday, November 11, 6:30 p.m. – online Sunday, November 14, 4:00 p.m. – WMU
Thursday, November 18, 6:30 p.m. - online
Because of limited seating to accommodate social distancing, you must register to attend all meetings at wmich.edu/precollege/atyp/qualifying/recruit. In-person attendees MUST wear a mask. If you cannot attend a meeting, program details will also be available on the website wmich.edu/precollege/atyp/qualifying/information. To watch the informational video (available after November 18), you will be required to register with a name and email address.
At the information sessions, and on the website, we cover topics such as:
· What is ATYP?
· Who is eligible to test for enrollment?
· Where are the classes held?
· Qualifying for the program – testing or portfolio?
· Center for Talent Development (CTD) Assessment
· Deadlines and procedures (For example, you must register for testing by May. ATYP is designed for students to begin in 7th or 8th grade. The program is not meant to be started in high school.)
Once eligibility is determined, participation in this program is entirely up to you and your family. ATYP provides students with a way to reach their academic goals, laying a strong foundation for high school and college, but it is not for everyone. We work with all parties to determine whether this is the right option for you.
Please note that this is the only communication you will receive from us UNLESS you RSVP for an information meeting, register to watch the website video, or attend an in-person session. Parents who provide us with contact information using those methods will continue to receive program notices on testing, deadlines, and more. This year’s testing process is subject to change; to keep abreast of all the updates please be sure we have your email address.
We will answer any additional questions you may have at the information sessions, so we hope you will join us to learn more about qualifying for ATYP and about the many opportunities this program affords. We also invite you to share this information with other families who might be interested in ATYP.
Sincerely,
Dr. Kelly Schultz, Director of ATYP
Frequently Asked Questions:
1. How do I register for eligibility testing? Potential students are encouraged to register for an online SAT at ctd.northwestern.edu/above-grade-level-assessment later this winter. Testing dates for 2022 are: Saturday, January 29; Sunday, February 27; Saturday, March 26; and Sunday, April 24. The registration fee for the virtual SAT is $50. ATYP is also offering an in-person ACT on Saturday, February 19, at WMU. Registration is available on the website; the fee is $40. If you cannot afford the testing fee, ATYP will help cover the costs; see the website below for information on fee waivers.
PLEASE NOTE: TAKING THE ACT OR SAT DOES NOT AUTOMATICALLY ENROLL YOU IN ATYP. QUALIFYING STUDENTS WILL RECEIVE MORE INFORMATION ON HOW TO PROCEED.
2. How do you receive my test scores? To have your SAT scores sent to our office from CTD, on the School Information page click on “FIND MY SCHOOL” and then enter: “Academically Talented Youth” and click search; select the program from the search menu.
3. How should my child prepare for testing? ATYP offers a Test Preview Seminar to give students and families basic test-taking information. This $35 class is completely voluntary, and the fee is waived if you qualify for free or reduced lunch. Other than taking a short practice test to understand the time limits/pacing of the test, no other preparation is necessary. You can register and pay for the Test Preview Seminar from a link on the website. Seminars are offered on three different Saturdays during the winter of 2022: January 8, February 5 (online), and March 5. The same material is presented at each seminar.
4. Why not register directly for the ACT/SAT? We recommend using CTD Assessment because it tells you how to interpret your test scores and how to make use of them. They also provide you with detailed academic course planning guides, additional program opportunities, and counseling information. Students under 13 cannot register directly for the ACT/SAT. THE PSAT 8/9 IS NOT USED TO QUALIFY FOR ATYP.
5. I don’t test well (or English is an additional language), how can I qualify? We offer a portfolio option for qualifying. This option requires students to submit a nationally-normed test score, teacher recommendation, and a personal essay as well as either a writing sample or a math test. Students using this method can submit the portfolio to qualify for either math or English, but not both. This is not the preferred method for qualification. The deadline for portfolio submissions is March 18, 2022.
6. How do I know if I qualify? Students are notified in the spring (by late April or within one month of your test date, whichever is later) whether their test scores qualify them for ATYP. IF YOU TEST AND DO NOT HEAR FROM US, WE HAVE NOT RECEIVED YOUR SCORES. PLEASE CONTACT US AT atyp-info@wmich.edu or (269) 387-3553 TO GIVE US YOUR SCORES. A separate meeting is held in May with more detailed information for qualifying students.
7. What does the program cost? Families are responsible for $150 in enrollment/participation fees per year, per student. Portions of these fees are paid at enrollment and at the beginning of each semester. The Charles and Lynn Zhang Scholarship provides fee waivers for students who qualify for free or reduced lunch.
· For public school or charter school students: Currently all public and charter schools financially support their students in this program by paying their tuition.
· For private or home-schooled families: Families are responsible for program costs (currently $400 per course per semester). However, some private schools pay the tuition or are willing to reduce the tuition for families with participating students. Contact your school for more information.
8. How will my student get to class? Since classes are held at Western Michigan University’s campus in Kalamazoo (and possibly in Battle Creek, based on enrollment), families form carpools based on contact and scheduling information provided by the office, which groups students from the same school together to accommodate this process. Several local districts provide transportation to the program. Virtual class sections remain a possibility for next year.
9. What if I don’t qualify this year? 6th grade students who do not qualify this year are welcome to take the ACT or SAT again next year, and to send those scores to the office. Additional opportunities may also be available through other programs (CTD, local summer camps, etc.).
10. What if I can’t attend one of the meetings? How may I get more information? Basic CTD/ACT/SAT/ATYP information is available at the website. You will be sent information periodically by email if you register for a virtual session/video or attend an in-person meeting. You may also send us your email address at atyp-info@wmich.edu.
A full guide to qualifying for ATYP is available at:
wmich.edu/precollege/atyp/qualifying/information
ATYP Qualification Informational Meetings
These meetings are open to all poential students and their families. Each meeting will discuss the same information regarding ATYP and CTD Assessment registration. Please feel free to attend any meeting that is convenient for you, even if it is not at your regular school.
wmich.edu/precollege/atyp/qualifying/recruit
For additional information, please visit wmich.edu/precollege/atyp/information
Questions? Contact ATYP at
· atyp-info@wmich.edu
· (269) 387-3553
CTD Assessment registration information:
ctd.northwestern.edu/above-grade-level assessment
6:30-7:30 p.m. In-Person;
Thursday, October 28:
Gull Lake Middle School Cafeteria
9550 East M-89, Richland (Gull Road towards Richland, east on M-89, complex is on the right.)
Wednesday, November 3:
Mattawan Middle School Cafeteria
McGillen Street/56th Avenue (Take I-94 to Exit 66, go south on Main, then right onto McGillen. Follow road straight to school.)
Tuesday, November 9:
Western Michigan University,
1920 Sangren Hall
(Take either Ring Rd North from the traffic circle near the intersection of Howard and W. Mich., or Ring Rd North from W. MI Ave near Stadium and Oliver, and then turn south onto Central Campus Dr. At the stop sign, turn left into Lot 41. GPS Coordinates: 42º 17’ 06.4N, 85º 36’ 58.5W. Maps available at www.wmich.edu/maps/.)
4:00-5:00 p.m. In-Person:
Sunday, November 14:
Western Michigan University,
1910 Sangren Hall
See directions above.
6:30-7:30 p.m. Online:
Monday, October 25
Thursday, November 11
Thursday, November 18