For high school students interested in going a step beyond their school classes and delving into extracurriculars that help them prepare for college and careers, Northwestern University’s Center for Talent Development Programs (CTD) are a great place to start! They offer programs for students with varied interests, allowing them to dive deeper in their chosen field. 

This blog will cover everything you need to know about CTD – the structure of the programs, what students will learn, the application process, and pros and cons of participating in the program! 

What is CTD?

The Center for Talent Development is an initiative by Northwestern University for talented students to identify their talents, develop knowledge and skills through various programs, and work through challenges that help them through college and their career. CTD offers programs for students from Kindergarten through grade 12. They have programs across different subject areas ranging from English and social sciences to entrepreneurship and economics that are offered online. 

What programs can I enroll in? 

Through CTD, you can explore a range of subjects depending on your age. They have courses for students from Age 4-grade 2, grades 3-8, and grades 9-12. Here are the programs that CTD offers: 

1. Online Core Essentials - These courses are designed to get students more involved in and master essential subject areas at a more advanced level than traditional schooling. These courses are online, flexible, and take 9 weeks to complete. Through the course, students can interact with instructors and also get personalized feedback. Students can pick from the following subject areas - arts & humanities, English & language art, leadership & service learning, math, science, and technology & engineering. 

Cost: $675 (financial aid available)

Age Group: Grades 3-8

Eligibility: Students must provide one of the following - A) Achievement of a score of 90th percentile or higher in a nationally normed grade-level assessment in the desired subject or B) submission of a portfolio application, with a teacher recommendation and the most recent report card or C) successful completion of another CTD course in the same subject area within the past 2 years. 

Credits Offered: No

2. Online Enrichment Courses  - These courses are designed to be creative and interdisciplinary, with the objective of helping students enjoy the learning process. These courses have weekly requirements that students are expected to complete asynchronously. Students receive personalized guidance and feedback from instructors, along with an evaluation upon completion. Students can pick from the following subject areas - arts & humanities, English & language art, leadership & service learning, math, science, and technology & engineering. 

Cost: $575 (financial aid available)

Age Group: Grades 3-8

Eligibility: Students must provide one of the following - A) Achievement of a score of 90th percentile or higher in a nationally normed grade-level assessment in the desired subject or B) submission of a portfolio application, with a teacher recommendation and the most recent report card or C) successful completion of another CTD course in the same subject area within the past 2 years. 

Credits Offered: No

3. Online Honors - CTD’s online honors courses are designed for academically talented students who want to challenge themselves. This course is flexible and allows students to work through it at their own pace. Students are encouraged to enroll in this course only if they are willing to engage with a rigorous and fast-paced curriculum. Note that these courses offer up to 2 high school credits for students. Students can choose from the following subject areas -

• Science - biology, chemistry, neuroscience, pre-med, psychology, and biochemistry

• Engineering - programming C++, physics, aircraft engineering, and machine learning 

• Math - algebra, geometry, pre-calculus, mathematical modeling

• Humanities - creative writing, essay writing, espionage & counterintelligence, European literature, literary analysis, Latin, media analysis, Spanish, US history, and world history. 

Cost: 1 credit - $835; 2 credits - $1,425 (financial aid is available)

Age Group: Grades 9-12

Eligibility: Students must provide one of the following - A) Achievement of a score of 95th percentile or higher in a nationally normed grade-level assessment in the desired subject or B) submission of a portfolio application, with a teacher recommendation and the most recent report card or C) successful completion of another CTD course in the same subject area within the past 2 years or D) Participation in above-grade-level testing such as PSAT, ACT, or SAT within the last two years of applying. 

Credits Offered: Yes (up to 2 credits). 

4. Online Advanced Placement (AP) Program - CTD’s online AP program allows students to dive into college-level courses. These courses are designed to be flexible while also preparing students for advanced content, full course loads, and the college academic rigor. Through these programs, students gain important skills such as time management and self-advocacy skills that are essential for college and career success.  Students can choose from the following subject areas -

• Science - biology, chemistry, and psychology

• Engineering - computer science, and physics

• Math - calculus 

• Humanities - African American studies, European history, human geography, government, macroeconomics, microeconomics, US history, and world history

Cost: 1 credit - $865; 2 credits - $1,445 (financial aid is available)

Age Group: Grades 9-12

Eligibility: Students must provide one of the following - A) Achievement of a score of 95th percentile or higher in a nationally normed grade-level assessment in the desired subject or B) submission of a portfolio application, with a teacher recommendation and the most recent report card or C) successful completion of another CTD course in the same subject area within the past 2 years or D) Participation in above-grade-level testing such as PSAT, ACT, or SAT within the last two years of applying. 

Credits Offered: Yes (up to 2 credits). 

What is the application process and timeline? 

Applications for all the programs are currently open for Fall 2024 & Winter 2024. You can apply here. Programs for the Fall start in September and programs for Winter start in January (this might vary depending on the program you apply for). Note that most courses offer a flexible enrollment period since the classes and assignments are asynchronous in nature. The application requirements vary depending on the eligibility requirements for each program. 

Should you apply to CTD?

Pros: 

1. Access to a wide range of subjects 

Through CTD, students gain access to a multitude of subject areas that cater to every student's individual interests. You get a chance to dive deep into your chosen subject and can choose the level of difficulty you would like to start with. 

2. Online & flexible programs

The asynchronous and flexible pace of the online programs makes it a good option for students who have other commitments along with school. Despite engaging in an academically rigorous course, you have the option to pace it the way you like and in accordance with your schedule. 

3. Opportunity to receive credits 

Many of the CTD courses allow high school students the opportunity to receive up to 2 credits (for either high school or college, depending on the program). This is a great way to get a headstart and also showcase your commitment to a particular subject while applying to universities. 

4. University Affiliation

Engaging in a program that is affiliated with a prestigious university is a great way to engage in extracurricular activities, receive tangible outputs, and recognition for your work. It helps your efforts in exploring subjects gain credibility. 

Cons: 

1. Cost

All CTD programs have a fairly high cost associated with them and it may not be feasible for students to take part in. However, note that they do offer financial aid for all their programs and this is definitely something you should opt for! 

2. Lack of live interaction

For students who work better by interacting with instructors and peers on a regular basis, these programs might not be a good fit. While you do have access to instructors and personalized feedback, the asynchronous nature of the programs takes away from having face time with them and with other students in the course. 

Overall, Northwestern University’s Center for Talent Development is a great option for students who would like to challenge themselves and go a step beyond their classroom learnings. It offers an opportunity to immerse yourself in an engaging and academically driven environment! 

If you’re looking to build a project/research paper in the field of AI & ML, consider applying to Veritas AI! 

Veritas AI is founded by Harvard graduate students. Through the programs, you get a chance to work 1-1 with mentors from universities like Harvard, Stanford, MIT, and more to create unique, personalized projects. In the past year, we had over 1000 students learn AI & ML with us. You can apply here!

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