How to Choose Courses

Intensive Studies Catalog Home

In our catalog, you will find a variety of courses. As you read through the descriptions, keep these questions in mind:

1. Am I eligible to take this course?
2. How does this course fit with or broaden my academic interests, and will I enjoy studying this subject intensively for three weeks?
3. How will this course affect my school course work?
4. What should I do if I think I want placement and/or credit for my CTY course?

Note to Parents

Services for highly able students vary from school to school. You may find that you need to advocate for an appropriate educational plan for your child. Please call us at 410-735-6277 or email ctyinfo@jhu.edu if you need further materials or support. For more information please visit cty.jhu.edu/summer/about/credit.html.

1. Am I eligible to take this course?

First, check the eligibility information. You may be eligible for Humanities and Writing courses, Math and Science courses, or both.

Second, make sure you have satisfied any prerequisites listed in the course description. Documentation (a copy of your report card, for example) must accompany your application.

2. How does this course fit with or broaden my academic interests, and will I enjoy studying this subject intensively for three weeks?

As you read through the course descriptions, no doubt some courses will immediately catch your interest. Others may be on subjects you have never heard of. One of the benefits of our program is the opportunity to discover new interests. If you would like to know more about a particular course you can:

Link to a sample syllabus from our online catalog at www.cty.jhu.edu/summer or call 410-735-6277 or email ctyinfo@jhu.edu to request one.

Review the sample texts. Though texts may change every year, the samples will give you an idea of the level of the course and whether or not the material interests you.

If you have more detailed questions about a specific course, please call 410-735-6277 or email ctyinfo@jhu.edu and ask to speak to the summer programs staff member responsible for that course.

3. How will this course affect my school course work?

For many students, CTY courses provide a challenging and satisfying experience and help them to develop strong academic skills, yet do not directly affect the courses they take at school. This is particularly the case when a CTY course covers material not included in the school curriculum. CTY offers some courses, however, that do overlap with courses traditionally offered during the school year.

We strongly recommend that before you send in your application, you meet with your principal or guidance counselor and discuss the courses that interest you. This gives you the chance to explore how your school might recognize your CTY course work and whether you should take more advanced courses based on what you learn in the summer program.

For example, you might take a fast-paced science course in order to take an Advanced Placement course at home at an earlier age than you otherwise would. Access to more advanced courses usually occurs when the school agrees to grant placement and/or credit.

4. What should I do if I think I want placement and/or credit for my CTY course?

Placement means that your school recognizes that you learned at CTY the material covered in a particular course and agrees to place you in a higher level course. With appropriate placement, you avoid repeating material you have already mastered. Credit means that your school counts your CTY course toward graduation and/or grade promotion requirements. If you are interested in pursuing placement and/or credit:

Before the Summer

• Download the Parents’ Guide to Requesting Credit and/or Placement, or call us at 410-735-6108 to request a hard copy. You may also send email to ctyinfo@jhu.edu.
• Schedule a meeting with your principal or guidance counselor as soon as possible to discuss placement and/or credit possibilities and requirements. Some schools require students to take tests after the summer to confirm that they know the course material and are ready to move on.
• Download sample syllabi and bring them to your meeting. Let your school officials know that you will be able to document your completion of a CTY course with:
  1. a detailed evaluation from your instructor;
  2. standardized achievement test scores, for certain courses;
  3. letter grade, if required by your school. Call us at 410-735-6108 or email ctyinfo@jhu.edu to get a letter grade request form.

After the Summer

• Before the academic year begins, provide your school with a copy of your evaluation and any other necessary documentation. If your school requires documentation directly from CTY, let us know in writing and we will send it.

Keep in mind CTY is not a credit-granting institution; only your school can give you placement and/or credit.

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