The Halbert and Nancy Robinson Center for Young Scholars

If you have a question not covered in this material, please e-mail the Robinson Center or call (206) 543-4160.

Transition School/Early Entrance Program

When are applications available?

Applications are available in September for the following year’s class. For example, if you are applying for the fall of 2010, applications are available in September of 2009.

How do I apply?

To begin the application process download an application and instructions from our Application Center

How old/young can I be when I apply?

Students can not turn 15 before August 31st of the year they will enter Transition School. For example, if a student is applying for fall 2010 they can not turn 15 before August 31, 2010.

During what grade do most applicants apply?

Most applicants apply during their 8th grade year.

What is the ACT?

The ACT is a national college entrance exam. To find out more about the test visit: http://www.actstudent.org.

What do I have to score on the ACT to be considered?

We look for students who score at the 85th percentile on the Reading, English and Math subtests of the ACT.

How many teachers do I have to have do teacher recommendations?

We require that applicants have 2 teachers make recommendations. One teacher needs to teach either History of English and the other Math or Science. In some circumstances a third teacher recommendation may be required.

How many students apply a year?

The number of applicants to Transition School varies from year to year. An average of 150 students take the ACT and submit an application to TS.

How many students are interviewed a year?

This number again varies from year to year. From the 150 average students who take the ACT an average of 45-50 students are interviewed.

How many students are admitted a year to TS?

A maximum of 18 students are admitted to Transition School a year.

How much is tuition for a student’s Transition School year?

Tuition for the 2009-2010 school year s $12,050 not including books.

How much is tuition once students attend the UW when they are EEPers?

Early Entrance Program students pay regular university tuition. For the 2008-2009 academic year tuition per quarter for a full time student was $2268, not including books.

Are there scholarships available?

Yes, scholarships are available. During a student’s Transition School year the Robinson Center offers loans and scholarships based on financial need. Once a student attends the UW they are eligible for aid through the UW financial aid office and are eligible for any and all scholarships and financial aid for which traditional UW students are eligible.

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Academy FAQ

How many students apply each year, and how many are accepted?

Up to 35 students are admitted each year to the UW Academy. On average we receive 90 complete applications each year.

When should I take the ACT or SAT?

You should take the ACT or SAT during the fall or winter of your 10th grade year. Please see the UW Academy Application Handbook for more information about  testing options.

What kind of test scores and grades do I need to have a good chance of acceptance?

You must have excellent test scores, grades, teacher recommendations and writing skills to increase your likelihood of acceptance. The average ACT Composite score for accepted students is a 31 and the range is 26-35. The average GPA for accepted students is 3.96 and the range is 3.73-4.0. We also look at the intensity of applicants’ high school coursework. It is important that prospective Academy students pursue a rigorous courseload including honors, pre-AP and pre-IB, and/or Advanced Placement coursework if possible.

I am in the 9th grade. May I apply to the UW Academy?

Unfortunately, we are only able to consider current 10th grade students for the UW Academy. Depending on your age, you may be eligible for the Early Entrance Program, the Robinson Center’s program for younger students.

I am not a Washington State resident. May I still apply to the UW Academy?

We are now able to consider out of state students for admission to the UW Academy. Academy students who are not Washington State residents will be required to pay 1.) non resident UW tuition and 2.) the Academy Non Resident Fee for their first and second years at the UW. For the 2009-2010 school year, the Academy Non Resident Fee is $4,500.

Will I receive a high school diploma?

No. You will meet any high school deficiencies through your classes at the UW. You will not be at a disadvantage when applying to graduate schools and jobs because you do not have a high school diploma. Nearly all graduate schools and employers are most interested in your college academic record, extracurricular activities and awards.

Can I still be enrolled in high school courses if I join the UW Academy?

No. Per an agreement with the WA State Office of the Superintendent for Public Instruction, students may not be dual enrolled in high school and the UW. The UW Academy is not running start; students withdraw from high school after 10th grade and become full-time university students.

How much does it cost to participate in the UW Academy?

Academy students pay regular UW tuition and fees directly to the University.
Financial aid is available, but students should complete a FAFSA by mid-February to be eligible for the maximum amount of financial aid. Academy applicants are automatically considered for a handful of merit and need-based scholarships offered by the UW Honors Program and the UW Academy. In 2009, three Academy students earned Honors Program scholarships and eight students earned Academy scholarships .

Can Academy students live on campus?

A new minimum age requirement to live in the residence halls will be adopted in fall 2010. Students must be 18 or older to live in the dorms. Students may move into the dorms when they are 17 as long as they will turn 18 during their term of contract in the residence halls.

Can Academy students participate in foreign study?

Yes! Academy students are eligible for the same opportunities as other UW students, including foreign study, internships, undergraduate research, and campus jobs. For students under 18, parental permission is required for some activities.

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Summer Programs FAQ

Frequently asked questions (FAQs) for the Robinson Center for Young Scholars Summer Programs are divided by age group.

5th/6th grade summer FAQ

Who will be teaching my child?

Our teachers have a variety of backgrounds, from current and retired public and private schoolteachers, to university professors and advanced graduate students. All of our teachers have extensive experience working with children, and are well-versed in their respective subjects.

The UW campus is huge – should I be worried that my child will get lost?

Summer Challenge students are supervised at all times by teachers and/or teaching assistants. We even have extra chaperones for any field trips, so the chances of a child being lost are very small. There is a cell phone in every classroom, so the teachers can stay in contact with the Robinson Center when necessary.

Can my child receive school credit for Summer Challenge?

Summer Challenge courses are not designed to replace a regular school course. Most classes are multi-disciplinary and pull from many different school subjects, along with some subjects not taught in most schools.

It’s summer. Shouldn’t my child be having fun?

Summer Challenge classes are fun! The vast majority of students have a great time at Summer Challenge. The classes are designed to include a lot of activities and projects, and some of the classes take fantastic field trips.

I work full time. How can I arrange to pick up my child at 2:30?

Many of our students form carpools with other students – a student roster will be distributed in late spring to help parents form carpools. Students may also stay at the Robinson Center after class, but must be picked up no later than 4:30pm. We do not recommend that Summer Challenge students take the bus to campus on their own, unless they are already comfortable taking Metro.                                                       What if my child has a medical condition or severe allergies?We will do our best to accommodate your child’s needs. Parents will complete a detailed medical form so that teachers and Robinson Center staff will be aware of any relevant medical issues. You can also contact the teacher directly if you have further concerns.

Will my child have homework?

Summer Challenge students will not have extensive homework assignments.

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7th-10th grade FAQ

Who will be teaching my child?

Our teachers come from a variety of backgrounds, ranging from current or retired schoolteachers, to university professors and advanced graduate students. All of our teachers have experience with this age group, and all are committed to gifted education.

Why is Summer Stretch only three days a week?

Most Summer Stretch classes included fairly extensive homework assignments, and having some free days allows students more time to schedule their homework. In addition, while these courses are intense and require a lot of hard work, we also recognize that it is summer, and students need some time to relax and participate in other activities.

Can my child receive school credit for Summer Stretch courses?

Sometimes. It is crucial to check with your child’s school BEFORE the end of the school year to find out their policy on awarding credit for outside classes. We are happy to provide a course description to the school, and your child will receive a transcript at the end of the session.

Will my child be fully supervised while on the UW campus?

Summer Stretch students are fully supervised while in class and on field trips. Students are expected to be mature enough to handle some level of freedom before and after class, and during their lunch break. Parents should talk to their students to set rules about whether the student is allowed to leave campus.

I work full time. How can I pick my student up at 2:30?

Many of our summer students form carpools with other students. In addition, there is excellent bus service to campus from most areas, and many of our Summer Stretch students enjoy the freedom of taking the bus to and from class. Students may stay at the Robinson Center after class, but must be out before 4:30pm.

How much homework will my child have?

Most of the Summer Stretch classes give quite a bit of homework. It may be more than your child is used to having. Make sure your child is not overbooked with activities, so that he/she will have time for homework and time to get enough sleep.

What if there are conflicts between Summer Stretch and a family vacation or another activity?

Absences can be very disruptive to your child’s Summer Stretch experience. Please let the Robinson Center know as soon as possible about any scheduled absences. These will be discussed with the teacher on a case-by-case basis. If there are too many conflicts, we will recommend that your child not participate in Summer Stretch.

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