Frequently Asked Questions
If you have a question not covered in this material, please e-mail the Robinson Center at or call (206) 543-4160.
WSYS FAQ
- What is WSYS?
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WSYS is a regional talent search to identify highly capable Washington students in grades 5-8.
- What are the benefits of WSYS?
WSYS students will be honored at a formal ceremony at the University of Washington. Many students and parents find this public recognition highly motivating.
Students who participate in the WSYS are eligible for summer learning experiences for highly capable students sponsored by the Robinson Center.
All participants will receive further information about educational opportunities for academically gifted students in Washington and across the country.
Both recognition and summer programs can work to motivate young teens at a time when academic striving can slip.
- Should I take the ACT or SAT?
ACT and SAT are both college entrance exams designed to appraise students' readiness for college-level work. Talent searches around the US use both these exams to distinguish very advanced middle school aged students. You may take either exam for the WSYS, but if you are interested in the Transition School/Early Entrance Program or the UW Academy for Young Scholars you should take the ACT. The ACT is the test required of early entrance applicants. An article on the Princeton Review website breaks down the differences between the ACT and SAT.
- What is the difference between WSYS and CTY?
WSYS is a talent search devoted to Washington residents in 5th-8th grades, with additional testing required only at grades 7 & 8. CTY is an established talent search based in Baltimore, Maryland that serves students across the country from grades 2 through 8. They offer a wide range of services, but their programs are far from Washington (mostly in the eastern US and in California) and considered too costly by many families in our state.
- Can I participate in WSYS and CTY?
Yes. We encourage students to participate in all programs for which they qualify.
- How much does it cost?
There is no registration fee for WSYS. However, there is a registration fee to take the ACT or SAT.
- If students qualified for recognition last year as fifth graders, do their test scores continue to qualify them for recognition this year as sixth graders?
Sixth graders who were recognized by WSYS last year will continue to be eligible for summer programs offered by the Robinson Center; however, they will need to show proof of 97th percentile or higher scoring in reading or mathematics on another achievement test in order to be invited to the 2008 WSYS Recognition Ceremony.
This other achievement test must also be current (Sept. 1, 2005 or later). WSYS realizes that some 6th graders who qualified as 5th graders may not have any more test results that could qualify them to be invited for recognition this year. These 6th graders do remain eligible for our summer programs, and we hope they remain interested in WSYS next year, when they'll have the opportunity to seek recognition by high performance on the ACT or SAT exam as 7th graders.
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 2006, applications are available in September of 2005.
- 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 2006 they can not turn 15 before August 31, 2006.
- 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, Writing, 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 16 students are admitted to Transition School a year.
- How much is tuition for a students Transition School year?
Tuition for the 2005-2006 school was $10,029, 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 2005-2006 academic year tuition per quarter for a full time student is $1870, 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.
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?
You should take the ACT during the fall or winter of your 10th grade year. Please see the UW Academy Application Handbook for more information about ACT testing options.
- What kind of ACT scores and grades do I need to have a good chance of acceptance?
You must have excellent ACT 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.
- 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. As 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.
- Can Academy students live on campus?
Although the majority of Academy students live at home and commute to the UW for their first year, Academy students are eligible to live in the UW residence halls, and each year a handful choose this option. Students apply to live in the residence halls after they are accepted into the UW Academy.
- 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.
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.
7th-10th grade FAQ
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.
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.
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.
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.
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. Student may stay at the Robinson Center after class, but must be out before 4:30pm.
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.
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.