The following table provides a schedule of Talent Search programs in the United States, contact information, deadline dates and tests required. This is a great resource for parents of gifted children who want their children to experience something fun, while learning about a variety of subjects.
| Program Name | Contact Information | States Served | Application Deadlines | Eligibility | Test Required | Accessible Programs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cal-State Sacramento Academic Talent Search (ATS) | (916) 278-7032 or ats@csus.edu | CA | Qualifying exam offered through public and private schools as well as on the Sacramento State campus. See website for details. | Grades: 4-9 | ATS Qualifying Exam; pre-registration required | Eligible students will be able to participate in pre-college summer courses. |
| University of Iowa Belin & Blank Exceptional Student Talent Search (BESTS) | (800) 336-6463 or belinblank@uiowa.edu | All | Deadlines vary according to test taken; see website for details. | Grades: 4-9 | See website for details | Eligible students will have access to pre-college programs that are held during the academic year on Saturdays and during the week over summer break. |
| Western Kentucky University Center for Gifted Studies | (270) 745-6323 or gifted@wku.edu | All | See website for details. | Grades 1-10; Varies by program | See website for details | Eligible students will have the opportunity to participate in summer and weekend programs. |
| Johns Hopkins University Center for Talented Youth (CTY) | (410) 735-6277 or ctyinfo@jhu.edu | All | See website for details. | Grades: 2-12 | See website for details | Eligible students will have access to summer programs, online resources, writing, and math tutorials. |
| Southern Methodist University Educational Talent Search | (214) 768-2364 or CollegeAccess@smu.edu | Select high schools in Texas | Deadlines vary by program. | Grades: 9-12 | See website for details. | Accepted students have access to academic, career, and financial counseling related to college planning. |
| University of Southern Mississippi Frances A. Karnes Center for Gifted Studies | (601) 266-5236 or Access online "contact us" form from website | All | Details for Saturday and summer programs on website. | Grades: K– 12 Varies by program | Qualifying IQ score OR Achievement scores from list of accepted tests | Eligible students will have the opportunity to participate in Saturday and summer programs. |
| Purdue University Gifted Education Resource Institute | (765) 494-7243 or geri@purdue.edu | All | Deadlines vary by program; Registration available online. | Grades: Pre K-12; varies by program | Standardized or IQ testing | Accepted students can participate in weekend programs and residential summer programs. |
| University of Washington Halbert and Nancy Robinson Center for Young Scholars | (206) 543-4160 or rcys@uw.edu | All | Deadlines vary by program. | Saturday program: Grades K-8 Summer program: Grades 5-10 | Early Entrance requires ACT for 7-8; other program qualifications vary. | Accepted students can participate in Saturday and summer programs. |
| Stetson University High Achieving Talented Students (HATS) | (386) 822-7061 or hats@stetson.edu | Districts in Florida | Registration for testing varies by program. | Grades: K-12; Varies by program | Standardized or IQ Testing | Eligible students will have access to Saturday and summer programs. Students can also participate in BESTS. |
| Northwestern University (CTD) Northwestern University's Midwest Academic Talent Search (NUMATS) | (847) 491-3782 or ctd@northwestern.edu | All | Registration for testing varies by program. | Grades: 3-9 Varies by program | See website for details | Eligible students will have access to Saturday, summer, and correspondence programs. |
| Iowa State University Office of Preocollegiate Programs for Talented and Gifted (OPPTAG) | (515) 294-1772 or opp@iastate.edu | All | Application for courses open March 1st. | Grades: 3-11 | Standardized or IQ testing | Eligible students will have access to pre-college programs that are held during the academic year on Saturdays and during the week over summer break. |
| Vanderbilt University Program for Talented Youth (PTY) | (615) 322-8261 or pty.peabody@vanderbilt.edu | All | Application for sessions available online. | SAVY: K- 6 WAVU: 9-12 | Standardized or IQ Testing | Students who are eligible can participate in a weekend/overnight program, a Saturday Academy, and a three week residential summer program. |
| College of DuPage Talent Search Program | (630) 942-2208 or CE@cod.edu | All | Deadlines vary by program. | Grades: 3-12; Varies by program | Standardized or achievement testing | Eligible students will have the opportunity to participate in STEM related courses. |
| University of Minnesota Talented Youth Mathematics Program (UMTYMP) | (612) 625-2861 or mathcep@umn.edu | MN | Deadlines vary by program. | Grades: 5-10 | Holistic application | Eligible students will have the opportunity to participate STEM related courses. |
| Center for Bright Kids Western Academic Talent Search (WATS) (formerly known as Rocky Mountain Talent Search) | (303) 428-2634 or cbk@centerforbrightkids.org | All | Deadlines vary by program. | Grades: 3-9; varies by program | Standardized or IQ testing | Eligible students will have the opportunity to participate in a summer institute. |
| Wisconsin Center for Academically Talented Youth (WCATY) *Must participate in Midwest Academic Talent Search (MATS) | (608) 890-3260 or wcaty@wisc.edu | WI | Deadlines vary by program. | Grades: 1-12; varies by program | Vary according to specific program; see website for specific qualifications. | Eligible students may participate in online courses during the school year as well as academic and enrichment courses in the summer. |
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