 "In keeping with the maxim, mens sana in corpore sano (a sound mind in a sound body), the ADVANCE program offers a challenging academic experience complemented by creative and diversified recreational activities."
-Dr. David Wood, Director
ADVANCE is an intensive educational summer program designed
for academically gifted youth, ages 12-17. Students take one
class, 7 hours a day, for three weeks. We offer a wide array
of classes, that range from
Biology and Classical Mythology to Film Studies and Physics. There
are two ways to be admitted into ADVANCE. The eligibility criteria
for all the courses are based primarily on ACT or SAT scores.
Score requirements vary by course, and the cut-off scores are
based on scores achieved during the student's seventh grade
year, or in one of the regional talent searches done by Duke
University, The John Hopkins University, Northwestern University
(Illinois), or the University of Denver. To apply under the
second, alternate procedure, the student wishing to attend
must have a letter of recommendation from either an honors
or a G/T teacher who knows the student well. Also, the student
must provide evidence of high achievement, such as a science
fair report, or a term paper. The letter, a transcript of the
student's most current grades, and the evidence of high achievement
should accompany the student's application for admission.
|
Location and Dates
ADVANCE takes place in Natchitoches, Louisiana,
and the dates for 2008 are 6/8 - 6/28/08. We use several buildings on
Northwestern
State University's campus and live solely in one dormitory
(Caddo).
|
Financial Aid
The cost of ADVANCE, including the application fee, is $1580.00 (some classes have and additional $20.00 lab fee).
Tuition includes the cost of room, board, books, and most
activities. Very limited financial
aid is available for both in and out of state students.
For students from Louisiana, this financial aid is made available
by
Central Louisiana Electric
Company, Incorporated (CLECO). Awards of financial aid
will be made on the basis of demonstrated need.
To apply for financial aid, you must complete the
financial aid form (which is part of the application packet)
in total. The financial aid application must be supported
with documentation as noted.
Any 8th - 11th grade student who wishes to be considered for financial aid must have his/her application to the ADVANCE office by March 13, 2008. These students will be notified
by phone within three days after the financial aid deadline of the amount of financial aid that you were awarded, if any.
Any 7th grade student who wishes to be considered for financial aid must have his/her application to the ADVANCE office by April 30, 2008. These students will be notified
by phone within three days after the financial aid deadline of the amount of financial aid that you were awarded, if any.
|
Residential Life
RA's are carefully chosen to supervise each residential group.
Class may take up a majority of the day but residential
life is still an important part in a student's stay at ADVANCE.
Residential life strengthens friendships. Each residential
group not only has a RA, but also has a TA-both live in
the dormitory with the students. When a student leaves his/her dorm and
no one else is present, that student must lock the door.
Dorm keys are given to each student and should be worn
at all times, on an orange shoestring around the neck,
along with the student's ID card. If lost, the
student is fined.
Activities are offered each weekday evening
and weekends. There are different varieties of activities each day.
Examples are: Soccer, Frisbee, volleyball, movies, tie-dye, etc.
Students are also allowed time to loiter around or relax in
their dormitory. Students may socialize with friends or celebrate
a birthday with other members in their residential group.
|
Overnight Accommodations/Churches
If you are planning to stay overnight in Natchitoches, you probably need to know the Hotels in this area. There are plenty of hotels, motels, and bed & breakfast's in Natchitoches.
On Sunday you may choose to attend the Church
of your choice. There are many houses of worship available,
Catholic, Islamic,and Protestant.
|
Back to Top
|
Daily Life
Rules and Regulations
Faculty & Staff