Domestic Students

Students applying to the residential/commuter program must be ages 9-17 by August 31, 2013 (students must be ages 13-17 for Princeton and Yale). University Prep students must be ages 15-18 by August 31, 2013.

Students who meet ONE of the following criteria are invited to apply to SIG:

• Students who have participated in Academic Talent Search Programs.
• Students who have scored at the 95th percentile or above in at least one of the major content areas or ability sections of a nationally-normed standardized test administered by their schools. Copies of test scores should be submitted with the SIG application. Click here for a list of tests acceptable for SIG eligibility.
• Students who have scored in the gifted range on the PSAT, SAT, ACT, or SSATB. For students taking the SAT, the code number for reporting scores to SIG is 0375.
• Students who have been identified as gifted and/or who have participated successfully in a local or school gifted program.
• Students who have scored at least two standard deviations above the mean, or at the 95th percentile level or higher on any individual or group-administered, nationally-normed, standardized, intelligence assessment.

If no local or school gifted program exists, or if no test scores are available, two Recommendation Forms can be submitted. The student should submit one form from a teacher and one form from a school administrator who is familiar with the student's record and performance.

International Students

We welcome our international students (defined as any student requiring a visa to attend) to SIG and value the richness of diversity in culture and orientation they bring to our programs. International students submit the same eligibility documents as domestic students and in addition need to demonstrate:

• A high level of English language proficiency in speaking and writing that is necessary for students to integrate successfully into the SIG academic program. International students are required to provide evidence of their English proficiency through the submission of standardized English language test scores (i.e. – TOEFL*™, TOEFL Junior*™) or school transcript indicating a proficient grade (A or B) in English courses.**

* Please use code number 7805 to request scores to be sent to NSGT for the SIG program.

** A Skype interview also may be required. 

SIG Day Program Students

Students ages 5-12 who meet ONE of the following criteria are invited to apply to SIG:

• Students who have participated in Academic Talent Searches.
• Students who have scored at the 95th percentile or above in at least one of the major content areas or ability sections of a nationally-normed standardized test administered by their schools. Copies of test scores should be submitted with the SIG application. Click here for a list of tests acceptable for SIG eligibility.
• Students who have been identified as gifted and/or who have participated successfully in a local or school gifted program. Evidence of participation should be submitted with the SIG application.
• Students who have scored in the gifted range on the PSAT, SAT, ACT or SSATB.
• If no local or school gifted program exists, or if no test scores are available, two SIG Recommendation Forms can be submitted. For students ages 5 to 8, one letter may come from a parent; one letter should be from the school or academic program.

SIG 4-Year-Old Program Students

In order to participate in the SIG program for 4-year-olds, children must:

• Be age 4 by the program start date.
• Have prior experience in a group education setting such as preschool, summer camp experience, or homeschool club.
• Provide two Recommendation Forms. One form can be completed by a parent, but at least one of the two forms must be completed by an adult who is familiar with the student’s readiness for an academic setting.

Students who participate in the 2013 program for 4-year-olds will need to submit new updated eligibility documentation for SIG programs for 5-year-olds beginning in 2014.

SIG Afterschool Programs

For eligibility requirements for SIG Beyond afterschool programs, please visit the individual program pages.

SIG Saturday Programs

The SIG Beyond Saturday Program is open to students currently in grades 1-6 who have evidence of high academic ability and/or achievement. Students who meet ONE of the following criteria are invited to apply:

• Academically talented students currently in grades 1-6 who have scored in the 95th percentile or above in at least one of the major content areas or ability sections of a nationally-normed standardized test administered by their schools (IOWA, CAT, MAT, CTBS, SRA, TERRA NOVA, etc.).
• Students who have been identified as gifted and/ or who have participated successfully in a local or school gifted program.

If no local or school gifted program exists, or if no test scores are available, two Recommendation Forms can be submitted. Students should submit one letter from a teacher and one letter from a school administrator who is familiar with the student’s record and performance. For children in grades 1-3, one letter may be from a parent.