Barrett Summer Scholars accepting applications through March 2

Enrichment program seeks gifted Ariz. middle school students for summer 2012

Barrett Summer Scholars, a summer enrichment program for gifted middle school students, is currently recruiting students from throughout the state to offer an opportunity to experience university life.

The Barrett Scholars take academically rigorous ASU courses and live in the ASU residence halls during the one-week and three-week program.

Designed to inspire and challenge Arizona’s brightest young minds, Barrett Summer Scholars encourages students to attend ASU and Barrett, the Honors College, specifically. More than half of the program’s alumni have applied to Arizona State University since 2009, and a majority of those who do attend ASU also are enrolled at the Honors College.

“Allowing bright students in the state to experience the residential and academic quality of Barrett, the Honors College, in middle school gets them excited about attending university and creates a path to ASU,” said Mark Jacobs, Barrett dean.

Ninette Mora, a freshman at ASU and former Barrett Summer Scholar, credits the program for setting the foundation of her academic journey.

“I had the time of my life meeting kids from all over Arizona,” Mora said. “I remember exploring everything ASU had to offer and thinking: I cannot wait to go to ASU and experience it all for myself.”

All admitted scholars take two academic courses: an elective course and a critical thinking course.

Students in the seventh-grade program will take a math- or science-related course as well as “Logic and Reasoning.”

Scholars in the eighth- and ninth-grade program will take an abbreviated version of “The Human Event,” the signature class of Barrett, the Honors College.

“The Human Event opened my eyes to a whole new way of thinking and that made me excited for the real thing,” recalls Mora.

The Human Event sections are taught by Barrett faculty and students. Participants are asked to think critically and engage in discussion with their peers.

To learn more and to obtain an application for the 2012 Barrett Summer Scholars program, visit asu.edu/barrettsummer. The deadline to apply is March 2.

Applicants must be enrolled in seventh, eighth or ninth grade and have a score in the 97th percentile or higher in any one area of an Arizona state-board approved gifted exam.

Contact:
Jennifer Lee-Cota
480-965-2952