Barrett Summer Scholars FAQs
Why should my child be a part of the BSS program?
Barrett Summer Scholars (BSS) expands the opportunities for academic development of Arizona's most gifted students currently in 7th, 8th and 9th grades. The program begins with a summer residential experience in which scholars will be challenged in courses developed by ASU Barrett Honors College (BHC) instructors. Scholars will participate in activities, lectures, and field trips outside the classroom that will enhance their curriculum and introduce them to opportunities available at ASU and the BHC.
Will there be a Parent Meeting to learn more about the program?
Parent Meetings will be held at select schools prior to the application due date in March. Contact your school's Gifted Coordinator to learn if a parent meeting will be offered. You may also contact BSS to learn about parent meetings held at other schools.
Who provides the Teacher Recommendation?
Applicants should refer to their gifted coordinator from their school. If they are a high school student who does not have a gifted coordinator at their school, they should request a teacher and a counselor to jointly complete the recommendation. The recommender(s) should be the person(s) who can evaluate their academic performance and provide official record.
How are courses assigned?
Participants are not assigned to courses on a first-come, first-served basis. Instead, participants will be assigned to their course of choice based on a level of rankings that include returning students, grade level and test score. All participants must list second, third and fourth choices on the course form.
Does my child have to attend the entire program?
Participants are required to participate for the entire duration in order to gain the full experience of the program.
Will my child be able to come home during the weekends?
There will not be scheduled programming during the weekend of the 8th/9th grade three-week program. Participants will be expected to leave campus on the weekend during the length of the program. Special accommodations may be made on a case by case basis for out-of-county participants.
Can I call my child during the program?
Parents will be allowed to call their children at the hall's front desk or during free time on their cell phones. However, participants must discern when they can and cannot receive calls on their cell phones. Cell phones being used at inappropriate times will be confiscated.
Are the rooms co-ed?
Boys and girls will be separated by floors and/or sections in the residence hall and will not be allowed on each others' side. Staff will reside on the sides with participants of the same gender.
Can my child choose his/her roommate?
Participants will share a room with another participant of the same gender as assigned by the program. Participants are encouraged to take the opportunity to befriend their new roommate; special requests for roommate assignments will not be accommodated.
Will my child be chaperoned?
Staff will be with the participants at all times during the program. They will walk the participants to their next activity/location and accompany them during free time. Participants will not be allowed to be out of the sight of the staff/group or be alone with a staff member.
My child requires a special diet. Are special meal plans available?
Parents will be asked to list special diet requests. The program will work with the university catering company to accommodate the participant's dietary needs as best as possible.
Will there be an orientation to prepare for the program?
When acceptance notifications go out, participants and parents will receive information on an optional Program Orientation to attend. The orientation will allow participants and parents to learn additional details about the program and become familiar with the campus (visit the residence hall and other key buildings where participants will spend their time).
When are parents expected to pay the program fee?
Participants will be notified of their admission status, program fee and scholarship award (if applicable) by mid-April. At this time, participants will be notified to pay their program fee balance by early-May. Payments for the program fee or $25 deposit sent prior to this timeline will not be accepted.
