From CTY's website:
Is my child eligible for summer programs if he has not participated in the CTY Talent Search?
Any child who earns the required qualifying scores is eligible for CTY. Keep in mind, though, that when we assign students to courses, we assign returning students first, then Talent Search participants, and then other applicants.
It looks like there might be a disadvantage if your DD was a first-time applicant, since there is a hierarchy in terms of assignment of classes as decribed above. It might be wise to pay the fee and join their talent search if you are dead-set on their summer program - at least she would be second-in-line. But, your DD may not get the classes she wants if they are filled with returning students.
