Gifted Issues Discussion homepage Forums General Discussion DYS application question

We are getting a DYS application ready for DS6, but we aren't sure who to have write the recommendation. His FSIQ is several points above the cutoff and his GAI is significantly above the cutoff (on the Wisc iv). On the WJ III, almost every score is >99.9.

Since he is only 6 and did an online school this year, there aren't many people I feel like I can ask to write the recommendation. His online teacher knows his academic ability, but doesn't know him very well personally. His piano teacher, who he's been with for almost 3 years, knows him well personally and musically, but not as well academically.

We are really hoping he will be accepted because we are desperate for educational advice. Since his scores exceed the cutoff, how much do I need to worry about the recommendation?

I would use the online teacher, given that choice. Davidson is pretty clear about wanting academic achievement, not musical or other talents. With the scores you describe, I wouldn't think that the recommendation would be given a lot of weight anyway.

I don't think you need to worry about it to much. They really want someone who can speak to the rarity of the child compared to peers. I chose DD's doctor who is also a family friend. She totally gets dd and is around her enough to know that they way she thinks, the way she speaks, and the things she does is so far beyond her typical age peers. She said she said she wrote that she had never come across another child of dd's abilities in all of her years of practice. If the music teacher seas your ds advanced abilities- not musically, but cognitively, the way he thinks, speaks, the things he understands and says, then I would go with her. If not, if she can only speak about him musically, then I would go with the teacher. Good luck. We are waiting to hear this month. DD's GAI and PRI were both well above the cutoff and her VCI was several points above but her FSIQ was brought down by processing speed and working memory and so was 1 point below.