Gifted Issues Discussion homepage Forums Identification, Testing & Assessment Overview of Davidson Young Scholars program

Thank you!

I have a couple of questions. Assuming my child has qualifying WISC scores and a reasonable teacher recommendation, is admission likely? Or do I need to really take time to make the application as compelling as possible to build a case for admission?. I can do the later I am just pretty burnt out these pandemic days.

We had eight SAT cancellations which would had qualified the kid. And of course this year the SAT isn’t even an option. So we finally did private testing….

It is my understanding that a compelling case for admission may be helpful if scores are on the cusp of qualifying-and-not-qualifying.

Otherwise, I believe that scores which clearly qualify, accompanied by a solid nomination/recommendation, will lead to being a DYS. I also believe that the recommendation does not necessarily need to be from a school teacher... it could be from any adult familiar with the student, their interests, mode of thinking/learning/working which distinguishes them from other children and indicates they need or would benefit from additional help/support for their "giftedness." For example, over time successful recommendations may have been written by a principal, a tutor, a club leader, etc.
https://www.davidsongifted.org/gifted-programs/young-scholars/admissions/how-to-apply/

The full list of eligibility info is found on the Davidsion DYS webpages.
- https://www.davidsongifted.org/gifted-programs/young-scholars/admissions/eligibility-and-testing/
- https://www.davidsongifted.org/gifted-programs/young-scholars/young-scholars-faqs/
- https://www.davidsongifted.org/gifted-programs/young-scholars/admissions/

Thank you. One of parents I spoke to was sort of cagey about the process. Your comments make me suspect that was because she needed to “build a case.”