We have not applied to DYS but DD would not make the cut offs. She IS aware of the differences in herself and her brother though. As they are only 18 months apart she remembers him being able to read Harry Potter in Kindergarten while she is in first and still on easy readers. She makes comments about not being as smart as her brother and I do think she feels like she is less capable. It makes me sad but it is hard - she is old enough to see the differences. I point out that she is really talented at many things also (she is an amazing artist) but she doesn't think she is good at anything.
Wow, this is similar to us as well! DD is 2 yrs older than her DB & she talks a lot about his abilities vs. hers. I try to emphasize her skills - great artist also - but I can tell it still bothers her. There are clubs for the HAL kids and she feels bad she can't join too.
She was chosen to be a class rep for a spelling bee & is sooo excited. She asks me all the time if this means she is HAL too. Her K teacher told me she scored really high on a standardized test that can indicate high IQ but since her grades or behavior never showed it, she has never been tested. Based on her grades & work, I don't think she would qualify. She is getting much better grades this year so maybe the feeling of competition is pushing her to try harder?