Canadia1

I received a letter from Stanford University about the Education Program for Gifted Youth... if anyone has heard of the program or participated in it, it is any good? Does it look good on your transcript? Or is it just another one of those money-making programs that do nothing for college admissions?

texas137

I know a number of people who have done EPGY, and my impression is that it's an excellent program. It's expensive because the level of instruction is high, but I doubt that it's a major money-maker. They offer generous need-based aid. I don't think it is any more impressive on your transcript than distance learning courses which are more self-taught or than CC courses, both of which might fit your needs perfectly well and would be a lot cheaper.

Canadia1

What about the Gobal Young Leaders Conference? That shoulds like it's similar to the National Student Leadership Conference.

tokenadult

EPGY is good value. Moreover, a lot of the kids taking EPGY courses are not paying list price, because the EPGY financial aid formula provides aid well up into middle-class income ranges. If you are interested and self-motivated in learning math, computer science, physics, or English, it's worthwhile to try out an EPGY course.

lola-cho

Only as impressive as CC courses? Crap. You'd think Stanford courses, even distance-learning courses targeted at high school students, would be at least slightly more impressive than courses at a CC.

texas137

EPGY is through the Stanford Extension school (like night school). The courses are not exactly the same as what a math major would take if they were a regular student at Stanford.

When I asked an MIT ad com about EPGY vs CC, he said to take the one that makes the most sense for our family, and that MIT does not view EPGY as more impressive than other avenues to take the same courses.

EllenF

My son was looking for challenging courses when we stumbled upon EPGY. I can attest to the fact that EPGY offers solid courses which prepare students very well for AP exams. The tutors are excellent, as is tech support. Admin can be frustrating, but you only have to deal with them at the beginning of each course.

I don't know how EPGY compares to all community college courses, but do know that they are *much* better than courses at our local community college. Furthermore, EPGY courses are better than similar ones at a nearby third tier university and a nearby fourth-tier university.

lola-cho

I would definitely testify that the Admin is extremely frustrating. I've sent four e-mails to the EPGY information e-mail and one to my tutor all asking for help with one simple thing. Have I heard any responses yet? No...

I would testify that EPGY courses are far better than courses at my local CC and at least on par with classes at my second/third tier university.

tokenadult

Oddly, I can't recall ever having any trouble with EPGY administration. Indeed, my son has been impressed with their efficiency. I guess it depends on what kind of inquiries you bring to what members of the administrative staff.

EllenF

I've found phoning admin usually works better than e-mailing, although reaching a live person can sometimes be difficult.

ernie

Does anyone know about SuMac, the Stanford summer math program?

tokenadult

There have been some posts here on CC before about SUMaC, the summer math program at Stanford. The reports I have heard about the program have all been positive, and the college admission results from earlier classes at SUMaC have also been quite impressive. That said, we are looking MathCamp and Ross Program more seriously in our family (oldest son just getting to be the age to think about such programs) so my personal knowledge base about SUMaC is not detailed.