Summer Institute for the Gifted

The Summer Instititute for the Gifted (or SIG, as it is more commonly called) is a co-ed summer program specializing in gifted education for children and teens. The program began in 1984,  The main offices of SIG were recently moved from Parsippany, New Jersey, where they had been since SIG began, to Stamford, Connecticut. Although SIG is viewed as a competitor to the Center for Talented Youth, another summer program for gifted students, these programs are not very similar in philosophy. SIG is a well rounded program that encourages study in various areas, while CTY requires an intense focus in one area.

Residential Programs
SIG offers three-week overnight programs at Amherst College, Bryn Mawr College, Drew University, Emory University, UC Berkeley, UCLA, University of Michigan, and Vassar College for children who have completed fourth through eleventh grade (approximately ages 9-18). At Princeton University,the program is offered for students who have completed grades 7-11. Several of the locations offer 2 3-week sessions, often offering each session to a different age group.

Student Life
Students live in college dormitories in counselor groups of approximately 10-12, supervised by a counselor. Several of these groups are under the direction of a housemaster, who receives assistance from a resident assistant. The resident assistant also fills in for the other counselors on their days off.

Students have meals served in the campus dining facilities.

Academics
Each academic day has 5 periods of 75 minutes each. A variety of courses are offered in many different subjects, including mathematics, science, and liberal arts. Examples include robotics, biology, chemistry, vocabulary building, algebra, geometry, and many more. Courses are selected by students before the start of camp, and can be changed by students during the beginning of camp. Homework is assigned in many classes, to be completed during the evening study session.

SIG attempts to offer nearly identical course material at each location.

Other Activities
After the instructional day, there is a recreational hour, during which swimming, sports, free time at the dorms, free computer lab time, and other activities are offered. In the evenings, talent shows, competitions, casino nights, and dances are held for students. Dances are often highly anticipated by students.

Each Saturday is a "getaway day", with trips to local museums, zoos, and other attractions. The first Sunday is an activity day, where the morning is generally for relaxing and free time, and the afternoon is for a planned activity, such as a carnival run by the counselor groups. The second Sunday is a visiting day for families of the students, where parents may take students off campus for the day, but activities are planned for those whose families cannot travel to visit.

Day Programs
Day programs are offered at Fairfield University, Manhattanville College, Moorestown Friends School, and Bryn Mawr College for students who have completed kindergarten through sixth grade (approximately ages 5-11).

Admissions and Pricing
Students must score above 97% on standardized tests to be accepted into these programs. The 2006 overnight sessions cost between $3,675 and $4,175, while the day programs cost $1,750.