|
 Please click on a topic below to see answers to Frequently Asked Questions about that topic.
What do MITY and EYM stand for?
MITY stands for Minnesota Institute for Talented Youth. The institute offers three programs; EYM for students in grades 7 – 12; ExplorSchool, for students in grades 4 – 6; and YES for students in grades 1 – 4. EYM stands for Expand Your Mind and refers specifically to the summer program for students in grades 7 – 12 and is located on the beautiful Macalester College campus in St. Paul, Minnesota.
What courses are offered at the Minnesota Institute for Talented Youth summer program?
The MITY summer program include courses in mathematics, physics, biology, chemistry, forensics, art, drama, creative writing, speech and debate, psychology, opera, social studies, latin, video production and journalism. Please visit 2010 Classes to find detailed course descriptions and prerequisites.
Do students receive letter grades or credit?
After the conclusion of the program, students are sent a written evaluation and a certificate of completion. No course grades or credits are given MITY classes.
Who teaches the Summer Institutes courses?
All Expand Your Mind teachers are professional and accomplished educators. MITY selects their instructors for their expertise in the course subject areas and their ability and experience with students who are gifted and talented. Faculty bios are listed along with class description of 2010 Classses. All staff are subject to background checks through the State of Minnesota, Bureau of Criminal Apprehension.
How do I contact the Minnesota Institute for Talented Youth?
To submit a question, please visit the Contact page or call the office at 651-696-6590.
 What is the application process?
See the MITY's Expand Your Mind How to Apply page for details on admissions. All application materials must be received by MITY before a student’s application is considered. Applications must be received by Monday, April 19, 2010. Acceptance packages are sent in early May.
What are the requirements for attending Expand Your Mind?
The Expand Your Mind program is for students between 12 and 18 years of age who are in grades 7 through 12 at the time of application. The Expand Your Mind summer program has a competitive application process involving the evaluation of grades, test scores, a teacher recommendation, and student essay. Participants in the program attend one course, and the application is reviewed for the particular course to which the student is applying (in order of preference indicated on the application). The admissions committee seeks applicants who demonstrate both academic talent and a passion for learning in the subject areas to which they are applying. For more information, see the Expand Your Mind How to Apply page.
What does grade level refer to on the application form?
Grade level refers to the current grade (2009-2010 school year) that a student is in at the time of application.
Will exceptions be made to the grade levels?
The grade requirements are important to help create a social environment that fosters interaction among peers and the formation of friendships that can extend beyond the duration of the program. Because the social and academic components are tightly integrated, students will have greater academic benefit by learning alongside others who are close in age and grade.
May I enroll in more than one session?
Yes. Students may attend both Session A and Session B during the summer.
Is there a required minumum GPA (Grade Point Average)?
There are no grade requirements. MITY seeks students who demonstrate overall academic excellence and a motivation to learn. All application materials (such as writing samples, test scores, teacher recommendations, etc.) are considered together.
Should all of the application components be sent together?
The teacher recommendation forms should be faxed or mailed separately by the teacher. The rest of the application materials should be mailed to MITY together; however, school transcripts may be sent directly from schools.
I applied last year. Do I need to apply again for this summer?
Yes. You must send in an application each year along with a recent report card. You do not need to send another teacher recommendation or essay. If you attended ExplorSchool last year you must submit all application materials.
What is the tuition for Expand Your Mind?
Please visit the EYM details section or How to Apply page for information on tuition.
Is Financial Aid available for the Summer Institutes?
Yes, there is limited financial aid available for Expand Your Mind students. Please visit the How to Apply section for information on financial aid or call the office at 651-696-6590 and ask for a financial aid form to be sent to you.
Can I pay the tuition in installments?
A $150 deposit is required with the application. The balance of the tuition is required within two weeks of receiving your acceptance packet to ensure your spot in the class.
When will I know if I was admitted to Expand Your Mind?
Students will receive their acceptance packets in early May.
What do participants need to bring with them to MITY?
Students who are admitted to the program will receive detailed information on what they need to bring. Commuter students will need to bring money for lunch and snacks. Residential students will receive detailed information about the residence halls and what to bring. All students will receive information about any course supply requirements.
What is the Expand Your Mind daily routine?
Please visit the EYM detail page for information on the daily routines and the range of activities that students participate in while at the Institute.
How do I find my classroom on the first day?
The first day at Expand Your Mind you meet for an opening convocation held in the Macalester College Weyerhaeuser Chapel. After the convocation students are dismissed by class and go with their teacher to their classroom.
What kind of supervision is provided?
The EYM program runs from 8:30 am to 4:00 pm. Students should report directly to their classroom at 8:30 am and are expected to be picked up immediately after the program is over at 4:00 pm. Should your schedule require that your son/daughter will need to arrive or depart at a different time, we suggest that your child use the Student Center to wait for their ride. Please note that after hours commuter students are not supervised by staff. Between classes students will have lunch and will have the opportunity to participate in several activities or to just relax. During this time, students are expected to remain on campus or within one block of the campus. Several coffee shops and restaurants are located within one block of campus.
What about resident students?
Please check out the commuter/residential link for more details on residential students.
What are the dining options?
Students have several lunch and snack options. They can bring a lunch, or purchase lunch at the Campus Center grill, located in the heart of Macalester’s campus. There are also several restaurants and coffee shops within one block of the campus.
Can you accommodate students with food allergies and other special needs?
Yes, students will be asked to provide health information and information regarding any other specific needs. MITY will work with students to plan necessary accommodations.
What if a child gets sick or injured during the Summer Institutes?
The MITY staff strives to maintain a safe environment for all participants. If a student becomes sick or is injured, parents will be contacted immediately. In an emergency, students may be taken either to Aspen Clinic at Ford Parkway in St. Paul or Gillette Children’s Hospital nest to Regions Hospital in St. Paul, Minnesota.
What is the instructor/student ratio?
Most classes are limited to 18 students. The exceptions are classes with more than one instructor, such as Jazz Band.
Where can my parents pick me up?
A map will be enclosed with all acceptances. We suggest that your parents pick you up at the large parking lot west of the Fine Arts Building, the small parking lot in front of the Fine Arts building (north side) or on Macalester Street between Grand Ave. and the Fine Arts Building.
What are the rules at MITY?
MITY students are expected to adhere to the highest standards of good citizenship, honesty, and integrity in their academic work and in their personal conduct. MITY has developed a Code of Conduct which outlines expectations and rules for all students in the MITY community:
- MITY students are expected to show courtesy and respect for their fellow students, for Macalester College’s personnel and for all MITY staff members.
- MITY students shall not take part in or facilitate discrimination of any kind, including, but not limited to, discrimination based on gender, race, national origin, ethnicity, age, religion, sexual orientation, disability, handicap, or intelligence.
- MITY students are expected to show respect for and take reasonable care of Macalester College property, including their residences, dining areas, classrooms, and other facilities, equipment and furnishings (for instance, course materials, computers, sports equipment, street signs, and other structures in outdoor areas).
- MITY students are expected to respect the belongings of their fellow students. They shall not borrow, use, or disturb items belonging to other students or MITY staff without clear prior permission. MITY students also are expected to respect the belongings of the participants of other programs at Macalester College.
- MITY students shall not use, possess, or distribute alcohol, tobacco, or drugs, with the exception of prescription and over-the-counter medications which shall only be used under the supervision of the MITY staff. Parents should notify the MITY office if it is necessary for a student to carry with them any medication.
- MITY students are expected to be well-behaved and follow the instructions of the residential staff, instructional staff, and other college personnel. Unruly behavior will not be tolerated.
- MITY students shall not commit acts of violence on persons or property, nor shall they threaten to commit any act of violence.
- MITY students shall not engage in any form of sexual harassment. Sexual harassment includes sexual conduct, or conduct with sexual overtones, which has the purpose or effect of unreasonably interfering with an individual's academic or work performance or which creates an intimidating, hostile, or offensive learning, residential, or working environment.
- MITY students are expected to know and to follow all rules presented by the residential and instructional staff during the program.
- MITY staff reserves the right to determine if a student shall be sent home for not obeying the rules outlined above.
|
