Level Up Your High School Experience!

Challenge Yourself and Get Ahead
Chesapeake College’s Gifted & Talented Program is tailored for students under 16 with exceptional academic talent. This opportunity allows young scholars to explore college-level subjects not offered in high school, paving the way for future success.

<16
Years Old
8th
Graders Welcome
FREE
Tuition may be FREE for our regional public high school juniors and seniors*

By joining Chesapeake College’s Gifted & Talented Program, you’ll start your college journey early, engaging with college-level courses and a community of high achievers. Begin building your college transcript while still in high school.

This program is perfect for students eager to exceed traditional academic limits, earn college credits, and challenge themselves in a supportive college environment.

  • Academic Completion
    • Completion of the seventh grade, meeting Maryland State Department of Education grade-level performance standards.
  • Enrollment in an Eligible Institution
    • Students must be enrolled in a public school within the College’s service area or a qualified non-profit secondary institution. This includes Maryland State Department of Education-certified schools, registered Church-Exempt Schools, or home-schooled students supervised by approved entities.
  • College Course Placement
    • Students may use SAT, ACT, or Chesapeake College’s ACCUPLACER scores for placement. SAT scores of 480 (English) and 530 (math) or a composite ACT score of 21 qualify students for ACCUPLACER exemption. In specific cases, Chesapeake College may substitute ACCUPLACER for SAT/ACT scores or transcripts, especially for home-schooled students.
  • Gifted & Talented Identification
    • Students must be recognized by their school’s Board of Education or governing board as gifted and talented, with validation from a school principal, counselor, or home-school compliance officer attesting to the student’s advanced intellectual, creative, or artistic abilities.
  • Letters of Recommendation
    • Two letters of recommendation supporting the student’s exceptional abilities
  • Interview Requirement
    • Both the student and a parent/guardian participate in an interview with the Gifted & Talented Coordinator to assess the student’s social and emotional maturity, motivation, and readiness for a college environment.

Students who can meet the eligibility requirements will need to submit their complete application packet by June 1 for the Fall semester, and by November 1 for the Spring semester.

young student sitting at computer

Talented students under 16 can push academic boundaries, connect with like-minded peers, and get a head start on college.

Let’s Get Started!

Chesapeake College is excited to support exceptional young learners on their academic journey. If your student is ready to apply, please contact our Gifted & Talented Coordinator to learn more about the next steps.

  • 1

    First Things First…

    See if you’re eligible to participate. You must have completed the seventh grade meeting grade-level performance standards, be enrolled in an eligible school in our service region, and must be identified as Gifted & Talented by your schools governing board. Please see above Eligibility Requirements section for details.

  • 2

    Apply to Chesapeake College (8 weeks before semester begins)

    Create an account and submit your Chesapeake College online application as part of the application process. Be sure to select High School as your ADMIT TYPE.  You’ll be prompted for placement testing and transcripts through the online application portal.

    Apply to Chesapeake
  • 3

    Reach out to a Dual Enrollment (DE) Advisor

    Talk to one of our DE advisors to complete your Recommendation Form, schedule an interview, learn more about the Letters of Recommendation, and coordinate the remaining paperwork.

    Allow plenty of time to complete this paperwork. Students must submit all of the completed documentation by June 1 for the Fall Semester and November 1 for the Spring Semester.

    Contact a DE Advisor

Be sure to submit all documents by the deadline to ensure your application is complete.

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