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SAVY and Career Connections – Program Eligibility

Spring Programs Accepting Applications

As part of your application to any PTY program, you will be given instructions to upload all necessary eligibility information at the time you apply. Eligibility requirements vary by program, so please review the eligibility section for the program(s) you are interested in applying. Your application is considered complete when you have uploaded the necessary information. Only complete applications can be processed, so we ask that you plan ahead of the application priority window to gather your qualifying documents. Having an incomplete application could negatively impact your chances of placement in a course.

Please contact our office (savy.pty@vanderbilt.edu) with any questions related to qualifications.

SAVY (Grades K-6)

Summer / Saturday Academy at Vanderbilt for the Young (Grades K-6)

Students who test around the 90th percentile on an ability test or in at least one content area on a standardized achievement test typically find Saturday/Summer Academy at Vanderbilt for the Young to be to be a good fit. We accept any standardized achievement or ability test including, but not limited to, the following: RIAS, CogAT, ERB, Stanford Achievement Test, OLSAT, Woodcock Johnson, WIAT, WISC IV/V, ITBS, Iowa and MAP/NWEA. We also accept a variety of state achievement tests and select progress monitoring assessments (AIMSweb, STAR, Fastbridge testing) for provisional placement. Out-of-level standardized assessments (e.g., Explore, SCAT) are also accepted.

While scores around the 90th percentile are typically a strong indication that SAVY is an appropriate curriculum match for a student, feel free to contact the PTY office for questions about scores that do not meet these criteria. We, at PTY, understand that there are additional ways to reflect a student’s academic knowledge and capacity for advanced academic coursework, and alternative documentation may be accepted. Please contact our office for more information about eligibility and alternative documentation options.

Still have questions about SAVY eligibility? Contact our office at 615-322-2664 or email savy.pty@vanderbilt.edu

Career Connections at SAVY (Rising 7-8)

Career Connections at SAVY (Rising 7-8)

The eligibility requirements for Career Connections are slightly different from SAVY. The eligibility options for Career Connections are the same as those for Vanderbilt Summer Academy (VSA, PTY’s rising 7th -12th grade residential program).

In order to determine if the program’s accelerated courses are a good fit, all students are required to submit qualifying documentation as part of their application.

There are two eligibility documentation options for Career Connections. Below is a description of each option.

Both options are considered equally when determining admission placements. Therefore, selecting one option over the other will not help or hurt a student’s chances of placement. All complete applications will be reviewed based on PTY’s admissions process and placement for Career Connections. Please carefully review the eligibility information below along with information about the admissions process and placement for Career Connections.

Please note, staff for Career Connections does not compare one student to another in the admissions process. We review a student’s application in its entirety to ensure that the program will be a good academic fit for the student. Incomplete applications will not be considered in first-round reviews.=

Eligibility Documentation Options

  • Option 1: Submission of Test Scores

    Students applying to Career Connections at SAVY who select this option should submit qualifying documentation at the time of application. Please note that test scores in the 90th percentile and above for age group in one or more sections on an achievement assessment that is nationally normed (such as state testing, MAP/NWEA testing, ITBS, or ERB) suggests that Career Connections would be a good academic fit for a student. We also accept cognitive measures (i.e., WISC-V, CogAT, Otis Lennon, Stanford-Binet) and out-of-level test scores (i.e., ACT in 7th grade). Individual ability and/or achievement assessments from psychologists are also accepted. All pages of the individual evaluation and assessment need to be included. Test scores should be less than three years old.

    When reviewing scores, we look specifically at strengths and accelerated achievement in the content area(s) for selected course(s) of interest. For example, if a student is applying to a humanities course, the PTY team is looking at reading/writing/ELA test scores. PTY does not have cutoffs for standardized test scores in order to apply to the program. Also, please note that scores above the 90th percentile do not automatically guarantee admission into the program based on a randomized admissions processs.

    **We ask that all students submit a transcript in addition to their test scores. This additional information can be useful when determining fit for the program when test scores are below the 90th percentile. We also ask that all students who apply for classes with prerequisites make sure that the transcript reflects the prerequisite qualifications. Transcripts can be submitted as a picture or screenshot of a student’s unofficial record but must include the student’s name and show grades for the 2022-2023 school year and the fall 2023 school year.**

    If a student’s test scores fall significantly below the 90th percentile in the area of course interest, students should select the portfolio option as this option provides additional information for staff to use when determining if placement in the program would be a good academic fit.

    Students may submit a screenshot or picture of an assessment as long as the student’s name is visible on the test results. Please contact us at savy.pty@vanderbilt.edu if you have questions concerning your test scores.

  • Option 2: Portfolio

    Career Connections at SAVY is currently allowing for an option that does not require test score submission to determine program eligibility.

    Please note, although selecting the portfolio option does not hurt a student’s chances of admission, Career Connections strongly encourages students to submit test scores (option 1).

    Required Portfolio Components (3 Components):

    1. Transcript: Grades of As and Bs in the most academically advanced courses offered at the student’s school typically suggest that the Career Connections at SAVY program would be a good academic fit. Through the transcript review process, we are looking for students who are highly motivated. PTY also understands that extenuating circumstances might impact a student’s grades. Please make sure to provide annotation if the student’s grades do not accurately demonstrate their ability and motivation to participate in an accelerated academic environment.

    Transcripts can be submitted as a picture or screenshot of a student’s unofficial record but must include the student’s name and show grades for the 2022-2023 school year and the fall 2023 school year.

    2. Two Educator Recommendations: Students should request recommendations from two educators (teachers, administrators, or counselors) by sharing the link below. When your recommenders complete the form, the completed form will be emailed to PTY. Please do not request that your recommenders write a letter or submit a recommendation in any method other than the following form. The form takes 10-15 minutes to complete.

    **Please note that the portfolio option that includes teacher recommendations is only available for our rising 7th-12th grade students.

    https://pty.vanderbilt.edu/PTY_educator_recommendation/

    An application will not be considered complete, even though it may be marked as 100% in our application portal, until PTY receives two educator recommendations.

    3. Resume: Submit a one-page resume as part of your application, so the Career Connections admissions team has a better understanding of your interests and extracurricular activities. Knowing more about you helps program staff determine if this program is a good fit. The resume should include extracurricular activities, work/volunteer experience, awards, and honors, etc.

    The three portfolio components are reviewed together to determine whether Career Connections would be a good fit for a student. PTY will employ a holistic, context-aware review process to determine a student’s likely academic fit at Career Connections. Therefore, PTY recommends that students are thoughtful with their resume submission. Additionally, please be aware, all components of the portfolio, including educator recommendations, must be submitted for an application to be considered complete.

Are there additional requirements for international applicants?

PTY welcomes students from across the globe to apply for and participate in our summer program. Vanderbilt considers you an international student if you are a citizen of any nation other than the United States of America. You are not considered an international student if you are a dual U.S. citizen, U.S. Permanent Resident, refugee/asylee, or a U.S. citizen living abroad.

To learn more about eligibility requirements for international students, please visit the VSA International Student webpage. The eligibility requirements for international students interested in SAVY and Career Connections is the same as the requirements for international students interested in VSA.

Still have questions about eligibility? Contact our office at 615-322-8261.

What if I do not have test scores for my student?

While PTY accepts scores from a wide variety of assessments, we realize that test scores may not always be available. We understand that there are additional ways to reflect a student’s academic knowledge and capacity for advanced academic coursework. Please contact our office for more information about eligibility and alternative documentation options.