Horizons

What is Horizons?

Applicants to Horizons I (first year participants) and Horizons II (second year participants) are geared to girls who have an aptitude and interest in math and science or engineering.

Although females have an aptitude equal to males in science and mathematics, few choose to pursue careers in these areas. We're hoping that encouragement at a pivotal age may make the difference.  Horizons is intended to help young women embrace the excitement of mathematics and to better understand its everyday use. The Horizons curriculum uses an integrated instructional module for mathematics, science and engineering concepts and supports these through fun and challenging hands-on projects. The life skills component further enhances the instruction as participants build confidence, personal insight, and team spirit.

At Horizons, participants are taught by a predominantly female staff composed of teachers and other professionals.  Our young guests are also accompanied and mentored by program assistants who are usually undergraduate college students who excel in relevant disciplines.  Group sizes are small so each participant has the opportunity to form a lasting relationship with staff and peers.

Program Dates for Summer 2013:  

Horizons I & II
Week 1: July 14 - July 19
Week 2: July 21 - July 26

Horizons III
Week 1: July 13 - July 19
Week 2: July 20 - July 26 

Horizons I will accept approximately 140 participants with 70 young women scheduled for each of the two weeks. Horizons II will accept approximately 100 participants with 50 scheduled for each of the two weeks.

How to Become a Candidate for Horizons I - (First Year)
First year participants must be nominated by someone in their school using official nomination documents.  For participating schools already on our data base, materials are mailed in January of each year.  First time schools who wish to engage in the Horizons program should utilize the materials provided as downloads below. If you'd like to be on the mailing list, please contact the Project Coordinator to let her know you wish to be added to the data base for future mailings.

NOTE:  For Horizons I, no more than three applications (two from current seventh graders and one from a current eighth grader who has not previously participated in Horizons) are permitted to become candidates from any one school. Eighth grade first time nominees will be selected to fill available slots in Horizons I or II that may result from attrition.  Important:  Additional nominations beyond those permitted may result in all nominations being discredited.

Selection of Horizons II - (Second Year/Returning Participants)

While the school does not have to nominate the second year applicant, they will have to sign the application form to verify that the student is a member of their school and to assist with providing grade reports.

Priority for inclusion in Horizons II will be given to those candidates who participated in Horizons I the previous year and continue to qualify for the program.  Materials will be mailed directly to these participants at their home provided the address from Horizons I remains valid.  If the participant moves, she should submit a new address to the program before January of the year following her Horizons participation.

While the application form, recommendation form and Code of Conduct form are the same for both Horizons I and II, the questions for the second year participant are based on her previous year’s participation.  It is important that the returning applicant submit the responses to the correct page of questions.

Application Procedure, Nominee Selection and Notification of Acceptance to the Program

A completed application packet contains
-       The Nomination/Application form,
-       Answers to specific questions geared toward Horizons I,
-       Two Recommendation forms (written comments are highly encouraged) – one of which must be from a science or math teacher in the nominating school and one from someone (other than a family member) who can ascertain the suitability of the program for the young woman as well as her readiness for a residential program,
-       The Code of Conduct Guidelines form, and
-       A copy of the applicant's year-to-date grade report as well as the grade report from the previous year.

All application materials for a nominated student should be returned in one envelope and must be postmarked on or before March 9, 2012 for priority consideration.  We reserve the right not to review applications that are not postmarked by the announced date.

All applicants – accepted or not and including those who are on wait-list status - will be notified of their status between late-April and early May.

Wait-listed applicants who move to active status will be notified on or about June 1, 2012 and will receive available unpaid slots. Full tuition is required upon notification of acceptance.

Application Materials
Horizons I & II:
Application–Horizons  I (7th and 8th grade first time applicants) or Horizons II (for second year participants only)
Recommendation Form– Horizons I & II
Questions– Horizons I 
Questions– Horizons II 
Code of Conduct – Horizons I & II
Letter to Parents – Horizons I 
Letter to Principals – Horizons I

Horizons III:
Application
Recommendation
Questions

Required for all Levels:
Code of Conduct

Tuition
The annual tuition is $500 for both Horizons I and II and $600 for Horizons III, which includes housing, food, all instructional materials, and costs for any field trips. Travel to and from the program is not included in the tuition. 

No funds are required at the application stage, however, upon receipt of the letter of acceptance from Clarkson a $125 non-refundable deposit is immediately due to temporarily preserve the candidate's spot.  The $375 balance is required to arrive at Clarkson on or before May 25, 2013 to finalize the candidate's admission to the program.  Unpaid spots are then given to waitlisted applicants. 

Refunds are possible (upon written request) between June 1 - 15, 2013 providing an applicant is available from the waitlist pool to fill the spot.  No refunds will be made after June 15, 2013, except in the event of an emergency and as agreed upon between the parent/guardian and authorized Horizons program personnel.

EXCEPTION:  Schools and agencies who indicate they are covering tuition for an accepted student should fill out the Vendor Payment Form (included in the acceptance packet) to arrange payment.  If the school or agency is using a purchase order, they will not be required to meet the pre-program payment deadline and will be invoiced.  They will need to submit a copy of the purchase order and the purchase order number with the Vendor Payment Form.

Location
Clarkson University, Potsdam, NY

Accommodations
Participants reside (two in a room) in a Clarkson University dormitory. Female program personnel live on the dormitory floors with the participants. Meals, classes and recreation are held in Clarkson facilities.

This is a full immersion program with fun and engaging activities ongoing at all times.   Participants are not permitted to leave campus or move about campus alone and are under supervision at all times.