DiscoverThe Game: A Guide to Elite College AdmissionsWhy “Gifted & Talented” Programs Don’t Stand Out to Top Colleges
Why “Gifted & Talented” Programs Don’t Stand Out to Top Colleges

Why “Gifted & Talented” Programs Don’t Stand Out to Top Colleges

Update: 2025-10-13
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In this episode, we tackle the question of whether “gifted and talented” programs and designations like Johns Hopkins CTY or Davidson Young Scholar actually matter to top colleges. While these labels may sound impressive, we break down why admissions officers may view them as redundant with other more relevant components of a student’s application and how they can even backfire if framed poorly. 

Ultimately, we emphasize that students applying to top colleges––regardless of whether they’ve been labelled “gifted and talented” or not––should instead focus on demonstrating the practical impact of their abilities, especially as related to their hook or field of interest.

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Why “Gifted & Talented” Programs Don’t Stand Out to Top Colleges

Why “Gifted & Talented” Programs Don’t Stand Out to Top Colleges

Great Minds Advising