FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)

Q. What does SAGE stand for? Who sponsors it?
A. SAGE stands for Summer Advanced Gifted Education, co-sponsored by the Honors College and the Division of Educational Outreach.

Q. When and where will SAGE be held in 2008?
A. July 21-August 8, 2008 on UNLV's main campus. SAGE classes meet from 9 AM – 5 PM, Monday through Friday.

Q. What is the application deadline?
A. Application review begins on February 22, 2008, and students will be notified of their admission (and scholarship, if any) by March 14, 2008. After that, applications will be considered on a continuous basis, and offers of admission and scholarships will be sent out within a month.

Q. Can I still apply after February 2008?
A. Of course, but the earlier you apply, the more likely the chance you will receive the course you want, and the more likely there will be scholarship money available. When a SAGE seminar reaches maximum enrollment, it will be marked “closed” on our website.

Q. What is the last day I can apply and accept my offer of admission?
A. Applications postmarked by May 9, 2008 will be reviewed. June 1, 2008 is the last day to accept an offer of SAGE admission. After June 1, all admission (and scholarship) acceptances become final, and there is a financial penalty to withdraw or decline a scholarship after that date.

Q. Is SAGE a residential program?
A. No. Students must provide their own transportation to and from the UNLV campus daily. Parking passes are provided as part of the program fee and students are encouraged to carpool.

Q. What is SAGE’s attendance policy? May my student arrive late or leave early?
A. We require daily attendance from 9-5 and punctuality is part of most instructors’ grading. At the instructor’s discretion, a student may miss all or part of a particular day for a documented, rare and exceptional reason, but we otherwise expect each student will arrive on time daily and remain at UNLV until 5 PM.

Q. Who provides funds for scholarships?
A. Scholarships have generously been provided by the UNLV Honors College, Hotel College and Business College, the Colleges of Liberal Arts, Fine Arts, Sciences, and Health Sciences, and private donors.

Q. Can I get college credit or high school credit at SAGE?
A. Yes, both. Each SAGE seminar earns you three fully-transferable UNLV Honors College credits upon successful completion of the course. Each seminar also earns you high school enrichment credit- a form will be distributed the first day of classes for this.

Q. Are there any costs besides the $800 program fee?
A. The $800 program fee covers all academic costs related to SAGE including daily meals in the Dining Commons, required textbooks and a UNLV parking pass. Students must provide basic school supplies such as pens, notebooks, etc. themselves.

Q. What if my plans change before SAGE begins in July 2008?
A. The program fee is fully refundable until June 1, 2008. After that date, it can only be fully refunded due to documented catastrophic illness or family medical emergency preventing a student from attending.

Q. Can I drop the SAGE Seminar or get a refund after I have started coming?
A. Yes, but only on the first or second day of SAGE 2008 (July 21 or July 22). In that case, you will receive a full refund minus a non-refundable charge of $200 for the fixed costs SAGE must pay in advance (meals, textbooks, etc). If you drop the SAGE Seminar on or after July 23, the tuition is non-refundable, and a withdrawal will appear on your UNLV transcript.

Q. Is there homework at SAGE?
A. Depending on the course, homework may be assigned, though it is expected that much of the review and preparation for each class will be done during the study/review sessions from 3:30-5:00 PM each day.

Q. Does the SAGE Academy give out grades?
A. Yes. There is a letter grade given for each SAGE Seminar, as well as an evaluative rubric to outline the student learning and social behaviors the instructor observed in class over the three weeks. Only the letter grade appears on the student’s transcript.

Q. Are parent conferences part of SAGE?
A. Yes. At the conclusion of SAGE and upon request, each instructor is available to meet with or call the parents/guardian of their students to outline class performance and answer any questions parents may have. Your instructor may also be available at other times during SAGE, and he/she will announce this in class.

Q. Are topics in class appropriate to all students and age groups?
A. SAGE is designed to have the same content as regular college courses. Occasionally, this may mean that a student (or parent) may feel uncomfortable with a particular topic being discussed. You are always free to bring a concern to the attention of the instructor and an alternative activity can be provided in most cases. We request that students (or parents) outline their objections as completely as possible in order to find the best solution for all. SAGE is committed to the letter and spirit of diversity in academic inquiry as a university-sanctioned program.