Frequently Asked Questions in AGS

AGS is a residental program for gifted and talented students who are upcoming high school seniors and residents of the state of Arkansas. Interested students should contact their school counselor or gifted and talented coordinator about the nomination and application process. High schools must officially nominate a student before he or she can apply to AGS. A State Selection Committee selected by the State Department of Education reviews nominated students' applications and selects only 400 students to attend each summer. There is only one opporunity for students during their junior year of high school to be nominated, apply, and if accepted, attend AGS during the summer preceding their senior year of high school. Please note that schools may only nominate students who after attending AGS will be returning to school for their senior years. Students who plan to graduate from high school before attending AGS are not eligible to be nominated or apply to AGS.

There is NO CHARGE for tuition, room, board, or classroom materials. Participants will be responsible only for transporation to and from the school and for any personal expenses such as snacks, laundry, general school supplies, etc. There is no charge for use of any of the recreational facilities, libraries, or attendance at special events. 

We ask that you use discretion in the way you dress and we expect modesty when dressing for the summer program. Inappropriate clothing may include, but is not limited to: short-shorts, boxer shorts, pajama pants, bare midrifts, halter tops, spaghetti straps, strapless tops, or t-shirts with offensive or unsuitable text/graphics. You may be asked to change by your counselor or a staff member, if your clothing is deemed to be inappropriate. Some of our recreation activities, such as paint war and water war, require you to get a little messy. Be sure and pack a pair of old clothes that can withstand a little stain. Some other items you may want to pack for recreation activities are gym shoes, shorts, and t-shirts. 

Students have access to the campus library, computer lab, gymnasium, and various recreational facilities. Afternoons and evenings are usually full of organized games, activities, performances, optional lectures, and discussion groups. 

You will recieve your first weekly calendar of events the night you arrive to AGS. Subsequent weekly calendars will be distributed on preceding Sunday nights during the session. Residence Halls will receive paper copies and a digital copy will be posted to the AGS website. 

Every student attends classes in their concentration (Area I) twice a day Monday through Friday. Students also attend daily classes in General Conceptual Development (Area II) or Personal and Social Development (Area III). Several times a week there will be a required speaker or film. Optional activities, during the afternoon and evenings. include Q&A sessions with guest speakers,recreational activites, games, social mixers, lectures, open mic nights, karoke, and many other fun activities. Students must return to their residence halls by 10:00 p.m.

Students live in same-gender residence halls on the campus of Arkansas Tech University. Roommates are assigned at random (requests are not taken). You will learn your roommate assignment about a week before the session begins. Resident Assistants live in the residence halls with the students. 

Students are not allowed to leave campus unless granted permission by the AGS Director for significant events.  Please see the AGS Leave Policy for more information about temporary leaves.  For safety and security, students are not allowed to go off campus unless the student is checked out during Sunday leave.  Students may be checked out temporarily from AGS on Sundays between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. by a parent or a person listed on the student's "List of Approved Persons Allowed to Check Student Out of AGS."  When the student is checked out, the name on the student's list must match the person's name on his or her driver's license.

A parent/legal guardian may add names by contacting the AGS Office by 12:00 p.m. on Friday prior to that Sunday.  Parents must email requres to the AGS Office with the additional name(s) and a copy/scan of the parent's driver's license (to prove it is the parent making the request). Failure to add approved persons name to checkout list in a timely manner may mean the students is not allowed to leave. 

No, students are not allowed to keep a vehicle on campus, and students must be checked out by a parent/legal guardian or a person listed on the student's "Permission to Leave Campus Statement" in order to leave campus.

Students may have visitors on Sundays from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.  Visitors to campus must check in at the student's residence hall and receive a visitor ID badge.  The ID badge must be worn and the visitor must remain with the student at all times while on campus.  Visitors may not use campus computers or recreation equipment or facilities.  Before departing, visitors must return their visitors' badges to the residence hall and sign out.  Visitors who violate these policies may cause the student they are visiting to be dismissed from the program.

Please refer to our list of "Items to Bring to AGS."

Computers, laptops, tablets, smart phones, and cell phones are allowed at AGS. However, their use should not distract from classroom activities or AGS community meetings. There will be times when their use will be limited. Students must follow directions from AGS Staff regarding appropriate times of use. Any violation could result in confiscation and referral to the program director.

Meals are provided in the cafeteria at no charge for breakfast, lunch, and dinner for all students, staff, and faculty each day AGS is in session. Alternate meal options that are availabe on-campus at the cost of the consumer are Baz Tech food court. Students cannot leave campus to eat meal on any occassion unless checked out by an approved adult. Students can bring their own food supplies and prepare food in the dorms. Students may have groceries and meals delivered using delivery services, but they must be brought to the camp office in Baz Tech for pick-up.

Medical services will be available to all AGS students at the Health and Wellness Center on campus. Students must be accompanied by a staff member, present their ID card and indicate that they are an AGS student when reporting for services. Office hours will be Monday-Friday 8:00 am - 5:00 pm. Services are not available on the weekend. 

No. Smoking, alcohol and illegal drugs are prohibited on Arkansas Tech University Campus. Any student caught with any of the aforementioned items while at AGS, will be dismissed from the program.

Laundry facilities are available free of charge in each residence hall. Students will need to bring laundry soap, fabric softener, and hangers if applicable.  Students are responsible for their own laundry.

Yes, the residence halls have shared kitchen areas with a stove, refrigerator, microwave, and sink.  Cookware and cooking utensils are not provided.

No academic credit is awarded to students of AGS.  Being a part of the program is its own reward.

A variety of security measures are in place throughout the summer.  24-hour public safety officers can be reached by phone or at emergency boxes around campus. RA's make regular rounds of the residence halls at night, keeping an eye on students  to make sure they stay secure in their rooms.  Additionally, students must check into their residence halls by 10:00 p.m. each night.

If you lose your room key or ID badge, please go to the AGS Office to request a replacement.  Please be aware that there will be a replacement cost for any lost items.

Yes, the Lost and Found is located in the AGS Office.