Who is Eligible?
There are four criteria. (We refer to a student who satisfies all four criteria, "Epsilon-gifted".)
I. Age: 8 to under 12 years during camp. Birth date must be in the range 8/12/2000 to 7/29/2004 for Epsilon 2012. That is, the camper has turned 8 by start of camp but not 12 until camp has ended.
II. Love math as evidenced in a short essay from parent
III. Possess a confident familiarity with the following:
(A) Basic concepts of Algebra - see bottom of page
(B) The criteria for Similarity and Congruence of triangles in Plane Euclidean Geometry.
IV. Pass the tests:
(1) A complete written report by a qualified tester of one of the three comprehensive individual IQ tests listed below, taken when the student was at least 7 years of age. The report should include all subtest and global scores, test behavior, a summary and recommendations, AND
(2) A complete written report by a qualified tester of the child’s performance, no earlier than two years prior to commencement of camp, on one individually administered achievement test listed below OR the score report from the Explore test available through the Talent Searches.
| Test Name | Minimum Score Guidelines |
| Stanford-Binet 5 (SB5) | Standard score 140+: Verbal quantitative reasoning, nonverbal quantitative reasoning, or Full Scale. (To document math talent further, two SB5 subtests alone, verbal and nonverbal quantitative reasoning, might be given with another IQ test like WISC-IV.) |
| Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children-IV (WISC-IV) | Standard score 145+ (99.9th percentile): Verbal Comprehension, Perceptual Reasoning, General Ability Index (GAI), or Full Scale. Extended norms should be used if applicable. Please indicate if subtest discontinue criteria were not met and on how many subtests this occurred. Substitute Arithmetic for a core Working Memory subtest, if possible. |
| Differential Abilities Scale-II (DAS-II) | Standard Score 145+ (99.9th percentile): General Conceptual Ability, Verbal Ability, or Nonverbal Reasoning. |
| Test Name | Minimum Score Guidelines |
| Woodcock-Johnson III Tests of Achievement (WJ-III ACH) | Standard score 145+ (99.9th percentile): Brief Math |
| Kaufman Test of Educational Achievement-II (KTEA-II) | Standard score 145+ (99.9th percentile): Math |
Wechsler Individual Achievement Test - II (WIAT - II) or Wechsler Individual Achievement Test - III (WIAT - III) |
Standard score 145+ (99.9th percentile) Total Mathematics |
| Test Name | Minimum Score Guidelines | ||||
| Explore | EXPLORE | Grade 3 | Grade 4 | Grade 5 | Grade 6 |
| Math | 14 | 16 | 18 | 21 | |
If the student has taken the SAT or ACT, those scores can be submitted instead of the Explore or achievement test.
Children who cannot focus on a discussion for 50 minutes, or who have behavioral issues that may hinder their work or the work of others, should not apply. Attendee must be able to read, speak, understand, and write English. Attendee is expected to live with a parent in camp housing. Alternately, the attendee may be brought to camp each day by a relative. All nationalities are accepted.
Epsilon is designed to meet the abilities and needs of youngsters who are naturally at the highest levels of quantitative reasoning and mathematical learning abilities. Our goal is to introduce concepts, opportunities, mentors, teachers and fellow students who are equally innately gifted at the highest levels in all things mathematical. Because this is our goal and our intention, it is important that only the students who fit this description attend Epsilon. At no time will we modify our pace, depth or expectations for those who elected to attend who find they are not actually at the mathematical reasoning levels required or needed for full participation and enjoyment of our program. To allow for such participation would corrupt the whole purpose of the camp experience and the goals of those who endeavor to provide such an experience. If you have any doubt that your child is completely capable of participation at the required levels, we ask that you not elect to send him or her. Because space in our program is so limited, it is vital that all who attend fit the program well. If after accepting the invitation to attend, you, your child, or our faculty discover that this is not a good fit, your child may stay, but we cannot alter our program by slowing down, offering more repetition or extra support. These said, we should also inform you that students who met the eligibility criteria and attended Epsilon 2011 did meet these expectations and fitted well in the camp.
Basic Concepts of Algebra (See III (A) above.)
1. Ratio, Percent, and Proportion
2. Solving Linear Equations
3. Graph of a straight line
4. Solving linear inequalities in two variables
5. Solving systems of two linear equations in two unknowns
6. Translating word problems into algebraic notation & solving the resulting equation
7. Adding, subtracting, and multiplying polynomials, expanding parenthesized polynomial expressions, simplifying by regrouping
8. Factoring polynomials (binomial square, sum & difference of 2 squares, factoring quadratic trinomials)
9. Exponents and radicals (laws of exponents, solving equations containing radicals)
10. Rational expressions (simplifying expressions and solving equations containing algebraic fractions)
11. Solving quadratic equations in one variable.
The offer of admission is contingent upon successful completion before camp of the above algebra skill set. This requirement can be met in one of two ways:
(A) Take an online Algebra 1 class from either AoPS or EPGY online. Upon successful completion of the class, and no later than June 30, please send us a final grade/evaluation report. Other online providers can also be used, but please seek permission from us in advance of signing up.
(B) Self study at home with a parent or tutor, using the list above of Basic Concepts of Algebra topics as a guideline. Students choosing this option will be given an Algebra test. A test link will be posted below here at 12:30 pm EST on a date in late June - date to be announced here. Students are expected to print the test sheets and then take the test from 1 pm to 3 pm EST in a library and have a librarian or an assistant librarian attest that the student took the test in the library. You can arrange this in advance by asking your librarian about proctored test taking services at your local library - do inform the librarian that Epsilon Camp is a non-profit program for the Epsilon-gifted. If the librarian has questions, please direct to this website.Your answers and work should occupy only one side of each sheet used. After taking the test, a photocopy of the student work/answer sheets should be mailed, to the camp's mailing address provided on the CONTACT US page on this web site, flat in a 9”X12” envelope marked “Epsilon Algebra Test” with the date's postmark. (Do Contact us if you still need a clarification.)
A parent must submit a specific Algebra Plan from (A) or (B) in the paragraph above to the Academic Director before the student is officially admitted. If we find that a student did not achieve a good enough score in the online course or on the Epsilon Camp Algebra Test, the student will be automatically enrolled in a two-week daily Algebra make-up course, beginning on July 6, administered by Epsilon Camp. All those students will receive the information via email on July 5. There will be no final test at the end of the make-up course.
(We hope all parents will understand we need to provide all these clear guidelines so that all students will be suitable to attend the camp and will benefit from it.)
© 2012 Epsilon Camp
-- Updated May 11, 2012