Online Information about Applying: http://www.education.uiowa.edu/belinblank/programs/naase/

Online Application: http://www.education.uiowa.edu/belinblank/programs/naase/naaseapp.pdf

• ACT or SAT at or above 95 percentile nationally
• 3.5+ High School GPA

• Personal Interview
• 2 teacher/counselor/administrator recommendations
• 1 parent essay
• 1 student essay
• Must have high school units sufficient to qualify for admission to the University of Iowa.
• $40 application fee.

A separate UI application for housing is required, and students must apply for housing in order to participate in the NAASE program. This application carries with it a $20 processing fee and $50 deposit. Link to housing: http://www.uiowa.edu/admissions/undergrad/housing/index.html

The National Academy of Arts, Sciences and Engineering (NAASE) follows the early admissions group model of early entrance. Participating students typically enter college one year early and continue their education at UI after completing that year as a NAASE student. Students admitted to this program are treated similarly to UI honors students of normal age, except that they are housed as a group and have access to additional support and activities designed for this group of students.

Formal participation in the program lasts only one year, but it should be noted that older students who participated in NAASE are often invited to participate in Academy events and activities, though they are no longer under any obligation to do so.

The NAASE center is at administered by the Belin-Blank International Center for Gifted Education and Talent Development located on the UI campus. They operate a wide range of programs to benefit gifted and talented students, as well as running teacher-training programs dealing with gifted education issues. The resources and skills of the Center are available to benefit students participating in NAASE.

All NAASE students reside in Daum Residence Hall alongside other Honors freshman at UI. This building is adjacent to Burge Hall Dining Services and also conveniently located near the UI Honors Center. Regular free bus service is available to quickly reach other important campus locations (the center of campus is 3 blocks away). Daum Hall is divided with male and female students on different floors.

Academically, entering NAASE is little different than going away to college. Most students will declare an intended major when they apply and the university’s guidelines for that major will determine their course schedule. There are no special classes required for NAASE students, but there are some required events and activities during the course of the year, including a weekly seminar taught by staff from the Belin-Blank Center.

All students accepted into the NAASE programs are automatically members of the University Honors Program, and are invited to participate in special classes and social events reserved for Honors students.

While it is possible to be removed from the NAASE program for failure to follow program guidelines (for instance, not maintaining a full-time level of courses), there are no additional constraints of student academic performance. Regardless of student standing relative the NAASE program, those accepted will remain part of the UI community so long as they meet UI guidelines for performance and conduct. In short, attending NAASE means you have entered college and for better or worse expect to continue in college.

Regarding obtaining a high school diploma:

“Q. Will I graduate from my high school if I am selected for NAASE? A. This decision will be made by your high school administration. We will provide your high school with transcripts of your work here. Some high schools will apply first-year college credit toward high school graduation requirements. We encourage students to explore options to obtain their high school diploma.” - NAASE Frequently Asked Questions

If you plan to continue through a bachelor’s degree at UI, as is typical, then obtaining a high school diploma is not particularly important.

As with other programs of this type, the emphasis is on becoming part of the university campus and thus most activities will be the same ones available to other UI honors students.

“The University Honors Program frequently distributes free tickets to concerts by top-rated musical, dance, and comedy groups. [Students are] invited to picnics and cookouts at professors’ homes, special seminars and talks on intriguing topics, and Associated Iowa Honors Students parties. The University’s scenic riverside campus is full of other opportunities, such as working out at the Field House or playing basketball with your friends.” (NAASE Application Brochure, p. 4)

NAASE also encourages students to make arrangements to attend prom and graduation with their home high schools, if such events interest them.

Colleges and universities are typically grouped based on the highest degree that they regularly award, which in the case of University of Iowa is the Doctoral degree.

A virtual tour of the university may be found at: http://www.uiowa.edu/admissions/virtual-tours/index.html

Online form for requesting more information about UI: http://www.uiowa.edu/admissions/undergrad/ask-us/ug-info-request.htm

For detailed comparison information and college rankings, we recommend America's Best Colleges published by US News & World Reports and available online at a cost of $10.

The above data may be as much as five years old. Number of majors may include 4-year pre-professional programs.

Iowa City (population ~61,000) is part of a significant population center in eastern Iowa and located only 20 miles south of Cedar Rapids, IA. It is about 100 miles east of the state capital at Des Moines, IA.

UI publishes facts and information about their university at: http://www.uiowa.edu/facts/index.html

“The University of Iowa seeks to advance scholarly and creative endeavor through leading-edge research and artistic production; to use this research and creativity to enhance undergraduate, graduate, and professional education, health care, and other services provided to the people of Iowa, the nation, and the world; and to conduct these activities in a culturally diverse, humane, technologically advanced, and increasingly global environment.” - NEW CENTURY IOWA: BRIDGES TO THE NEXT HORIZON, A Strategic Plan for The University of Iowa 2000-2005