How to Go to College Early at Mary Baldwin PEG

Program for Exceptionally Gifted Girls at a Virginia Private College

Nov 5, 2008 Carla Marie Boulianne

Mary Baldwin's PEG program is one of only three in the U.S. offering radical acceleration to highly gifted girls ready to start college three or more years early.

Nationally renowned PEG is the sole early entrance program uniquely serving gifted young women in an all-female educational setting. Why an all-women gifted program at a Virginia private college? Wellesley graduate Hillary Rodham Clinton says in her autobiography Living History [Scribner, 2003] that a women's college education allows young women to envision themselves as leaders. Rodham Clinton states, "Women not only ran all the student activities...but we felt freer to take risks...It was a given that the President of class, the editor of the paper and top student in every field would be a woman. And it could be any of us."

Mary Baldwin College Program for the Exceptionally Gifted (PEG) – Early Entrance Basics

PEG is a fully supervised residential program for highly gifted young women, housed on the campus of Mary Baldwin College in Staunton, Virginia. A private college, Mary Baldwin is among a handful of topnotch women’s colleges in the United States. Primary literature on gifted education frequently cites PEG as a gold standard for gifted education.

Mary Baldwin College Program for the Exceptionally Gifted (PEG) – Application and Admissions

PEG accepts highly motivated applicants finishing eighth-grade with demonstrated consistency of achievement, emotional maturity, and clear goals. Each highly gifted young woman participates in a thorough case study determining if the program meets all her needs. This stringent process ensures both academic success and healthy emotional development.

Mary Baldwin College Program for the Exceptionally Gifted (PEG) – Early Entrance Program Format

After one to three years of residing in the PEG Center with live-in supportive staff, these gifted young women transition into the Mary Baldwin dormitories while remaining active in the program as peer leaders. There is a strong emphasis on continuity of psychological support services for gifted issues such as perfectionism.

Yearly costs of PEG attendance for 2007-2008 were $31,715, including tuition, fees, boarding, books, and a modest estimate of personal expenses. PEG welcomes highly gifted homeschool applicants and accepts parent-verified transcripts. PEG applicants are considered for the Malone and Rita Dove scholarships and need-based aid through federal programs. State residents may qualify for Tuition Assistance Grants (TAG) to help pay for tuition at this Virginia private college.

Mary Baldwin College Program for the Exceptionally Gifted (PEG) – Early Entrance Fast Facts

• Starting grade: 9th-12th
• Program length: 4 years
• Residential: Yes
• Degree: Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Sciences
• Application requirement minimums: Achievement test scores above 90th percentile, complete transcripts showing consistently high performance (homeschool transcripts welcome), intensive case study, strong letters of recommendation, acceptance contigent on prior completion of geometry course
• Admission deadlines: Apply as early as January of eighth grade; applications accepted through early summer or until full
• Estimated annual cost: $31,715 (2007-2008)
• Average annual acceptance: 30-35 highly gifted girls
• Contact information: (540) 887-7039

The PEG Program at a Virginia Private College– Early Entrance Education for Highly Gifted Girls

Research supports the women only approach of Mary Baldwin's PEG program; PEG is consistently cited as an exemplar of successful radical acceleration. Work by Holland and Eisenhart (1991) and Arnold (1994) as referenced by Smart Girls author Barbara Kerr in “Gender and Genius,” evidences that highly talented young women still risk abdication of their academic and career potential for traditional gender roles if they do not receive crucial support during the college years. PEG provides assistance at a critical juncture in a highly gifted young woman’s life.

PEG is the only all female early entrance program offering college admissions three or more years ahead of schedule. California State University Los Angeles Early Entrance Program (CSULA EEP) and the University of Washington Robinson Center Transition School Early Entrance Program (TS- EEP) offer additional co-educational options for young girls desiring radical acceleration through early entrance.

The copyright of the article How to Go to College Early at Mary Baldwin PEG in Parenting a Gifted Child is owned by Carla Marie Boulianne. Permission to republish How to Go to College Early at Mary Baldwin PEG in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

Administration at Mary Baldwin College for Women	Early Entrance at Historic Mary Baldwin College	Freshman Dorm at Mary Baldwin College
Program for Exceptionally Gifted at Mary Baldwin	Mary Baldwin PEG- Early Entrance for Gifted Girls

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Feb 12, 2009 6:55 PM

Guest :

I love being in PEG. It feels like home to me now. Any girl that needs a bigger challenge than the typical high school curriculum should look into the program.

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