To be eligible to apply you must:

• Possess a high school degree
• Be a University of Iowa student (first year, transfer, and current students are welcome to apply)
• Be a neurodivergent student with very high academic potential (twice-exceptional) as defined below
• Have an academic profile commensurate with the Honors Program at the University of Iowa
• Possess a student profile that would benefit from all (or a portion of) our stated support areas (academics, independence, and social-emotional)
• Consider the Academy for Twice-Exceptionality a match for you! Check out our Preparing Twice-Exceptional Students for College Guide!

Although it is not a requirement, students are strongly encouraged to register with Student Disability Services at the University of Iowa.

Definition of 2E Students by Sally Reis, Susan Baum, and Edith Burke (2014):
Twice-exceptional learners are students who demonstrate the potential for high achievement or creative productivity in one or more domains such as math, science, technology, the social arts, the visual, spatial, or performing arts or other areas of human productivity AND who manifest one or more disabilities as defined by federal or state eligibility criteria. These disabilities include specific learning disabilities; speech and language disorders; emotional/behavioral disorders; physical disabilities; Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD); or other health impairments, such as Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). These disabilities and high abilities combine to produce a unique population of students who may fail to demonstrate either high academic performance or specific disabilities. Their gifts may mask their disabilities and their disabilities may mask their gifts.

Identification of twice-exceptional students requires comprehensive assessment in both the areas of giftedness and disabilities, as one does not preclude the other. Identification, when possible, should be conducted by professionals from both disciplines and when at all possible, by those with knowledge about twice exceptionality in order to address the impact of co-incidence/co-morbidity of both areas on diagnostic assessments and eligibility requirements for services.

Educational services must identify and serve both the high achievement potential and the academic and social-emotional deficits of this population of students. Twice-exceptional students require differentiated instruction, curricular and instructional accommodations and/or modifications, direct services, specialized instruction, acceleration options, and opportunities for talent development that incorporate the effects of their dual diagnosis.

Twice-exceptional students require an individual education plan (IEP) or a 504 accommodation plan with goals and strategies that enable them to achieve at a level and rate commensurate with their abilities. This comprehensive education plan must include talent development goals, as well as compensation skills and strategies to address their disabilities and their social and emotional needs.

The application process for the Academy for Twice-Exceptionality consists of an on-line application and an interview. The interview is best viewed as an "exploratory conversation" that will include students and their parent(s)/guardian(s). The exploratory conversation is very informal in nature and meant to be assist in determining if the Academy for Twice-Exceptionality is a good fit for you. Applicants will receive the questions covered during the conversation in advance.

Applicants will have to show documentation that they are twice-exceptional. Examples of documentation include an IEP from a school district or a psychological evaluation report. 

Each applicant will be considered individually. The stated eligibility requirements will serve as the framework for our staff as they review and discuss each application. The guiding question during this process will be, “Is the Academy for Twice-Exceptionality the best match for an individual student’s profile, scholastic plans, and interests?” Because we are seeking a true working relationship with you and your family, the applications will be subject to a comprehensive and student-centered review process.

Within 2–3 weeks of receiving your application, you will be contacted about its status and arrangements for a possible exploratory conversation.