Includes: Laboratory access, mentorship with USC faculty, collaborative research project, and campus housing.
Program Investment:
Total Cost: $5,800
Includes tuition, housing, meals, materials, and lab fees
A nonrefundable deposit of $2,000 is due byNovember 21to secure your placement
Remaining balance of $3,800 is due by May 1
To accept your placement, please complete the enclosed enrollment form and submit your deposit by the deadline noted above.
We look forward to welcoming you to USC this summer.
Sincerely,
Dr. Patricia Rowe, Director, Young Innovators STEM Academy
I leaned against the counter. When had Robbie applied for this? How did I not know? Of course he got in. He was brilliant. But there was no way I could find the money for him to go.
Robbie came home from school a little after three. “Hello, Mother.”
I held up the thick envelope. “Something came for you.”
He paled slightly and took a few steps backward. “Did you read it?”
“Yes. Apparently you’ve been accepted to a program I knew nothing about.” My voice came out sharper than I wished, but I was ticked. “Why did you do this without telling me?”
Trevor let out a whine and dropped to the floor, covering his eyes with his paws.
“I didn’t think I’d get in and didn’t want you to worry about the cost if it didn’t matter. My teacher kind of pushed me to apply.”
“Well, youdidget in.”
“I’m sorry I didn’t tell you.” Robbie watched me with a careful expression. “Anyway, it’s fine. I don’t even want to go.”
“You wouldn’t have applied if you didn’t want to go.”
“Like I said, my teacher was the one who suggested it. I don’t care about it. Even if I did, we don’t have the money. A fairly simple math computation tells us that.” He tried to smile but it looked more like a nervous twitch on the corners of his mouth.
My son was a smart boy but a terrible liar.
Robbie folded the letter, put it back in the envelope, and walked to his room. The door closed quietly behind him.
I stood there in the kitchen, staring at nothing, until Madison’s voice drew my attention.
“Mommy, what’s the matter? Why’s Robbie sad?”
Because I’m a horrible mother who makes irresponsible choices.
Out loud, I said. “He’s disappointed that he can’t go to a STEM program this summer.”
“Why can’t he go?”
“It costs a lot of money.”
Madison pulled her feet under her chair, crossing one ankle over the other. “Oh. That makes me sad for him.”
