Challenging Students Academically in a College Atmosphere

Duke TIP Scholar Weekends provide opportunities for academically talented students in grades eight to eleven to take short courses during weekend-long programs at Duke University.

Courses introduce topics that might not be available in local schools, delve into a specific subject with great detail, and help students consider options for college majors and careers.  Scholar Weekends provide an opportunity to meet similarly motivated peers.

Program Basics

• Open to eighth through eleventh graders who are Duke TIP Talent Search participants or are identified as academically gifted by local school criteria.
• Students attend one course.
• Location: Duke University's East campus. Overnight students stay at the Hilton Durham, supervised by Duke TIP residential counselors.
• Dates: February 11-12 (Session 1); March 17-18 (Session 2)
• Application deadline: January 13 (Session 1); February 10 (Session 2)
• Cost: $450 (includes meals and housing); $400 for day students (includes lunch)

Weekend Schedule

Students and parents check in Saturday between 9:00 and 10 a.m. Classrooms open at 9:50 a.m. Overnight students leave campus Saturday evening at 8:30 p.m. to stay at the Hilton Durham. Parents may attend the closing meeting on Sunday afternoon at 4:15 p.m.; students leave at 4:30 p.m. A complete itinerary will be available once a student has been placed in a Scholar Weekend course.

Admissions

• Apply online or
• Download an application and mail along with the non-refundable $10 application fee (per weekend) to:
  Duke TIP Scholar Weekends Admissions
  1121 West Main Street
  Durham, NC 27701
• Participants may apply for multiple courses, but will attend only one course. They are placed on a first-come, first-served basis in the highest-ranked open course. Those participants unable to be placed in a preferred course will be placed on a waiting list. Courses fill quickly so apply early.
• Placement is not guaranteed. Do not make travel plans until notification of course placement.
• Full payment is due within two weeks of placement, or the student’s course slot may be offered to another student. Duke TIP must be notified immediately if a student is unable to attend.
• All participants must submit a completed medical form and be covered by health insurance. Information on short-term health insurance will be included on the medical release form.

Financial Aid

Financial aid is available on a first-come, first-served basis to families who demonstrate need. Each student may receive financial aid for only one Scholar Weekend course during the academic year. To apply for financial aid, submit an application and fax or mail a financial aid form along with the required documentation. If mailing, include the application, the financial aid form, and the required documentation in the same envelope. Upon notification of a financial aid award, send payment for any balance due within two weeks or the financial aid and program slot may be offered to another student.

Cancellation Policy

To notify Duke TIP of a cancellation, email aypadmissions@tip.duke.edu or call (919) 668-9100. Cancellations must be made two weeks prior to the session. After that time, cancellations will result in forfeiture of payment except in cases of illness (with doctor's note on letterhead), death of an immediate family member, or inclement weather. Refunds usually take three weeks to process.