The Academy for Summer Studies

Thoughts From a Former TIP Participant

Sara Wrenn

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Summer Studies 2008 Program Dates
Term I June 15–July 5
Term II July 13–August 2
Marine Lab (one term only) June 15–July 5

The Programs

Girl reading handout in classIn the same way that all gifted students are not alike, the six Duke TIP Summer Studies Programs are anything but identical. Instead of offering programs that vary only by location, Duke TIP has designed each campus program with the varied nature of gifted students and the distinctive academic opportunities afforded by different sites in mind.

In general, Duke TIP Summer Studies Programs are divided by admissions criteria into the Academy for Summer Studies and the Center for Summer Studies.

Academy for Summer Studies Program Sites Center for Summer Studies Program Sites
Appalachian State University Davidson College
University of Kansas Duke East Campus
Duke University Marine Lab Duke West Campus
Texas A&M University Duke University Marine Lab
  Wake Forest University

Students are qualified for either the Academy or the Center based on their test scores. Duke TIP has used twenty-five years of instructional experience in the field of gifted education to craft distinct course offerings that are consistent with the different eligibility requirements for Academy and Center programs. The Duke University Marine Lab is a unique site that is open to students in the Academy and Center programs.

Student raising hand in class The following tables summarize the general admissions criteria for individual programs within the Academy and the Center. Please note that some individual program sites are designed for students in particular grades. (In addition, eligibility for individual courses varies by test scores. Course-by-course score criteria is covered in the Academy Course Descriptions and the Center Course Descriptions sections.)

Most students receive a Bulletin because Duke TIP already has their Talent Search test scores on file. To determine your eligibility for either the Academy or the Center, check the mailing label on your Bulletin. If we have your test scores, we have printed the word "Academy" or "Center" on your label. If you’re not sure for which program you are qualified, or if your mailing label does not show a designation, use the tables below to determine your program eligibility. Just find your test score in either the Academy or Center tables, then find your current grade in school in the appropriate table. This will tell you which program sites you may attend. Students qualifying in any category for the Center level may not apply to any Academy program.

"TIP is where your mind grows and your ideas expand. "
—Summer Studies participant

Students currently in 8th, 9th, or 10th grade who participated in the Duke University 7th grade Talent Search and did not qualify for a Summer Studies Program, may now retest to improve their scores and possibly qualify for either a Duke TIP Summer Studies Program (Academy or Center). See Qualifying Scores below.

The Academy for Summer Studies

Program Current grade in school If test taken in grade 7 If test taken in grades 8, 9, or 10
University of Kansas 7, 8, 9, 10

SAT
M 500–560 or
CR** 500–560

ACT
M 18–19 or
E 25–26 or
S 20–23 or
R 20–24

SAT
M 540–600 or
CR** 540–600

ACT
M 21–22 or
E 28–29 or
S 22–24 or
R 22–25
Appalachian State University 7, 8, 9, 10
Texas A&M University 7,8, 9, 10
Duke Marine Lab* 8, 9, 10

The Center for Summer Studies

Program Current grade in school If test taken in grade 7 If test taken in grades 8, 9, or 10
Davidson College 7, 8

SAT
M 570–800 or
CR** 570–800 or
M≥520 & CR**≥520

ACT
M 20–36 or
E 27–36 or
S 24-36 or
R 25-36 or
M≥19 & E≥25 or
M≥19 & R≥24

SAT
M≥610–800 or
CR** 610–800 or
M≥560 & CR**≥520 or
M≥520 & CR**≥560

ACT
M 23–36 or
E 30–36 or
S 25–36 or
R 26–36 or
M≥22 & E≥25 or
M≥19 & E≥28 or
M≥22 & R≥24 or
M≥19 & R≥25
Wake Forest 7, 8
Duke East Campus 8, 9, 10
Duke West Campus 8, 9, 10
Duke Marine Lab* 8, 9, 10

*The Duke Marine Lab program is a unique program with broad eligibility guidelines. Students may apply through either the Center or the Academy, using the proper application based on test scores.

**Due to changes to the SAT, the Verbal section has been replaced by Critical Reading. If you took the SAT prior to Spring 2005, please compare your Verbal score to the Critical Reading score to determine eligibility.

If you feel that you qualify for a program based on your SAT Writing score, and it is comparable to the scores above, please contact Duke TIP Admissions at (919) 668-9100