Duke University

Duke University’s talent identification program (TIP) identifies scholastically gifted students from fourth, fifth, and seventh grades. Qualified homeschoolers can participate, along with students from public and private schools. This program is designed to provide students with advanced intellectual classes that are not offered in the classroom or homeschool environment.

Depending on their grades, candidates are invited to sign up for the EXPLORE, ACT, or SAT college entrance exams. 

Public and private schools select students to participate; however, in many cases schools do not forward the information to qualified students and they miss this opportunity.

Candidates have to sign up for the SAT (college entrance exam) and depending on their academic abilities, gain access to unique resources  at Duke University or local universities.

Why participate in this program?

 This is a great way for seventh graders to get exposure to the SAT or ACT exam. Students are also  invited to take high-level summer classes at Duke University. Classes are held on campus in North Carolina or online.  Although this program is also available for fourth and fifth graders, I believe that they are not mature enough to participate in it.  

Students receive two reports to interpret their scores: The first report compares scores to recent U.S. high school graduates and the second  allows families to see how their kids performed compared to other seventh graders.

Homeschoolers can apply to the program if they meet the following criteria:

Sixth grade standardized test scores are used to determine if the student qualifies. Depending when the standardized test was taken, students can use scores from seventh grade standardized tests.  Students must have one of the following: (Information from Duke Tip Website) Score at or above the 95th percentile on an accepted sub-test or total battery/composite of a grade-level standardized achievement test, aptitude test, mental-ability test, approved state criterion-referenced test.

Recognition ceremonies

Award ceremonies are held in April at TIP’s 7th Grade Talent Search to celebrate participant achievements. Students qualify for recognition ceremonies based on their ACT and SAT scores. Students who take the test after cannot attend the ceremony. 

 

Since we were travelling, my son did not take the SAT until June and missed the ceremony. They sent him the gold medal in August, by mail. The ceremony is similar to a graduation ceremony. The honorees are called on stage to receive a commemorative medal.

 

Please see the SAT or ACT scores needed to qualify for the State Ceremony or the Grand Recognition ceremony.

Keep in mind that Duke TIP routinely evaluates ceremony score levels to make sure they are in line with the national percentile rankings for juniors and seniors taking the ACT and SAT.  Consult the Duke TIP website for the actual scores needed each year. The scores below were for the 2016 school year.

 

Have a standard score at or above 125 on the full scale or composite score on an IQ test that is no more than two years old.

 

Duke TIP website has a table showing the desired   standardized test scores that would qualify students for the program.  They accept over 100 different standardized tests and the required scores are listed in a drop-down menu.

State Qualifying Levels*

Students invited to a state ceremony meet at least one of the following criteria:

ACT

ACT English ≥ 21
ACT Math ≥ 21
ACT Reading ≥ 21
ACT Science ≥ 21
* Or with three of the four following scores English = 20, Math = 20, Reading = 20, Science = 20

SAT

SAT Math ≥ 530

SAT Critical Reading ≥ 510

SAT Writing ≥ 500

*Or with two of the three following scores: Math = 520, Critical Reading = 500, Writing = 490

Grand Recognition Ceremony

Each year Duke TIP hosts a Grand Ceremony at Duke University to honor the 7th Grade Talent Search participants who meet the grand level qualifying score criteria.  The ceremony is similar to a graduation ceremony and the honorees are called on stage to receive a commemorative medal. Invitations are mailed to qualifying students in April.

Grand Qualifying Levels*

Students invited to the grand ceremony must meet at least one of the following criteria:

ACT

ACT English ≥ 29

ACT Math ≥ 28

ACT Reading ≥ 30

ACT Science ≥ 27

ACT Composite ≥ 28

SAT

SAT Math ≥ 680

SAT Critical Reading ≥650

SAT Writing ≥ 650

SAT Math + Critical Reading + Writing ≥ 1850

What happens after the award ceremony?

Duke University offers   summer and online classes to motivate students. Academically talented students will be invited to participate in  innovative programs. Scholarships are available for those who cannot afford to attend.

Make sure to add this amazing accomplishment to your child's resume.