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Eligibility

THINK Eligibility

  • be 13 to 16 years of age during the program dates
  • be a U.S. citizen or permanent U.S. resident living in the United States
  • Submit an SAT, ACT, PSAT 10, or PSAT 8/9 score report*
    • We have partnered with Northwestern University’s Center for Talent Development (CTD) to offer the opportunity to take an official practice SAT powered by Khan Academy. Scores can be used to apply to any Davidson Institute program, including THINK. More information and registration.
  • Receive one positive nomination as specified in the application
  • Commit to being a full-time student during the program, which does not allow absences

* Test score reports are waived for students enrolled in the Young Scholars program and for current students of the Davidson Academy.
* A minimum score is not given because applications are reviewed as a whole to evaluate student readiness. Age of the student at the time of testing is also taken into consideration. The essay portion of the SAT is not required.

Selection

Due to the intense nature of the program, Davidson THINK Summer Institute is limited to a select number of students. Applicants must demonstrate both exceptional ability and the potential to benefit from the course offerings, as well as the social and emotional maturity and organization skills to thrive in this three-week residential environment. A typical THINK student is working one to two grade levels above in one or more subjects and scores around the 95th percentile in academic testing. They show motivation, social and emotional maturity, and overall readiness for an accelerated educational environment.