What is the Duke TIP, and what is the 7th Grade Talent Search? In this article, I’ll be writing about the Duke Talent Identification Program, also known as Duke TIP, also known as the Duke TIP Program.
The Duke TIP is a conglomeration of multiple subprograms, one of which is the 7
th
Grade Talent Search.
While you can find all the information about it on Duke’s own website, as I did, the information is spread out and a little tricky to track down (hence the confused panda at the top of this article). For your convenience,
I’ve compiled everything here into one magnificent blog post/guide
. I recommend reading it all the way through, but if you only want to read one particular section, you can pick and choose from the Table of Contents.
Now that that’s out of the way, let’s dive into the Duke TIP and the 7th Grade Talent Search!
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, used under
CC0
(Public Domain)/Resized from original.
2021 UPDATE: Duke Revamping the TIP Program
After cancelling the summer residential 2020 programs as a result of the coronavirus pandemic, in March 2021 Duke
announced
that
it is transitioning and reimagining its TIP program.
There will be no residential programs for summer 2021,
but interested families with students in grades 6-8 can access virtual course offerings through
Duke University Youth Programs
this summer.
As Duke previously announced,
the TIP program will not return after 2021,
but Duke will begin looking at “new ways to identify students and facilitate their access to these enrichment programs.” Details of future programs aren’t available at the moment, but Duke expects to make further announcements in the coming months. More information about the revamp of the TIP program
can be found here.
Table of Contents
What Is The Duke TIP 7
th
Grade Talent Search? What Do Kids Do During TIP?
Why Should I Participate in Duke TIP?
What Is The Duke TIP 7
th
Grade Talent Search? And What Do Kids Do During It?
Since there is so much to say about the Duke TIP 7
th
Grade Talent Search, I’ve broken it down into who, what, where, and when (the
why
and the
how
get their own separate sections).
What Is the Duke TIP 7th Grade Talent Search?
The 7
th
Grade Talent Search…
-
Identifies gifted 7th grade students
through test scores (there’s more information about this in the
How Do I Apply
? section of this guide).
-
Registers these students to take the SAT or ACT
during their 7th grade school year.
-
Provides students with information on how to interpret these test scores and resources to help them and their families better plan out their futures
. These resources include advice and guidance regarding your education plan, special Duke TIP publications like
The Talent Search Experience
and
eInsights
, online resources like
The Digest of Gifted Research
, and access to Duke TIP’s year-round Independent Learning courses. More specifics can be found on the Duke TIP website.
-
Uses the
students’ scores on the SAT
or ACT
to qualify students for various other Duke TIP components
like summer programs or eStudies courses.
Who’s Eligible for the Duke TIP 7th Grade Talent Search?
If you live in the US, are in seventh grade (or are an eighth grader who skipped seventh grade), and meet the test score requirements
(more on that
here
),
you can enroll in Duke’s 7
th
Grade Talent Search
. Simple as that. Homeschooled?
Not to worry.
The 7th Grade Talent Search is completely open to home-, public-, private-, parochial-, and other-schooled students.
If you don’t fit under these guidelines, don’t sweat it—there are other Duke TIP subprograms that might be right for you, like 8th-10th Grade Option.
Great! So Where Does the 7th Grade Talent Search Take Place?
Unless you are reporting your SAT or ACT score separately and need to use paper application (more on that
here
),
all parts of the application happen online, and all resources are distributed online.
In fact, with the exception of taking the SAT or ACT, which will require you to go in person to a testing center, all you need for Duke TIP is a computer or mobile device and an internet connection. The only times when Duke TIP has in-person interactions are if you are invited to and choose to attend the Recognition Ceremonies at the end of the year.
When Does This All Happen?
The 7th Grade Talent Search takes place
during the 7th grade school year
. For most students (all US students),
enrollment begins in August
, with the rest of the Talent Search (SAT or ACT testing, information about your scores, resources for gifted students, and the recognition ceremonies for high-scoring students) spread out over the rest of the 7th grade school year.
If you’re not in the US, you can either take part through the 8th-10th Grade Option or by
submitting a request
for the program you want to take part in and submitting a portfolio with transcripts, extracurricular resumes, test scores, IQ Scores, and any other materials requested.
Why Should You Apply For The Duke TIP 7
th
Grade Talent Search?
So what do students get out of the Duke TIP 7th Grade Talent Search? One perk is the opportunity to take what Duke calls ‘above-level’ tests (that is,
you
take the SAT or ACT before you’re in high school
) and
compare your results with similarly gifted peers.
Why is this helpful?
It can give you information early on about areas you might want to to further develop and give you a preview of the test-taking process
.
For instance, let’s say you score a 200 on the Evidence-Based Reading and Writing section, which is below par compared to your peers in the TIP.
You’ll know that you have to work on that skill, and as a result be able to better plan with your family for high school and the college admissions process
. If you just took the SAT as a 7th grader without taking part in the Talent Search, you would not have the opportunity to know how you stack up against other students in your grade and age group; instead, you would end up being compared to much older students, which doesn’t really tell you anything about where you should be
now
.
Taking part in the 7th Grade Talent Search also opens up opportunities to enroll in and attend other Duke TIP subprograms
, including (but not limited to) eStudies courses, Summer Studies programs, and Scholar Weekends. You’ll get access to the advice and resources discussed
above
as well.
Finally, there’s the recognition of your prowess at the (aptly named) Recognition Ceremonies.
At year-end ceremonies, Duke TIP recognizes the highest scorers on the SAT or ACT out of all the 7th Grade Talent Search participants
. We have more information about these ceremonies in articles about the
SAT
and
ACT score requirements
to qualify, but for now, I’ll just say that it is usually gratifying to get special recognition for your talent.
It’s not just about the medal
(although you do get one at the Award Ceremonies)—
it’s knowing that other people value your hard work.
No.1_blue_ribbon
by
Oldbeeg
, used under
CC BY-SA 3.0
/Resized from original.
Devil’s Advocate: When Should I NOT Apply to Duke TIP?
IF
…you don’t care about taking college entrance exams early,
OR
…you don’t have any interest in taking part in TIP summer programs or resources later on down the line,
…
THEN
it might not be worth it for you to apply to the Duke TIP 7th Grade Talent Search.
Why? Most colleges don’t care about what you did in middle school, unless it was something truly spectacular like getting a paper published or starring in a Broadway show. Bottom line:
if you’re going to use the resources and take advantage of the programs open to you through TIP, then absolutely do it. If not, save your money (and time).
How Do I Apply To The Duke TIP 7
th
Grade Talent Search?
So after reading all this information, you’ve been inspired to apply to the 7
th
Grade Talent Search, and need instructions. Or maybe you already were inspired, but didn’t know how. Either way, I’ve done the research for you.
Read on for instructions on how you can qualify for the Duke TIP 7th Grade Talent Search, and how to apply.
In order to enroll in the Duke TIP 7
th
Grade Talent Search, you must meet a certain threshold on your scores on
approved standardized tests
. What are these tests, and what are the thresholds, you ask? There are two categories of tests that are accepted by Duke TIP, each with different standards you must meet to qualify for the 7th Grade Talent Search.
-
Category 1:
IQ Tests. To qualify for Duke TIP’s 7th Grade Talent Search,
you must have scored 125 or above on IQ test administered within the last two years.
- Some of the most commonly administered IQ tests accepted by Duke TIP include the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children, the Stanford-Binet Intelligence Scale, the Cognitive Assessment System, or any of the Woodcock Johnson Tests.
-
Category 2:
Other standardized tests. To qualify for Duke TIP’s 7th Grade Talent Search,
you must have scored ‘at or above the 95th percentile on an accepted grade-level national standardized test or abilities test…[or] on a state assessment’
Quotation source: Eligibility | Duke TIP. Accessed 2019-10-18.]
- These are often state-administered tests, like the California Achievement Test, or any test that’s part of the New York Statewide Testing Program.
All of the specific tests
that Duke TIP accepts as metrics for their 7th Grade Talent Search are
listed on
this site
. If you can’t find a test you’ve taken in this list,
you can always email
Duke TIP (
qualifying_test@tip.duke.edu
)
to see if a test that you’ve taken is accepted
.
After you’ve figured out if you qualify for the 7th Grade Talent Search, you’re all set to
create your Duke TIP account
and enroll. The ”
enroll now
” link is only active from early August to early December of each year, but you can still create your account now and check back again in August to enroll.
Exceptions
-
If you participated in the 4
th
-6
th
Grade Talent Search and took the optional EXPLORE test,
then you are
automatically qualified
(although you still have to enroll). Otherwise, even if you took part in the 4
th
-6
th
Grade Talent Search, you must re-qualify and enroll in the 7
th
Grade Talent Search.
-
If you have already taken SAT/ACT, already paid and registered to take it, or missed the Talent Search deadline but are planning on registering for the SAT/ACT,
you can still enroll for the 7
th
Grade Talent Search, but you must do so using a different application process. For more information on the enrollment process for these cases, you can email
7talentsearch@tip.duke.edu
Logistics: Cost
Now you know
what
the 7
th
Grade Talent Search is,
why
you should do it, and
how to apply
. What follows are a few more details that might be useful about the cost of the 7th Grade Talent Search.
Quick disclaimer: all costs are at the time of this article’s writing, so be sure to check the 7th Grade Talent Search, SAT, and ACT websites before planning a budget around this information.
The application fee for the 7
th
Grade Talent Search is $80
.
This fee includes the cost of registration for the SAT or the ACT
, depending on which test you choose to take.
Keep in mind that the writing sections of the SAT and ACT are completely optional and thus not covered by the $80 fee above.
If you want to take the SAT or ACT writing exams, you can sign up for them separately after your enrollment in the Duke TIP program has been processed.
Also, you’ll register for this portion of the exam directly through the testing service instead of through Duke TIP.
So how much does the writing portion of the exam cost? While the Duke TIP no longer lists the add-on prices on its website, the SAT Essay exam costs $15, whereas the ACT Writing exam has costs $16.50 (in addition to the standard test fee).
Can I Get Financial Aid?
Yes.
If you qualify for free or reduced price lunches, and submit the proper documentation showing this, you can waive part of the application fee for the 7
th
Grade Talent Search
. Qualified applicants who are able to present written verification (either the approval paperwork or fee grant form on school letterhead) of their free/reduced price lunch status will only have to pay an
enrollment fee of $30
, rather than $80. For more information about where to submit proof of free/reduced price lunch status, email
7talentsearch@tip.duke.edu
or call Duke TIP’s Financial Aid Office at
(919) 668-9100
.
You can also get
scholarships
from foundations like
Jack Cooke Foundation Young Scholars Program
.
Tips to Get Into the Duke TIP
Below, I’ve made up a list of helpful hints to boost your chances of getting into Duke TIP’s 7th Grade Talent Search and other programs.
-
If you haven’t done particularly well on school standardized tests within the last two years, take a look into some of the other
test options
. Maybe an IQ test would be a better way to identify your talent and potential.
-
If you’re waffling between the 7
th
Grade Talent Search and waiting until later and doing 8th-10th Grade Option,
absolutely do the Talent Search
. Since Duke TIP subsidizes the cost of the test, the Talent Search ($80 flat rate) is more cost-effective than 8th-10th Grade Option ($35 fee + $49.50 for the SAT or $46 for the ACT, both without the essay exam). If you don’t do well on the SAT or ACT when you take it through the Talent Search, you can always
retest later
.
-
When you’ve started the 7
th
Grade Talent Search process,
don’t forget to study for the SAT/ACT.
-
Why? Because while Duke TIP is just using the SAT or ACT as a diagnostic,
if you blow it off, it could prevent you from getting into a summer studies program that you totally deserve to attend
(or at the very least cause you to have to retake the test in order to qualify). -
At the very minimum, you need to be familiar with the test structure and timing. How can you do this?
- Take a practice test to gauge where you are, then use this information to determine the amount you have to improve.
- Know how much time you have to study so you can plan your prep accordingly.
-
For more advice along these lines, read
our article on if you should take the SAT/ACT in 7
th
grade
.
-
Why? Because while Duke TIP is just using the SAT or ACT as a diagnostic,
Actions To Take
#1:
Find out which of the accepted tests you’ve taken and what your scores were
, including composites. Because you can only upload one score with your Talent Search application, you want to be sure you’re choosing and uploading your best test score.
#2: Once you get into the 7th Grade Talent Search Program,
study for the SAT or ACT.
#3: Make sure to
keep an eye on the 7
th
Grade Talent Search
key dates calendar
for updates on information for this school year, including when enrollment for the Talent Search goes live (judging from past years, it’s usually around August 1, but I make no promises).
#4: If after reading this article you’re still not sure if the 7
th
Grade Talent Search is right for you,
read more
about it on the
Duke TIP website
.
#5:
Read our other articles
on the
SAT
and
ACT score requirements
for the various Duke TIP programs.
What’s Next?
Curious about other programs for the gifted?
Make sure to read our
early achiever guides
about
CTY at Johns Hopkins
,
Summer Institute for the Gifted
,
Stanford EPGY
, and
NUMATS
.
Want to participate in Duke TIP programs?
Read up on the
SAT
and
ACT
requirements for the Summer Studies and eStudies programs, as well as for the Recognition Ceremonies.
Want to improve your SAT score by 160 points or your ACT score by 4 points?
We’ve written a guide for each test about the top 5 strategies you must be using to have a shot at improving your score. Download it for free now:
