Talent Identification Program


The Duke University Talent Identification Program is a gifted education program based at Duke University. Founded in 1980 as one of the first pre-collegiate studies programs offered by an American university, the program aims to identify gifted students in grades four through twelve and provide advanced educational opportunities, as well as social and emotional support.

History

Duke TIP was founded in 1980 by a grant from the Duke Endowment. At the time, the goal of the program was to identify and provide educational opportunities to help the children reach their full educational potential. The program initially focused on seventh graders, and has since expanded to grades four through twelve, allowing the program full reach of middle and high school students.
Since its inception, the program has benefited over 2.8 million students, with over 100,000 students applying to the program each year.

Facilities and Partnering Universities

Since the program's inception in 1980, Duke University has added additional programming locations. Within Duke University, students can apply to attend at the main university campus in Durham, North Carolina or at the Duke Marine Laboratory in Beaufort, North Carolina. Programs are also offered at:
TIP offers a variety of programs. There are two talent searches—the 4th–6th Grade Talent Search and the 7th Grade Talent Search—that provide above-grade-level testing, enrichment activities, specialized publications, and other benefits.
There are also in-person and online educational programs available, taking place both during and off the school year, including:
In most cases, eligibility for TIP's talent searches is determined by grade-level test scores. Students must score at or above the 95th percentile on national standardized achievement or abilities tests or state assessments, or 125 or above on an IQ test.
Some of TIP's educational programs have additional score requirements. Summer Studies and eStudies both require qualifying scores on the SAT or ACT.