College and Career Readiness

Duke University Talent Identification Program 

The Duke University Talent Identification Program (Duke TIP) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to serving academically gifted and talented youth.  As a world leader in gifted and talented education, Duke TIP works with students, their families, and educators to identify, recognize, engage, and help students reach their highest potential.  

For a variety of reasons, many gifted children simply do not reach their full potential.  Exceptionally bright students often go unrecognized because they hide their talents, underachieve, or exhibit behavioral problems.  In addition, a disproportionately large number of minority students, students who come from families where English is not the primary spoken language in the home, and students from less affluent families are at risk for not being identified as gifted.  Duke Tip is committed to serving this unique group of students by providing services and programs beyond what is offered in the classroom to meet the individual needs of gifted children.  

The 7th Grade Talent Search, which focuses on the identification, recognition, and support of high-ability students, offers qualifying seventh grade students the opportunity to take college entrance exams alongside high school students.  Many 7th Grade Talent Search participants go on to earn exceptionally high scores!  

Duke TIP offers a wide array of services to students at critical points in their education.  Duke TIP enjoys a long history of supporting and extending local efforts to better understand, motivate, enrich, and academically challenge the brightest students in our nation.  

Click here for more information!   

Eligibility Requirements

To enroll in the talent search, students must: 

Enrollment

The enrollment fee for Duke TIP is $75 (or $30 for a student who qualifies for a fee grant).  The fee is non-refundable and covers the cost of the ACT or SAT test.  

Test Information

Students participating in Duke TIP take either the ACT or SAT, which are the same exams that college bound seniors take.  Many 7th grade students will take the exam alongside high school students.  The 7th grade students are required to complete the entire exam.  Please understand that when it is time to apply to college, these scores will never be sent to a college unless the student indicates that he/she wants them to be sent.

As a part of the program, Duke TIP will register each student for either the ACT or SAT.  Duke TIP does not recommend one test over the other, and advise the decision be made on a student by student basis.  Students should select only one test and one test date​.  

If you have questions regarding the differences between the SAT and ACT, please see your student's Counselor.  Below are general differences between the two Exams: 

SAT

ACT

School Links

Schoolinks is a resource for college searches, career assessments, setting future and career goals, tracking volunteer hours, virtual job shadowing, and much more!  Students have access to Schoolinks through their Backpack.  Schoolinks will be something that students use every year until they graduate from high school.