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THINK Summer Institute: Tips for Applying

For step-by-step application instructions, visit the How to Apply page.

Application Materials

  • SAT or ACT score report
    (in PDF format)
    A minimum score is not required. Applications are reviewed as a whole to evaluate student readiness. Age of the student at the time of testing is also taken into consideration. We do not accept PSAT scores at this time. The essay portion of the SAT is not required.
  • Resume
    (in PDF format)
    Using a resume format of your choice, list your schooling history, extracurricular activities, special study projects and/or activities you have recently been involved in. Activities listed may include school, community or personal pursuits in addition to any previous residential summer program experience. Please be sure to identify your role in each activity.
  • Essay
    (in PDF format)
    In a narrative format, no longer than two double-spaced pages, introduce yourself and share why you are interested in the courses you have selected for Davidson THINK Summer Institute. Describe what you hope to gain from the experience and what value you would add to the environment at THINK. Address any experience you have had staying organized and focused in an intense learning atmosphere and how you plan to meet this challenge at THINK. You may also include a discussion of your background, interests (academic and non-academic) and any other aspects of your life that reflect why you are a strong candidate for the program.
  • Prerequisite documentation (if needed)
    (in PDF format)
    Some courses require certain prerequisites to be met. If your first-choice course(s) require a prerequisite, please provide documentation of this requirement being met.

Application Forms

  • Parent Agreement Form(s)
    We require digital signatures from all persons sharing legal custody of the applicant. Applicants must provide contact information for all persons who share legal custody, regardless of any “physical custody” arrangements, and designate a primary contact for the Davidson Institute. In the Parent Agreement section of the online application, you will select “notify” to send an automatic email with a link to the Parent Agreement Form to each person listed as having legal custody.
  • Recommender Form
    First-time applicants are required to have a Recommender Form completed by an educator. This must be an educator in the subject of math, science, or English. We request this individual have direct experience with the applicant within the past 12 months. Recommenders should be individuals who can speak to the applicant’s abilities and aptitude for an intense residential college experience. Family members may not serve as recommenders. If you have difficulty finding a recommender who meets these requirements, please contact us for more information.Once you complete the Recommender section in the online application, an automatic email will be sent to your recommender with a link to the form. When the Recommender Form has been completed, you will receive notification.

Online Application

  • If you already have an account from a previous Davidson Academy or Davidson Institute application, you should log in with those credentials.
  • First-time users begin by clicking on “Create an account.”
  • Use your full legal name and consistently use it on all other documents and materials.
  • In order to minimize the chance of an email sent by the application system begin classified as spam by your email provider, please add “@davidsongifted.org” to your safe sender list and notify your recommender and all parent/guardians to do the same.
  • As a reminder, your application will not be reviewed, nor will you be placed in courses, until the application is submitted, fee is paid, the recommender form is completed and all emailed parent agreement forms are completed.

Returning THINK Students

  • Returning THINK students do not need to submit a teacher recommender and SAT or ACT score. All other requirements of the application remain the same.
  • If you received an official acceptance email to the 2020 THINK Summer Institute, please email THINK@DavidsonGifted.org if you did not receive your unique application instructions via email. 

Davidson Young Scholars and Davidson Academy Applicants

  • If you are a Davidson Young Scholar or a current Davidson Academy student, some application requirements may be waived. Contact us for more information at THINK@DavidsonGifted.org.