Davidson THINK Summer Institute Acceptance Rate 2026
Updated: 26th October, 2026
TL;DR
The Davidson THINK Summer Institute is a three-week residential program for ages 13 to 16, and Davidson doesn't publish an acceptance rate. You can't compare your odds to a percentage. Instead, you have to clear a few gates. You must be a US citizen or permanent resident and submit an SAT, ACT, PSAT 10, or PSAT 8/9 score, with no minimum. Davidson reads each application as a whole. If you want to build research with a mentor, try the Lumiere Research Scholar Program. It pairs you 1-on-1 with a PhD mentor for a 12-week research project.
Application deadline: Usually opens in December or January and runs through March. Exact dates for the next cycle aren't posted yet.
Duration: Three weeks. The latest dates Davidson lists are July 13 to August 3, 2024.
Location: The University of Nevada, Reno, in a residential setting.
Eligibility: Ages 13 to 16 during the program, a US citizen or permanent US resident living in the United States, and an SAT, ACT, PSAT 10, or PSAT 8/9 score.
Cost: $4,450 in total, including the $25 application fee. That's from the most recent cycle Davidson has posted, 2024.
Selectivity: Not published by Davidson.
Does the Davidson THINK Summer Institute publish an acceptance rate?
No. Davidson doesn't publish an acceptance rate for THINK, so any percentage you see online is a guess. The Davidson Institute describes THINK as a three-week residential summer program at the University of Nevada, Reno. It doesn't share how many students apply or how many get in. We also couldn't find an official cohort size. If you spot a number on another site, it's always good to check the Davidson website first. What you can judge is the bar to clear: your age, your citizenship, a test score, and a full application. Treat THINK as competitive, and plan to apply with room to spare. For a wider view of how selectivity works, see Lumiere's guide to the most competitive summer programs for high school students.
What test scores do you need for the THINK Summer Institute?
THINK accepts an SAT, ACT, PSAT 10, or PSAT 8/9 score report, and there's no minimum score. Davidson says it sets no minimum because applications are reviewed as a whole to judge your readiness. The SAT essay isn't required. Davidson also looks at your age when you tested. A strong score earned at 13 reads differently than the same score at 16. No minimum doesn't mean an easy bar, so aim for a score that shows you're ready for college-level work. Students in the Young Scholars program or the Davidson Academy don't need to send scores, and neither do returning THINK students.
Who is eligible for the THINK Summer Institute?
You must be 13 to 16 years old during the program dates and be a US citizen or permanent US resident. If you've aged out, Lumiere's list of summer programs for gifted high school students covers other options. Davidson's eligibility page sets these requirements:
Age: 13 to 16 years old during the program dates.
Residency: A US citizen or permanent US resident living in the United States.
Testing: A score report from the SAT, ACT, PSAT 10, or PSAT 8/9.
Recommendation: A form from an educator who can speak to your readiness for a challenging college experience.
How do you apply to the THINK Summer Institute?
You apply online and send five pieces, plus a $25 application fee. Davidson lists every piece on its application page. Here's what you need:
Online application: You fill it out through CampInTouch and pay the $25 fee.
Recommendation form: An educator completes it for you.
Transcript: It must show your current course enrollment. Report cards don't count.
Three short essays: Each is under 300 words, and you save all three as one PDF.
Test score report: Send an SAT, ACT, PSAT 10, or PSAT 8/9 report.
When is the THINK Summer Institute application deadline?
The application usually opens in December or January and accepts submissions through March. Davidson says the exact dates change each year, and its FAQ only lists the 2024 cycle. Newer dates aren't posted on those pages, so check the How to Apply page before you plan around them.
Applications are first-come, first-served, so applying early improves your chances of getting your preferred course. Your application counts as complete only after Davidson has every piece, including the educator's recommendation form. Davidson tells students whether they're accepted within one month of completing the application. Ask your recommender early, since a late form can hold up your whole application.
How much does the THINK Summer Institute cost, and is financial aid available?
The most recent total Davidson has posted is $4,450, and that includes the $25 application fee. That figure is from the 2024 fees page, and a newer price isn't posted there yet. Here's how the money breaks down:
Deposit: $1,000, due two weeks after you're accepted.
Balance: $3,425, due in April in the 2024 cycle.
What it covers: Course credits, board, textbooks, class materials, laundry, and planned activities. Transportation and spending money are extra.
Refunds: All program fees, including deposits and tuition, are non-refundable.
Financial aid: Need-based aid may cover part of tuition or travel, but it never covers 100% of an expense. You send the Financial Assistance Application with your main application.
What do you do at THINK, and does it give college credit?
Yes. THINK is a three-week stay on campus where you choose a college course and earn college credits. You live in a residential setting at the University of Nevada, Reno. Alongside your class, Davidson plans activities for students. The exact number of credits isn't listed on the program page we checked, so ask Davidson which course and credit count fits you. Lumiere's deep dive on the THINK Summer Institute walks through why students apply and what the experience looks like.
How can you improve your chances of getting into THINK?
Focus on the parts you control: your score, your essays, and your recommender. Davidson reviews each application as a whole, so no single piece decides it. Try these steps:
Test early: Davidson looks at your age when you tested, so a high score at a younger age carries weight.
Choose your educator well: Pick someone who can speak to your readiness for a challenging, residential college experience.
Use all three essays: You have three essays under 300 words each, so make each one show how you think.
Apply early: Seats are first-come, first-served, and early applicants have better odds of getting their preferred course.
Build a research record: Independent projects show academic depth. Lumiere's guide on how to get research experience in high school is a good place to start.
Is the Davidson THINK Summer Institute worth it?
THINK is worth it if you're a younger student who wants college credit and a residential college experience. It's a weaker fit if cost, citizenship, or travel to Nevada stand in your way. Here's the tradeoff.
Pros -
You earn college credits from a course on the University of Nevada, Reno campus.
You can enter at 13, earlier than many pre-college programs allow.
Need-based aid is available through a separate Financial Assistance Application.
No minimum test score is required, since Davidson reviews each application as a whole.
Cons -
The latest posted total is $4,450, and transportation costs extra.
Aid never covers 100% of an expense, so you'll pay something even with aid.
All program fees are non-refundable once you pay them.
You must be a US citizen or permanent resident living in the United States.
Davidson doesn't publish an acceptance rate, so you can't gauge your odds.
Frequently asked questions: Davidson THINK Summer Institute acceptance rate
What is the Davidson THINK Summer Institute?
THINK is a three-week residential summer program run by the Davidson Institute for students ages 13 to 16. It takes place at the University of Nevada, Reno. You choose a college course and earn college credits. You need an SAT, ACT, PSAT 10, or PSAT 8/9 score to apply.
Can a 12-year-old apply to the THINK Summer Institute?
It depends on your age during the program. Davidson requires you to be 13 to 16 years old during the program dates. If you'll be 13 by the time the program runs, you may be eligible, even if you're 12 today. Check the exact dates against your birthday before you apply, and email Davidson if you're not sure.
Can you apply to THINK if you're not a US citizen?
Only if you're a permanent US resident living in the United States. Davidson requires applicants to be US citizens or permanent US residents living in the country. Students who live outside the United States aren't eligible under that rule. If you're unsure about your status, contact the Davidson Institute before you start the application.
Can you go back to THINK a second time?
Yes, Davidson has a process for returning students. Returning THINK students don't need to submit test scores or a recommendation. You still need to meet the age rule during the program dates. Check Davidson's How to Apply page for the exact steps in the current cycle.
Can you get a refund if you can't go to THINK?
No. Davidson states that all program fees, including deposits and tuition, are non-refundable. You also lose your fees if you leave the program early. If you need to cancel, you must email Davidson at THINK@davidsongifted.org. Apply only when you're sure you can make the dates.
How soon will you hear back from THINK?
Davidson says it notifies students of acceptance within one month of application completion. Your application counts as complete only after Davidson has every piece, including your educator's recommendation form. That's why you should ask your recommender early. Applying early also helps you get your preferred course.
Not sure THINK is the right fit because of the age limit, the US residency rule, or a fixed three weeks in Nevada? Look at the Lumiere Research Scholar Program. It pairs you with a PhD mentor for a 12-week, 1-on-1 research project that ends in an independent paper. Apply here. If cost is the main barrier, also look at the Lumiere Research Inclusion Foundation, a non-profit research program for talented, low-income students.
Stephen Turban is the co-founder of Lumiere Education and a graduate of Harvard College, where he earned an A.B. in Statistics before beginning a PhD at Harvard Business School. A former McKinsey & Company consultant and former researcher, his research has been covered by the Harvard Business Review, The Economist, BBC News, Freakonomics Radio, and the Washington Post. In his articles for Forbes, he writes on what students and professionals can learn from high school research, high school passion projects, critical thinking, and mentorship. At Lumiere, he leads a selective research program where students work one-on-one with a research mentor to develop an independent research paper. Connect with him on LinkedIn.