Our three-week residential gifted summer program, located at the University of Nevada, Reno, is designed to meet the needs of high achieving students. We provide social connections with academically motivated peers, dynamic courses with the option to earn college credit, access to university resources, and memorable field trips and activities.

Credit

Residential

Financial Aid

THINK is taught by faculty from the University of Nevada, Reno (UNR). Students are enrolled in one course as a UNR student to receive college credit for completed courses. In many cases, these credits may be transferable at the high school or college level. These courses are offered exclusively to THINK students.

How It Works:

• Students are enrolled in ONE of the following 3 or 4 credit course options; classes with 4 credits include a laboratory portion.
• Course preferences are ranked in the application and enrollment is first-come, first-served.
• Please see prerequisite information for each course to determine your eligibility.

Anthropology 102 & 110L - Introduction to Physical Anthropology & Laboratory
4 credits: Biological and evolutionary origins of humans, with consideration of population genetics, living primates, fossil records and human variation. Practical experience in physical anthropology - mechanisms of inheritance, osteology & forensic science, comparative anatomy & human evolution, human growth & aging, aspects of modern human variability.
Prerequisites: none

History 208 - World History I
3 credits: Examination of earliest civilizations of Asia, North Africa, the Americas and Europe from the development of settled agricultural communities until 1500 CE.
Prerequisites: none

Chemistry 121A & 121L - General Chemistry I & Laboratory
4 credits: Fundamentals of chemistry including reaction stoichiometry, atomic structure, chemical bonding, molecular structure, states of matter, and thermochemistry. Laboratory experiments to accompany CHEM 121A.
Prerequisites: Completion of Precalculus by May 15; students are also strongly recommended to have some general high school chemistry experience

Geography 121 - Climate Change and Its Environmental Impacts
4 credits: Past, present and likely future climate. Impacts on the landscape, especially water resources, species distributions, and wildfires. Laboratory experiences on climate data and models.
Prerequisites: none

Math 176 - Introductory Calculus for Business and Social Sciences
3 credits: Fundamental ideas of analytic geometry and calculus, plane coordinates, graphs, functions, limits, derivatives, integrals, the fundamental theorem of calculus, rates, extrema and applications thereof.
Prerequisites: Completion of Algebra II by May 15

Activities
Most weekdays, students can choose to participate in outside activities or excursions for the evening. Students have used this time to create an exercise group, play sports on the beautiful Quadrangle or "Quad," study at the Knowledge Center, shop at the Student Union, or attend on campus events sponsored by the University.

For Friday night and weekend activities, students vote earlier in the week to select what events they want to see planned. These have included a talent show, water games, movie night, board game night, a Luau dance, and more.

Fitness Center
Students have access to the impressive E.L. Wiegand Fitness Center, which boasts 108,000 square feet including gymnasiums, cardio training areas, stadium stairs, running track, and fitness classes. Due to the age of THINK participants, all areas of fitness are available with the exception of strength training areas.

Field Trips
Two larger, off campus, field trips are planning for the second and third Saturdays. Past field trips have included beautiful Lake Tahoe, attending a Reno Aces Baseball game, Squaw Valley Olympic Village, and historic Virginia City.

We have two visiting days for family on the second and third Sundays of the program. More details about these visits will be shared prior to the program.

Single Session

Jul 13 - Aug 03

3 weeks

Residential

4350 USD

Applications are accepted on a rolling basis during the application window. Course placement is first-come, first-served, so we recommend applying early.

THINK program fees cover course credits, board, textbooks and class materials, laundry fees, and the cost of planned program activities. Additionally, participants are responsible for transportation to and from the program and spending money. Davidson does not provide transportation or shuttle services. A non-refundable deposit $1,000 per student is required to secure your student’s space in the program and is due two weeks after acceptance notification. All remaining tuition fees are due by April 28. If you have not paid your students’ tuition fees by April 28, your credit card on file will be automatically charged on May 1.

Financial Aid

The Davidson Institute provides financial assistance (FA) to families who demonstrate financial need for THINK. FA may be available to help defer a portion of tuition, and/or transportation expenses. Davidson Institute financial assistance awards never cover 100% of any expense.
Should your family need FA to attend the program, please complete the Financial Assistance Application concurrently with the Davidson THINK Summer Institute application and no later than March 1, 2023. This ensures that notification of award status can be sent to you prior to any deposit deadlines. This deadline is crucial if your decision to attend is dependent upon FA.