Summer Institute for Gifted & Talented Scholars provides an intensive three-week residential experience for students completing the 7th, 8th, and 9th grade with exceptional academic ability. This advanced and educationally dynamic learning environment is designed to develop the intelligence and imagination of intellectually gifted students. As part of a holistic approach, the Summer Institute supplements all accelerated academic learning with a variety of extracurricular activities to address the social and affective needs of all participants. more info

The academic curriculum is the centerpiece of the Summer Institute experience. Led by an outstanding instructional team, all courses provide an intellectually stimulating atmosphere with an emphasis on writing, debate, logical thinking, communication, and problem solving skills. By offering a curriculum that reflects a variety of disciplines, participants have the opportunity to experience and engage in topics not available through the normal course of study at their local schools. Academic areas include mathematics, science, computer science, international affairs, architecture, fine arts, engineering, composition, and literature. Specific course offerings reflect the expertise of the faculty with yearly topics ranging from Marine Biology to Millionaire 101: How to Get Insanely Rich.

Summer Institute students are housed in a residence hall on the University of Arkansas campus. A fully qualified residential staff provides around the clock supervision along with organizing extracurricular activities, social events, field trips, and small group discussions. Summer Institute classes expose students to state of the art technology, cutting edge research, and top-notch teaching facilities. Outside the classroom, full access is available to the University of Arkansas library, student union, and computer labs. During recreational and free time, students can utilize the University's Health, Physical Education, and Recreational (HPER) facilities where they can play basketball, swim, run, exercise, and even do rock climbing. All meals are provided through Campus Dining Services.

Summer Institute participants follow a structured daily schedule, beginning with a wake-up call at 7:00 a.m. and ending with evening group sessions just prior to lights out at 11:00 p.m. Students spend approximately six hours a day, Monday thru Friday engaged in academic enrichment followed by free time and recreational activities each afternoon. Evenings are filled with a variety of events including lecture series, plays, concerts, and mentor facilitated activities. On the weekends, students are involved in service projects and have the opportunity to travel to local areas of interest and participate in daylong field trips. Students are also involved in a number of activities to enhance academic, personal, and social development.

The cost of the Summer Institute is $2500. This includes tuition, application fee, classroom supplies, laboratory fees, books, room and board charges including three meals each day, evening entertainment expenses, field trips, and admission fees for special events. Need based scholarships are available.