Founded in 1980 as one of the first pre-collegiate studies programs offered by an American university,[1] the program aimed to identify gifted students in grades four through twelve and provide advanced educational opportunities, as well as social and emotional support.

As a result the TIP Summer Studies program and the Academic Talent Search were permanently cancelled.

Beginning in 2022, all pre-college students were directed to Duke's Continuing Studies program.

There were also in-person and online educational programs available, taking place both during and off the school year, including: In most cases, eligibility for TIP's talent searches were determined by grade-level test scores.

Summer Studies and eStudies both required qualifying scores on the SAT or ACT.