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    The Thinking Brain: Unlocking Memory, Decisions, and the Prefrontal Cortex
    In-person Program

    The Thinking Brain: Unlocking Memory, Decisions, and the Prefrontal Cortex

    by Vanderbilt Summer Academy

    A Nashville neuroscience summer course exploring working memory, decisions, and brain activity through real datasets, statistical reasoning, and coding.

    Last verified: 9 Oct 2026Reviewed by:SSSean Stevens

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    The Thinking Brain at a glance: cost, dates and eligibility

    Current status

    Applications open

    Eligibility

    Rising Grades 9–10; academic-fit review

    Age range / Year group

    Ages 14-16

    Location / Region

    Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee, United States

    Cost

    $2,850

    Duration

    1 week

    Format

    In-person

    Application deadline

    Rolling · Next cycle not announced yet. These dates are from the latest verified cycle and should be used as a reference only.

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    NeuroscienceBiologyStatisticsComputer Science
    Accommodation: Ingram Commons; mostly shared double rooms
    Meals: All meals provided
    Outcome: Written feedback and performance evaluation
    Sessions / cadence: Approximately 6 hours each weekday
    Tutors / faculty: Rana Mozumder, Biomedical Engineering Ph.D. candidate

    The Thinking Brain summary

    The Thinking Brain is a Vanderbilt Summer Academy course connecting working memory and decision-making with the prefrontal cortex. It turns everyday questions about remembering and choosing into scientific investigation.

    Students work with real neuroscience datasets, statistical reasoning, and coding tools. The course suits curious learners who want to understand both brain function and the methods researchers use to study it.

    What is The Thinking Brain: Unlocking Memory, Decisions, and the Prefrontal Cortex?

    The Thinking Brain: Unlocking Memory, Decisions, and the Prefrontal Cortex is a neuroscience course within Vanderbilt Summer Academy, run by Vanderbilt University's Programs for Talented Youth. It examines how working memory and decision-making depend on neuronal activity, with particular attention to the prefrontal cortex.

    Students connect these ideas with hands-on analysis of real neuroscience datasets, statistical reasoning, and coding. The residential VSA experience combines accelerated classroom learning with organized activities and a supervised campus community.

    Why Succeed highlights The Thinking Brain

    • Real neuroscience datasets give students a concrete way to connect explanations of cognition with measurable brain activity.

    • The combination of coding and statistical reasoning makes the course useful for exploring how biology and quantitative research work together.

    • Rana Mozumder's research on neuronal activity and working memory closely matches the course's academic focus.

    • Written instructor feedback offers a useful basis for reflecting on progress without grades or academic credit.

    Who is The Thinking Brain for?

    Best for

    Students interested in why people remember and make decisions who also want to investigate scientific data and try coding.

    Not ideal if

    You want a relaxed academic schedule, substantial unsupervised time, or a course that awards college credit.

    Is The Thinking Brain worth it?

    This course offers a useful test of whether neuroscience research interests you beyond its headline discoveries. Working with real datasets and coding can help you discover whether you enjoy the reasoning behind explanations of memory and decisions.

    The academic pace and supervised residential structure require sustained engagement. Its value rests on learning and instructor feedback; VSA awards no academic credit and does not indicate admission to Vanderbilt University.

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    A practical overview of cost, accommodation, meals, dates and provider details to review before deciding.

    Cost and what is included

    $2,850; includes Course costs and study materials, Residential housing, All meals, Residential outings and activities.

    Accommodation

    Ingram Commons; mostly shared double rooms

    Meals

    All meals provided

    Provider details

    Review the Vanderbilt Summer Academy provider page and official sources before making a final decision.

    Dates and logistics

    1 week; Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee, United States.

    What to check before committing

    Confirm current dates, payment terms, travel arrangements, cancellation rules and what is included with the provider.

    Compare this program with similar options before deciding on dates, cost, format and fit.

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    How much preparation does The Thinking Brain need?

    Effort level

    High.

    Best started

    Begin four to six weeks before a published priority window to assemble documentation and request recommendations if using the portfolio route.

    Main challenge

    Connecting unfamiliar brain concepts with quantitative evidence.

    Typical preparation

    • Compare the test-score and portfolio routes before gathering application materials.

    • If using the portfolio route, request educator documentation early and draft the essay about your academic motivation and first-choice course.

    • Refresh basic graph reading and statistical reasoning as practical preparation for working with datasets.

    • Plan residential packing and travel around the session's designated arrival and departure windows.

    Useful if

    You want to test your interest in neuroscience, medicine, engineering, or research.

    What do students do on The Thinking Brain?

    You investigate the brain systems behind working memory and decision-making, then connect theory with real neuroscience data. Statistical reasoning and coding tools help you look for patterns in electrical activity.

    Step-by-step process

    1. 1

      Explore working memory, decision-making, and the role of the prefrontal cortex.

    2. 2

      Investigate how neurons communicate and how researchers study brain activity.

    3. 3

      Consider how disruptions in these systems affect memory and choices.

    4. 4

      Analyze real neuroscience datasets using statistics and coding tools.

    The Thinking Brain dates and deadlines

    Next cycle not announced yet. These dates are from the latest verified cycle and should be used as a reference only.

    Applications

    Rolling admissions

    Reference date

    Programme dates

    21-27 June 2026

    Reference date

    Student check-in

    21 June 2026

    1:30–3:30 p.m. Central Time.

    Reference date

    Student check-out

    27 June 2026

    9–11 a.m. Central Time.

    Reference date

    Eligibility and requirements

    • Be a rising 9th- or 10th-grade student.

    • Submit qualifying academic documentation for accelerated study.

    • Provide a transcript through either eligibility route.

    • Submit test scores or the required portfolio components.

    • Demonstrate English proficiency unless an exemption applies.

    • Have health insurance and complete required participation forms.

    • International students may apply.

    How much does The Thinking Brain cost?

    Application fee

    $50 — $100 for international applicants; nonrefundable.

    Funding or discounts

    • Need-based aid: Income-based assistance for eligible families; international students are excluded.
    • Tuition deposit: 20% — Nonrefundable and credited toward tuition; admission instructions govern payment.
    • Airport shuttle: $75 — Round-trip service required for students flying alone.

    What's included

    Course costs and study materials, Residential housing, All meals, Residential outings and activities

    How to apply to The Thinking Brain

    1. 1

      Review VSA's grade requirements and choose the test-score or portfolio eligibility route.

    2. 2

      Create or sign in to a SchoolDoc account through the official VSA application page.

    3. 3

      Upload your academic documentation and rank up to four courses you would willingly attend.

    4. 4

      If requesting financial aid, complete its application and upload the required tax documentation.

    5. 5

      Pay the nonrefundable application fee and ensure all required components are complete.

    6. 6

      Follow your admission notice for tuition payments, health documentation, and participation forms.

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    What does The Thinking Brain cover?

    The program covers the following focus areas.

    Working memory

    Explore how the brain briefly holds information to support learning, planning, and action.

    Decisions and the prefrontal cortex

    Investigate how the prefrontal cortex supports reasoning, planning, self-control, and choices.

    Neuronal communication

    Study how neurons communicate and how scientists investigate brain activity.

    Neuroscience data analysis

    Use real datasets, statistical reasoning, and coding tools to reveal patterns in electrical activity.

    Curriculum may be adjusted based on participant interests and current developments.

    What is a typical day on The Thinking Brain?

    A typical day during the program.

    Academic classes

    Approximately six hours of accelerated study each weekday.

    Organized activities

    Grades 7–10 students take part in staff-supervised activities.

    Residential routine

    Students remain in their residence hall after evening activities until breakfast.

    Who teaches on The Thinking Brain?

    The listed instructor, Rana Mozumder, is a Biomedical Engineering Ph.D. candidate at Vanderbilt University. In the Constantinidis Lab, he studies neuronal activity and cognitive skills such as working memory using electrophysiological and optogenetic experiments.

    Each VSA course has a dedicated instructor and teaching assistant; instructors are subject to change.

    Where do students stay on The Thinking Brain?

    Residential plan

    • Ingram Commons housing: Students stay in Vanderbilt's first-year residence halls at the Martha Rivers Ingram Commons.
    • All meals provided: Campus meals run from opening-day dinner through closing-day breakfast.
    • Staff support and security: Students have assigned proctors, staff-supervised activities, and controlled residence-hall access.
    • Community activities: Organized recreational and social activities complement the academic experience.

    Most rooms are doubles, with some triples; roommates are assigned randomly and disclosed on arrival.

    What happens after The Thinking Brain?

    After completing this program, participants often pursue:

    Build understanding of working memory and decision-making.

    Strengthen neuroscience data analysis and statistical reasoning.

    Develop critical thinking and scientific problem-solving.

    Receive written feedback and a performance evaluation.

    Explore interests relevant to research, medicine, and engineering.

    VSA awards no academic credit; recommendation letters are at the instructor's discretion.

    Where does The Thinking Brain take place?

    The residential experience takes place at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, with housing centered on the Martha Rivers Ingram Commons. Students flying alone use PTY's required shuttle from Nashville International Airport, approximately 20 minutes from campus.

    PTY cannot provide airline Unaccompanied Minor escorts.

    The Thinking Brain FAQs

    It explores working memory, decision-making, and the prefrontal cortex. Students connect these topics with neuronal communication and methods for studying brain activity.

    Yes. Students analyze real neuroscience datasets, practice statistical reasoning, and use coding tools to investigate patterns in the brain's electrical activity.

    The listed instructor is Rana Mozumder, a Vanderbilt Biomedical Engineering Ph.D. candidate. His research in the Constantinidis Lab examines how neurons support cognitive skills such as working memory.

    VSA awards neither grades nor academic credit. Instructors provide written feedback and a performance evaluation at the conclusion of the program.

    VSA residential life is centered on Vanderbilt's Martha Rivers Ingram Commons. Most students share double rooms, with some in triples, and all meals are provided from opening-day dinner through closing-day breakfast.

    Students in Grades 7–10 are accompanied by PTY staff throughout the academic day and afternoon and evening activities. Each student has a classroom assistant and a residential proctor as points of contact.

    VSA offers income-based financial assistance for families with adjusted gross income of $105,000 or less, or severe hardship. Families request aid during the application and submit tax documentation; international students are not eligible for PTY financial assistance.

    Admission to VSA is not an indicator of admission to Vanderbilt University. Its value lies in the academic and residential experience rather than an admissions advantage.

    Alternatives to The Thinking Brain

    Compare these options for related neuroscience, psychology, or biological science interests.

    Alternatives to The Thinking Brain

    Online Psychology Course
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    Students seeking online psychology study

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    Sean Stevens

    Content reviewed by

    Sean Stevens

    Co-founder, Succeed | Founder, Immerse Education (2012–2026)

    Sean works at the intersection of academic enrichment, program quality and university preparation, with expertise in evaluating pre-university experiences for ambitious secondary school students.

    View author page

    Sources and verification

    Source types reviewed

    • Vanderbilt Summer Academy - Program for Talented Youth | Program for Talented Youth | Vanderbilt University
    • PTY Precollege Admitted Students - Program for Talented Youth | Program for Talented Youth | Vanderbilt University
    • Apply to a PTY Program | Program for Talented Youth | Vanderbilt University
    • VSA Frequently Asked Questions - Program for Talented Youth | Program for Talented Youth | Vanderbilt University
    • Apply to VSA! - Program for Talented Youth | Program for Talented Youth | Vanderbilt University
    • VSA Tuition & Financial Assistance - Program for Talented Youth | Program for Talented Youth | Vanderbilt University
    • Eligibility & Session Dates - Program for Talented Youth | Program for Talented Youth | Vanderbilt University
    • Vanderbilt Summer Academy Summer 2026 Precollege Courses | Program for Talented Youth | Vanderbilt University

    Succeed uses official provider information where available, but keeps this public page focused on comparison and planning inside Succeed.

    What we verified (on 9 Oct 2026)

    • Course identity checked

    • Grade requirements reviewed

    • Session assignment checked

    • Tuition cycle distinguished

    • Financial assistance reviewed

    • Residential supervision reviewed

    • Assessment policy checked

    How Succeed uses this information

    We use source material to verify core facts, then show older cycle dates as reference when a current cycle is not available. Always check current application instructions before applying.