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Neuroscience Institute
A residential, hands-on neuroscience immersion at Wake Forest with brain dissection, lab visits, experiments and a poster project.
Last verified: 6 Oct 2026Reviewed by:SSSean Stevens
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Neuroscience Institute at a glance: cost, dates and eligibility
Current status
Applications open
Eligibility
Current Grade 9-12 students
Age range / Year group
Ages 14-18
Location / Region
Winston-Salem, North Carolina, United States
Cost
$3,500
Duration
Sunday-Friday
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.
Save programNeurosciencePsychology
Accommodation: Required campus residence hall
Meals: All meals provided
Certificate / Outcome: Certificate of Completion
Latest verified cycle: Summer 2026
Tutors / faculty: Wake Forest academic leaders
Neuroscience Institute summary
This is an intensive introduction to how the nervous system shapes behavior, combining core neuroscience topics with practical investigation.
Students dissect a sheep brain, observe electrophysiology, visit neuroscience facilities and develop a research poster project.
It suits students who want a structured taste of university-level neuroscience and are comfortable with laboratory work and residential campus life.
What is Neuroscience Institute?
The Neuroscience Institute is part of Wake Forest University's Summer Immersion Program, offering an intensive residential introduction to the nervous system and its relationship with behavior. Its academic scope includes neuroanatomy, neurobiology, behavioral neuroscience, neuropharmacology and electrophysiology.
Students learn through sheep-brain dissection, electrophysiological observation, experiments, specialist laboratory visits and a neuroscience poster project. The experience also includes university residence-hall living, campus dining and supervised evening activities.
Why Succeed highlights Neuroscience Institute
The curriculum connects molecular, anatomical and behavioral perspectives on the brain.
Practical work includes sheep-brain dissection and observation of electrophysiological experiments.
Visits to neuroscience laboratories, fMRI and MEG facilities add exposure to active research settings.
The poster project gives students a concrete opportunity to research and communicate neuroscience.
Academic leaders bring university research expertise in cognitive and translational neuroscience.
Who is Neuroscience Institute for?
Best for
Academically motivated students who want practical exposure to brain science, research environments and residential university life.
Not ideal if
You prefer a non-residential course, need academic credit or are uncomfortable with animal-brain dissection.
Is Neuroscience Institute worth it?
The program offers unusually varied exposure within a short institute week: laboratory visits, brain dissection, experiments, specialist teaching and a poster project. It can help a student test whether neuroscience is a subject they want to pursue more deeply.
The main limitation is that the experience is brief and non-credit, so it should be viewed as exploration rather than formal academic advancement. Families should also weigh the tuition and required residential stay against less expensive local or online options.
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Cost and what is included
$3,500; includes All meals during the on-campus stay, Transportation for off-site field trips.
Accommodation
Required campus residence hall
Meals
All meals provided
Provider details
Review the Wake Forest University provider page and official sources before making a final decision.
Dates and logistics
Sunday-Friday; Winston-Salem, North Carolina, 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.
Compare with similar programsHow much preparation does Neuroscience Institute need?
Effort level
Moderate to high.
Best started
Begin three to four weeks before applications open or before you plan to apply.
Main challenge
Moving quickly between unfamiliar neuroscience concepts and practical activities.
Typical preparation
Draft the two application essays around specific neuroscience interests and learning goals.
Ask a teacher, counselor or administrator for the recommendation well in advance.
Review introductory brain anatomy and prepare for the required residential week.
Useful if
You can explain your academic interest clearly and request an educator recommendation early.
What do students do on Neuroscience Institute?
Students move from foundational neuroscience topics into practical investigation, laboratory exposure and scientific communication during a residential campus week.
Step-by-step process
- 1
Explore brain anatomy through sheep-brain dissection.
- 2
Study neurobiology, behavioral neuroscience and neuropharmacology.
- 3
Observe electrophysiological and neuroimaging experiments.
- 4
Visit neuroscience laboratories, fMRI and MEG facilities.
- 5
Visit the Nonhuman Primates and Large Animal Research Center.
- 6
Research and present a neuroscience poster project.
- 7
Join supervised campus meals and evening activities.
Neuroscience Institute dates and deadlines
Next cycle not announced yet. These dates are from the latest verified cycle and should be used as a reference only.
Reference date
June 7-12, 2026 session
7-12 June 2026
June 14-19, 2026 session
14-19 June 2026
Applications open
1 November 2026
Summer 2027 application cycle.
| Milestone | Date | Timezone | Status | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Applications | Rolling admissions | Local | Reference date | |
June 7-12, 2026 session | 7-12 June 2026 | Local | Reference date | |
June 14-19, 2026 session | 14-19 June 2026 | Local | Reference date | |
Applications open | 1 November 2026 | Local | Reference date |
Eligibility and requirements
Current students in US Grades 9-12
Good academic standing required
No school suspensions or disciplinary record
Home-schooled students may apply
International students may apply
Fluent English required
New application required for returning students
How much does Neuroscience Institute cost?
Program tuition
$3,500
Funding or discounts
- Application fee: $60 — Nonrefundable and due with the application.
- Enrollment deposit: $550 — Nonrefundable payment used to secure a seat.
- Need-based scholarships: Available — Limited funding is requested through the general application.
What's included
All meals during the on-campus stay, Transportation for off-site field trips
How to apply to Neuroscience Institute
- 1
Create an account in the Wake Forest Pre-College application portal.
- 2
Complete the online application and two essay responses.
- 3
Provide a self-reported GPA; a transcript is not required.
- 4
List a teacher, counselor or administrator as your recommender.
- 5
Submit the application with the $60 nonrefundable fee.
- 6
Review the admissions decision through the student status page.
- 7
After acceptance, select an institute week or join its waitlist.
- 8
Submit the $550 deposit to secure a seat or waitlist place.
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What does Neuroscience Institute cover?
The program covers the following focus areas.
Neuroanatomy
Examine brain structures through instruction and sheep-brain dissection.
Neurobiology
Explore biological processes within the brain and nervous system.
Behavioral neuroscience
Connect nervous-system function with behavior, attention and learning.
Neuropharmacology
Consider how drugs affect the brain and behavior.
Electrophysiology
Observe experiments that investigate electrical activity in nervous tissue.
Curriculum may be adjusted based on participant interests and current developments.
What is a typical day on Neuroscience Institute?
A typical day during the program.
Mornings
Breakfast and meetings lead into laboratory and neuroscience visits.
Afternoons
Neuroanatomy, artificial intelligence, neuroimaging and daily debriefing.
Evenings
Dinner, supervised activities, free time and lights out.
Program week
Check-in is Sunday; weekday programming ends with Friday checkout.
Who teaches on Neuroscience Institute?
Academic leaders include Dr. Anthony Sali, a Wake Forest cognitive neuroscientist who studies attention using behavioral research, eye tracking, fMRI and EEG, and Dr. Katie Holleran, a translational neuroscience professor whose work examines stress, alcohol use disorder and dopamine systems.
The wider Summer Immersion Program also provides access to faculty, researchers and industry professionals.
Where do students stay on Neuroscience Institute?
Residential plan
- Residence-hall stay: All participants must live in their assigned campus residence hall for the week.
- Meals: All meals are provided through campus dining or catered arrangements.
- Overnight supervision: Professional and residential staff live in the hall and provide overnight support.
- Evening activities: Staff lead activities such as basketball, karaoke, Spikeball and volleyball.
Roommate requests are not guaranteed, and students cannot remain in residence halls between consecutive institute weeks.
What happens after Neuroscience Institute?
After completing this program, participants often pursue:
Use the poster project as evidence of neuroscience research and communication.
Build familiarity with neuroscience laboratories, fMRI, MEG and electrophysiology.
Receive an official Wake Forest University Certificate of Completion.
Reflect on possible future study in neuroscience, psychology or related sciences.
Participation does not provide secondary-school or college credit or preferential Wake Forest admission.
Where does Neuroscience Institute take place?
The institute takes place on Wake Forest University's campus in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. Students live in campus residence halls, use university learning facilities and eat in the campus dining hall, with some activities and research visits taking place off campus.
Airport shuttles are offered from Piedmont Triad International Airport and Charlotte Douglas International Airport for an additional fee.
Neuroscience Institute FAQs
The curriculum covers neuroanatomy, neurobiology, behavioral neuroscience, neuropharmacology and electrophysiology.
Published activities include sheep-brain dissection, electrophysiology observation, neuroscience experiments, laboratory visits and a poster project. Specific hands-on experiences may change.
Students are required to stay in an assigned Wake Forest University residence hall for the duration of the institute week.
Yes. All meals are provided during the campus stay through the university dining hall or catered arrangements for off-campus programming.
No. The program carries no secondary-school or college credit, but participants receive a Wake Forest University Certificate of Completion.
Yes. International students may apply and do not need to submit a TOEFL score, but they cannot receive Wake Forest need-based aid or scholarships.
Applicants need one recommendation from a school counselor, teacher or administrator who can discuss their academic ability and readiness for a college environment.
Program staff supervise students during academic, recreational and evening activities. Professional and residential staff live in the residence hall, and an on-call rotation operates throughout the week.
Alternatives to Neuroscience Institute
Compare these related residential programs if you want a different balance of neuroscience, medicine, research or psychology.
Alternatives to Neuroscience Institute
Psychology and neuroscience study in New York
Neuroscience
Deadline: Not announced
From $3298
14-18
New York
In-person
Best for
Students comparing brain science with human behavior.
Medical research program based in Boston
Neuroscience
Deadline: Not announced
From $2950
14-18
Boston
In-person
Best for
Students prioritizing research within health sciences.
Medicine-focused residential study in New Haven
Neuroscience
Deadline: Not announced
From £6995
16-18
New Haven
In-person
Best for
Students considering medicine alongside neuroscience.
Save this program in Succeed to compare it with similar programs, dates, costs and formats in one place.
Compare with other programsContent 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.
Sources and verification
Source types reviewed
- Code of Conduct
- Wake Forest Pre-College Programs Applications
- Wake Forest Pre-College Campus
- Summer Immersion Program Dates | Wake Forest Pre-College
- FAQ | Wake Forest Summer Immersion Program
- Apply - Wake Forest Summer Immersion Program
- Neuroscience Institute Wake Forest Pre-College Summer Program
Succeed uses official provider information where available, but keeps this public page focused on comparison and planning inside Succeed.
What we verified (on 6 Oct 2026)
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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.
Neuroscience Institute
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