sillystring

Hey everyone! I just wanted to get some advice about applying for NCSSM. I know its early to think about it, but I really wanted to get a head start! So, can some former applicants/students tell me some of the application questions and some tips to get into the school? Thank you so much! Also, anyone else applying this year can also join! I need all the advice I can get

yerhs52

Hi! I will be applying next year. What CD are you from and some classes, skills, or extracurriculars might help...

sillystring

Hey! I am from CD 4. What CD are you from?

The classes I took this year:

Honors World History
Honors Bio
Honors English
Honors Geometry

Healthful Living
Comp Programming I
Microsoft
Drafting I

Got high A's on all my finals. 4.375 GPA (weighted), 3.875 (unweighted), but this may change to 4.5 and 4.0 if I can convince a teacher to change my grade (long story; she was being unfair about something).

Extra curricular activities: Key Club, Photography Club, School Newsletter Writer, Youth Council, Rec Soccer, I volunteer at the hospital 2 hours a week, I went to Med Camp, Piano, Art, I volunteer at my local library 2 hours a week as well

Accomplishments: Made a cell phone app, Certified in Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, and Excel, Duke TIP SAT award, Best in Science (7th grade), AMC 8 High Score, scored 100% on my Geometry final, scored 99% in my Algebra EOC, 99% in my Science EOG, Honor Roll all 3 years of middle school, I was chosen to do a small mural at my middle school

Honestly, considering the competition in my district I don't think I have good enough qualifications to get me in. I guess everything really depends on my SAT score and my essays. Do you know any of the possible essay questions?

taben1112

Our daughter was accepted and we promised to 'pay it forward' with postings and advice when relevant. Therefore...

Give some thought to why you want to go to NCSSM and why you 'need' the school. Also, consider what you can bring to the table...how will you benefit NCSSM? Get those reasons clear in your head and the essays, to a degree, will not be as tough to write for your admissions process.

Remember that NCSSM takes a holistic approach to admissions. Grades and SAT scores are a big part of it, but they also look at sports, music, etc. (well rounded kids), service work and goals. They have a lot of super bright kids apply...what helps you stand out?

Think about whether you will apply to NCSSM residential, online or both...and why.

Block out some time over the Christmas break. Our daughter did her application (including all essays) over the break. That was a less stressful time as she was not also having to deal with school work. Remember also that you must take the SAT during a time frame given by the school. Don't miss taking it during that time period and don't miss the application deadline. Either would likely cause you to lose your chance to apply.
Stay in touch early next year with your 9th grade teachers. You have a choice of using 9th or 10th grade teachers for recommendations. If you have had good success with and relationships with 9th grade teachers, you will want to have the option of having them write your recommendations.

Finally, make applying one of your goals in 10th grade...not your only goal. Meaning, try not to focus so much on NCSSM that you fail to enjoy and work towards other things during next fall and early winter.

Hope this helps...
T

sillystring

Thank you so much for the advice! I want to attend NCSSM since the school I am currently in is pretty terrible and I feel like I am not receiving enough of a challenge. I really wanted a school that would offer me more classes that I am interested in and I also wanted to be surrounded by kids who are as involved with their studies as I am. Just out of curiosity, what CD did your daughter apply from? I heard that my CD (CD 4) is very competitive

taben1112

Sillstring...we are in CD 9 (Charlotte Meck) which is terribly competitive. Don't lose hope. She ended up with the non finalist (rejected) --- Appeal ---Waitlist --- Finalist route. Ideally, you will get in right away. But if not, appeal. Our daughter got ample advice to hope for finalist but be prepared for non finalist...and then appeal. She got in the first day they moved people from waitlist to finalist, so it was not a long wait to get the news, thankfully.

Good luck to you next year...
T

Leetu726

I am a NCSSM junior this upcoming year. I would suggest taking the SAT twice. You do better on it every time you take it. They like extra-curricular and service stuff a lot. The application has a good amount of questions but many ask the same things, just reworded. Before you open the application, write down all your accomplishments, etc. I had a little notebook that I would keep with me. Whenever I thought of something, I'd write it down. It helps so that you have your thoughts collected when the time came. Organization is good. Organize achievements by the grade you did them. I hope you succeed in all your pursuits!

Delta56

Hey guys I'm just gonna jump right in here. I'm a rising sophomore from CD4, and I'm wondering if anyone could tell me the average/ideal SAT score of applicants from this CD.
Thanks,
D

NCSSM2014

Our own babyjunes already!

As it stands now you might be kind of on the bubble. If your SAT is good and keep your grades up where they are, you'll have a pretty good chance. Think of it as just checking boxes; you have to have good test scores and grades before they'll start looking at why makes you unique/great/deserving to come here. But your sophomore year is good for adding lots of things to your 'resume.' And I don't mean just jointing 4 bajillion clubs; anybody can do that. Try to figure out a way to get some leadership position in something, even if its largely BS. Start trying to think about down the road, as well. For example, its great that you went to med camp and that you volunteer, but if you can talk about wanting a career in medicine (if you do) then that really helps. On the application, pick out a good block of time (christmas break is great) because you really want to focus on it. Make your teachers love you. Plan out everything you want to tell the SMath people about you. Make a list of everything you've ever done in your whole life, but also pick out a few awesome things you've done and talk about why they're super duper important. The link below is a rubric that was supposedly used a couple years ago. Its probably been changed but it gives you an idea of what they're looking for. It also talks about CD 4 being kinda tough.

Faculty Council Meeting

But above all we wish you luck and hope to see you here next year!

sillystring

Thank you so much everyone for the advice! I am really glad that new people are participating in this thread, it really helps me.

swimgirl61

Hi! I am a rising junior from CD 9 (Charlotte). I was a finalist (i.e., not waitlisted) if that helps anyone. I think the most important thing, especially in the more competitive districts, is your SAT score. I took it once and got a 2270. I think all of the people who were accepted from my school and my friend's school scored a 2100+. Also, I'm pretty sure that having straight A's is pretty standard. You should probably be ranked top 1% in your school (it depends on how large/competitive it is though) and be taking advanced classes. For instance, if most people in your grade are taking biology, then maybe you should take chemistry. Or if people are taking Algebra II, take pre-calculus or calculus. It helps to be in math/science related clubs (SciOly, Mu Alpha Theta, etc...), but I wasn't. I was in my school's student council though. Also, make sure you have things to write for your "essays." Like, do some leadership things. And make sure your teachers who write your recommendations like you. If you have any other questions, feel free to message me or whatever! I just made this account, so I'm not sure how the website works. Good luck on your applications! Don't stress out too much haha.

NCSSM2014

swimgirl61 I'm not sure who you are but I also got a 2270 and I'm also a swimmer (assuming you are haha) which totes means we're the same person. So hey!

taben1112

Are there any fall workouts for the swim team that you all know of (swimgirl61 and NCSSM2014)? Our daughter has not done swim team in a couple of years but is thinking of doing it (or another winter sports) at NCSSM this winter. She will need some fall workouts to get in shape and see if she will have a chance at it. However, a senior swimmer told her that if you show an effort and commitment and can swim all 4 strokes, they will take you.
T

NCSSM2014

I don't know if there are any official school practices but I and a couple of my friends who are also swimmers are going to join the Duke swim team (not the university; its a club team) as they have a pool less than a mile from smath and we can bike there

AlexHarper

I am applying too!!