<p>im a sophomore applying to ncssm from cd 9.
I have a 4.0/4.64 gpa.
SAT: 2180: 800m, 650cr, 730w</p>
<p>here are my questions:</p>
<p>1) how is the cd 9 competition?
2) how many classes can you take a trimester?
3) how long are the class periods?
4) can you still take NCVPS classes?
5) do they offer ap english? (im looking at the course catalog and I don’t see any…)</p>
<p>Hope some of you ncssm students can help me out- I know you’re out there :)</p>
<p>bump
thanks in advance!</p>
<p>I am a parent of a NCSSM Junior. I can answer a few of your questions. A normal course load for each trimester is 5 core courses, although the first trimester you take only 4 cores. You can take other non-core courses in addition. My son took Drama first trimester.</p>
<p>There is no AP English class as such although all Juniors are required to take American Studies for two trimesters junior year. They say you can take the AP US History and AP Language tests after this class.</p>
<p>Most classes meet about 1 hour 4 times per week. One day a week their is a longer lab period. American Studies meets 8 hours per week and languages three hours I believe.</p>
<p>I don’t know how competitive your CD is.</p>
<p>I don’t think you will be able to take NCVPS classes in addition to your NCSSM schedule.</p>
<p>Good luck!</p>
<p>thank you! I was wondering if I’d ever get a reply :)</p>
<p>It seems as if they are on a more college-like schedule.
thats really helpful, thanks!</p>
<p>NCSSM, is that the NC School for Science and Math? Me and my friend were just talking about that, sorry this has nothing to do with chances :/</p>
<p>yep, it is.</p>
<p>Yes it is very much like a college schedule only worse! Every day looks slightly different. An “A” block class meets at 8am Monday, 10:45 Tuesday, 8:55 Wednesday, 9:50 Thursday, and 8:55 Friday. Of course you will probably only have it three or four of those days…</p>
<p>I would never want to go there, especially with the lack of the tuition voucher. But power to you, future unicorn!</p>
<p>Your grades and involvement look good and are comparable to everyone currently at SSM. Don’t stress about “Will I get in with what I have or not; is my congressional district real competitive” instead do your best to package your information and if it is meant to be it will happen. Plus you cannot change what district you live in and you cannot change what you’ve been involved in over the past few years so embrace your set of circumstances.</p>
<p>Spend some time thinking about why you want to go to SSM. What can that school provide that your current school cannot? Why is a residential high school a better option for you? My son came from a school where he could not take AP classes as a sophomore so we really emphasized that deficiency in his essays. Think about what YOU can contribute to the school environment; why are YOU a good candidate. Be forewarned that in previous years some of the responses were limited to 500 characters (yes characters, not words) so you must be very concise.</p>
<p>NCSSM is a RIGOROUS program and should not be taken lightly. Are you willing to leave home at 16/17, be responsible for getting yourself up and to class everyday, organize all of your homework as well as laundry, chores and on-campus work, learn how to live with roommates/hallmates, balance social time and work time, handle most issues with teachers, administrators,etc. without mom or dad’s daily input…???</p>
<p>Ask questions, review the website throughly but understand that there is no secret (or public) formula for preparing an application that will definitely get you accepted. If nothing else this will be a great process to get you ready for the college app process.</p>
<p>Best of luck!!!</p>
<p>Like someone mentioned earlier we have 3 trimesters per year with 4 core classes for the 1st tri, and 5 core classes for the second and 3rd tri. This school is very rigorous so make sure you are prepared to deal with such a competitive, stressful atmosphere. I would definitely apply but make sure it’s something you REALLY want. They don’t offer AP English but some students use the Special Study Option to study for the AP English exam on their own. In the place of AP English is American Studies which is required unless you have gotten 5s on the AP English and AP US History exams. You cannot take NCVPS classes but you could try using the learn and earn program if you wanted to take extra online courses but it is not encouraged. Also any other HS credits from other places will not be exchanged or used for NCSSM credit unless it is an AP exam. The class periods are usually 50 minutes a day but everyday we have lab blocks for certain classes which extends a normal 50 minute class to 90 minutes.</p>
<p>^You say 5 core classes… so does that mean (theoretically) that you could take three electives? Will they let you take 5 core classes first trimester?</p>
<p>yes, you could take three electives, if you could fit them into your schedule. Also, I do not believe they allow anyone to take five core classes first trimester, for any reason.</p>
<p>awdixon
NCSSM c/o '09</p>
<p>@awdixon, abercrombieindy and NC Mom (or anyone who goes to NCSSM)</p>
<p>What exactly happens on discovery day? I understand there is a math test and an essay, so what does the math cover and what is the essay like?
What can I do to prepare for these? </p>
<p>thanks!</p>
<p>Those applying to NCSSM should take into account their gender, too. Not trying to be rude, but what are your genders? Every year is either a girls’ year or a guys’ year. My sister applied during a guys’ year with respectable stats and didn’t get accepted at first. She appealed, then got waitlisted–in the end, she was accepted, but she only had a month to get ready because they notified her in July. So if you don’t get in and don’t know why, it might be because it was the opposite gender’s year.</p>
<p>Don’t worry about preparing/studying for any of the Discovery Day tests. If you are accepted to SSM the results will be used to place you in the proper class section for math and science. Just go into the day with a good attitude and do your best!</p>
<p>Well, actually you should worry about it. You will be tested regardless of your grades, and if you don’t place into your next sequential class, you may well have to repeat a class you took in 10th grade, even if you made an A in it. That won’t look great on your transcript and your classmates from your old school who passed that particular class will advance a year, while you will not. NCSSM does use AP results (if you test highly enough) as a determinant of placement. My advice is to take the Calc. A/B exam and ace it so you can go right into Calc. B/C or take the Calc. B/C exam, ace it and go right into Multi. Use the Princeton Review AP study guide.</p>
<p>@LutherSetzer</p>
<p>You are a grown man. Yet, every site I visit regarding NCSSM, you’ve commented on. Do you have anything else to do? And it’s always the same messages taking people either to your youtube videos or your website. I mean, it’s great that you are giving people more options, but EVERY single website? It’s ridiculous. Personally I think NCSSM is a great option for people. Honeslty, you are the only person I’ve ever met/heard of that has anything negative to say about NCSSM.</p>
<p>I didn’t mean to sound rude, but it’s ridiculous.</p>
<p>Anabel I totally agree… Its time he move on in my opinion … let us make our own decisions… Its his right to share his opinion but hes going overboard… I had actually thought about making a posting similiar to yours recently but you summed it up very nicely ;)</p>
<p>@Dinosaurdigs93</p>
<p>Thanks 
goodluck btw!</p>