Chance me for NCSSM!

Prep School Admissions Prep School Chances
1

Hi! I’m a sophomore in North Carolina CD2 and plan on applying to NCSSM this year. I visited the school for a state-level MathCOUNTS competition in eighth grade and have been set on attending it ever since. I’m a very good student, among the top of my class, and want to know how I can increase my chances of getting in now that the pandemic has derailed my sophomore year. The following is a summary of my high school performance.

Freshman Year, Semester 1: I took Honors Earth and Environmental Science, Honors English I, Vocal Music I, and Health and PE. I received straight As with my lowest semester grade being a 98.

Freshman Year, Semester 2: I took Honors Math 2, Theatre Arts, Vocal Music, and Honors Word History. I received straight As and my lowest semester grade was a 97.

I was also a Freshman SGA Representative, Drama Club Ambassador, and I participated in Mock Trial. Unfortunately, a lot of my plans were cut short due to the pandemic. My school has no Science Olympiad or Math team. When I inquired about starting one, I was told that they didn’t exist already because no teacher would take on the task of supervising and not enough students were willing to join.

Sophomore Year: I am currently taking Honors English II, Vocal Music, Peer Tutoring I, and Honors Civics. I’m schooling online, and it’s only been a few weeks, but I can already see my grades suffering. I have trouble focusing and completing my work. My lowest grade right now is an 89.
Next semester, I will take Honors Biology, Honors Math 3, Peer Tutoring, and AP U.S. Government.

I am also SGA Sophomore Class President. I had plans to join Mock Trial, Key Club, C.H.A.N.G.E. Club, Drama Club, Cross Country and Track this year, as well as to do some MathCOUNTS tutoring at my local middle school, but all of this is no longer and option due to the pandemic.

I cannot take the SAT; which is okay, as the NCSSM website says they’ve waived it and won’t be considering it as part of the application process for the Class of 2023

Every core class I have taken so far has been the highest level course available to me at my school. My GPA is a weighted 4.25, which looks low only because of the way my school weighs things: Standard classes receive a 4 for an A, Honors classes get a 4.5, and AP classes get a 5, as opposed to the standard 4:5:6 weighing scale. Unweighted it is a 4.0

What are my chances?

2

I think you have a fair chance. That being said, you can’t guarantee much.

3

Depends. 2 years ago, lots of very qualified STEM people didn’t get in mainly because of the “type” of student they were looking for(they ended up taking a larger amount of arts/more well rounded kids, fyi)

If this year ends up like that, then I’d say that you have a decently good chance.

On the other hand, the year I applied(c/o 2021), they took many more STEM-focused students, so… it could be tougher for you.

Some basic info about me(for context):

Asian male, CD4
At time of application: 4.0uw/4.4w
SAT: 1530
REJECTED RESIDENTIAL: APPEALED AND WAITLISTED

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4

I think you have a chance! I don’t know whether it is extremely good or average, but you have a chance. From what I’ve heard, CD2 is not as competitive as CD4 or CD8. You may want to start some sort of STEM club at your school. I doesn’t have to be Science Olympiad or anything, it can just be a simple math club. You may also want to do more community service, so they see that you are a good person. These are just suggestions. I hope you get in!