Chances For NCSSM

Prep School Admissions Prep School Chances
1

<p>Hey, this is my first post on the forums, and my name is Arnav, and I live in Cary, NC (I believe it CD4 for NCSSM). I would like to know what my chances are of being accepted into NCSSM, especially since I'm in the hardest district. My sophomore year hasn't started yet, so if there is anything that I could do (volunteer work/extracurricular) that would help me admission, PLEASE tell me!!</p>

<p>Unweighted GPA: 3.89
Weighted GPA: 3.94</p>

<p>I got a B in World History this year, and although it will hurt my chances, I have heard that history will affect you less than getting a B in say, Honors A2 or Biology. Please let me know if that myth is true.</p>

<p>My school doesn't offer APs freshman year.</p>

<p>Classes:
Honors Algebra II: A
World Literature I: A
Biology: A
Intermediate-Mid Spanish: A
World History: B
PE/Health: A
Topics in Probability/Combinations: A
Speech & Debate: A
World Arts: A</p>

<p>Extracurricular: I play CASL Soccer, and I will be playing JV soccer for my school this year. Also, I do extemporaneous speaking in Speech & Debate, and in my freshman year I got trophies about 5 times, and I was the Points Leader in our Grade. On Tuesdays and Thursday I also tutor children in Reading and Math who are ESL. In 8th Grade I was also in Student Leadership. I am also a Red Belt in Tae-Kwon-Doe.</p>

<p>Math/Science: Since 6th Grade I have participated in the AMC Competitions and MathCounts. Our school ranked in the top 10 in Middle School all 3 times (7, 9, 9). We also qualified for State Level and got 11th. I personally got in Top 50 of the 300+ students each time. Also in freshman year, I took the AMC 10 and 12. I got a 120 on the 10 and 90 on the 12. I qualified for AIME and took that. I also participated at the NC Regional Geometry and Algebra II Competitions and placed in top 30 at those. As far as science, I will be doing Science Olympiad in sophomore year.</p>

<p>SAT: I took the SAT at the beginning of Freshman year, and in my defense I was sick, but I only got a 1950 (800 in math, 10 on my essay, 680 Writing, 470 CR (no idea how I did so badly). I plan on getting around a 2100-2150 when I take it again this year. </p>

<p>Other: I also speak Hindi. I go to volunteer at business offices and at doctors offices sometimes.</p>

<p>Also, I plan on getting all A's in Sophomore year.</p>

<p>If that were to happen, what would my chances of getting in NCSSM be? Again, I live in Cary, which I believe is CD4.</p>

<p>Thank You!
Arnav</p>

2

<p>Actually, weighted, my GPA is 3.81. Our school doesn’t do GPA or Class Rankings, so I had to calculate it on my own.</p>

3

<p>I’m also Hindu and North Indian if it makes a difference.</p>

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<p>Also doing beta club next year.</p>

5

<p>I don’t really know what school(s) you are applying to, but I think you have a great chance. You won’t be getting tested on your sat scores though, so maybe instead if retaking them work on your ssats. Great ecs! The URM thing is really great, also make sure to mention that you are also bilingual. I think you have a great chance, but again, I don’t know the school(s)? Good luck!</p>

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<p>Thanks! I am applying to NCSSM - The North Carolina School of Science and Math! I currently go to a private school, but it’s nowhere close to NCSSM and costs like $22k a year, which is honestly a waste for the their curriculum. Also, NCSSM students get pretty much automatic admission to all NC Colleges, so that will be great as well.</p>

7

<p>Ohh okay…so is it like a charter school then?</p>

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<p>I mean NCSSM.</p>

<p>45…39…24…16…12…9…</p>

9

<p>No, it’s like a public boarding school for students all around North Carolina, and it is really really good from what I’ve heard. Also, their math and science curriculum are the best in NC. For me it also works out, since it is 30 minutes away from my house, and I will still be able to go home on weekends.</p>

10

<p>Awesome! You might want to check the website, because a lot of schools posted last years app. You could check it out to have an idea of what the questions and essays may be about.</p>

11

<p>I’d like to start by pointing out that there isn’t really a point to chancing you - we aren’t admissions officers. Just leave it all on the field(figuratively speaking), and walk away content.</p>

<p>Contrary to popular belief, race does not factor into the acceptance process. You don’t automatically get in for anything, whether that’s being a URM or a 2400 SAT score. </p>

<p>I’d assume that NCSSM focuses on strengths in math and science, so a B in a humanities course would be less harmful than in a math or science course. Nonetheless, if they give you a chance, explain it. Explain anything that looks like it will hurt your application, like how there are no APs for freshmen.</p>

<p>Your SAT is compared to your school’s, so a score by itself isn’t terribly useful. Try to get 100 points or more over your school average (yes, the average for seniors), but obviously you want as high a score as you can get. Maybe you won’t have to take it again for college.</p>

<p>My advice is to check the page to see if there’s a 3-week limit on writing the application (2 years ago there was, this past year, there wasn’t). If there isn’t, then open the application as soon as you can and look at the questions. Do well on Discovery Day. Write persuasive essays. Make sure they know that you want to go to the school, why, and how it’ll benefit you, outside of the free room and board. Also, try to stay close to your teachers. We had to have 4 this past year to write recommendation letters. Start off good in class, stay good in class, and try to stay on their good side. When they’re writing those recommendations, make sure they know that you want to go. Talk to some people from your school who went to NCSSM if you can, to get a feel for the school and the application process. You’re already thinking about it, which is good.</p>

<p>Finally, have a back-up plan for staying at your home school. Don’t bet everything on going to NCSSM. Prepare to stay at your home school, but also prepare to go to NCSSM.</p>

<p>That’s about it.</p>

12

<p>Thank You So Much for all of the advice! It will definitely benefit me a lot when applying. My school, although private, has an 1890 SAT average, so if I am able to get in the 2000s, I think I should be safe as far as getting at least 100 over in concerned. Thank you again for all the help!</p>

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<p>still looking</p>

14

<p>Check out the hidden gems thread if you wanted other school ideas.</p>

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<p>Thanks, I’ll make sure to check them out!</p>

16

<p>still needing help</p>

17

<p>It seems that your Sat scores are right on track for NCSSM. Don’t worry about that B in World History… I faced the same issue but my counselor told me not to fuss over it. I recommend stressing on your AMC scores and how you qualified for AIME (They’ll love that!) </p>

<p>…although because you do face a lot of competition in your district, try doing more volunteer services in the fields of STEM and more EC’s. </p>

<p>Make sure you take the hardest classes available in your 10th grade year. You seem to have a pretty good shot at getting in. </p>

<p>I’m applying this year!</p>

<p>Chance me?</p>

18

<p>Hello,
Current NCSSM junior here. Contrary to popular belief your other grades do matter! Just because we are the school of Science and Math doesn’t mean we don’t want kids who have a passion for and are good at other subjects. Many students here don’t even want to go into a STEM field, and many decide not to after being here for a while, such as myself. You don’t have to take the “hardest” classes either, just make sure that you’re being challenged and are taking classes that actually interest you. Showing that you are dedicated to something outside of school is also a good thing. Don’t lie, but if you have a passion that you have been keeping up with for years, put it on your application! Highlight your strengths!</p>