<p>I've always wanted to go to the school but as I'm learning more about it, it's not appealing to me as it used to. </p>
<p>I heard that there are placements exams on Welcome Day. I know Math and Chemistry is one of them, but what are the rest? If I took Biology, Anatomy and Physiology, APES, and Chemistry before NCSSM, if I do get in, and do poorly in the exams, does that mean I would have to retake it? Wouldn't this look bad on your transcript? Do they take any credits from your original high school? </p>
<p>My high school right now is small and we only have >75 per class, with my class as an exemption (there are >97). We have limited AP classes compared to the regular high schools in my area. Before, people couldn't get into UNC and it gradually increased year by year. No one from my school has been accepted to Duke. But like it was for UNC, maybe it's the same for Duke. The reason I want to go to NCSSM is to get into colleges that my school might not necessarily have the capability of, but I'm fine with UNC/Duke (Duke preferably). But the thing is, like I've mentioned before, no one in my school has been accepted. If I go to NCSSM, would my chances in getting into Duke be higher even if I was an average student there? OR would my chances be better to stay in a small school that really don't get into ivies and be top of the class.</p>
<p>I also heard that NCSSM is unnecessarily hard and that there's more workload in NCSSM than college. Plus, if I leave my small school, I'll lose my leadership positions. This includes: SOS Club President, Student Body Class President, HOSA Secretary, and being Taekwondo Instructor.</p>
<p>Can someone tell me about their experience with NCSSM and answer some of my questions?</p>
<p>My kid started at NCSSM this year, so kid is about 2 months in. I’ll try to answer your questions with the information I know so far.
Take the tests on Welcome Day. You can always decide not to attend if you don’t like your placement. Someone will likely be chomping at the bit to take your place. NCSSM also lets you retake the tests at the start of the school year and will move you up or down if you are placed incorrectly in the first few weeks of school. If you took “Chemistry,” the Chemistry at NCSSM will be much more in depth and different. It will not be repeating. NCSSM will let you exempt Chemistry/Phys./Bio if you score well on the AP Tests.
I really don’t know how going to NCSSM will affect college chances. Clearly, kid has opportunities at NCSSM that were not possible at the old school (and it was a large, metro high school.) Kid is being taught by PhDs in their field and LOVES the whole experience—the kids, the teachers, the residential life—despite the fact kid is not getting the same grades (i.e., straight As) as at the old high school. Kid especially loves the other kids at NCSSM. Is kid learning more? Definitely? How will that be measured by colleges in applications? I don’t know. BUT, kid will be more prepared for college when he/she goes—without a doubt.<br>
The work load is intense. The kids work hard, but they also play hard (sports, arts events, clubs, etc.). Their mantra is “Sleep, Study, Socialize----Pick Two.” Most ditch sleep. I would agree that NCSSM is harder than college—only because you not only have hard classes, but also work study, hall duties, super study and hall activities. It consumes a lot of kid’s time.</p>
<p>You’ll have a much greater chance of getting into Duke University from NCSSM. While the average admit rate hovers around 12% , Smath students have a 27% admit rate.</p>
<p>I think that really depends on if its worth it. Are you willing to stay up late, or would you rather stay at your district school? I think your chances of getting into Duke may be a little higher, but I think you have pretty high chances of getting into UNC either way.</p>