NCSSM class of 2020 future applicants

Prep School Admissions
1

Hey everyone! I am posting this forum because it’s seems that it doesn’t exist yet. I want to get into ncssm. Currently, I am a ninth grader in cd 2. Do you think I can get into NCSSM? Please provide your honest opinions below. All help is appreciated!
Classes:
9th grade:
PE
Spanish 1
Spanish 2
Computer programming 1
Honors Precalculus
Honors World History
Honors English 1
Honors Biology.

In all classes I have high A’s.

In the summer I am taking AP Biology through jhcty and Honors Chemistry through a summer school.

10th grade:
AP Calculus AB
AP Calculus BC
AP Chemistry
AP Human Geography
AP Psychology
Honors Anatomy
Honors English 2
Honors Spanish 3

Testing:
New SAT 1570

2

The rest of my answer was cut off.
Here it is:
Extracurriculars:

Math club(secretary)
101.5 on AMC 10 this year hope to improve next year…
Science Olympiad Varsity
1st place in regionals all 3 events. In 8th grade: 5th and 7th in states.
Debate club
Key club
TSA
FBLA
Biology Olympiad club (president)
Chemistry Olympiad club (president)
Physics appreciation club (secretary)
Neurology club(secretary)
Book Club
Research internship with professor at NC State( 8 hrs a week)
Volunteering at UNC hospital (3hrs a week)
Volunteering at local temple(4 hrs a week)

3

You’ll get in fairly easily.

I’m also a 9th grader, but from CD9, and with several friends who I know made it into the NCSSM class of '19.

  • Your SAT score (official or not) is fantastic, no issues there.
  • Your course lists are impressive.
  • You have a significant presence within several STEM-based clubs- particularly Science Olympiad.
  • You appear to be a leader within your school, and independence is something NCSSM definitely looks for.
  • Your volunteer work also looks great.

For example, my friend took about half the number of APs you did, has a lesser volunteer record (volunteered with a refugee group occasionally over the summer), and had a lower SAT score (1540), and hailed from a far more competitive district (CD9), and he got in.

However, I digress. I originally meant to post in this thread as to whether my resume would get me in (lol).

9th:

  • Honors Precalc
  • Honors English 1
  • Chinese 1
  • Principles of Business and Finance
  • Multimedia and Webpage Design
  • PE
  • World History Honors
  • Earth and Environmental Science Honors

Note: In retrospect, I made 2 significant mistakes this year. Earth and Environmental is, strangely, no longer considered a lab science and thus a requirement to graduate. I should have taken Chem or Bio. Also, again, I should’ve taken another prerequisite to another science course instead of World History Honors- it would’ve been better to take AP World sophomore year.

I’m a fairly avid violin player, and won 1st place within my specific section (strings) in the Charlotte Symphony Orchestra-sponsored Young Artist’s Competition.

10th:

  • Honors Calc AB (full year course, I don’t understand why at my school)
  • Honors English 2
  • Honors Chinese 2
  • Computer Programming 1/2
  • Honors Chemistry
  • Civics

Took a practice SAT (old) in 7th grade, scored a 2000/2400. Haven’t seriously taken a practice test for the new SAT (though I should)- but I’m fairly confident I should score pretty highly.

Few extra-curricular fun facts:

In 8th grade my Middle School quizbowl team won 3rd at states, and qualified for nationals (stupid goddamn teacher had no faith, didn’t sign us up for it), and unfortunately my high school’s team isn’t serious or competitive.

I’m working towards my Eagle Scout as well- I probably won’t achieve it, unfortunately, by the time applications roll around (currently Star, almost Life).

I’m on my school’s Engineering team. Again, not particularly competitive.

So, to wrap up, I’ll probably pull the “bash the school” card on my application essays, though I’d like some feedback on how NCSSM would view my resume regardless.

4

You should get in easily.

I’m from CD9 and I know 2 or 3 people with lesser resumes in comparison who were accepted.

I’d like to post my resume here and get some opinions though.

Extracurriculars:

  • Placed 3rd in states with my 8th grade quizbowl team and qualified for nationals (stupid goddamn teacher had no faith and didn’t sign us up)
  • Currently the leader of my school’s quizbowl team… unfortunately, this high school is in Union (went to school in Meck) and nobody is really serious about anything
  • Currently Star Scout (2 months from Life), trying to get my Eagle. Somewhat doubtful that I’ll get it before NCSSM applications, but I’ll definitely try.
  • Won 1st in junior strings division for the CSO Young Artist’s Competition- violin

9th (current):

  • Honors Precalc
  • Honors English 1
  • Honors Chinese 1
  • PE
  • Honors Earth and Environmental
  • Honors World History
  • Principles of Business/Finance
  • Multimedia and Webpage Design

All my grades are in the mid-to-high A range.

10th:

  • AP Calc AB (full year, this school is weird lol)
  • Honors English 2
  • Comp Programming 1/2
  • Honors Chinese 2
  • Honors Chemistry
  • Civics

I took a practice SAT (old) in 7th grade, scored a 2000/2400. Haven’t taken a practice new one, but looking at the material and the CBoard textbook it looks significantly easier (and, anecdotally).

That’s it, folks. I’d welcome any opinions. (I’ll probably play the “bash the school card” when it comes to essays and applications, so there’s that too.)

5

resurrecting this thread and opening myself up to any questions, ncssm co 18 right here

6

admiral12 hahahahaha

7

Okay guys, I know this forum’s for class of 2020, but oh well. I was wondering what my chances were of getting into NCSSM. I am a rising 9th grader in CD 4.

9th Grade Classes:
Spanish 2 honors
Chemistry honors
Biology honors
NC math 3 honors
Civics and Economics honors
Health and PE
Magnet Intro Computer Science honors
Speech 1 honors( I skipped English 1)

– I will be taking pre-calc honors at a summer school before the start of 10th grade.
– Took the PSAT in 8th grade and got a 1200/1520
Extra-curriculars:

volunteer at Kramden (Computer refurbishment) 8 hours per month
volunteer at Cary Teen Council 25 hours per year
IT company summer job
Computer Science classes
Classical Dancer
take Singing classes
teach Art classes
Science Olympiad team in middle school
part of coding club

That’s about it. Looking through all these posts and going “woah!” at all the talented people out there. Any opinions or advice would be helpful.

8

@skylark101 you’re fine, just join some programs that you’ll find fun and worthwhile. Maybe look at previous applicants resumes, and pick what you think is cool from them? 2018 was pretty in depth. I’m not really sure about district competitiveness, (I haven’t heard anything about CD 1, and I freaking live here).

If you want to get ahead in your classes, ask if you can do some online through NCVPS. Can you take APs as a freshman? Taking english 2 hn for 9th, and then ap english would boost your gpa.

How about you sign up for anything and everything you find out about, and see if you find something you can really feel proud of? It will help to build up your resume, if that’s what you’re worried about.

9

@CatsAreFluffy thanks so much for the feedback! The only AP that’s available to me as a freshman at Enloe is Human Geo. Intro to Computer Science honors is more related to my future career goals and involves national contests so I think I might stick with it. Do you know if NCSSM prefers a higher GPA or STEM achievements and awards? My plan was to take English 2 freshman year, but unfortunately, my school does not allow it, saying English 2 goes hand in hand with sophomore year social studies. The main thing I am worried about is SAT scores. Does having applicants from your school with a higher SAT score than you rule you out? Thanks again for the speedy reply!

10

@skylark101 No problem!

I heard from someone that your SAT needs to be at least 100 above your school’s average (I have no idea if it’s true). If you explain the reasons why you took Computer Science instead of an AP, it’ll prove that you want to actually be in that class (after all, you took it and it put your gpa down a bit).

You should take classes because you actually want to, which is what you’re doing. I personally think that AP classes are more interesting, because the coursework is stuff you actually would want to learn in a school. To me, it looks like you are pretty on point with classes, you’re doing better than most of my friends actually. I know an upperclass girl who got accepted- her classes were great; but I think it was her EC’s that stood out- because they were important to her.

Basically, as long as you do things that make you proud and happy, you’ll be able to write about it in the essays. You don’t exactly need to compare (don’t get me wrong, it’s a good starting point), because you’ll get tired of doing things that you personally dislike. I can tell you that from personal experience. It sucks.

I have no idea about their preferences on the gpa/stem awards.

11

Hey guys! CO '18 here. A thing you need to keep in mind is do what you want and let that passion shine through in your essays. Don’t just take classes because you think they’ll help you get into NCSSM, because if you don’t get in, what now?

Also yeah make sure you do well on the SAT. Esp from Enloe because there are a lot of enloe kids here

12

Hey everyone! I really want to go to NCSSM. I’m from cd 13.

My 9th grade classes:
IBMYP French Honors
IBMYP Civcs/Econ Honors
IBMYP Bio Honors
IBMYP Earth and Environmental Honors
IBMYP Chorus
IBMYP Math 3 Honors
IBMYP English 1 Honors
IBMYP PE
All A’s
I took Pre-calculus honors over the summer. (A in the class)

My classes for 10th grade:
IBMYP French
IBMYP AP World History
AP Human Geography
AP Calc AB
AP Calc BC
IBMYP Chemistry Honors
IBMYP Multimedia and Web design (required class for IBMYP)
IBMYP English 2 Honors

Plan to get all A’s

EC’s:
play piano; I’ve taken several piano playing exams and music theory test through the Royal School of Music and I passed with distinction (the highest level possible)
Indian classical dance (Bharatanatyam)
volunteer at the library 5 hours a week
tutor with North Caroline Virtual Public School 8 hours a week
volunteer with local YMCA and Red Cross
8th grade: science Olympiad - anatomy and physiology 1st place regionals and picture this 1st place regionals
8th place: math counts - 11th place regionals , went to team competition for states
9th grade: student government, red cross club
10th grade: plan to be in science Olympiad, red cross club, and run for officer in SGA

13

How competitive is cd 13 and any other tips on how I can improve my chanced of getting in would be more than welcome!!

14

It looks like CD 13 might be one of the districts that gets adjusted soon. Are you in the Greensboro area or Iredell County area. In any case, you look to be a very strong candidate.

Be sure to do well on your SAT in comparison to others in your high school.

15

Iredell county area and I took a couple practice sats, the highest score I got was 1400

16

It really depends on how the 1400 compares to others in your high school. From what I have read, overall they will want to see that it is a bit above the average which is more than likely the case in Iredell. Good luck!!

17

hey guys! Will research work be a significant boost to your application? I worked at the lab nearly full time all summer and now I am getting a paper published. I am really scared about my chances because after redistricting, I think I live in the most competitive district (new CD4) because it contains, Cary, Apex, Raleigh and Chapel Hill.

Also, how many people per district attend SSM? Is there a cap? I am asking because I know two kids in my district who went to ARML and USAJMO…

One more thing: Is 1570 above average for the new CD4? I already know two people in my school who got 1550 or higher…

I’m really worried… :frowning:

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bump…

19

Hi @admiral12 - my son is applying; we are in CD7 which I believe you are as well (had seen a post from you on another discussion). As a parent, I’m really interested in current students’ thoughts about NCSSM. My son has wanted to apply since 7th grade, but he’s fairly happy at his current school too. He toured the school during 7th grade and we are going back to open house in November. He turned down Isaac Bear in the hopes of going to NCSSM. Hoping to hear from you on a few questions (and also from any other current NCSSM students). I’m sure your busy, so if you don’t have time, no worries!

  1. Given a do-over, would you still go to NCSSM?
  2. During your first year there, what were the worst things about it? What were the best?
  3. My son believes NCSSM will give him the oppt. to focus/specialize more in the computer science study he wants. Is that true, or do you all still have to take a lot of english/history/liberal arts classes?
  4. How many students are at NCSSM from CD7?
    Thanks in advance!
20

Also, how common is ivy league acceptance from NCSSM? Will it hurt students chances?