Recently, I was admitted to a 2-year residential High School for gifted students, called NCSSM. I am currently deciding iif it is worth it to go or not from a college admissions perspective. At my home high school (a top 10 public school in NC), I have a high probability of becoming valedictorian, I am the president/on the board of several clubs, and I will probably have a straight A record upon graduation. At NCSSM (from what I have heard), I wouldn’t have a straight A record, and I would be in the top 30% of the class. However, I would be able to take advantage of research opportunities and very advanced science classes. My goal is to get admitted into a 7-year medical program. In order to get into a 7-year medical program, which option would be better from a college admissions perspective??
I don’t think you should choose based on how it will help you get into college but on whether you want what NCSSM offers - a living and learning college preparatory environment. To me it’s like choosing between Harvard/MIT or being a commuter student at UNC.
For the record - I attended NCSSM back in the stone age.
If all you’re looking to achieve from Ncssm is to get into a good college, you probably shouldn’t go. If you go, go based on your want for a different experience or your determination to accept the greater challenge. Congrats on getting I though (:
If you’re on the edge about going, I would recommend reconsidering because I have noticed that the people who excel at the school are the ones who really want this. College wise, I think you definitely have a greater chance at your home highschool especially if you might be valedictorian. You have incredible stats there while at NCSSM you will most likely become average in that midst. You won’t stand out nearly as much and your GPA will drop, but if you like what NCSSM offers, go for it. However, I do think your college admission chances have a big possibility of dropping.
Don’t go because of college admissions, but note that the NCSSM alumni network could be as valuable as that from a top LAC. In other words, decide on whether NCSSM or not on its own merits.