Do you think that I could get in to NCSSM?

Question

These are my qualifications:

-4.7 GPA

-1580 on the SAT (w/ writing score)

550 Critical Reading

620 Math

440 Writing

-taken up to Algebra 2 honors (currently taking Pre-Cal Honors)

-currently taking Spanish 1 (and excelling) taking Spanish 2 next

semester

-member of FBLA (Future Business Leaders of America)

-member of my school's Photography Club

-babysit during the summer

-volunteer at a nursing and rehabilitation center during summer

-member of my school's Beta Club during the 7th and 8th grades

-school's morning announcer in the 8th grade

-member of high school Math club

-brother graduated from NCSSM

-never made below a 96 in a high school class

-made a 98 in a high school computer class

-active in church creative movement group

A set-back is that my writing skills are not very good. I mean, I can't write eloquently.

Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks!

Answer 1

You definitely have what it takes to get into and succeed in NCSSM.  Great job and keep up the good work!  However, whether or not you will get in is another question.  I know this might sound a little crazy, but where you live in NC has a bit to do with it also.  They can only accept a certain number of people for each congressional district and have to accept a certain number of people for each district.  So if someone who lives out in the middle of nowhere applies and no one else in his district does, he's pretty much in.  However, the school can send him back if he does not do well.  Anyway, the more people you have apply from your district, generally, the less of a chance you have of getting in.  Me and a friend of mine both applied and we both live in Durham.  Neither of us got in, even though we were more likely to succeed than other people who were accepted.  This made us realize that a lot of people apply from Durham and that they can only accept the best of the best.  Don't feel discouraged by this though.  We both eventually got on the wait list and are now both in the same dorm!  Something you can do to increase your chances of getting in are to improve your SAT score.  Most of the people who were accepted the first time had a score of around 2000 or more.  But also know that they compare your SAT score with the scores of the students in your school.  That was one reason I didn't get in at first.  My SAT score was 1650.  For some schools that do not have great teachers/students, this is pretty good.  However, for my school, it was pretty bad.  Even if your school does not do very well on the SAT, do whatever it takes to bring your reading and writing scores up.  Know that some people at NCSSM got over 2300 on their first try.  Do what you can to make yourself stand out.  You've pretty much have already done that with the extracurricular activities and volunteer hours.  Also, take really advanced classes like an AP science.  Go ahead and make good friendly connections with your guidance counselor, math, science, and english teachers.  They will have to write recommendations for you.  Class rank is also kind of important (even though they don't have class ranks there).   Just a few things you can mention on your application: How you can benefit from the school, your wanting to go to the school, and how you would be a great additional student to the school.  Based on the info. you gave, I'd say you have a pretty darn good chance of getting in.  But, I also thought that my friend would definitely get in with no problem, and he only got in a week before classes started.  Even if you don't get in, its a good experience for applying to colleges and you might get invited to join their new online program.  I was a part of that (until they called me 2 days before move-in day saying they had a spot for me) and it seemed like a great thing to be a part of.  Its a very competitive school for applying to, but it's one of the greatest experiences many people have had in their life.  Hope it all works out for you and good luck!

If you have any additional questions or need advice or just want to keep me updated, email me at [e-mail] (please dont give this to anyone else because I already have enough spam as is)

Answer 2

If your parents are resdence of North Carolina... your stats are very good. If you need a CV or resume... I can never get the accent mark ta work on keyboards... remember to be a bit personable... jobs and schools want people with hopes and dreams... not just numbers. Good luck. :]