Overview
Starting at the end of January, NCSSM will contact your teachers and counselors with information on how to submit an electronic evaluation. You will need an evaluation from a:
- 9th or 10th grade Science Teacher
- 9th or 10th grade Mathematics Teacher
- 9th or 10th grade English Teacher
- Current guidance counselor
Are Written Letters Accepted? No, the Admissions Selection Committee can only review information submitted on our evaluation electronic forms.
Selecting Your Teachers
Type the name and valid school email address of your 9th or 10th grade math, science, and English teachers and your sophomore year guidance counselor on your electronic application.
We highly recommend you talk to your teacher first to make sure they are comfortable and willing to complete evaluations on behalf of your application portfolio.
Help With Choosing
Can I choose a second semester teacher? Yes, you can use a teacher from the spring semester of your sophomore year.
Can I choose a 7th or 8th grade teacher? No, unless they also taught you in 9th or 10th grade.
Does the teacher have to currently teach at my high school? You can select a teacher that has retired or left your school, or taught you through a virtual school or college. However, you should make sure the teacher is willing to complete an evaluation for you and can still be contacted at the email address you provide. You must have taken a class from the teacher in 9th or 10th grade in the fields of math, science, or English in a class shown on the transcript(s) you provide NCSSM.
I had the same teacher for all of my math and science courses! You can contact admissions@ncssm.edu for assistance with this circumstance.
I am home schooled and my parent taught my class. Please contact the Office of Admissions at admissions@ncssm.edu, for guidance on how to complete the teacher and counselor evaluation forms.
The Counselor Report
Your current school counselor must complete your evaluation. Your counselor provides information about high school academic, attendance, and disciplinary records. They also offer insight into the type of class schedule, course offerings, and rigor of program available within the applicant’s school.
I don't know my counselor. Once you decide to apply to NCSSM, we encourage you to follow up with your counselor and inform them of your interest. We ask the counselor to complete as much information as they can about the applicant, based on their current knowledge. Getting to know your counselor and sharing your academic and career aspirations is encouraged.
I don’t have a counselor. Private school students can use another school administrator (like a principal) to complete the form. If you are home schooled, you can contact the Office of Admissions at admissions@ncssm.edu, for guidance on how to complete the evaluation form.
Sending and Receiving
How will my teachers and counselor receive the form?
Teachers and counselors will receive a message when you submit your application, confirming that you requested that they provide an evaluation report on your behalf. By early February they will be contacted--via the email address you provide on your application--with a username and password to login into an evaluation account.
When is it due? The forms are due in mid-March each year. A specific date will be communicated to your teachers and counselor when we contact them.
What Do You Ask?
NCSSM provides teachers/counselors with a set of prompts/questions to respond to through our web-based admissions application system.
Teachers and counselors are asked a variety of questions that help the Admissions Selection Committee learn about each applicant's high school, and assess each student's level of maturity, interest in learning, independence, communication and teamwork skills, academic strengths, and other abilities.