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Programs In Brief

 
The NCSSM Residential program allows you to live your junior and senior years of high school on our campus in Durham, and graduate with an NCSSM diploma.
 
The NCSSM Online program allows you to stay enrolled at your local high school, while taking 4 to 6 NCSSM courses your junior and senior years. You'll receive an NCSSM transcript.
 
You will be asked which program you are applying to when you begin your NCSSM Admissions application.
 
 

Applying to One Program

 
Students can apply to either program separately using the NCSSM electronic application. 
 
Each program has unique student application essay questions and Teacher and Counselor evaluations/reports. 
 
Students are required to attend a Discovery Day only if they are applying to the Residential program.
 
 

Applying to Both Programs

You have the option to apply to both programs.  However, you will be reviewed by the Selection Committee for the Residential program first.  If you meet the application requirements and space is not available in the residential program, you’ll be considered for the Online program. 
 
More Questions You will complete additional student application essay questions related to the Online program. 
 
Neutral Impact Applying to both programs is not a consideration in the residential admissions decision process; it neither advantages or disadvantages an applicant.
 
No Duplicate Evaluations We use the residential program teacher evaluations/counselor report if you apply to both programs.

Changing Programs

After the January 15th application deadline, you cannot change the program to which you've applied.
 
 
 

Application Requirements

Below is a summary of the application process requirements for each program.  Full details are explained on the Requirements page in the Application Help Center.
 

Residential Program Application Requirements

  • Student application
  • Sophomore year SAT scores
  • English, Math, and Science teacher evaluations
  • Counselor evaluation
  • Transcript showing your freshman and first semester sophomore year grades
  • Parent/legal guardian residency form
  • Discovery Day visit to campus (required)
  • NCSSM math test (given at Discovery Day)

 

Online Program Application Requirements

  • Student application
  • Sophomore year SAT scores
  • English, Math, and Science teacher evaluations
  • Counselor evaluation
  • Transcript showing your freshman and first semester sophomore year grades
  • Parent/legal guardian residency form

 
 
 

Application Review

The Admissions Selection Committee consists of educators from around North Carolina, as well as NCSSM faculty and staff.  They evaluate each completed application. Applicants are evaluated against others who have applied to either one or both programs, from their U.S. Congressional District.  The most current Congressional District map is used during the Committee's evaluation.
 

Residential Program Criteria  The Admissions Selection Committee considers a number of criteria including:  academic rigor, grades, extracurricular/leadership involvement, awards/achievements, evidence of interest in science and mathematics, SAT scores, teacher and counselor evaluations, and performance on the NCSSM math test.
 
Online Program Criteria  The Admissions Selection Committee considers a number of criteria including:  academic engagement and rigor, grades, maturity, need/interest for program, interest in science, technology, math, and engineering, SAT scores, teacher and counselor evaluations, and work ethic and initiative.
 
Decisions  Admissions decisions are announced in mid-April through the Electronic Application.  They will appear in the “Status” area.