High School Preparation

Students interested in applying to NCSSM, please see the below information for preparing and submitting an application.

Students can only complete and submit an application for admission to the Residential and Online programs once during their academic career. We encourage first- and second-year high school students to use the following information to prepare for the application process:

• Families are required to be legal residents of the state of North Carolina by December 1 of the applicant’s second year of high school. Please visit the Residency Determination Services (RDS) to see if you are eligible for enrollment. 
• Students must be in their second year of high school to apply to the Residential program (NCSSM-Durham and/or NCSSM-Morganton) and NCSSM Online.
• Students must be in their second or third year of high school to apply to Summer Ventures.
• Students are required to create or have a College Foundation of North Carolina (CFNC.org) account.
• Apply through CFNC.org to the program(s) of choice. (Application opens on October 15, 2024, and closes on January 5, 2025.)
• Demonstrate an interest in STEM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics) as determined by participation in clubs, competitions, supplemental programs, leadership positions, and other related activities.
• Strive and achieve above-average grades in high school courses.
• Enroll in accelerated and challenging courses.
• Contact high school teachers and current high school counselors to secure evaluations (applicants only).
• Prepare for the NCSSM math test (second-year high school students who submit an application for NCSSM-Durham and/or NCSSM-Morganton Residential program).
• For the Class of 2027, the North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics will not require or accept standardized tests (SAT, ACT, etc.) for the Class of 2027. The Office of Admissions will not accept any score reports as part of the application process. 

Middle School Preparation

Although the application process is still a few years away (second year of your high school experience), we want you to keep NCSSM in mind. Middle school students will have the opportunity to apply to NCSSM’s Residential program (offered in Durham and Morganton, N.C.) and NCSSM Online during their second year of high school, and students may apply to the Summer Ventures program during their second or third year of high school. To assist in preparing for these outstanding opportunities, we have created a checklist below:

• I am taking the most challenging classes available to me at my school.
• I am making great grades in my classes (striving for A’s).
• I am keeping a list of my awards, activities, and leadership opportunities.
• I am volunteering in my local community.
• I am spending time away from home participating in summer programs and enrichment programs.
• I am showing evidence of maturity, responsibility, and independence.

Contact Admissions 

For all Admissions inquiries, including questions about the admissions process, admission events, and deadlines, please email admissions@ncssm.edu or call 919-416-2850.