Who can apply to Step Up to STEM at ECSU?

The application is open to current eighth grade students who live in the following North Carolina counties: Beaufort, Bertie, Camden, Carteret, Chowan, Craven, Currituck, Dare, Edgecombe, Gates, Greene, Halifax, Hertford, Hyde, Martin, Nash, Northampton, Pamlico, Pasquotank, Perquimans, Pitt, Tyrrell, and Washington.

Who can apply to Step Up to STEM at NCSSM-Durham?

The application is open to current eighth grade students who live in the following North Carolina counties: Alamance, Alexander, Alleghany, Anson, Ashe, Avery, Buncombe, Burke, Cabarrus, Caldwell, Caswell, Catawba, Chatham, Cherokee, Clay, Cleveland, Davidson, Davie, Durham, Forsyth, Franklin, Gaston, Graham, Granville, Guilford, Haywood, Henderson, Iredell, Jackson, Johnston, Lee, Lincoln, Macon, Madison, McDowell, Mecklenburg, Mitchell, Montgomery, Moore, Orange, Person, Polk, Randolph, Rockingham, Rowan, Rutherford, Stanly, Stokes, Surry, Swain, Transylvania, Union, Vance, Wake, Warren, Watauga, Wilkes, Yadkin, and Yancey.

Who can apply to Step Up to STEM at UNC Pembroke?

The application is open to current eighth grade students who live in the following North Carolina counties: Bladen, Brunswick, Columbus, Cumberland, Duplin, Harnett, Hoke, Jones, Lenoir, New Hanover, Onslow, Pender, Richmond, Robeson, Sampson, Scotland, Wayne, and Wilson.

When to Apply

For Summer 2027, the online application will open from December 1, 2026 to February 3, 2027. When applying, each applicant should only create one application to be submitted. Applicants do not have to complete their entire application in one session (and can return to the same application as many times as needed to complete it until the application deadline). In preparation to complete the application process, students are advised to review the process and prepare responses for the information the application requires.

Application Components

Part 1: Parent/Guardian Information

If this is the first time logging into the application system, the parent/guardian must first set up log-in credentials. Once logged in, the parent/guardian will be asked to provide contact information, emergency contact information, and information about the student, as well as agree to the terms and conditions. 

Part 2: Student Application

After the first part of the application is complete, while logged in using the parent/guardian’s credentials, students will be asked to provide demographic information and answer short answer and essay questions. (Note: All essay responses must be written entirely in the student’s own words. Students may use standard spelling and grammar checkers. However, students may not use AI writing tools or have someone else write, rewrite, or expand their responses.)

Teacher / Counselor Recommendations and Academic Records

Applicants must ask a teacher to complete the teacher recommendation form, and a counselor to complete the guidance counselor recommendation form and to send in academic records. Details and email request templates can be found here.

Part 3: Teacher Recommendations

• Within the application system, students must first provide the name and email address of a seventh- or eighth grade science, technology, engineering, math, or STEM teacher who will provide a recommendation on their behalf. (Note: Please be sure to provide the correct spelling of the recommender’s name and email address.)
• Once this information is submitted, the application system will automatically invite the teacher via email to complete a recommendation form. 
• The teacher MUST complete the recommendation by the application deadline. For Summer 2027, the application deadline is February 3, 2027 (5:00 pm ET).

Part 4: Counselor Recommendations and Academic Records

• Within the application system, students must first provide the name and email address of the guidance counselor who will provide a recommendation and submit the academic records. Please note that if the student’s school does not have a guidance counselor, then alternatively, an AIG coordinator or counselor, an academic advisor, or a school administrator can provide a recommendation on the student’s behalf. (Note: Please be sure to provide the correct spelling of the recommender’s name and email address.)
• Once this information is submitted, the application system will automatically invite the recommender via email to complete a recommendation form.
• The recommender will also need to send a copy of the student’s academic records to the Step Up to STEM Program. The applicant’s academic records must include the seventh-grade report card (entire academic year), the eighth-grade report card (first semester only), and EOG scores (or other standardized test scores) for sixth and seventh grades.
• The recommender MUST complete the recommendation and submit the academic records by the application deadline. For Summer 2027, the application deadline is February 3, 2027 (5:00 pm ET).

Official school transcripts can be submitted in one of the following ways:

• Uploading within the application system. (Note: Academic records must be uploaded as one single file).
• Emailing the academic records to stepup@ncssm.edu.
• Requesting a transcript transfer via Parchment/Scribbles (Note: The recommender MUST select this option in the application AND send an email to stepup@ncssm.edu to notify of this request).

Selection Process

After the application deadline, the selection committee reviews all completed applications. Admissions decisions are based on academic performance, teacher and counselor recommendations, and responses to the application essay questions.

Acceptance notifications for Summer 2027 will be emailed on March 11, 2027. Please note that all decisions are final and cannot be appealed. Because we receive more applications than we have available spaces, we unfortunately cannot accept every candidate. We recognize how much effort goes into applying, and we want to emphasize that a non-acceptance decision in no way reflects a student’s talents, hard work, or potential- it is simply a reflection of our limited capacity. Additionally, because the Step Up to STEM staff is not involved in the review process, we are unable to provide individual application feedback to students or families.

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Key Dates for Summer 2027:

• December 1, 2026: Application portal opens
• December 3, 2026: Step Up to STEM Application Workshop
• January 7, 2027: Step Up to STEM @ ECSU Information Session
• January 14, 2027: Step Up to STEM @ NCSSM-Durham Information Session
• January 21, 2027: Step Up to STEM @ UNCP Information Session
• February 3, 2027: Application portal closes
• March 11, 2027: Acceptance decisions emailed
• March 25, 2027: Deadline for acceptance contracts to be submitted
• June 13-18, 2027: Step Up to STEM @ NCSSM-Durham (Cohort 2)
• June 27-July 2, 2027: Step Up to STEM @ ECSU (Cohorts 1 and 2)
• July 11-16, 2027: Step Up to STEM @ UNCP (Cohorts 1 and 2)
• July 18-23, 2027: Step Up to STEM @ NCSSM-Durham (Cohort 1)

Please note: Cohort 1 is ONLY for students applying to the program as current eighth graders. Cohort 2 is ONLY for students who participated the previous year as Cohort 1 students.

Step Up to STEM Application Workshop

Join us for a virtual workshop designed to help you master the Step Up to STEM application process.

Here is what we will cover:

• Portal Walkthrough: Step-by-step guidance for navigating the online application portal smoothly
• Recommender Etiquette: Practical advice on how to approach and follow-through with your recommenders.
• Family Q&A: Dedicated time for you and your family to ask questions and get real-time answers.

Workshop Date: December 3, 2026
Registration Dates: November 2, 2026 – December 2, 2026 (Closes at 5:00 pm).  Click here to register to attend.
Location: Online via Zoom (Access links will be emailed the morning of the event to all registered families).

Step Up to STEM Virtual Information Sessions

Join us to learn more about Step Up to STEM! These free virtual sessions will cover an overview of the program, eligibility requirements, the application process, and the summer 2027 timeline. Each session will also include a live Q&A to answer your questions.

Session Dates and Times:

• Thursday, January 7, 2027 (7:00 pm – 8:00 pm): Step Up to STEM at ECSU Virtual Information Session. Click here to register to attend.
• Thursday, January 14, 2027 (7:00 pm – 8:00 pm): Step Up to STEM at NCSSM- Durham Virtual Information Session. Click here to register to attend.
• Thursday, January 21, 2027 (7:00 pm – 8:00 pm): Step Up to STEM at UNCP Virtual Information Session. Click here to register to attend.

Registration Details:
These sessions are free and held via Zoom. Registration opens on November 2, 2026 and closes at 5:00 pm ET the day before each event. Zoom access links will be emailed to all registered families on the morning of the session.