• Applicants for the Residential and Online programs must be in theirsecond year of high school.
• Summer Ventures applicants must be in their second or third year of high school.
• Applicants applying for the Class of 2028 must establish permanent legal residency in the state of North Carolina by December 1, 2025, and are required to complete the residency application using the North Carolina Residency Determination Services (RDS) by January 30, 2026.

Standardized Test Update for the Class of 2028

The North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics will not require or accept standardized tests (SAT, ACT, etc.) for the Class of 2028. The Office of Admissions will not accept any score reports as part of the application process. 

If you have any questions, please contact the Office of Admissions, admissions@ncssm.edu.

NCSSM has partnered with the College Foundation of North Carolina (CFNC) to create the NCSSM electronic application. To complete an application, you must have a CFNC account. Go to www.cfnc.org read through the instructions and create a CFNC account. Once you have created an account or if you already have a CFNC account, log into CFNC.org.

For specific instructions on filling out the NCSSM Application at CFNC.org, see the Application Help Guide below.

Applicants must have each section of the application completed via the CFNC.org electronic application by January 5, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. There are no exceptions to this deadline.

Evaluations are required from each of these by February 28:

• 9th or 10th grade STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) Teacher
• 9th or 10th grade English Teacher
• Guidance counselor—Must be your current 10th grade guidance counselor

February 15 to February 28

The window for submitting transcripts and report cards will open on February 15, 2026, and close on February 28, 2026. Applicants can submit or report their grades using one of the following methods:

• CFNC: Applicants can submit their official transcripts using www.cfnc.org. If the applicant is enrolled in a year-long course, they will need to request that their current year counselor submit an official report card to the Office of Admissions to accompany their transcript.
  • Log in to CFNC.org
  • Under the Apply Section, click To College, and then Transcript Manager
  • Select North Carolina School of Science and Math from the pull-down menu
• Applicants can request that their counselor send an official copy by US Postal Service: Attn: NCSSM Office of Admissions, 1219 Broad Street, Durham, North Carolina, 27705 or by uploading it and sending it electronically to transcripts@ncssm.edu.
• Self Reporting: Applicants can upload an unofficial copy of their transcript in Blackbaud. If the applicant is enrolled in a year-long course, they will need to scan and submit a copy of their report card in Blackbaud to accompany their transcript. Note: Applicants who are extended an offer for enrollment will be contingent on NCSSM receiving an official transcript from their home high school.

Applicants for the Class of 2028 who apply to NCSSM residential campuses (Durham and/or Morganton) are required to take the NCSSM Math Assessment as part of their application. Applicants will register in their Blackbaud account to take the NCSSM Math Assessment.

NCSSM Discovery Days (NCSSM Math Assessment) Dates for the Class of 2028
NCSSM-Durham Campus:TBD
NCSSM-Morganton Campus:TBD