Details: Describe any part of the experience that you had, of completing the process of application to the NC School of Science and Mathematics in the Winter and Spring of 1980. Alternatively, you may write a story about your acceptance to be a member of the first class (or staff or faculty) of the school. You may write more than one story about the process if you like.
Background:
"To select a diversified student body of gifted and talented students with interest and potential for high achievement in science and mathematics is the goal of the Admissions Office". This was Ola Stringer's report to the Board of Trustees in March of 1989. The admissions process for NCSSM began with the hiring of Ola Stringer, in December of 1979, as the Head of Admissions.
The office of admissions began soliciting support for student applications to NCSSM by using Regional Education Centers across the state for school representatives to meet with public school superintendents, "to assist in clarifying the school's purpose and to enlist a cooperative support for its program."
After statewide distribution of admissions criteria, Mike Collins (Dean for Student Personnel Services) and Ola Stringer returned to the Regional Education Centers "to meet with parents, students, school personnel and community representatives." Dean Collins and Mrs. Stringer listened to the feedback at these center; which included concerns about the nature of the new school's athletic and music programs; the "standards, values, and culture" of faculty and staff; the "guidance and supervision" of the residential life program; and the allowance for humanities and electives outside of science and math in the instructional program. They undoubtedly sought to address these concerns, back in Durham, where the process of planning for a school student body was still underway.
Early in 1980 the nomination procedures and the criteria for admissions were developed through a collaboration between the office of admissions, the school administrative staff (which included no faculty at the time), and several advisory groups. A one page nomination form was developed; and those forms (along with parent/student permission forms) had to be completed by February 29th, 1980.
Admission packets were developed that included as much information about the school as could be provided at the time. Keep in mind that the school was brand new. Many of its programs and services were as yet unknown. In addition to an application form, the packet included "an Instructional Program Summary, a Student Handbook Summary, a Description of the Campus and a Sample Weekly and Daily Student Schedule." Those admission packets were distributed to the 913 students had been nominated.
Admission was restricted to rising 11th grade students who were legal residents of North Carolina, and demonstrating "a sincere desire to learn and the willingness to commit themselves to the idea of total development." Applicants had to complete the Scholastic Aptitude Test, which that year was administered on Saturday, March 22nd. (A few applicants had to take the test in May due to a prior commitment to a regional band competition.) Scores would be available by the end of April; before most final selections were made. High school transcripts were also required.
In addition, the nomination form (often completed by a teacher) included 11 questions to gather information on the student's "academic and personal" qualities. And on the application itself, the student was asked, in two questions, to give their "perception of what the School can do for them and what contributions they can make to the School."
Next the student applicants would meet at one of eight regional locations, for interviews conducted by school staff, on one of four Saturdays from March 15th to April 26th. At the same time as the interview, testing would be performed with the Alpha Biographical Inventory (a measure of scientific creativity) and Raven's Progressive Matrices (a test of intelligence and abstract reasoning), to help "determine aptitude and potential for high achievement." 886 applicants went to the regional sites for testing and interviews.
Back in Durham; a fourteen member selection committee was formed to select at least 225 semifinalists by May 9th, 1980; but ultimately 242 were selected. In a Raleigh Times article, Ola Stringer said, "It was really very heartbreaking at times. I would sit here and look at two files and feel I had lost my ability to discriminate." And, "We agonized over our decisions and we prayed over them, and I empathized with the parents and with the students who weren't chosen."
Subsequently, the semifinalists and their families were invited for a final interview and a campus visit on Saturday, May 17th, when they could also meet the administrative staff and the newly hired faculty.
Besides academic and personal qualifications; regional, ethnic, and cultural diversity were considered in the selection process. Finalists were announced on May 22nd, 1980; when 150 finalists were given admission, and 42 alternates were chosen. The finalists came from 63 of the states 100 counties; and minorities made up 24% of the incoming class. Still, nine students declined the offer of admission before classes began.
{Raleigh Times quote is from "Wake has five in cream of crop", by Mary Burch; The Raleigh Times; September 1, 1980}
{All other quotations and dates are taken from the "Admissions Office Report to the Board of Trustees", submitted by Ola F. Stringer, on March 6, 1980; Attachment #1-A to the NCSSM Directors Report to the Board of Trustees on March 7, 1980. This document is found in NCSSM Historical Collection of the NCSSM Digital Collections.}
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