Applying is Easy
Open: September 5, 2025
Priority Application Deadline: February 15, 2026
Students apply for GSSM's Residential Program in the 10th grade to join the fall of their 11th grade year.
There are no minimum GPA, or standardized test scores, required for admission. The most competitive applications typically demonstrate excellent grades in advanced academic coursework.
Tips on how to approach your essays can be found on this video, Admissions Hacks: Tackling the Essays, as well as in the tips Essay Tips section below.
Curious about what life at GSSM could look like for you? Join our Mailing List so you won't miss a thing. Keep any eye on your mailbox for information about upcoming events, programs and admission deadlines.
- Admission Requirements
Applicants must be a current resident of the State of South Carolina at the time of enrollment.
Complete a minimum of 10.5 credits before the end of the school year in which you apply, including 7-8 total hours of coursework in the following areas:
- 6 credit hours in the following core courses:
- Algebra 1
- Algebra 2
- Geometry
- English 1
- English 2 (NOTE: AP Seminar will count for English 2 if the high school recognizes the course as an English credit-effective Fall 2026 Admission)
- One lab science course (Biology, Chemistry, or Physics)
- 1-2 credit hours in one of the following areas:
- One year of a foreign language
- Social studies course
- 2.5-3.5 additional credit hours in the following areas:
- Any elective course
- One or two years of the same foreign language
- Fine arts
- Computer science
- Social studies course
- Second lab science
- Health
- Physical education/JROTC
- US History
- Economics
- US Government
Students who enroll in GSSM's Residential program join a rich and diverse community of students focused on high achievement in a challenging and supportive environment. Motivation, respect for others, and self-reliance are hallmarks of the maturity required to contribute and excel.
- 6 credit hours in the following core courses:
- Important Dates for the 2025-26 Admissions Cycle
Residential Program Application Dates*
Open: September 5, 2025
Math Admissions Test: Selected dates in January and February 2026, TBD
Date will be assigned; offered onlinePriority Admissions Deadline: February 15, 2026
Note: Applications received after February 15, 2026, will be considered on a space-available basis.
Finalist Interview Day: Saturday, March 28, 2026
By invitation only; on the GSSM campus
Decision Day: Friday, April 10, 2026
Decisions Response Deadline: Friday, April 17, 2026
New Student Orientation for Enrolling Students: Saturday, May 16, 2026*Dates were posted in August 2025, and are subject to change.
- Essay Tips
Quick Tips for Writing an Essay:
1. Start now! Working on an essay over time will definitely lower your stress and allow you to really think about what you want to say and how you want to say it.
2. Remember the prompt. This is important, not only as you begin to write, but especially when you review your rough draft. Just because your writing is good doesn’t mean it’s on topic, so reread the prompt regularly to stay on point.
3. Brainstorm relevant experiences, thoughts and ideas. Make a list of all the ideas, experiences, and thoughts that come to mind after reading the prompt. This list will help you choose the items that best match up with the topic.
4. We want YOU! Your audience wants to know YOU better. They don’t want to hear someone else’s thoughts or ideas, and they certainly don’t want ideas from a machine. So let YOUR experiences, thoughts, and ideas be the stars of your essay.
5. Good structure will hold it together. Does the introduction hook us? What’s your main point? Can you elaborate on that point and provide examples as support? Did you tie it all together in your conclusion?
6. Bad first drafts are good! There’s no need for perfection the first time around. Go ahead and write a messy, jumble of thoughts if you want. Getting your thoughts on paper makes it much easier to organize those thoughts, scratch what doesn’t fit, and add context where necessary.
7. Take a break. No, really! Walking away from your essay is a good way to clear your mind and come back with a fresh perspective so that you can improve upon what you already wrote. This is also why it’s important to start early so that you can take a break.
8. Reread your draft. Now read it out loud. Whether it’s your first draft or third, rereading your essay is crucial. Also, reading aloud can help you hear when a better transition or different punctuation is needed to help your essay flow.
9. You’re done! Almost. It’s time to proofread for mistakes in spelling, grammar, and punctuation.
10. The End. Now you just follow the submission directions and you’re all set!
You’ve got this!
- Application Checklist
Application Tip:
Application submissions will require the following:
- Online application to include general information and three (3) short answer essays. Check out our Admissions Hacks: Tackling the Essays video for tips!
- Two Teacher Recommendations: One from a STEM (Science, technology, engineering or math) course instructor and one from an English, humanities or social science course instructor.
- School Counselor Form: high school transcript, 1st-semester report card, and EOCEP scores (courses for which student has received credit to date).
- End-of-Course Examination Program (EOCEP): End-of-course tests for gateway courses awarded credit units in English/language arts, mathematics, science, and social studies. Defined gateway courses currently include Algebra 1, Biology 1, English 2, and United States History and the Constitution, or courses with other names and activity codes in which the academic standards corresponding to these subjects are taught.
- Any admitted students that take courses over the Summer of 2026 will only receive credit for any art or personal finance courses taken.
- Official high school transcript including first semester grades, list of second semester courses and class rank. Transcripts must contain all hours/credits and grades to be considered for admissions. If your transcripts are not in English, you must submit a certified transcript translated into English. Applicants with foreign course work must submit a course-by-course evaluation with GPA from a NACES approved company. An admissions decision will not be made until the evaluation and all transcripts are on file. Credential evaluations are done by NACES approved companies and are not conducted by any member at GSSM. In order to get a credential evaluation you will need to contact the NACES approved company directly.
- Standardized Tests: Submission of official PSAT, Pre-ACT, SAT or ACT scores taken since January 2025 are strongly recommended. Students who do not submit test scores will be required to complete a GSSM Math Admissions Test.
Completed applications will include the online application and essays, both teacher recommendations, the School Counselor Form, transcript and grades. Students whose applications are complete by February 15 will receive priority for admissions decision notification on April 10.
*Application evaluation will take into consideration a student’s status for having completed or currently being enrolled in Algebra II
- Standardized Tests
Standardized tests are strongly recommended for the 2025 -2026 Application Cycle. Students may submit PSAT, Pre-ACT, SAT or ACT scores for consideration. Scores taken since January 2025 will be considered. For students who submit standardized test score reports, the admissions committee will consider them when making an admissions decision. Students who do not submit test scores will be required to complete a GSSM Math Admissions Test. Test scores are but one factor reviewed for admission, and will not eliminate a student from further consideration.
- Last SAT date to apply for the GSSM Class of 2028 is Dec. 6, 2025 (registration deadline is Nov. 21, 2025)
- Last ACT date to apply for the GSSM Class of 2028 is Dec. 13, 2025 (registration deadline is Nov. 7, 2025)
GSSM's School Code is 410997, which can be used to submit official SAT or ACT scores for admission.
Tuition-Free
Courses and housing in GSSM's residential program are offered tuition-free thanks to funding by the State of South Carolina and support from the GSSM Foundation.
Families are asked to pay a portion of the direct costs for meals at GSSM through the meal plan fee. Financial assistance for the meal plan, provided by our alumni, staff, and corporate partners via their annual contributions to the Foundation, supports our pledge that no student accepted into the program will be prevented from attending due to financial considerations. We do not ask for a family's financial information in the admissions process and we do not consider it when making admissions decisions.
Some January interim course choices have associated fees to cover course costs, but many are offered without fees. To facilitate broad participation, some travel-based Interim courses may offer financial assistance.
Nondiscrimination Statement
The South Carolina Governor's School for Science and Mathematics does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, or disability in admission to, treatment in, or employment in its programs and activities. Inquiries regarding nondiscrimination policies should be made to Elizabeth Oswald-Sease, VP for Finance & Operations, email eoswaldsease@governors.school and phone 803.402.7556, Governor's School for Science and Mathematics, 401 Railroad Avenue, Hartsville, SC 29550, 843-383-3900 ext. 4040. For further information on federal nondiscrimination regulations, including Title IX, contact the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights at ocr.dc@ed.gov or call 800-421-3481.