Summer Ventures Admissions

Summer Ventures is open to academically motivated North Carolina high school students who demonstrate strong interest in science or mathematics. Students can apply through a statewide admissions process coordinated by NCSSM, with selections made by a committee of education, science, and mathematics professionals.

Who Can Apply

Applicants must:

  • Be current 10th or 11th grade students
  • Have custodial parent(s)/guardian(s) who established North Carolina residency no later than December 1 of the current year
  • Demonstrate strong academic ability, motivation, and interest in science or mathematics

Consideration is given to students whose abilities are not accurately reflected in grades or test scores, including those with exceptionalities and those for whom English is a second language.

SVSM students studying plants

Application Process

The Summer Ventures state coordinator’s office at NCSSM typically provides information to the guidance offices in all public and private high schools in North Carolina and to key personnel in NC LEAs. Guidance counselors and STEM teachers endeavor to make students aware of this opportunity. They may show the Summer Ventures website/video or have a university program director make a presentation to create interest.

  • Applications open mid-October and are completed online
  • Application deadline is January 5
  • After application submission, supporting materials (transcripts and recommendations from guidance counselors and teachers) are submitted through Blackbaud (application portal managed by NCSSM)

Official application information can be found at https://www.ncssm.edu/summerventures.

Selection & Notification

Finalists are selected by a statewide admissions committee made up of professionals in education, science, and mathematics. Each finalist is assigned to a campus based on academic interests and availability, and the assignment is final.

To serve as many students as possible, students may attend Summer Ventures only once. High school sophomores admitted to both SVSM and the NCSSM Residential Program must choose only one to attend. Students enrolled in the NCSSM Residential Program are not eligible to attend Summer Ventures; NCSSM Online students remain eligible.

Finalists and alternates will be notified of acceptance via their Blackbaud account in early April. Students must accept or decline their invitation through Blackbaud. After accepting the invitation, additional instructions will be emailed.

  • Finalists – Additional instructions will be emailed to the student and parent(s), including forms and documents which must be completed and returned by the stated deadlines. Classes will be assigned upon accepting the invitation and submitting class preferences. Please review the class descriptions and complete the Google Form (link will be emailed) to rank your choices.
  • Alternates – Alternates are invited according to their indicated interest and space availability. There is no “order” in our alternate list. Additional information will be emailed.