Application Preparation
Prepare for the pieces SCGSSM reads
The application mixes grades, one test score, three short essays and teacher recommendations. Start with the test plan, since the score has to arrive by the deadline.
Checked against SCGSSM's published admissions pages on November 5, 2026.
Testing
The test score.
SCGSSM does not run its own entrance exam. Applicants submit one score from a test they have already taken.
- Rules
- One score report is required: PSAT, Pre-ACT, SAT or ACT, taken since January 2026. Scores are one factor among several.
- Older scores
- Scores from before January 2026, such as 8th grade scores, are not considered.
- PSAT scores on the application page
- The application page says a PSAT Math score of 500 or higher and a Reading score of 490 or higher are most competitive.
- Scores on the FAQ page
- The FAQ lists competitive math scores as PSAT 550 or higher, SAT 600 or higher, and Pre-ACT or ACT 25 or higher.
- Test dates for the priority deadline
- To arrive by the priority deadline, the last SAT is December 5, 2026 and the last ACT is December 12, 2026.
- Registration deadlines
- Registration deadlines for those dates are November 20, 2026 for the SAT and November 6, 2026 for the ACT.
- Test dates for later applications
- For all applications, the last SAT is May 1, 2027 and the last ACT is April 10, 2027.
- School code
- GSSM's school code for score reports is 410997.
- Uploading the score
- Applicants upload the PDF score report from their College Board or ACT account.
- 01
The two pages above list different Math benchmarks. Treat both as signals, not cutoffs, because the school sets no minimum score.
- 02
Pick a test date that leaves time for a retake before the priority deadline, and send the PDF score report with the application.
Essays
The essays and recommendations.
This is where your student speaks in their own voice, and where teachers who know them speak up.
- Essays
- The application has three short answer essays of 100 to 250 words each.
- Recommendations
- Two teacher recommendations are required, one STEM teacher and one humanities teacher, from teachers who taught the student in spring of 9th grade or in 10th grade.
- Privacy of recommendations
- Teacher recommendation forms are confidential to GSSM.
- Honors and awards
- The honors and awards section is not only for academic awards. It can include honor roll, music, sports, leadership, drama, art or writing awards.
- Original work
- Plagiarism and the use of AI are grounds for application dismissal.
- 01
Open the application when it goes live on September 15 and read the prompts before drafting anything. They change each year.
- 02
Let your student write alone. The school treats plagiarism and AI use as grounds for dismissal.
- 03
Ask one STEM teacher and one humanities teacher who know your student well, and tell them before the request goes out.
Preparation plan
A plan that works backward from the deadline.
Adjust the pace to your student's schedule. The order matters more than the exact days.
First
Check eligibility
Confirm South Carolina residency and that Geometry, Algebra 1 and Algebra 2 will be done by the end of 10th grade.
Early
Book a test date
One PSAT, Pre-ACT, SAT or ACT score taken since January 2026 is enough. The last SAT for the priority deadline is December 5.
Next
Draft the essays
The application opened September 15. Read the three prompts first.
January
Ask teachers and the counselor
The counselor form opens in mid-January. Tell teachers before you send the request.
Before the deadline
Submit and confirm
The priority deadline is February 15, 2027. Check the portal and email admissions if anything shows missing.
After submitting
Watch for interview news
Finalists hear about Interview Day on March 5, and decisions come April 9.