The Arkansas School for Mathematics, Sciences and the Arts has officially launched the search for the Class of 2018.
Students apply to ASMSA through a competitive admissions process that evaluates high school coursework, ACT/SAT scores, responses to essay questions, letters of recommendation, and other accomplishments. Finalist candidates are invited to attend Interview Weekends in April. The process is similar to application at selective colleges and universities.
Students must submit their completed online application, test scores, and letters of recommendation no later than March 1, 2016.
“With so many talented students across the state of Arkansas, selecting incoming students can pose a challenge,” said Valerie Carpenter, ASMSA’s director of admissions. “Therefore, it is safe to say that when looking at a student’s profile, we seek students who are well-rounded academically, socially and emotionally, have shown outstanding achievement in rigorous coursework, and who have an aptitude and open mind for the fields of math, sciences and the arts.”
Eligible students must be a resident of the state of Arkansas, be a current 10th-grade student, submit an ACT composite and subscores of 19 or higher, and a minimum unweighted grade point average of 3.25.
To learn more about ASMSA’s application process, visit asmsa.org/admissions/application.
Throughout the fall semester, admissions representatives will visit schools and communities across Arkansas to present the opportunities available to talented and motivated Arkansas students who complete their junior and senior years of high school in residence at ASMSA.
The school will also host a series of Preview Weekends on Sept. 26, 2015, Nov. 15, 2015, and Feb. 6, 2016.
Preview Weekends present a unique opportunity for prospective applicants and their families to meet with current ASMSA students and their parents, visit the Student Center, and gain a better understanding of student life at ASMSA. Topics will include the role of the ACT and SAT in the admissions process, suggested courses for sophomore year and qualities of a strong applicant. Students will also participate in hands-on sessions guided by ASMSA faculty members in a topic of their choice.
Focus Weekends will be an addition to the slate of admissions activities planned by the school this year. Special events for students interested in careers in Computer Science (Oct. 9-10, 2015), Biomedicine (Nov. 5-6, 2015), and Arts (Jan. 8-9, 2016) will include an overnight stay in the Student Center and activities that highlight the depth of opportunities available at ASMSA in these disciplines. A fourth Focus Weekend will be held Dec. 11-12, 2015, for Project HELIX participants.
Families may RSVP online at armathsciarts.eventbrite.com.
Carpenter encourages all prospective students and their families to visit ASMSA in person through one of the school’s many outreach events.
“A visit to our campus allows students the opportunity to ask questions and get more familiar with the campus while engaging in conversation with current students, faculty and staff. A tour of the facility also helps students get a firsthand view of the campus that will aid in the decision-making process,” Carpenter said.
The Class of 2017, which began their studies in August, achieved the highest incoming ACT average of any class of students to date. The group averaged 27 out of 36 possible points on the exam. Arkansas’ most recent class of graduating seniors averaged a 20.4 composite on the national exam. One-third of ASMSA’s juniors qualify for free-and-reduced lunch programs—the highest percentage among the school’s national peers.