MGS 2026 Scholar Application

Mississippi Governor's School Scholar Application

45th Session of MGS May 31 - June 13, 2026
*NOTE* Please do not forget to save application in order to return to it later

You must click "Submit Form" for your application to be processed. A confirmation email will be sent to the Scholar's Email Address

Applications Due: November 1, 2025 by 11:59 PM

Scholar Information
Student Scholar Information
Student Scholar Applicant's Name*

First NameLast Name
Scholar's Preferred Name
First Name (Preferred)
Scholar Birth Date*

MonthDayYear
Scholar Email Address*
example@example.com
Secondary Scholar Email Address
example@example.com
Scholar Cell Phone Number
Scholar Gender*

MaleFemalePrefer not to discloseOther
Scholar Race*
Scholar Home Mailing Address*

Street Address

Street Address Line 2

CityState / Province

Postal / Zip Code
County of Mississippi Residence *
Example: Lowndes County
Scholar's Social Security Number*
000-00-0000 format: The scholar's social security number is needed (if accepted into MGS) to receive 3 hours of college credit.
Scholar Citizenship (for university admittance to receive MGS college credits)*

US CitizenshipUS Permanent Resident VisaOther

Scholar Guardian / Parent Information
Scholar Guardian / Parent Information
Scholar's Parent or Guardian Contact Information (First Contact) *

First NameLast Name
Scholar's Parent or Guardian Relationship (First Contact) *
Scholar's Parent or Guardian E-mail (First Contact) *
example@example.com
Scholar's Parent or Guardian Phone Number 1 (First Contact) *
Cell Phone
Scholar's Parent or Guardian Phone Number 2 (First Contact)
Work or Home Secondary Number
Scholar's Parent or Guardian Name (Second Contact)

First NameLast Name
Scholar's Parent or Guardian Relationship (Second Contact)
Scholar's Parent or Guardian E-mail (Second Contact)
example@example.com
Scholar's Parent or Guardian Phone Number (Second Contact)
Cell Number

Scholar High School Information
Scholar High School Information

Your accuracy is essential to the admissions process. Please verify that the information you provide here is correct.
Name of Current High School*
Example: East Mississippi High School
Name of School District (Required if Public)
Example: East Mississippi School District
School Website Address
Example: https://www.lowndes.k12.ms.us/schools/nhhs/
County of School *
Example: Lowndes
How is your high school accredited?*

MDE (Mississippi Department of Education)MAIS (Mid-south Association of Independents Schools)SACS (Southern Association of Colleges and Schools)Homeschooling Certificate of Enrollment from MDEOther
Principal / Headmaster Name*

First NameLast Name
Principal / Headmaster Email*
example@example.com
School Counselor Name*

First NameLast Name
School Counselor Email Address (for transcript)*
example@example.com
High School Phone Number (Prefer School Counselor Direct Line)
Please enter a valid phone number.
Scholar Grade Classification for Fall 2025 (Current at time of application)*
MUST be current high school Sophomore or Junior at the time of application to participate Summer 2026.
Scholar Estimated Graduation Date*

MonthDayYear
Scholar can not graduate before December 2026 to participate.
ACT or SAT Score
Date of ACT or SAT Exam

MonthDayYear

School Information Release Permission Form
Please sign below to allow your school counselor to release academic records to MGS so that you may be considered for admission. We will request the scholar transcript. The student and the parent/guardian BOTH must digitally sign this form. This will serve as a legally binding document.
Scholar Signature to release academic records to MGS*

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Parent Signature to release academic records to MGS*

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Scholar Aptitude Qualifications
Scholar Qualifications

In order to attend Mississippi Governor's School, applicants must have achieved at least one of the qualifications listed below. After you have selected the qualifications below, you will be asked to verify that you meet them. For instance, if you select "ACT score of 25 or higher," you will need to upload your ACT score sheet. Only ONE qualification with supporting documentation is required. You will not receive more points based on multiple qualifications.
Which qualifications do you meet?*

Gifted eligibility ruling in MississippiComposite score of 25 or above on the ACTSelection index of 175 or above on the PSATScore of 1250 or above on the SATAcademic aptitudeCreative thinking abilityLeadership abilityFine and/or performing arts ability
What single qualification will you upload? *
Upload ONE file to support the above single qualification. *

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Scholar Academic, Extracurricular, and Volunteer Experiences
Scholar Academic, Extracurricular, and Volunteer Experiences

A resume detailing your experiences is required.
Your resume should list your name at the top and contain a section with each of the following:
1. School Organizations and Involvement in Extracurricular Activities
2. Community Service and Volunteer Experience
3. Work Experience
4. Awards and Honors
5. Hobbies, Travel, Unique Interests and Abilities
- Please detail dates, responsibilities, and leadership roles within each experience.
- While all sections are recommended, they are not all required. (Example: you have not held any jobs in high school.)
- Please limit each section to a maximum of three entry experiences per section.
Scholar Experiences Resume Upload*

Your resume should contain a section with each of the following: 1) School Organizations and Involvement in Extracurricular Activities, 2) Community Service and Volunteer Experience, 3) Work Experience, 4) Awards and Honors, 5) Hobbies, Travel, Unique Interests and Abilities. Please detail dates, responsibilities, and leadership roles within each experience.
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Recommendation Letters
Scholar Recommendation Letters

You MUST provide two recommendation letters to apply for Mississippi Governor's School. Please see the details under each recommendation letter. If unsure, please email mgs@muw.edu or call 662-329-7150 with any questions. Letters can be emailed directly to mgs@muw.edu by the recommender or uploaded. Deadline for emailed letters is November 1, 2025. MGS may also send the recommenders a private email soliciting information about the MGS candidate. Please make sure all names and emails are correct.
Teacher Recommendation: Teacher Name*

First NameLast Name
Teacher's Email Address*
example@example.com
Teacher: Recommendation Letter Upload

Recommendation Letter 1) Must be a teacher who has taught you within the past year. *Counselors and/or parents as teachers for homeschooling cannot be used for the teacher recommendation. TIP: Your teacher should speak to your academic abilities, curiosity in learning, project based work, peer relationships, challenges in coursework, judgement, maturity, and leadership in the school/classroom. One of the biggest benefits to MGS is your ability to be around like-minded, gifted, and intellectually curious peers. From your teacher's perspective, why do you need to attend? Please have your teacher tailor their letter to this MGS opportunity.
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Community Member Recommendation: Name*

First NameLast Name
Community Member's Email Address*
example@example.com
Community Member: Recommendation Letter Upload

Letter 2) Must be a community member. TIP: The community member should be someone who knows your creative, academic, and/or leadership skills. For instance, you could ask your Scout leader or the director of a nonprofit organization where you volunteer, or your church where you serve. The letter should include how they know you and how they think you could thrive in an MGS environment. Please have your Community Member tailor their letter to what qualifies you for the MGS experience.
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Prompt Response
Prompt Response (Upload)

*This is a CRITICAL piece of the process. Please submit YOUR OWN quality work. You can respond to this prompt in whatever way you feel most confident (essay, digital graphic, PowerPoint, Canva, video presentation, etc.). There is no required length, but the below prompts must be answered. Short, organized, and concise are recommended. We are looking for writing style, organization, critical thinking, and creativity. This is your chance to show us why you would be perfect for the MGS family of scholars! It must be work of the scholar. Plagiarism and AI is prohibited and will automatically disqualify your application.
Prompt for Summer 2026:

Mississippi is home to a rich chorus of voices — from storytellers and leaders to artists, educators, and everyday citizens whose words and actions have shaped communities across the state. These voices can be loud or quiet, historical or contemporary, personal or collective — but each has the power to inspire, challenge, and create change.

In a well-developed essay, reflect on the theme of “Voices” as it relates to your experience in Mississippi.

Please address the following questions:
- What is a voice (past or present) from Mississippi that has influenced or inspired you?
- How have you used your own voice to lead, create, or advocate for something meaningful?
- What unique voice or skills will you bring to the Governor's School?
- How do you hope to raise your voice to make an impact in Mississippi or beyond?
- How will participation in the Governor's School help you achieve this?
Use specific examples, personal reflection, and thoughtful insight to explore the role of “voices” in shaping who you are — and who you aspire to be.
Prompt Response (Upload)*

Upload PDF or other file type. If you need to provide URL link, paste the link onto a word or notes document and upload here.
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Submit Application for MGS 2026
All critical information regarding MGS is sent via email to get information to you as quickly as possible. All vital information will be emailed to the STUDENT email address provided. Parent/guardian email addresses supplement the information provided to the student. Please click here to verify that you understand the importance of checking your email regularly and to agree that you will do so during this process.*

I understand the importance of checking my email regularly throughout this process and have verified that I have provided valid email addresses.
Final Step: Sign to Submit Your Application

We remind applicants that all information must be complete, accurate and reflect their independent thinking and writing. By signing the below, you indicate your application is true and complete for consideration into the 45th cohort of scholars for MGS summer of 2026.
Final Reminders:
- Due to the competitiveness of this program, incomplete applications are not accepted. All red-starred items are required for submission. You may be asked to complete other items if accepted.
- If you are selected for MGS 2026, the program dates are May 31 - June 13. Scholars will check in before 3 PM on May 31 and release by noon on June 13, and scholars must be present and participate in the entire two-week experience.
- MGS can provide some minor accommodations if necessary, but scholars must be able to fully participate in the daily rigor, academic coursework, and recreational activities.
- Scholars will receive 3 hours of honors university elective credit for completing the MGS program. Once scholars are accepted into MGS, this application will be used for MUW admissions so the scholar can receive college credit. This does NOT mean the scholar intends to attend The W/MUW for college. This is strictly for MGS's use with the Registrar's Office for MGS credit.
- The State of Mississippi and our host university, Mississippi University for Women, invest approximately $2,500 per scholar for this summer learning experience with like-minded gifted peers. Summer 2026 is the 45th year of MGS. This is an experience like no other.
- Please be mindful of MGS dates when planning other camps and family vacations.
- Once applications are reviewed, scholars will receive an email from MGS@muw.edu outlining next steps. Applications are deemed not accepted, waitlisted, or accepted and approved to move forward. If your scholar is accepted, they will receive formal acceptance forms to commit to MGS 2026.
- Applications Due: November 1, 2025 by 11:59 PM.
Signature of Scholar to Submit Application*

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Signature of Parent or Guardian to Submit Application*

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Date Application Submitted*

MonthDayYear
Date
Should be Empty:

Mississippi Governor's School Scholar Application

Student Scholar Information

Scholar Guardian / Parent Information

Scholar High School Information

Scholar Qualifications

Scholar Academic, Extracurricular, and Volunteer Experiences

Scholar Recommendation Letters

Prompt Response (Upload)

Final Step: Sign to Submit Your Application