MGS 2027 Applications

Mississippi Governor's School Scholar Application

46th Session of MGS June 6 - June 19, 2027
*NOTE* Please do not forget to save the 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.

DEADLINE EXTENSION: Applications Due: November 1, 2026 by 11:59 PM

Our team will review your submission and contact you at the email address provided if any information or materials (such as a recommendation letter) are missing, uploaded incorrectly, or need correction. Please check your email regularly for updates. We will notify first-round awardees by December 20, and wait-list and second-round awardees in January.

This is an extremely competitive process. Our team grades all applications using a rubric and a multi-grader approach. Please be patient as you wait for the results.
- 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
  Format: (000) 000-0000.
- Scholar Gender
  
  Other
- 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)
  
  Other
- 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 PhoneFormat: (000) 000-0000.
- Scholar's Parent or Guardian Phone Number 2 (First Contact)
  Work or Home Secondary NumberFormat: (000) 000-0000.
- 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 NumberFormat: (000) 000-0000.
- 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?
  
  Other
- 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.Format: (000) 000-0000.
- Scholar Grade Classification for Fall 2026 (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.
- Will you be a first generation college student? First generation is defined as a student whose parents/guardians did not complete a four-year bachelor's degree.
- What classification is your high school?
- Does your school offer any AP courses?
- Does your school offer any dual enrollment courses?
- Do you qualify for free or reduced lunch through your school?
- ACT or SAT Score
  please write "pending" if you have not yet taken or received your standardized test scores
- ACT or SAT Score Upload
  
  Please upload proof of your ACT or SAT score. If you have not yet taken or received your scores back, please upload proof of registration for the ACT or SAT.
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- Date of ACT or SAT Exam
  
  MonthDayYear
- 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
- Parent Signature to release academic records to MGS
- What things interest you? (Check at least two; you may select up to six)
  
  Other
- Scholar Academic Qualifications
  
  To be eligible for consideration, applicants must meet both of the following requirements: 1) Academic Qualification and 2) Demonstrated Advanced Ability. 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.
- Which academic qualifications do you meet?
- Upload ONE file to support the above academic qualification you have selected.
  
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- Scholar Advanced Ability 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?
- What single qualification will you upload?
- Upload ONE file to support the above single qualification.
  
  Cancelof
- Scholar Resume
  
  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. Education: school and current grade level, GPA, academic interests, and any advanced coursework
  2. School Organizations and Involvement in Extracurricular Activities (and your leadership roles served, if applicable)
  3. Community Service and Volunteer Experience
  4. Work Experience (if applicable)
  5. Awards and Honors
  6. Hobbies, Travel, Unique Interests and Abilities
  - Please detail dates, responsibilities, and leadership roles within each experience.
  - Quantify where you can (instead of saying "served in food kitchen in summer 2024," consider how many hours or weeks you served: "served 18 hours in community food kitchen in summer 2024")
  - Not every applicant will have experiences in every category. We encourage you to focus on the activities and accomplishments that best tell your story and reflect your unique strengths and experiences.
- Scholar Experiences Resume Upload
  
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- 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, 2026. 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 (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 2027:
  
  Mississippi is shaped by the people who choose to invest their talents, ideas, leadership, and service in their communities. Mississippi Governor’s School seeks students who are curious, engaged, and committed to making a positive difference in the places they call home.
  
  Reflect on an experience, challenge, project, accomplishment, or opportunity that has influenced your growth and helped shape your understanding of Mississippi and your role within it.
  
  Please address at least three of the following questions in your response:
  - What experience, challenge, or opportunity has had the greatest impact on your personal or intellectual growth?
  - How has that experience influenced the way you view your community, Mississippi, or the world around you?
  - How have you used your talents, interests, or abilities to contribute to your school, community, or others?
  - What unique perspectives, experiences, or strengths will you bring to the Mississippi Governor’s School community?
  - How do you hope to use your education, leadership, and talents to make a positive impact in Mississippi or beyond?
  - How will participation in Mississippi Governor’s School help you achieve those goals?
  Use specific examples, personal reflection, and thoughtful insight to help the selection committee understand who you are, what matters to you, and how you hope to contribute to the future of Mississippi.
- 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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- 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.
- 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 46th cohort of scholars for MGS summer of 2027.
- 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 2027, the program dates are June 6- June 19. Scholars will check in before 3 PM on June 6th and release by noon on June 19, 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 2027 is the 46th 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 2027.
  - Applications Due: November 1, 2026 by 11:59 PM.
- Signature of Scholar to Submit Application
- Signature of Parent or Guardian to Submit Application
- Date Application Submitted
  
  MonthDayYear
  Date
- Internal Note:
- Should be Empty:

Mississippi Governor's School Scholar Application

Student Scholar Information

Scholar Guardian / Parent Information

Scholar High School Information

Scholar Academic Qualifications

Scholar Advanced Ability Qualifications

Scholar Resume

Scholar Recommendation Letters

Prompt Response (Upload)

Final Step: Sign to Submit Your Application