Each year, the Mississippi Governor’s School strives to recruit scholars from every region of the state. Yet every application cycle, we have counties, school districts, and communities that are not represented in the applicant pool. We know talented students live in every corner of Mississippi. We need your help finding them.
Many talented students underestimate their abilities, assume they are not competitive applicants, or simply do not know opportunities like MGS exist. A conversation with a trusted educator is often what encourages a student to take a chance on themselves.
School counselors and educators are often the reason a student applies to Mississippi Governor’s School.
Some of the students who would benefit most from MGS are not actively seeking opportunities like this. They may attend small schools, come from communities with limited access to enrichment opportunities, or simply need an educator to recognize their potential and encourage them to apply.
While school counselors play an important role, some of the best nominators are gifted teachers, AP and honors teachers, dual enrollment faculty, coaches, fine arts instructors, and educators who have worked closely with students over time. We encourage all educators who recognize exceptional potential to help identify and encourage strong candidates.
Together, we can ensure that Mississippi’s future leaders, innovators, creators, and problem-solvers have the opportunity to discover MGS, regardless of where they live or attend school.
Understanding Giftedness
One of the most common misconceptions about gifted education is that gifted students are simply the students with the highest grades. While many gifted students are high achievers, true giftedness is about far more than academic performance. High-achieving students often master content, complete assignments successfully, follow directions well, and consistently perform at a high level. These are valuable traits and are often found in MGS scholars.
Gifted students frequently demonstrate something deeper. They are driven by curiosity. They ask questions others have not considered. They challenge assumptions, make connections across disciplines, and seek understanding beyond what is required. They are often creative thinkers, problem-solvers, innovators, leaders, and idea generators.
Giftedness can appear in many ways:
- Exceptional curiosity
- Advanced problem-solving abilities
- Creativity and innovation
- Leadership and influence
- Deep passion for specific interests
- The ability to see patterns, connections, and possibilities that others may miss
- A desire to understand “why,” not just “what”
Some gifted students earn perfect grades. Others may become bored, disengaged, perfectionistic, or frustrated when they are not sufficiently challenged. Some may be overlooked because their gifts emerge through creativity, leadership, entrepreneurship, advocacy, research, service, or independent learning rather than traditional measures of academic success.
When considering MGS candidates, we encourage educators to look beyond GPA, class rank, and test scores.
Ask yourself:
- Which students are genuinely curious?
- Which students ask thoughtful questions?
- Which students think independently?
- Which students seek challenges?
- Which students demonstrate unusual creativity or insight?
- Which students show the potential to learn from and contribute to a community of equally talented peers?
Who Are We Looking For?
MGS seeks students who demonstrate:
- Intellectual curiosity and a love of learning
- Leadership potential
- Creativity and problem-solving skills
- Community involvement and service
- Emotional maturity and personal responsibility
- A willingness to engage with new people and ideas
There is no single formula for admission. While strong academics are important, we are also looking for students who will contribute to and benefit from a community of gifted learners from across Mississippi. The strongest applicants often demonstrate sustained involvement in activities, meaningful service, leadership experiences, initiative, and a genuine desire to learn and grow.
Help Us Find Hidden Talent
We need your help identifying talented students in every corner of Mississippi.
Some of our most successful scholars come from small schools, rural communities, first-generation college families, and areas with limited access to advanced academic opportunities. Others may never have considered themselves “Governor’s School material” until a teacher or counselor encouraged them to apply.
Please think beyond GPA, class rank, and standardized test scores. Consider the student who asks thoughtful questions. The student who sees solutions others miss. The student who leads quietly. The student who creates, invents, advocates, or serves. The student whose potential may exceed the opportunities currently available to them. Those students often thrive at MGS.
Application Support
Not every student has access to the same resources when preparing an application.
If a student needs assistance developing a resume, identifying recommendation writers, preparing application materials, or navigating the application process, please encourage them to contact the MGS office before submitting their application.
We are happy to answer questions, provide guidance, and connect students with resources to ensure talented scholars are not discouraged by the application process.
Cost and Accessibility
Mississippi Governor’s School is provided at no cost to participating scholars. Tuition, housing, meals, activities, and three hours of honors college credit are covered through support from the State of Mississippi and Mississippi University for Women.
The primary expense for most families is transportation to and from Columbus and personal items needed for the residential experience.
We never want financial circumstances to prevent a talented student from attending MGS. If transportation or other participation costs present a challenge, we encourage families and schools to first explore local resources, community organizations, civic groups, foundations, and scholarship opportunities that may be available.
If concerns remain, please contact the MGS office. We are often able to connect families with other MGS scholars in their area for carpooling and may be able to identify additional resources or solutions. Our goal is simple: if a student is selected for MGS, we want every reasonable effort made to ensure they can attend.
Celebrate Your MGS Scholars
Selection to Mississippi Governor’s School is a significant accomplishment and reflects a student’s academic potential, leadership, and commitment to learning.
We encourage schools and communities to celebrate their MGS scholars. Consider recognizing accepted scholars during awards programs, academic ceremonies, and graduation events. Schools may also allow scholars to wear their MGS medallion, stole, or other approved recognition items during senior awards and commencement exercises in accordance with local policies.
We also encourage schools, districts, families, and community organizations to share scholar accomplishments through newsletters, local media outlets, school websites, and social media. Public recognition not only honors the student but also helps raise awareness of MGS and encourages future applicants to consider the opportunity.
When one student succeeds at MGS, it often inspires others to pursue challenging opportunities and recognize their own potential.
Partner With Us
Please help us identify and encourage talented students who may benefit from MGS. Share information with your AP, honors, gifted, and dual enrollment students, and consider those students whose gifts may not be fully reflected by traditional academic measures.
Need recruitment materials, a virtual information session, or application support resources?
Contact the Mississippi Governor’s School office. Together, we can help ensure that talented students from every region and every type of community in Mississippi have the opportunity to discover MGS.