Apply for MGS

Student Applications are due November 1.

Apply to MGS (2027 Application Portal Pending)

Application Information

Applications Open: August 15, 2026

Application Final Deadline: November 1, 2026

Cohort Notification: First round selected scholars will be notified prior to the Christmas holiday break.

Eligibility: Mississippi residents currently completing 10th or 11th grade (at the time of application submission) who have not previously attended the Mississippi Governor’s School.

Cost: Tuition, room, meals, and activities are covered for scholars. Three hours of honors college credit are provided through Mississippi University for Women. Transportation to and from MGS and personal dorm supplies are each scholar’s responsibility.

Residential Commitment: MGS is a fully residential, closed-campus program. Scholars are expected to participate in all scheduled courses, activities, and events throughout the two-week experience.

Program Dates: June 6-19, 2027

Location: Mississippi University for Women, Columbus, Mississippi

Need Help? Contact the MGS office (mgs@muw.edu) before submitting your application. We are happy to answer questions and help students navigate the application process.

Application: Portal Opens August 15

Application Instructions

Apply to MGS: The online application is required for a student to be considered for admission to the Mississippi Governor’s School.

It must be completed in its entirety by the student who is applying, and must be digitally signed by the student and by a parent/guardian.

Mississippi Governor’s School Qualification Requirements

Resume and Experience Requirement

To help us better understand who you are beyond your academic record, applicants must submit a résumé highlighting their interests, leadership, service, accomplishments, and experiences outside the classroom.

Your résumé should include your name at the top and, as applicable, the following sections:

Education:

• School and current grade level
• GPA (optional)
• Academic interests
• Advanced coursework (AP, IB, Dual Credit, Honors, CTE, or similar)

School Organizations, Extracurricular Activities, and Athletics

Examples include clubs, academic teams, athletics, fine arts, robotics, JROTC, publications, student government, and other school-sponsored activities.

Leadership

Leadership roles in school, athletics, church, community organizations, clubs, work, or other activities.

Community Service, Volunteer Work, and Civic Engagement

Volunteer service, mentoring, community projects, fundraising, advocacy, church involvement, or other meaningful service experiences.

Employment and Responsibilities

Part-time employment, internships, apprenticeships, family business responsibilities, significant caregiving responsibilities, or other meaningful responsibilities outside of school.

Awards, Honors, and Recognition

Academic, athletic, artistic, leadership, community, or other recognitions.

Special Interests, Talents, and Accomplishments

Independent projects, research, entrepreneurship, coding, certifications, travel, hobbies, creative pursuits, unique skills, languages, or other experiences that help us better understand your interests and strengths.

Quality is more important than quantity. The strongest résumés demonstrate sustained involvement, meaningful contributions, and a genuine commitment to learning, leadership, service, creativity, or personal growth.

• Limit your resume to one or two pages to best represent your accomplishments and involvement.
• Include dates of participation.
• Include volunteer hours for service experiences whenever possible.
• Briefly describe your responsibilities, accomplishments, leadership roles, or contributions.
• Focus on experiences that demonstrate initiative, commitment, creativity, intellectual curiosity, leadership, service, or personal growth.

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.

Remember, Mississippi Governor’s School is not looking for the student with the longest résumé. We seek intellectually curious, motivated, and engaged students who challenge themselves, contribute to their schools and communities, and show the potential to make a meaningful impact.

Recommendation Letters

Recommendation letters are a required component of the Mississippi Governor’s School application. Applicants must submit two recommendation letters. Letters should be signed (if uploaded) or sent directly to mgs@muw.edu.

Strong recommendation letters provide specific examples and personal insight into a student’s abilities, character, and potential. Generic letters that simply state a student is “good” or “hard-working” are less helpful than letters that describe meaningful experiences, observations, and accomplishments.

Teacher Recommendation

One recommendation must come from a teacher who has taught you within the past year.

Please note:

• School counselors may not be used for the teacher recommendation.
• Parents serving as teachers in a homeschool setting may not provide the teacher recommendation.

The teacher recommendation should address:

• Academic ability and achievement
• Intellectual curiosity and love of learning
• Critical thinking and problem-solving skills
• Classroom engagement and project-based work
• Leadership, judgment, and maturity
• Relationships with peers and teachers
• Why the student would benefit from the MGS experience

Community Recommendation

One recommendation must come from a community member who knows you outside of the classroom.

Examples may include:

• Scout leaders
• Volunteer coordinators
• Nonprofit directors
• Coaches
• Religious leaders
• Employers or supervisors

The community recommendation should address:

• Character and integrity
• Leadership and service
• Creativity, initiative, and responsibility
• Contributions to the community
• Why the student would thrive in the MGS environment

Choosing Your Recommenders

Select individuals who know you well and can speak meaningfully about your strengths, growth, leadership, character, and potential. A detailed letter from someone who has worked closely with you is typically more valuable than a generic letter from someone with a prestigious title.

Because MGS is a residential honors program that brings together gifted and intellectually curious students from across Mississippi, recommenders should tailor their letters specifically to the MGS experience and explain how the applicant would contribute to and benefit from the program’s academic, leadership, and residential community.

2027 Scholar Prompt Response

The scholar prompt response is a required component of the Mississippi Governor’s School application.

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 the 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.

Submission Guidelines

This is a critical component of the Mississippi Governor’s School application. Applicants may respond in the format that best showcases their strengths and creativity. Acceptable formats include:

• Written essay
• Digital graphic or infographic
• PowerPoint presentation
• Canva project
• Video presentation
• Other original creative formats

Please select one format and address at least three of the prompt questions. There is no required length; however, responses should be organized, thoughtful, and concise.

All submitted work must be the applicant’s original work. The applicants who score highest use personal storytelling in their prompts. The use of artificial intelligence (AI) tools, plagiarism, or work created by another individual is prohibited and will result in disqualification from the application process.

Applications Due: Sunday, 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.

Only fully completed applications will enter the grading process. (Including all recommendation letters, resume, prompt response, and required application items.)

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. 

Award notifications will be released in phases. First-round awardees will be notified by December 20. Additional award offers and wait-list notifications will be issued by February 15. As spaces become available, students on the wait list may receive offers of admission. Wait-list offers may continue to be made until 45 days prior to the start of the Mississippi Governor’s School.

Students who are not selected during the application cycle preceding their junior year are strongly encouraged to reapply. Many MGS scholars are ultimately admitted during the application cycle preceding their senior year as they continue to grow academically, develop leadership experiences, and strengthen their applications.

Students who receive an offer of admission should carefully consider their decision before accepting. Participation in MGS represents a significant investment by the State of Mississippi, valued at more than $2,500 per scholar, in addition to three hours of university credit and an accompanying tuition scholarship valued at approximately $1,200. Because MGS maintains a rolling waitlist, promptly declining an offer allows another deserving student the opportunity to participate.

We recognize that students across Mississippi have access to different opportunities, resources, and support systems. Not every applicant has a teacher, counselor, parent, or mentor available to help navigate the application process, and that is okay. Throughout the application season, MGS will offer webinars, application workshops, and recorded resources to help students and families better understand the program and application requirements. Be sure to follow our social media channels and website for announcements, tips, deadlines, and recorded sessions. If you have questions or need assistance with any part of the application process, please contact the MGS office before submitting your application. Whether you need help understanding requirements, identifying sources of recommendations, reviewing application components, or connecting with available resources, our team is happy to assist. We want every qualified student in Mississippi to have the opportunity to apply, regardless of their school, community, or access to support. If you need assistance, please reach out.