How much do we love North Carolina State University!?
NC State is a gorgeous tree lined campus, with red brick buildings and its own lake – Lake Raleigh. It’s in the heart of Raleigh, which along with Durham and Chapel Hill, anchors the Research Triangle, a renowned destination for high-technology enterprise and research. Wolfpack students find internships and on the job experience with companies like IBM, Cisco Systems, SAS Institute, Biogen and GlaxoSmithKline.
The state capitol, just one mile from downtown (political science majors take note!) and students can easily walk to critical amenities like Target and college-student-friendly meal options.
The student experience at NC State is one of connection, community spirit and engagement. Despite NC State’s large size (35,000 undergraduate students) 82% of classes have fewer than 50 students and the average class size is 35. Students can participate in a first year inquiry (FYI) program which offers general education courses featuring active learning opportunities in small class settings of about 19 students. In the cohort-based experience, students develop closer relationships with each other and professors while completing their general education requirements through inquiry led learning.
NC State is known for its STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) programs, but 44% of incoming students are pursuing a non-STEM program. Students who are undecided on their major can take advantage of the Exploratory Studies program, which provides guided exploration of majors and careers and programming to allow students opportunities to interact with advisors, faculty, upper-class students and professionals from different fields. Advisors will help you choose your classes so you’ll complete your prerequisites and advance through your major courses to graduate in four years.
NC State is truly test optional! Over half of admitted students applied without submitting test scores, and the admissions representative I spoke with said test scores are considered only if they enhance an application. Students do apply directly to their major.
Students can choose to live in Living and Learning Villages, which are residential communities where students, staff and faculty learn side-by-side. You can choose to live with other students based on a common identity, skill or academic interest. About a third of students remain living on campus after freshman year, with About 12% of NC State men join a fraternity, and a larger percentage of women, 17%, join sororities.
NC State is a great place for students who are looking for a rigorous and spirited college experience! Michelle visited NC State in fall, 2022, and you can scroll through all of her photos below.