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How to Write the North Carolina State University Essays 2023-2024

North Carolina State University has one required prompt and one optional prompt for all applicants. The required prompt asks why you selected the academic prompt that you chose on the application and why you wish to study it at NC State. The optional prompt asks you to discuss any other obstacles or hardships and how you dealt with them. There is also a required prompt for applicants to the University Honors Program that asks about your critical and creative thinking skills.

NC State receives thousands of applications from academically strong students, so your essays are your best chance to stand out. In this post, we’ll discuss how to craft an engaging response to each of these prompts.

North Carolina State University Supplemental Essay Prompts

All applicants.

Prompt 1 (Required): Explain why you selected the academic program(s) above and why you are interested in studying these at NC State. (250 words)

Prompt 2 (Optional): Discuss any other obstacles and/or hardships that you have encountered that have affected you personally or academically and how you dealt with them. (250 words)

Prompt for University Honors Program Applicants

Critical and creative thinking are valuable skills in problem-solving. tell us about a time in which you used one or both of these skills to address a problem or a need, in or out of the classroom. (600 words), all applicants, prompt 1 (required), explain why you selected the academic program(s) above and why you are interested in studying these at nc state. (250 words).

This is the classic “Why This Major?” prompt . Reading this prompt, it would be easy to fall into the trap of simply listing your extracurriculars that relate to your intended major. For example, if you want to major in engineering, you might list that you participated in Science Olympiad and other STEM activities. However, avoid the urge to do this.

While you should certainly mention if there is a particular extracurricular that drove you to love this field, do not simply list the things that you have done relating to this major or program. Instead, you want to support your decision with specific content that the NC State admissions officers have not yet seen on your application.

For example, you could tell a story about a moment during the Science Olympiad when you encountered a project with applications beyond the club. Perhaps you discovered a robotic device to assist others and from that moment, you realized that this was a field where you could make a tangible impact.

It might be helpful to consider these questions to guide your writing:

When did you decide to pursue this major/program? Why?

Think back to the things that first got you interested in the program you intend to pursue. For example, if math has been a passion of yours for a long time, then you could make a joke about how doing a math problem is your earliest memory. Or perhaps you always considered yourself a math person until you challenged yourself in a humanities class and discovered your passion for the subject.

What are the broader applications of this program?

Another factor that admissions officers will be looking for is your ability to exhibit the ways in which a degree from their school in this major would help you achieve your goals and make the world a better place. Try citing your career goals and discussing how your major will help you achieve them. The admissions officers want to see your passion—they do not want to accept someone who is pre-med just because it is financially lucrative or because their parents want them to be a doctor.

How does your major connect with some of your other interests?

Admissions officers appreciate students who realize that their major can connect to other subjects and activities. Briefly referencing your other interests will portray you as a multidisciplinary person, making you appear more interesting. Such a response could look like this:

“Philosophy, much like the jazz music I play on my piano, is all up to interpretation and how you see things. You can give any jazz pianist the same chords to improvise over, but you’ll never get the same song. Similarly, after posing a question to a group of philosophers, you will get myriad and innovative responses.”

Why this major/program at NC State and not another school?

The most important thing for this part of your response is doing research ! If you choose to incorporate NC State into your essay, you should avoid hackneyed statements like: “NC State will help me pursue my dreams of becoming a civil engineer because they have a really good engineering program.” NC State puts a heavy focus on research and will appreciate someone who is ready to positively contribute to their community, but this person has to also be genuinely interested in the subject.

You could look at the research that professors in your major are conducting that you might be interested in. Also consider researching clubs on campus and learning about the kinds of projects they’re working on and events they’re holding. By citing specific resources you plan to take advantage of, you will help admissions officers picture you as part of the NC State community.

All that being said, it’s also okay to be undecided. One of the wonderful things about college is that it is a time to explore your interests and try new things! If you are unsure about your potential major, then provide examples of things that you want to try out at NC State.

You could discuss how you may want to be an engineer, but how you’ve recently worked with little kids as a camp counselor and would like to explore teaching. For this strategy, the same rules as above apply—do not simply list! Instead, be specific and tell a story about your background, or about how you would fit in at NC State as you try new things and gain value from a multidisciplinary education! Here are some more tips on how to write the “Why This Major” essay if you’re undecided .

Now that you have an understanding of what elements to include in your essay, let’s look at an example of a weak essay, and then discuss how it can be improved:

“I have a passion for learning about different cultures. I have studied French for six years and participated in an exchange trip after my freshman year for two weeks, allowing me to live with a family in Oyonnax, France. This experience, along with continued political discussions in the midst of the French and American elections, sparked my interest in global affairs. I love communications, diplomacy, and politics. I want to go into international public service with a focus on human rights so I can be a voice for those who lack one.”

One of the main reasons this essay is not very strong is due to its “listiness” quality. Many of the items included in this essay are ones that the admissions office will already have read from the activities list on the Common Application. Including them here is a waste of space that could better be used to share new information.

How could it be improved? Telling a story and showing why you want to study this major is a good place to start. Focus on what was mentioned in the last sentence: “be[ing] a voice for those who lack one.” Have you had experience with this? Why is this important? Why have you enjoyed it in the past? The focus could also be placed on the part about the French and American elections—What was interesting about these discussions? How were those elections similar and different? Give specific details to strengthen your response. Here is a much stronger example:

“Macron a gagné,” my host mom said with a relieved sigh. It was 2017, and I was studying abroad as a homestay student in Oyonnax, France. The murmur of BFM TV became muted as I tuned into my own thoughts—I had just lived through my first French election, and it was a fascinating experience!

Since that day, I have been interested in the differences between French and American elections, and most of all, democratic power transitions. Elections to me are a universal human right—the peaceful transition of the torch of Lady Liberty, the keys to the kingdom, is a historical marvel.

I want to keep democracy alive; by combining what I learned about political accountability in Oyonnax and in Durham as a poll worker, I aspire to start an election-monitoring NGO that works in my mother’s home country of Mali. Majoring in Political Science at NC State, with its unique Honors Program and faculty advisors who conduct comparative elections research, is the best stepping stone I could take to make my goal a reality…”

All Applicants, Prompt 2 (Optional)

Discuss any other obstacles and/or hardships that you have encountered that have affected you personally or academically and how you dealt with them. (250 words).

This prompt is a clear example of the common “Overcoming Challenges” prompt . A successful response will use strong, specific evidence to convince the reader of your ability to manage adversity. College can be full of challenges, and admissions officers need to see that you’re able to handle those challenges.

As you brainstorm for this essay, reflect on your life and experiences. Think about moments when you faced hardship and consider what you did to overcome that hardship. Keep in mind that this does not need to be a traumatic event—admissions officers are not evaluating students based on the severity of their problems. They are most interested in knowing how you overcame the challenges in your life, regardless of how big or small the actual challenge was.

That being said, you shouldn’t pick a challenge that is too trivial or unimportant. This can negatively impact the profile presented by your overall application. When you’re choosing the challenge that you will write about, you should pick one that demonstrates one or more personal qualities that you want to highlight. Some of these qualities may include:

• Cooperation
• Willingness to take risks

To highlight some of these qualities, you might choose a topic like this:

Once, during your sophomore year, you had a big biology research paper due in a few days and no idea what to write about. You decided to take a walk to help ease your anxiety over the looming deadline, and that’s when you noticed a metallic green beetle clinging to a nearby tree. You could have passed by it without a second thought, but instead you did some research—it was an emerald ash borer, an invasive species in your area.

Your fascination with the beetle and its impact on the environment went on to become the focus of your research paper. Additionally, you were inspired to volunteer to help educate your community about the emerald ash borer, and this work has encouraged you to pursue a minor in Applied Ecology at NC State’s College of Agricultural and Life Sciences.

The above topic highlights curiosity, cooperation, and initiative. Your curiosity led you to research the strange insect you saw on your walk. By describing your volunteer experience, you illustrated your ability to cooperate with others and work towards a common goal. Finally, your initiative to make a positive impact on your environment guided your desire to learn more about ecology.

As a bonus, your topic is specific enough to be memorable, and you have expressed the exact reasoning behind your interest in NC State. Most importantly, your topic answers the prompt; it allows you to explain that by combining your values of curiosity, cooperation, and initiative, you were able to not only overcome your obstacle, but turn it into a positive experience.

Some topics for this prompt, despite being valid challenges, are not the best choice for your essay because they are too overdone. When writing, try to avoid challenges like:

• Sports injuries
• Immigration stories
• Tragedies like death, divorce, or abuse
• Challenging academic classes
• Volunteer trips
• Romantic relationships or breakups
• Family pressure

Here’s what your essay might include:

Section 1: Describe the challenge

• Give a fairly brief overview of the challenge here.
• If you can, try to move away from the more traditional essay structures. Maybe discuss a challenge you’re currently overcoming, one that spans multiple activities or events, or one that you can write about in a narrative style.

Section 2: What did you do to overcome the challenge?

• Focus on your internal struggle in this section. Let the reader know about the feelings you had as you faced your challenge. Were you frustrated? Anxious? Despondent? Continue to describe how your feelings changed as you overcame the challenge. Perhaps finding the solution made you feel motivated? Triumphant? Empowered?
• For example, you might write: “When I started my own store, I was nervous. Would anyone like my designs? Would I be able to pay my bills? I wasn’t sure. However, as more and more people began ordering, I became increasingly confident in my work.”

Section 3: Reflect on your growth as a result of the challenge

• Conclude your essay by ensuring that the reader has a clear understanding of what you learned from this experience.
• Rather than explicitly stating “this experience taught me X,” show the reader what you learned by reflecting on your feelings and on the outcomes of the experience.

Remember, the goal here is to show admissions officers why your experiences make you a great candidate for admission.

Here is an example of a good “Overcoming Challenges” Essay:

“I knew I had to quit my job.

I struggled to balance working long hours against doing my best in school. Work stress was keeping me from completing my assignments, and at school I was a blanked-out zombie. I was scared to quit because I had to pay my bills, but I also recognized the importance of maintaining my grades. I knew I needed to find a better solution.

I started by taking inventory of my interests and skills. I had always considered myself to be an artsy person, and I had seen others build successful small businesses selling their crafts online. One day, while researching, I glanced at my water bottle and suddenly I had my solution: I would start my own line of stickers, just like the ones that adorned my bottle. I spent weeks working out the designs before I launched my creations. At first, I was nervous. Would anyone like my designs? Would I be able to pay my bills? I wasn’t sure. However, as more and more people began ordering, I became increasingly confident in my work. Within three months, I was making what I needed, without sacrificing my mental health and academic progress. At that moment, I knew I could do whatever I set my mind to. Because of this hardship, I realized that a challenge in life can also be an opportunity to grow. I have since decided to study design in college so I can continue creating art as a career.”

University Honors Program Applicants

This prompt is a take on the Overcoming Challenges essay type, which you can read more about in this CollegeVine guide . It’s a little bit more specific than your typical overcoming challenges prompt, but it’s still an opportunity to talk about your resilience and how you respond to adversity, along with your problem-solving skills.

In coming up with a challenge to write about, you’ll notice that the prompt specifically mentions critical and creative thinking. Rather than choosing the most exciting or even the most impactful story, choose one that showcases your ability to see many different sides to a problem, and just as many possible solutions. If there was a time when you saw an angle to an issue that no one else did or came up with a solution that you’re particularly proud of, this is the time to talk about it!

In choosing your topic, avoid writing about problems that are very common, like a sports injury or getting a bad grade and learning from it. Try to pick something that is higher stakes than choosing a topic for a project or getting in an argument. You don’t need to pick something life changing, either—just make it unique, and make sure it speaks to your critical thinking and creative problem solving. There are many ways to approach this prompt. Consider the following questions to guide your thinking:

• When has a preconceived idea of yours been challenged? How did you adapt to the situation?
• Have you ever had to work especially hard to achieve something, or tried a new strategy when faced with a new challenge? Have you ever felt that a situation was hopeless, only to come up with an idea that ended up working?
• Can you think of a time you were pushed out of your comfort zone? How did you respond?
• How did you develop your most effective study strategies and coping skills?
• Describe a project that felt especially rewarding to complete. What made this project more satisfying than others? What skills did you practice while working on it?

Once you’ve picked your essay topic, it’s time to start writing. You’ll want to describe the problem or need with enough detail that the admissions committee will know how important it is to you and why. You might want to explain your brainstorming process in coming up with a solution, and then say what that solution was, how you enacted it, and what the end result was. If you learned something or grew from this experience, you’ll definitely want to include that, too!

Just because these steps are laid out in this order doesn’t mean that you have to write them that way. In fact, an interesting story structure could be a great way to make your writing stand out. You could begin in the middle of the story, or even at the end. Consider this example from a student who wrote about her difficulty in attaining a Girl Scout Gold Award, the Girl Scout equivalent of an Eagle Scout:

“To earn my Girl Scout Gold Award, I had to be tougher than a Himalayan blackberry, and that’s much harder than it sounds. The main canes of this bully of a plant can reach ten feet, while trailing canes sprawl to forty, with every inch-thick stem bristling with bloodthirsty thorns. The most devious thing about the vine is its dark, delicious fruit, which endears it to many, even as it conquers backyards, chokes out native species, and restricts the movements of animals that can’t get through its thorny hedges.

Having grown up baking blackberry pies with my mom, I was horrified when my environmental science teacher informed me that I had unknowingly colluded with an alien species that was devouring the Pacific Northwest much faster than we were eating it. When I went back to the elementary school where my family used to pick berries for our pies, I discovered that though the main soccer field had remained clear, the smaller secondary field had been entirely conquered by menacing vines thick as quarters. I knew then what I had to do.

Flash forward five months, and it looked like the blackberries were winning. After getting approval from the school, I’d set out to battle the field of blackberries, equipped with hedge clippers, rubber boots, and gloves that came up all the way over my elbows. For hours, weeks, months, I cleared with a vengeance, but when I stood back to survey my work, so little of the project I’d envisioned was finished. Soon, fall set in, and then winter, firming the ground and freezing root balls safely below the surface. At this rate, I was going to be the Girl Scout’s first geriatric Gold Award.

One winter day, I sat at home with my mom, nursing my stinging scratches and wondering what to do about the field. Had I bitten off more than I could chew? Fighting a smile, my mom chose that moment to present me with her idea of a joke—a blackberry pie. Bought from the grocery store and way out of season, it was a last-ditch idea to lift my spirits as I contemplated switching projects. Instead, it gave me an idea.

As snow settled on blackberry bushes, I abandoned the field, and traded my gloves for an apron. I practiced my flour-sifting skills, and I spread the word. On a partly sunny day in March, the first weekend of spring, I held my first Blackberry Bake Sale. Each treat was blackberry themed, and, even better, I wasn’t trading them for cash. Anyone who wanted to walk away with a tart or a slice of pie had to present me with a bag of blackberry vines.

Over the course of the spring, I held four Blackberry Bake Sales. Customers showed up with mowers, weed whackers, or just willing hands, and I rewarded them with puff pastry and powdered sugar. One man even brought a pair of goats, who rivaled the riding mowers with their efficiency, and certainly with their enthusiasm.

By June, the field was ready to be replanted, and I invited my whole troop to come with me to sprinkle seeds and stamp them down into the soil. In a way, that afternoon was more meaningful to me than the Gold Award ceremony that followed months later. As I looked out over the newly open field, I pictured the native plants I hoped would grow there. I recalled my early optimism, my hours of labor, and my triumphant comeback, and I knew the seeds we spread would be just as resilient as I was.”

This student uses vivid descriptive language and a strong personal narrative to convey qualities of resilience, commitment, and a passion for environmentalism. This is also a particularly good example of creative problem solving and a willingness to learn. While the narrative structure could be a bit more creative than it is here, this is still a strong example of a gripping challenge that the student was able to overcome, demonstrating personal strength and out-of-the-box thinking along the way.

Where to Get Your North Carolina State Essays Edited

“Overcoming challenges” prompts in particular can be tricky, so it’s important to make sure that your essays are carefully reviewed for effectiveness and areas for improvement. A fresh pair of eyes can really help spot areas for improvement that might not occur to you, or other ways to make you stand out to the admissions officers at NC State. CollegeVine has created a free Peer Review Essay Tool , where you can get feedback on your essay, and give feedback to other students just like you!

CollegeVine also offers essay review by our team of experienced advisors, who have helped hundreds of students submit successful applications to top schools. Find the right advisor for you and get the feedback you need to make your application a success!

Related CollegeVine Blog Posts

NC State Transfer Acceptance Rate and Requirements — 2024

December 18, 2023

You long to become a member of the Wolfpack, but you don’t have the stellar grades and test scores to get admitted to NC State directly out of high school. No problem—all hope is not lost. While still a competitive process, this school extends offers to around 2,000 qualified transfer applicants each year. This blog will share the NC State transfer acceptance rate as well as other essential pieces of information like the NC State transfer deadline, the NC State application requirements, the NCSU transfer decision date, and much more.

NC State Transfer Acceptance Rate

Below we present the most current available NC State transfer acceptance rate as well as historical data.

For entry in the fall of 2023, 4,726 students applied for transfer admission, and 44.1% were successful. Ultimately, 1,518 students enrolled.

For entry in the fall of 2022, NC State received 4,444 applications and accepted 1,809 members of that group. This means that the NC State transfer acceptance rate was 40.7%.

When trying to get the complete picture of how difficult it is to transfer into a given school, it is important to look at historical data. Many schools have wild fluctuations in transfer acceptance rates from year to year. Yet this is not the case here. As you can see, NC State is pretty steadily in the 41%-51% range.

Historical transfer rates are as follows:

  NC State Transfer Application Deadline

The university offers a fall and spring transfer option. The NC State transfer deadline for spring applicants is October 1. Fall applicants have a priority deadline of February 15th. However, certain majors only take applications for fall admission and some may have earlier deadlines . For example, studio-based majors only admit for the fall semester and have a November 1 deadline. Additionally, the Agricultural Institute’s deadlines are different: June 1st for fall entry and October 1 for spring entry.

NC State Transfer Requirements

The NC State transfer application requirements are as follows:

• Common App for Transfer
• Final high school transcripts
• Official college transcripts
• SAT or ACT (required for under 24 completed credits)
• Supplemental materials, if required. For example, prospective studio-based majors must submit a portfolio as well as a design essay.

NC State Transfer Acceptance Rate (Continued)

Students who have the best chance to gain admission to NCSU have done the following:

• Are in the process of completing at least 30 credits. The average for an enrolled student at NC State is 55 credits.
• Have completed their major’s stated Recommendations for Competitive Applicants .
• Earned stellar grades in their first year at a community college or other 4-year university.

NC State Transfer GPA

According to the university, the average GPA for admitted transfers was 3.48. In addition, many majors have explicit minimums—the College of Engineering requires a 3.0 or above and the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences gives preference to applicants with a minimum 3.0. In our experience, students with a 3.5 or above can make a very strong case for transfer admission at NCSU.

NCSU Transfer Essays

There is one required prompt for all transfer applicants; all others are optional.

• Required : Explain why you selected the academic program above and why you are interested in studying this program at NC State. (2000 character max)
• Optional: Discuss any other obstacles and/or hardships that you have encountered that have affected you personally or academically and how you dealt with them. (2000 character max)
• Optional : Who in your life is depending on you? What are they depending on you for? (2000 character max)
• Optional: How does continuing your education at a new institution help you achieve your future goals? (2000 character max)
• Optional: The personal essay helps you distinguish yourself in your own voice. What do you want admissions readers to know about you that is not reflected elsewhere in your application? Choose the option that best helps you answer that question and write an essay using the prompt to inspire and structure your response (1,250 – 3,250 characters, approx. 250 – 650 words). The prompts are the same as those for first-year applicants.

Transfer Decision Date

NCSU transfer decisions for fall applicants are made on a rolling basis beginning on April 15. For spring applicants, the notification period begins on November 15.

Final Thoughts – NC State University Transfer Acceptance Rate

In the last admissions cycle, 45% of incoming transfers hailed from North Carolina community colleges. In addition, you’ll be in good company as a transfer student—approximately 20% of the overall Wolfpack student body started at another school. If NC State is high on your list, the best step you can take to prepare is to excel academically in a rigorous curriculum.

If you are looking for information on how to apply to NCSU as a first-year student, you may find the following blog to be of interest:

• How to Get Into NC State
• NCSU Supplemental Essays

Those searching for application info on other institutions may wish to visit our Dataverse pages/blogs:

• Transfer Admissions Deadlines
• Transfer Acceptance Rates

Dave Bergman

Dave has over a decade of professional experience that includes work as a teacher, high school administrator, college professor, and independent educational consultant. He is a co-author of the books The Enlightened College Applicant (Rowman & Littlefield, 2016) and Colleges Worth Your Money (Rowman & Littlefield, 2020).

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NC State Supplemental Essay Examples

North Carolina State University is a highly-ranked public research university in Raleigh, North Carolina . Holding the #72 spot on the U.S. News Best National Universities list, NC State is known nationwide. Accordingly, NC State admissions is competitive, meaning applicants must craft strong NC State supplemental essays for a chance of acceptance. Reading effective NC State supplemental essay examples can help you learn how to craft your own.

NC State essay examples, like any well-written sample college essay, each work for their own reasons. This guide will delve into three NC State supplemental essay examples, starting with a why this major essay example. Then, we’ll analyze an obstacle essay. Finally, we’ll closely read a cultural diversity essay. By breaking down NC State supplemental essay examples, we’ll help you prepare to write your own NC State supplemental essays.

How many essays does NC State require?

Before approaching any NC State supplemental essay examples, you should know how many you’ll have to write. To put it simply, there are three required essays and one optional essay. If you know how to get into NC State, you know that all your essays should be as strong as possible. But what exactly are the NC State supplemental essays?

Applicants can complete the NC State application on either the Common Application or Scoir (also known as the Coalition Application). The NC State personal statement is the essay required by these application platforms. As it’s so common, there is no shortage of sample college essay resources for this NC State personal statement. In this guide, however, we will only review NC State supplemental essay examples for the NC State-specific prompts.

It’s important to note that while the NC State admissions page only lists one required prompt, there are indeed three. You can confirm which NC State supplemental essay examples are required on the Common App website . We’ll further explore the essay prompts for the NC State application soon.

Applicants may also indicate their interest in the prestigious NC State University Honors Program. There are additional required NC State supplemental essays for applicants to the UHP.

NC State University Honors Program

The NC State University Honors Program challenges highly motivated students with unique opportunities, including Honors seminars and the Honors Forum. Additionally, Honors students can engage in special research, creative, and academic pursuits both on- and off-campus. The application process is correspondingly challenging, requiring more NC State supplemental essays.

There are two additional NC State supplemental essays you must write for the UHP . We don’t have NC State supplemental essay examples for these two, but the prompts are similar to those of other Honors programs nationwide.

Here are the UHP essay prompts:

1. one of the key components of the university honors program is a special set of courses called honors (hon) seminars. you can learn more about them here. these discussion-based seminars are designed to expose students to the ways multiple disciplines approach and solve problems. review the courses we have offered in recent years and write a 250-350 word essay in which you explain why one particular course will be of interest, furthering your academic, professional, and personal goals while engaging you and your peers., 2. another key component of the university honors program is the honors forum. the honors forum is designed to help students become active, informed, and engaged citizens. it delivers debates and discussions about contemporary social, political, and scientific issues; lectures from people with compelling stories to tell; and performances from a diverse collection of artists. you can learn more about it here. as a uhp student, imagine you are tasked with helping select speakers and topics for the honors forum. in an essay of 250-350 words, tell us what speaker, creative figure, or topic would you promote how did you make your choice how does your choice educate, challenge, and inspire others.

In general, these essays should be particularly strong, featuring introspection on your experiences and your future. You should emphasize academic curiosity, particular offerings of the program , and, if possible, concrete aspirations. Make sure to highlight your thirst for knowledge and willingness to engage with the world and people around you. Check out our guides for Boston , Brown , Purdue , and Clemson Universities for some advice on similar essays.

NC State Supplemental Essay Prompts

As stated above, our three NC State supplemental essay examples will cover the three NC State supplemental essay prompts. All NC State supplemental essays have a 250-word limit. The prompts are:

1. Explain why you selected the academic program(s) above and why you are interested in studying these at NC State.

2. nc state university is committed to building a just and inclusive community, one that does not tolerate unjust or inhumane treatment, and that denounces it, clearly and loudly. please describe what those words mean to you and how you will contribute to a more diverse and inclusive nc state environment., 3. discuss any other obstacles and/or hardships that you have encountered that have affected you personally or academically and how you dealt with them..

Of course, the wording of the prompts can change between admissions cycles. As a result, NC State supplemental essay examples that worked may look different from year to year. In fact, two of our NC State supplemental essay examples address slightly different versions of the current prompts. However, the best approach for NC State essay examples is still the same.

NC State Supplemental Essay Prompts Breakdown

Let’s briefly discuss the best way to approach each prompt. Keep these tips in mind as you read our NC State supplemental essay examples and our specific commentary on each one. How can you implement these in your own essays?

Why this major essay

The first prompt is a fairly standard why this major essay example combined with a why school essay example. When applying to NC State, first-year applicants are required to choose a first- and second-choice major . There are scores of NC State majors but no undecided option. So, even if you aren’t entirely sure, do your best to choose a major you’re interested in.

NC State essay examples that answer this prompt well are clear about their interest in a specific field of study. Equally important is specificity regarding the school. You’ve probably heard this advice a thousand times: talk about programs, professors, or courses you like. It’s cliché, but it’s true. Doing your research on a school never hurts, and the best NC State essay examples leverage that research.

Cultural diversity essay

The next prompt is essentially a cultural diversity essay, asking about your contribution to a diverse community. NC State essay examples answering this will have an extra point to consider: denouncing injustice. There are infinite ways to approach this one, as everyone brings something unique to campus. But it’s important to address the prompt’s question of what a “just and inclusive community” means to you.

Obstacle essay

Lastly, there is the optional obstacle essay. At first, “any other obstacles” may make it seem like this is a space to detail extenuating circumstances. Indeed, writing about personal hardships is absolutely acceptable, especially if you’re explaining a dip or gap in your academic history. On the other hand, if you have a more general academic or personal challenge, write it. Knowing how to get into NC State means knowing how to deepen your personal narrative . These 250 words can do just that. In other words, don’t think of this as just an optional essay.

Finally, before we look at some NC State supplemental essay examples, remember that they’re broadly useful. Even if you’re not completing an NC State application, these NC State supplemental essay examples answer common essay prompts. In other words, the NC State supplemental essay examples and advice we give may prove helpful with other college essays.

NC State Essay Example #1 – Why Major/Why School?

The first of our NC State supplemental essay examples answers the following prompt:

Discuss your reasons for pursuing the Major/Academic Program selected above.

You’ll notice it’s a reworded version of the first prompt. Here is the sample college essay:

NC State Essay Example #1

As an innovator and creative thinker with a love of math and science, I am interested in pursuing a career in engineering. I will contribute my natural curiosity to the NC State learning community while developing critical thinking skills and collaborating with my peers. 

Why this NC State essay worked

First of all, you’re may be thinking, “Is that it?” Remember that prompts can change from year to year. When this essay was submitted, this prompt had a 50-word limit. However, even short NC State essay examples have something to teach us—especially for other short-answer essays. In essays this short, every word counts.

When writing NC State supplemental essay examples, it can be challenging to stay concise. With a prompt this short, you have no choice. Short NC State supplemental essays have no room for the anecdotes and dialogue found in an NC State personal statement. This writer states clearly what kind of student they are, their areas of interest, and aspirations for college and beyond. Although stylistically different from a narrative why this major essay example, it still checks all the boxes of an effective sample college essay.

In fact, it’s not a far leap to adapt NC State essay examples like this for the current prompt. The author could write about a time they demonstrated the qualities laid out so neatly in this essay. If you’re getting lost in the weeds drafting an essay, take a step back. Can you write what you want to say in 50 words? Give it a try—you may find that you just need to clarify your vision.

NC State Supplemental Essay Example #2 – Obstacle Essay

The second of our NC State supplemental essay examples is about obstacles. Specifically, it answers this prompt:

Discuss any obstacles and/or hardships you have encountered and how you dealt with them.

This is nearly identical to the current third prompt, except that the current version specifies that obstacles can be personal or academic. Let’s read the essay, which also had a different—longer—word limit when it was submitted:

NC State Essay Example #2

A familiar sense of dread washed over me as I contemplated suffering through yet another group project. My AP Language class was essentially a yearlong exercise in collaboration. The groups always consisted of a leader personality and a few follower types, and I had come to expect directing projects assuming all responsibility. This time, I would have to lead my team in creating a video and website, while resisting the temptation to do the project myself. I struggled to make myself vulnerable by releasing control. 

I was always placed with two students who consistently saved their work until the night before it was due. My mind went on autopilot, organizing my time to complete the entire project myself. I tirelessly researched facts and wrote a script for our video, individually bearing the load of an assignment designed for three people. As the deadline approached, my stress level and workload increased. I realized something had to change. I embraced the different learning styles and work ethics of my group. Typically, I would choose to collaborate with students I know well, but it can prove deadly for creativity. While working on the website, I assigned each person a specific task so that everyone was invested in the outcome. Leading this diverse team by delegating produced better results. In the past, my classmates had depended on me, but this time, I insisted on equal contributions. Our website was much better as a culmination of everyone’s ideas instead of a reflection of only my own. Through this and future projects, I learned to thrive on collaborating for a common purpose. 

I have translated my delegation skills directly into my life. When I paint houses with Habitat for Humanity, I have seen how effective collaboration helps others who are less fortunate. Even though it can be challenging to entrust the outcome to others, each person in our group has a different skill set to aid in the completion of the house. Whether working at school or in the community, I have learned that delegating the work is essential to successful collaboration.

Why this NC Supplemental Essay worked

Effective NC State supplemental essays for this prompt will be both retrospective and introspective. That is to say, they reflect not only on the obstacle, but how you navigated it with your tools and knowledge. What did you learn about yourself in the process? Did overcoming this obstacle change you?

This author is frank about their control issues and how this character flaw was hindering their group work. Clearly, they have thought a lot about their approach to group projects, as well as their struggles with leadership. Additionally, they acknowledged their history of working with the same people and why that is often unproductive. Acknowledging personal flaws and growing with them is welcome in NC State supplemental essays.

Good NC State essay examples like this one are also full of specific details. Here, the writer delineates their process of realizing the problem, then delegating tasks. The reader can see into the writer’s thought process, following their shift in perspective. Details help to root NC State essays examples in reality and keep the reader engaged.

Finally, the writer draws connections between this experience and other areas of their life. This is a great strategy for showing that you can apply lessons to different situations and recognize those links. Good NC State supplemental essay examples are able to illustrate the relationships among various skills, experiences, and activities. Moreover, great NC State State essay examples can show those through time: how could this challenging experience inform your future?

NC State Essay Example #3 – Diverse Community Essay

The last of our NC State supplemental essay examples addresses the following prompt:

NC State is a community that is strong because of the diversity of our perspectives and experiences. Please describe how you could contribute to or benefit from campus diversity. 

This prompt looks the most different from its current version, though it’s still very similar. The current prompt includes NC State’s vision for an inclusive community and asks for a response. With that said, let’s read the last of our NC State essay examples.

NC State Essay Example #3

Diversity is the culmination of experiences and backgrounds within a community. 

Through my diversity of opinion, I have contributed to my high school classroom as well as [NAME OF SCHOOL REDACTED]. In my AP Literature class, I look beyond the literal meaning of a poem and into the deeper meaning, often suggesting a contrasting interpretation. I play the Devil’s advocate in an AP Government debate to explore the many facets of an issue. In my AP Spanish class, I apply my grammatical knowledge to our class discussion of the differences between the Mexican and American education systems. While attending [NAME OF SCHOOL REDACTED] for instrumental music, I had a unique perspective as a French horn player in a large orchestra. I will continue to seek out opportunities to provide various perspectives in a classroom setting, respect differences of opinion, and promote intellectual curiosity. 

Why this essay worked

By opening with their definition of diversity, the writer provides a frame for understanding the rest of their essay. This can be helpful for prompts that could have multiple different interpretations depending on the individual. Even more, it can help you set the theme for your essay.

This writer centers the intellectual diversity they bring to the table, from poetry analysis to debate. By providing several discrete examples, they evoke both the multitude of things they do and the various perspectives they hold. They show the reader that they consider topics from all angles and try to find new points of view.

Aside from the wealth of examples, the writer strikes a balance between showing and telling. Another piece of advice college applicants never stop hearing, showing-not-telling is important. However, it’s also critical to arrive at your point. What are these examples and anecdotes for? This writer closes by looking to the future and how their intellectual curiosity will underpin their approach to college.

Are NC State Supplemental Essays important?

As you cannot submit your application without NC State supplemental essays, yes, they’re important. But more than just fulfilling a requirement, NC State supplemental essays show NC State admissions officers who you are. In addition to the NC State personal statement, NC State supplemental essays demonstrate your personal and intellectual character. 

Even if you know all about how to get into NC State, an acceptance letter is never guaranteed. As one of the top schools in North Carolina , NC State is in high demand, especially among North Carolina residents. In light of that, highly polished and intentional essays are a must.

Another confounding factor is test-optional admissions . NC State has gone test-optional through fall 2024 in response to the challenges of testing during the COVID-19 pandemic. In the most recent admissions cycle, 53% of students applied without submitting test scores. In such cases, the rest of an NC State application is weighed more heavily. Especially for students applying without test scores, strong NC State essays can make or break your NC State admissions chances.

If you’re banking on financial aid and scholarships, applying early with well-crafted NC State supplemental essays is the best strategy. Early deadlines usually yield higher acceptances and more financial aid, no matter what school. The NC State Early Action deadline is November 1st , so make sure you start writing early to get ahead.

Getting Started on your NC State Essays

By now, you’ve read some NC State supplemental essay examples and are ready to start writing your own. Right? Or maybe you’re not sure what to write about. Choosing a topic is the first step to writing college essays. Reflection and brainstorming exercises can help you think of potential topics. Start your college admissions process early to give yourself plenty of time to think, draft, and edit.

For example, you might try a free write. Pick a prompt, set a ten-minute timer, and write anything that comes to mind. These could be isolated words or whole sentences spanning a wide range of possible topics. After the timer goes off, you may have the seeds for a few drafts.

You could also try making a mind map. Choose a prompt and a topic, like an extracurricular activity or experience, then make a web of ideas around it. This can be helpful if you already know your subject but aren’t sure about what exactly you want to say.

If you’re having trouble with the first prompt, try reading another why school essay example or two. Think about what you know about NC State, why you like it, and why it’s on your college list. There should be reasons beyond high rankings , like programs, location, or campus culture. Try to link those to your academic interests in your NC State supplemental essays.

However you approach your essays, make sure to edit your drafts with the help of others. Revise your NC State personal statement thoroughly , since you’ll likely send it to multiple colleges. Even before closely proofreading your essays, you should edit them for clarity—do they address the prompt? Also, you should ask a trusted peer or adult for feedback to further refine your essays.

More CollegeAdvisor Resources to Support You

CollegeAdvisor.com has no shortage of resources for you to use in your college admissions journey. If you’re still researching colleges, take a look at our college finder series. This series covers the college search , college list , and comparing colleges . If you’ve narrowed your scope to North Carolina, we have a list of the best colleges and universities in the state .

In addition to these NC State supplemental essay examples, we have sample college essay articles for dozens of colleges. Whether NC State is your dream school or you’re applying to other great universities, our essay guides can help you.

In particular, we have a whole guide to the “ why this school ” essay, featuring longer essay examples and detailed analysis. For help with the cultural diversity essay prompt, check out our webinar on highlighting your own diverse perspective. Finally, we have more general guides to writing outstanding supplemental essays, as well as a wide array of essay examples .

As for the NC State personal statement, we have a ton of panels and advice straight from Admissions Officers. We even have a webinar entirely on personal statement revision . And if you’re starting early (smart!), we have tips on using the summer to draft your personal statement.

NC State Supplemental Essay Examples – Final Thoughts

We looked at three different NC State supplemental essay examples and why they worked. Good NC State supplemental essays address the prompt directly and concisely. While narrative NC State supplemental essay examples are common, we saw that you don’t always need an anecdote. Rather, you should focus on clearly conveying the qualities that will help you succeed at and contribute to NC State.

NC State University is one of the best universities in North Carolina, and among the top universities nationwide. As a renowned research university, NC State offers a top-tier education for those who can impress NC State admissions. A successful NC State application needs polished NC State supplemental essays. Reading NC State essay examples is a good place to start.

As part of our mission to demystify college admissions, all of our articles and webinars are free to use. We also have an extensive network of Admissions Experts who can provide personalized, one-on-one support on your schedule. Whether you’re wrapping up sophomore year or about to become a senior, we’ll work with you on your admissions strategy.

This essay examples guide was written by senior advisor, Gina Goosby . Looking for more admissions support? Click here to schedule a free meeting with one of our Admissions Specialists. During your meeting, our team will discuss your profile and help you find targeted ways to increase your admissions odds at top schools. We’ll also answer any questions and discuss how CollegeAdvisor.com can support you in the college application process.

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We are committed to recruiting, enrolling and retaining transfer students at NC State. Each year NC State enrolls more than 1,300 students who transfer from another institution. The Transfer Student Services site is a comprehensive virtual resource center providing pertinent information to assist students as they prepare to apply to NC State through graduation.

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Your chance of acceptance, your chancing factors, extracurriculars, nc state transfer admissions.

Has anyone here transferred to NC State? I'm thinking about making the switch from my current college, and I'd like to know what the process is like. What do they look for in a transfer student, and are there any unique requirements or tips?

First and foremost, before applying to NC State, make sure you've completed at least 30 credit hours at your current institution, and that your courses are transferable to NC State (you can use their transfer course equivalency tool to verify this). Keep in mind that maintaining a strong GPA at your current college is also important, to prove you'll be able to handle the workload at NC State.

In addition to a solid academic record, NC State looks for demonstrated involvement in extracurricular activities. They especially value leadership experiences and community involvement, so be sure to highlight these in your application as well.

When it comes to the application process, it's similar to that of a freshman applicant. You must submit an application through the Common App or the NC State Transfer App, complete with your college transcript(s), high school transcript(s), and personal essay. In this essay, you should focus on your reasons for transferring, what you hope to achieve at NC State, and how your experiences at your current college have shaped you.

Also, be sure to check NC State's specific degree requirements for your intended major. Some programs may have prerequisite courses that you'll need to complete before transferring. And make sure to stay on top of the deadlines as well - usually February 15th for fall entry and October 1st for spring entry, although these dates can vary from year to year, so make sure you confirm on NC State's website.

If you're accepted, you'll receive an evaluation of your transfer credits and how they'll apply to your intended major. Be prepared to be flexible with your coursework, as not all credits may transfer over to NC State, which might slightly affect your academic timeline.

In conclusion, the key to a successful transfer to NC State is maintaining a strong GPA, showcasing your involvement and leadership in extracurricular activities, and ensuring your courses are transferable. Submit an application that highlights your strengths and reasons for wanting to join the Wolfpack, and have a solid understanding of your intended major's requirements.

And finally, rest assured that your potential as a transfer student will be appreciated by NC State admissions officers - over 20% of students at NC State start their college journey at another institution! Good luck with the transfer process!

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University Catalog 2023-2024

Undergraduate admission.

NC State is a member of the  Common Application  and the  Coalition for Access, Affordability, and Success . Students may choose to apply through either application system.  Undergraduate Admissions implements a notification date system for both domestic freshman and transfer applicants. International applicants are notified of their admission decision on a rolling basis once their application is complete. Freshmen are strongly encouraged to apply during the fall of their senior year in high school  by the early action deadline .  

Application Dates and Deadlines

Freshman and transfer applicants for the College of Design and Fashion and Textile Design program must submit a complete application including a portfolio and additional essay by November 1 and list it as their first choice major. 

All applications for the spring semester should be submitted prior to October 1. A few programs do not accept applications for spring entry including applied mathematics and mathematics, College of Design studio-based majors, College of Engineering, Exploratory Studies, fashion and textile design, physics and statistics.

Students are notified of their decision on their  wolfPAW account  and  admitted students  must confirm their enrollment by May 1, or within ten days of if they are accepted after May 1.

The  Undergraduate Admissions website  provides more information on the application review process and procedure.

Office of Undergraduate Admissions NC State University 121 Peele Hall Campus Box 7103 10 Watauga Club Drive Raleigh, NC 2707 Phone: 919-515-2434 Email: [email protected]  

Jon Westover, Associate Vice Provost and Director of Undergraduate Admissions

Admission to the university is highly competitive. Applicants are asked to indicate their first and second choices for a curriculum, including undeclared majors within a college, or, if undecided, to indicate their choice of participating in University College Exploratory Studies. Applicants not admitted in their first curriculum choice will be reviewed for admission in their second curriculum choice. The admissions decision is based on a holistic review of a complete application. Of primary importance is the high school record, including the level and difficulty of the courses taken, the overall grade point average, rank in class, and scores on the SAT or the ACT. Extracurricular involvement, leadership, and many other factors are also considered.

Admissions Requirements

How to apply, admissions dates and deadlines, credit opportunities, out-of-state students.

The Board of Governors of the University of North Carolina System has determined that the Minimum Course Requirements (MCR) for all constituent institutions, including NC State, shall include a high school diploma or its equivalent and the following course units taken in high school:

• Four units in English
• Two units in a language other than English
• Algebra I and II, Geometry, and one unit beyond Algebra II
• Algebra I and II, and two units beyond Algebra II or
• Integrated Math I, II, III and one unit beyond Integrated Math III
• At least one unit in a life or biological science, and
• At least one unit in physical science, and
• At least one laboratory course
• One unit in U.S. history
• One other unit in social studies

Competitive applicants will typically exceed these minimum courses.  It is recommended that every student take a foreign language course and a mathematics course in their senior year.

NC State does not conduct individual interviews with applicants, however, students are always welcome to walk-in and meet with an admissions officer at NC State's Joyner Visitor Center. Information sessions and student led campus tours are also available Monday through Friday at the Campus Visits office in Talley Student Union.

• Review our deadlines: The application opens in August
• Complete the application through the Common App or the Coalition App; we do not have a preference. Applicants for Studio-Based Majors will also need to submit a portfolio.
• Pay the $85 application fee, or provide an official fee waiver.
• Self-report your test scores. Visit our website for more information and for our school codes.
• Submit your official academic transcript.
• Check your status in your wolfPAW account throughout the application process.

Decisions are released on the corresponding notification date as long as the application is complete by the deadline. 

Fall Entry Early Action:

• Deadline: November 1
• Notification Date: January 30

Fall Entry Regular Decision:

• Deadline: January 15
• Notification Date: March 30

Spring Entry Regular Decision:

• Deadline: October 1
• Notification Date: December 1

Some programs do not accept applications for spring entry. Visit our website for details.

Studio-Based Majors

The following programs are considered studio-based majors and are fall entry only:

• Architecture
• Art & Design
• Fashion & Textile Design
• Graphic Design
• Industrial Design

Application Deadline: November 1

Portfolio and Optional Essay Due: November 1

Agricultural Institute

NC State’s 2-year Agricultural Institute (AGI)  accepts freshman and transfer applicants.

Fall Entry:

• Deadline: June 1
• Decision Date: Rolling

Spring Entry:

Students can jump-start their college careers by acquiring pre-enrollment credits by one or more of the following means:

• by passing a proficiency examination administered by a teaching department at NC State;
• by meeting a specific minimum score on certain Advance Placement Program (AP), International Baccalaureate (IB) examinations, and/or A and AS Level Equivalencies; and/or
• by attaining a minimum score on certain College Level Examination Program (CLEP) subject tests.

Learn about the recognized test curriculum, accepted test scores and credit awarded at  admissions.ncsu.edu/apply/credit-opportunities .

Undergraduate applicants from outside North Carolina are reviewed using the same criteria as applicants from North Carolina. NC State is limited to enrolling not more than 18 percent of total new undergraduate students from outside the state as set forth by the University of North Carolina System.

The path to NC State is not always direct. About 20 percent of our students start their college career at another college or university. All transfer applicants should have at least 30 transferable college credit hours completed, including specific coursework and a competitive GPA based on the major you are applying for. Meeting these recommendations does not guarantee admission but sets you up to be considered a competitive applicant in the review process.  View our recommendations for competitive applicants .

What We Look For

Transfer credit.

Here are some of the items we're looking at when evaluating your transfer application to NC State:

• Your college coursework and GPA
• Your high school coursework and test scores if you have less than 30 transferable college semester credit hours completed
• Your interest in the program you're applying for
• Your accomplishments/involvement outside of the classroom

Your background and opportunities

Your individual story

Visit our Transfer Admissions website for more information and recommendations for competitive transfer applicants. Students are always welcome to walk-in and meet with an admissions officer at NC State's Joyner Visitor Center. Information sessions and student led campus tours are also available Monday through Friday at the Campus Visits office in Talley Student Union.

• Review our deadlines: The application opens in August. Be sure to pay attention to additional requirements and timelines for Studio-Based Majors and the Agricultural Institute.
• Plan your path, and review our recommendations for competitive applicants.
• Complete the application through the Common App or the Coalition App ; we do not have a preference. Applicants for Studio-Based Majors will also need to submit a portfolio.
• Pay the application fee or provide an official fee waiver.
• Submit your official academic transcript(s) from each institution you have attended.
• Check your status in your  wolfPAW  account throughout the application process.

NC State’s 2-year  Agricultural Institute (AGI)  accepts freshman and transfer applicants.

Search our  transfer course equivalency database  to get an initial idea of which course credits from other institutions transfer to NC State. An official course evaluation is provided to students once they are admitted.

Transfer Admissions Center Joyner Visitor Center 1210 Varsity Drive Raleigh, NC 27607 Phone: 919-513-1200

At NC State we value diversity and welcome international students. Located in Raleigh, North Carolina, we are proud to be home to the most diverse student body in North Carolina hosting students from 117 different countries.

The  Office of International Services  is the main resource for international students regarding immigration regulations, university policies, employment and travel. They provide assistance to you and your family as you prepare to arrive on campus and to smooth the transition to studying in the U.S.

Use of Agents or Educational Agencies

Financial and immigration information, contact us .

• Your Academic Achievement

Your financial ability: If you require an F-1 or J-1 student visa to study in the U.S., you must prove your ability to cover the estimated school expenses by completing the  Certificate of Financial Responsibility .

Your level of English language skills

Your interest in the program you are applying for

Your accomplishments/involvement outside the classroom

Visit our International Admissions website for more information on application considerations, including interactive interviews (for Chinese applicants) and SAT or ACT composite scores (for Freshman applicants only).

Visit our website to view the following information in the following languages:  Spanish ,  Korean ,  Mandarin ,  Portuguese  and  Arabic .

• Complete the application through the  Common App  or the  Coalition App ; we do not have a preference. Applicants for Studio-Based Majors will also need to submit a portfolio.
• Pay the application fee ($100 for international applicants).
• Submit your academic credentials. Visit our website for details.
• Show proof of English proficiency , if you are not from a country where English is the official or commonly spoken language.

International applicants must apply by the deadline and will have their admissions decisions released on a rolling basis once your application is complete.

NC State does not partner with incentive-based agents or educational agencies to represent the University or to administer any part of the application process.

We recognize that in many countries agents or consultants are retained by students and their families to assist in applying to universities in the United States. It is not necessary to engage an agent in order to have a strong chance of admission to NC State. Admission decisions are not based on the recommendations of agents.

NC State expects an application to be the work of the applicant and that all information on the application is complete, accurate and truthful. We may reject application materials, cancel an admissions offer or dismiss a student from attendance, if it is determined that application materials have been falsified.

It is critical that applicants use their own email address, phone number, and mailing address on their application to ensure that all communication from NC State is delivered in an accurate and timely manner. Missing any important communication from NC State may delay applicants’ application process and admission decisions.

All international applicants seeking an F-1 or J-1 student visa must submit a Certificate of Financial Responsibility (CFR) as part of the admission process. The purpose of this form is to certify financial solvency for the student throughout his/her program of study - this is a federal requirement that must be met before the Office of Undergraduate Admissions can issue any visa certificates.

In addition, applicants deemed admissible who are already in the U.S. must also fill out a Visa Clearance Form (VCF).  This includes international applicants who are in a nonimmigrant visa category other than F-1 or J-1 (ex: H-4, L-2, DACA, E-2, Pending Permanent resident etc.). These applicants are not required to complete a CFR, unless they plan to change to F-1 or J-1 student status (if eligible).

CFR and VCF forms are reviewed by the Office of Undergraduate Admissions upon receipt.  If the information provided by the applicant is incomplete or not acceptable (e.g. sponsor and bank official signatures, bank statements, etc.), the applicant will be notified that his/her documents were not approved and why.  Notification is done via e-mail.  The applicant will then have an opportunity to correct the problem(s) and resubmit the form(s). Applicants can check the status of their applications through their WolfPAW account.

Once the applicant is considered admitted (fully or conditionally) to the University, the Office of Undergraduate Admissions mails out the appropriate Certificate of Eligibility (Form I-20 for an F-1 visa or Form DS-2019 for a J-1 visa) along with the full admission letter and other important pre-arrival information. Newly fully admitted international students will also receive information and guidance from the Office of International Services (OIS) via email prior to their arrival to NC State.  Conditionally admitted international students will received information from the Intensive English Program (IEP) prior to their arrival as well.

New F-1 and J-1 international students must check-in with the Office of International Services upon arrival to campus and attend the New International Student Orientation, which is scheduled a few days before the semester begins.

New international students who are accepted to NC State have the opportunity to participate in a Summer Start program during the month of July before fall classes begin. More information can be found here.  https://newstudents.dasa.ncsu.edu/summerstart/

Office of Undergraduate Admissions Jeong Powell Director, International Admissions and Recruitment Phone: 919-515-2434 Email: [email protected]

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2023-2024 Undergraduate Catalog

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On-Campus Transfer Admissions

Application process and information for current NC State students

Important Dates

• November 1:  Deadline for all on-campus transfers (other majors on campus and current College of Design students).

On-Campus Transfer

Studio based majors.

Architecture (BEDA), Media Arts, Design and Technology,   Graphic & Experience Design, Industrial Design

Admission in Fall semester ONLY 10 piece portfolio and design essay required.

Steps to Complete Application:

• Complete essay (on CODA Application).
• Create a 10-piece portfolio website and put URL into the CODA Application. Check guidelines below for more information.
• Submit your CODA Application | Deadline November 1 .

Portfolio Guidelines

A portfolio is a collection of your strongest work. This is a showcase of who you are as a maker and creator. Submissions do not need to be major-specific. Any medium is accepted. You must submit 10 images. Guidelines can be found here:  Admissions Booklet for On-Campus Transfer Students (Download a PDF) .

Application Timeline:

• College of Design will review GPA and transfer hours, along with 10-piece portfolio and design essay after November 1 .
• Additional information will be provided from the College of Design Student Services Office.
• Final admissions notifications will be sent in late February via your CODA application.

Non-Studio Based Major

Admission in fall and spring semesters No portfolio required for Design Studies applicants.

Check the  CODA website  for more information on  deadlines  and  requirements .

• Review the  requirements for Design Studies
• Complete the  CODA Application

Internal Transfer

Internal transfers should follow the same steps as the On-Campus transfer students listed above.

Bachelor of Architecture (5th Year)

Deadline: January 31

This is a one-year professional degree program and not available for recent high school graduates nor for college transfers (please see the BEDA program requirements if you are applying from high school or transferring into architecture).

Applications to this program from graduates of other comparable four-year pre-professional programs in architecture are welcome. Admission requirements include prerequisite courses which must be included in the applicant’s undergraduate program. A transcript review will identify any prerequisite deficiencies. If accepted to the program, the applicant will be advised regarding how to comply with the prerequisite requirements.

Additional Resources

• Admissions  
• First Year Admissions 
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• Off-Campus Transfer 
• Master’s Programs 
• Doctoral Programs 
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• Financial Aid 

Transfer-Profile

North carolina state university.

• Public 4 year
• 1:15 Faculty to Student Ratio
• 20% Transfer Student Ratio

Financial Information

• Scholarships and Financial Aid: The Office of Scholarships and Financial Aid (OSFA), located in 2016 Harris Hall on NC State's campus, assists students and parents in applying for and securing financial assistance when family resources are insufficient to meet educational expenses. The Student Services Center walk-in center is located in 2000A Harris Hall (2831 Thurman Drive). All visitors looking to visit OSFA should first check in there.

Information for Transfer In Students

• Accepts Transfers: We recommend you have a minimum of 30 transferable college semester credit hours completed (or 45 quarter hours) before you apply to NC State.
• Transfer Applications Received: 4,441
• Transfer Applications Accepted: 1,813
• Percentage Accepted: 40.8%
• Transfer Applicants Enrolled: 1,310
• View Agreements: https://admissions.ncsu.edu/apply/transfer/

Application Deadlines for Transfer

Transfer application requirements.

• Minimum GPA: In order to be considered for transfer admission your cumulative GPA for all college work previously attempted must meet or exceed the recommendations listed for your desired major. The recommended GPA to remain competitive varies by college or program.
• Official Transcripts: Official transcripts from all previously attended postsecondary institutions are required for admission consideration. If you do not have a minimum of 30 college semester credit hours, a final official high school transcript should also be submitted.
• SAT Scores: Standardized test scores are not required for admission consideration.
• Letters of Recommendation: Letters of recommendation are not required for admission consideration.
• Essay: One essay is required for admission consideration. There are several optional writing prompts students may choose to answer on the application.
• Application Fee: There is an $85 non-refundable application fee for students applying domestically. There is a $100 non-refundable application fee for international applications.
• Interview: An interview is not required for admission consideration.
• Apply Here: https://admissions.ncsu.edu/apply/

Transfer Credit Policy

• Minimum Grade: College level work must be completed with a 'C' or better grade at a regionally accredited institution to be considered for admissions/ transfer credit.
• Credits (Min/Max): Students must complete one academic year of coursework at NC State to earn their degree from NC State.

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On-Campus Transfer Admissions

Steps to complete application.

The Change of Degree Application (CODA) is NC State’s centralized resource for applying to add or change majors. Undergraduate degree-seeking students at NC State may apply to the music technology degree program using the CODA resource in their MyPack Portal.

• Complete the essay (on your CODA Application).
• Follow the steps in your CODA Application to share a link to a PDF or Word document that contains the shared links to all of your application materials
• Submit your  CODA Application .

Important Dates

Fall Admission only.  Visit the Student Services website for more details about the CODA process, important deadlines and notifications.

Portfolio and Essay Guidelines

Your application will include a digital portfolio and an essay response. Learn more details about each below.

Digital Portfolio

Remember that a portfolio is both a showcase of your engagement with music and music technology as well as a collection of your strongest work in these areas. Instructions to upload your portfolio will be provided in wolfPAW.

You are required to submit no more than five (5) samples of your work where they can be reviewed by program faculty. Please limit each video or audio sample to 5 minutes in duration.

Portfolio samples include, but are not limited to the following:

• Video recordings (not audio) of solo or group performances with your voice, acoustic or electronic instrument (provide up to two contrasting examples in which your individual performance is clearly audible and image clearly visible).
• Audio recordings, scores, or electronic realizations of musical compositions, arrangements, or sound art.
• Recordings you produced or engineered.
• Software or hardware you designed or implemented.    
• Reports or results from scientific experiments related to sound or music.
• Any other material that showcases your future potential as a music technologist.   

As part of your portfolio, submit a single PDF with a description of each of your submitted samples.

• For a solo or group performance, identify the work, date of recording, and context of the performance.
• For audio recordings, scores, or electronic realization of musical compositions, arrangements, or sound art, describe how you created these works.  Feel free to discuss your inspiration and what you learned when they were completed.
• For recordings you produced or engineered, discuss your role, identify the software platform used, and list the critical hardware these recordings feature.
• For software or user interface submissions, describe their function, key algorithms, and the programming language used.  For hardware submissions, provide schematics, flow charts or diagrams, as necessary. You may submit digital photographs and/or audio or video recordings.

File Sizes and Types

We support media files as large as 5GB, larger files will take longer to upload from your Internet connection and may stall if you are on a wireless connection or one that cannot sustain a connection for the necessary period of time.

We support the following file formats:

Your essay allows you to describe your skills and experience in music technology, music performance and other musical activity. You will submit your essay response via wolfPAW.

Essay Prompt

In an essay of 300-500 words, please answer both prompts:

• Describe your skills and experience in music performance, composition, arranging, and/or arts entrepreneurship.
• Describe your skills and experience in music technology, such as music production or engineering, hardware/software design or implementation, application/plugin development, and/or instrument design.

Take the first steps to starting your application using the Change of Degree Application (CODA) recourse in your MyPack Portal.

Please contact Stuart Benkert with any questions about the music technology degree program or the admissions process.

Interim Department Head

Undergraduate Admissions

For information on NC State’s admissions process, visit NC State’s  Undergraduate Admissions .

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Transfer Students

The path to NC State is not always direct. If you've already graduated from high school and begun your college education at another institution, you have the option to apply as a transfer applicant.

Undergraduate Transfer Students

Applying to NC State as an transfer Online and Distance Education student, which means you  started your college-level work at another university or community college , is the same as applying to be an on-campus transfer student. The NC State Office of Undergraduate Admissions considers a  range of accomplishments  and qualifications, including:

• Coursework  the applicant has completed
• Strong  cumulative GPA  for all transferable college work previously attempted
• 30 or more semester hours (or 45 or more quarter hours) of  transferable credits . Total required credits can be more depending on the specifics of the program in which you are interested. (Qualifying  AP scores  can be used to meet transfer admission coursework requirements.)
• Eligibility  to return to each institution previously attended
• UNC-system Minimum Course Requirements,  21 years of age and under  or have fewer than 24 transferable hours at the time of the application
• Attempted coursework through NC State University’s  Non-Degree Studies (NDS) program  must have a minimum GPA of 2.0 or higher in order to be considered for admission

Office of Undergraduate Admissions

Visit the Office of Undergraduate Admissions website to find out how to apply as a transfer applicant.

Undergraduate Admissions: Transfer Course Equivalencies

Undergraduate admissions: transfer course equivalencies transfer course equivalencies, nc state courses, courses taken at other institution, equivalencies.

Find this course:

Courses found on these lists are considered to be college level for admissions purposes. Their applicability to a specific degree program varies by department. The course equivalencies on this list are for information purposes only and subject to change due to revisions in course offerings at the external institution and at NC State.

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What does it mean to be on the waitlist as a transfer applicant?

Admission to NC State is highly selective. Students placed on the waitlist are those we believe could be successful at NC State if space becomes available. Read below for more information about being on the waitlist.

WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BE ON THE WAITLIST?

Due to the competition of our applicant pool and space availability, we are unable to admit you at this time. We will contact you by June 15 if we are able to offer you admission off the waitlist for fall 2024. If you have courses in progress this spring term, we encourage you to submit an official final copy of your college transcript by June 1 . 

WHAT ARE MY CHANCES OF BEING ADMITTED FROM THE WAITLIST?

It is difficult to anticipate how many students we will be able to offer acceptance from the waitlist until after May 15, our enrollment confirmation deadline. If we are able to offer you admission, we will contact you by June 15 and you can consider the best option for you at that time.

HOW CAN I APPEAL BEING PLACED ON THE WAITLIST?

You cannot appeal being placed on the waitlist, as this is not a final admissions decision. 

WHAT IS MY NUMBER ON THE WAITLIST?

Our waitlist is not numbered. We will consider you for any space available in the transfer class after we have heard back from admitted students by the May 15 confirmation deadline.

WHAT, IF ANYTHING, SHOULD I PROVIDE TO INCREASE MY CHANCES OF BEING ADMITTED FROM THE WAITLIST?

If you have courses in progress this spring term, we encourage you to submit an official final copy of your college transcript by June 1 . Resumes, letters of recommendation and evaluative interviews are not required or recommended. Requesting a major change will not change your waitlist status. 

I WOULD LIKE TO MEET WITH AN ADMISSIONS COUNSELOR.

Our admissions staff is available to discuss your next steps. You can email us at  [email protected]  or call us at 919-515-2434. Admissions counselors are also available at the Joyner Visitor Center and the Campus Visits office in Talley Student Union Monday-Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

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