freshman - Am I Competitive?

Photo of student contemplating her future

Admission to NC State is competitive. After all, we're one of the nation's top research universities. Many of our programs have earned regional and national attention, including our design program, which is one of the most comprehensive in the Southeast, and our physics program, which is ranked among the nation's best. We expect our students to be high-achievers, but in return we offer a quality education that will help set you on the right path for a successful, satisfying career.

Note: NC State University considers Early College students and others who take college level courses while enrolled in high school ("dual enrollment") as freshman applicants for admission purposes. They should therefore make sure to have their SAT or ACT Plus Writing scores reported to NC State by the testing agency to fulfill freshman admission requirements. Applicants who have already completed an undergraduate degree and wish to be accepted to complete a second degree are considered transfer students.

freshman admission criteria

For freshman admission the most important factor affecting admission is the student's high school academic record. The most competitive students take a rigorous college prep curriculum and maintain at least a B+ average or better throughout high school. When reviewing your application, our Admissions Office considers:

  1. Level and difficulty of classes taken
  2. Overall GPA and class rank
  3. SAT or ACT Plus Writing scores not more than 5 years old
  4. Extracurricular activities, including leadership and community service

To be considered for freshman admission you must have a high school diploma or its equivalent and satisfy the UNC-system Minimum Course Requirements (MCR):

If you have not completed these requirements, you may still be able to qualify for transfer admission.

Criteria for Individual Colleges

Specific colleges at NC State vary in terms of selectivity.

College of Design: If you are interested in a College of Design major, it should be listed as your first choice and your application should be submitted and complete (along with a separate essay and online portfolio) by November 1. If you are a domestic freshman applying for the Design Studies major, the deadline is February 1. The College of Design will not consider second choices for Design majors. Design applications are reviewed by the Office of Undergraduate Admissions and, if found to be academically competitive, are forwarded to the College of Design for review. To assess creative potential, candidates must present a portfolio of works created inside and/or outside school. High school art classes are not required for acceptance, but they are encouraged. For more information regarding the portfolio, contact the College of Design. Design applicants will be notified on January 15 whether their application is under review by the College of Design for their first choice, or whether it is being considered for second choice of major in a different College at NC State. Notification of Admission Decisions will be at the end of March.

Professional Golf Management (PGM): Program must provide a copy of their GHIN scores from their local facility documenting a handicap of 12 or below. Students may provide documentation of successfully passing the PGA Playing Ability Test (PAT) but GHIN scores with handicap verification must be submitted along with the PAT documentation. Documentation and questions should be directed to the PGM office: Tel. 919-515-8792, email: susan_colby@ncsu.edu.

Applications and portfolios for studio-based Fashion & Textile Design (FTD) major must be submitted by February 1. FTD applicants who submit by the November 1 priority deadline will be notified by mid-December if their application is under review by FTD or being reviewed for their second choice non-studio major.

Non-Public and Home School Requirements

The criteria for the admission of non-public or home-schooled students are the same as any other freshman applicant and include:

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