Pre-College Programs

Program Overview

The Office of Undergraduate Admissions offers three different pre-college programs for high school students that focus on three key components: exposure to the college academic environment, preparation for the college application and financial aid process and establishment of a strong sense of community through peer engagement and near-peer mentorship. Our programs are geared toward first-generation students and have an emphasis on cultural programming during the on-campus component. All students are welcome to apply.

Each program offers you the opportunity to:

• Interact with NC State admissions representatives, faculty, staff and alumni
• Participate in college preparation workshops featuring how to approach the college search process, navigating financial aid and scholarships and application essay writing tips
• Engage in sessions pertaining to culture and community on college campuses
• Experience the college academic environment by participating in lectures and hands-on workshops from NC State college partners

Participating in one of our pre-college programs is a year-long commitment. Beginning with the week-long on-campus summer component, students will continue to engage with program staff, peers and campus partners through a series of on-campus and virtual events throughout the year.

• June: Week-long on-campus residential program
• October: On-campus application workshop and mentor panel
• December: Virtual mentor panel and check-in
• February: Virtual ACT preparation workshops for juniors
• April: Virtual mentor panel and decision day celebration for seniors

Rising high school juniors and seniors who identify with, or have an interest in, each program’s respective communities are encouraged to apply if they are interested in pursuing higher education, are leaders in their school or community and have an unweighted GPA of 3.4 or higher or are in the top 15% of their graduating class.

If selected to attend the program, we ask participants to accept their offer by paying the $20 program fee.

Questions can be directed to the pre-college programming staff at undergrad-precollege@ncsu.edu.

Coming in to this program, I was hesitant, not knowing how to go about my essay or how to go about the application process. Coming out of this week, I feel 100% confident.

Hailee S.

2023 participant

CAMINOS: Your Journey to College

CAMINOS: Your Journey to College is for you if you:

• Have a cumulative unweighted GPA of a 3.4 or higher or are in the top 15% of your class
• Are interested in pursuing higher education
• Are a leader in your school, family and/or community

While the programming and cultural exploration is geared towards students who identify as Hispanic or Latino, all students are welcome to apply.

Application Deadline

Applications are closed. Questions can be directed to the pre-college programming staff at undergrad-precollege@ncsu.edu.

Participating in CAMINOS: Your Journey to College is a year-long commitment

Beginning with the week-long on-campus summer component, students will continue to engage with program staff, peers and campus partners through a series of on-campus and virtual events throughout the year. Speaking Spanish is not required to participate in CAMINOS.

Program Dates
June 23 – 29	On-campus residential program*
October	On-campus application workshop and mentor panel
December	Virtual mentor panel and check-in
February	Virtual ACT preparation workshops for juniors
April	Virtual mentor panel and decision day celebration for seniors

Emerging Scholars Academy (ESA)

Emerging Scholars Academy is for you if you:

• Have a cumulative unweighted GPA of a 3.4 or higher or are in the top 15% of your class
• Are interested in pursuing higher education
• Are a leader in your school, family and/or community

While the programming and cultural exploration is geared towards students who identify as Black or African-American, all students are welcome to apply.

Application Deadline

Applications are closed. Questions can be directed to the pre-college programming staff at undergrad-precollege@ncsu.edu.

Participating in Emerging Scholars Academy is a year-long commitment

Beginning with the week-long on-campus summer component, students will continue to engage with program staff, peers and campus partners through a series of on-campus and virtual events throughout the year.

Program Dates
June 16 – 22	On-campus residential program*
October	On-campus application workshop and mentor panel
December	Virtual mentor panel and check-in
February	Virtual ACT preparation workshops for juniors
April	Virtual mentor panel and decision day celebration for seniors

Native Education Forum (NEF)

Native Education Forum is for you if you:

• Have a cumulative unweighted GPA of a 3.4 or higher or are in the top 15% of your class
• Are interested in pursuing higher education
• Are a leader in your school, family and/or community

While the programming and cultural exploration is geared towards students who identify as Native American/American Indian, all students are welcome to apply.

Application Deadline

Applications are closed. Questions can be directed to the pre-college programming staff at undergrad-precollege@ncsu.edu.

Participating in the Native Education Forum is a year-long commitment

Beginning with the week-long on-campus summer component, students will continue to engage with program staff, peers and campus partners through a series of on-campus and virtual events throughout the year.

Program Dates
June 25 – 29	On-campus residential program*
October	On-campus application workshop and mentor panel
December	Virtual mentor panel and check-in
February	Virtual ACT preparation workshops for juniors
April	Virtual mentor panel and decision day celebration for seniors