Dates and Deadlines
Never miss a deadline - mark your calendar with the dates below to apply on time.
First-Year Timeline
| Application Deadline | Materials Deadline | Notification Date | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Early Action | Nov. 1 | Nov. 15 | Jan. 30 |
| Regular Decision | Jan. 15 | Feb. 1 | March 30 |
| Studio-Based Majors | Nov. 1* | Nov. 15 | Rolling |
| Spring Applicants | Oct. 1 | Oct. 15 | Nov. 15** |
| * Portfolio and essay are due on November 1 | ** Decisions are released on a rolling basis |
The enrollment confirmation deadline is May 1 for fall admits and December 1 for spring admits.
Transfer Timeline
| Application Deadline | Materials Deadline | Notification Date | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall Applicants | Feb. 15 | March 1 | April 15** |
| Studio-Based Majors | Nov. 1* | Nov. 15 | Jan. 30 |
| Spring Applicants | Oct. 1 | Oct. 15 | Nov. 15** |
| * Portfolio and essay are due on November 1 | ** Decisions are released on a rolling basis |
The enrollment confirmation deadline is May 1 for fall admits and December 1 for spring admits.
Application Deadlines
For both spring and fall admission, first-year and transfer applicants can apply when the undergraduate application opens on August 1.
Interested in starting classes in Summer Session I or Summer Session II? Apply for fall admission, and if you are admitted, email us at undergrad-admissions@ncsu.edu to request your application be updated to summer entry. We will then consider you for a Summer Session II entry which begins at the end of June.
Applying for a studio-based major or the Agricultural Institute?
Make sure to review their application deadlines and notification dates – they differ from our other programs.
2026-2027 FAFSA is Now Available
Complete the form by NC State’s priority filing date, March 1.
First-Year Applicants
Our best advice is to apply early. We don’t necessarily give priority to early action applicants in the review process, but first-year early action applicants receive priority consideration for scholarships and financial aid as well as our Honors Program. Decisions are released on the corresponding notification date as long as your application is complete by the deadline.
International applicants must apply by the deadline and will have their admissions decisions released on a rolling basis once their application is complete. Check your wolfPAW portal for any application updates.
A few majors do not accept first-year applications for spring entry:
- Applied Math
- College of Design studio-based majors
- Exploratory Studies
- First-year applications to the College of Engineering
- Fashion and Textile Design
- Mathematics
- Music Technology
- Physics
- Statistics
How to Be a Competitive First-Year Applicant
Transfer Applicants
Once you review our recommendations for competitive applicants and have made a plan, go ahead and submit your application. We will consider courses in progress as long as they are successfully completed prior to you enrolling.
International applicants must apply by the deadline and will have their admissions decisions released on a rolling basis once their application is complete. Check your wolfPAW portal for any application updates.
A few majors do not accept transfer applications for spring entry:
- Applied Math
- College of Design studio-based majors
- Fashion and Textile Design
- Mathematics
- Music Technology
How to Be a Competitive Transfer Applicant
Studio-Based Majors
The following programs are considered studio-based majors and are fall entry only:
- Architecture
- Art + Design
- Fashion and Textile Design
- Graphic & Experience Design
- Industrial Design
Application Deadline – November 1
Both first-year and transfer students applying for one of the majors above must apply by November 1 to be considered.
Portfolio and Additional Essay Due – November 1
To complete an application for a studio-based major, there are supplemental requirements in addition to the first-year or transfer admissions application. You are required to submit a 10-piece portfolio and additional essay through your wolfPAW account (Fashion and Textile Design applicants will submit a portfolio through SlideRoom) by November 1 to complete your application.
You will receive access to your wolfPAW account within 48 hours of submitting an application. We encourage you to submit your application by mid-October to allow for time to submit your portfolio.
Music Technology
Although music technology is not a studio-based program, it is only available for fall entry and requires submission of a portfolio and additional essay. First-year applicants to music technology can apply Early Action or Regular Decision. Transfer applicants must apply by November 1.
The portfolio is 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, your applicant portal. 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.
The additional 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 .
Learn more about the music technology program here.
additional information
Create Your Application
Agricultural Institute
NC State’s two-year Agricultural Institute (AGI) accepts first-year and transfer applicants hoping to pursue an Associate of Applied Science degree in one of six academic areas. Decisions are posted on your wolfPAW account on a rolling basis, once your application is completed and reviewed.
Fall Entry
- Application Deadline – June 1
Spring Entry
- Application Deadline – October 1