First-Year Applicants
If you’re graduating from high school or have never enrolled in college, you’ll apply as a first-year applicant. Before you apply, see what we look for in competitive applicants.
How To Apply
Applying is simple—here’s what to expect.
Step One: Start Your Application
Choose to apply through one of our two applications – we don’t have a preference which application you choose.
Step Two: Select Two Different Majors
On the application, you’ll be asked to select a first and second-choice major based on your interests. We encourage you to select two different majors in two different academic colleges. If we determine you’re not competitive for your first-choice major, you’ll be considered for admission to your second-choice major.
Students interested in a studio-based major (Architecture, Media Arts, Design and Technology, Fashion and Textile Design, Graphic & Experience Design, Industrial Design) must apply by November 1 in addition to submitting a 10-piece portfolio and design essay. Learn more about the application process for studio-based majors.
Step Three: Optional Test Scores
As a part of the UNC System, NC State is test optional for applicants with a weighted GPA of 2.8 or above.
On the application, you’ll be required to indicate whether or not you plan to submit SAT, ACT or CLT scores for consideration in the admission review process. Learn more about test score consideration in the review process.
Applicants with a weighted GPA of 2.8 or above will not be disadvantaged if you indicate you do not want scores to be considered in your application review.
- If you choose to submit your test scores, you should self-report them on your application. We encourage you to submit all scores, and we will consider your highest sub-score from each section across your test dates to create a super-score.
- See which test dates we accept for our application deadlines.
- After you have applied, any additional test scores can be added on your wolfPAW portal. We will not accept standardized test scores listed on your high school transcript.
- If you choose to enroll at NC State and opted for test scores to be considered during your application review, official SAT (code: 5496), ACT (code: 3164) or CLT test scores will be required prior to enrollment.
Step Four: Complete the Essay Prompts
You’ll choose an essay prompt from the list provided by Common App or Coalition by Scoir so you can share your story with us in 650 words or less. We also have an additional short answer question to help us get to know you better. These responses will be included in your application.
Required Short Answer Question
Explain why you selected the academic program(s) above and why you are interested in studying these at NC State.
Step Five: Submit Your Transcript
To complete your application, you must send an official high school transcript to our office. Your high school counselor can submit your transcript through Common App, Coalition by Scoir, slate.org or another secure sending service such as Naviance or Parchment. Students studying at participating public high schools in North Carolina can request official transcripts be sent to our office using CFNC.
Step Six: Pay the Application Fee
A non-refundable application fee of $85 is required. If you think you may qualify for a fee waiver, view fee waiver eligibility requirements and learn how to submit documentation.
After You Apply
After you submit your application to NC State, you will receive an email within 24 hours with credentials to log in to wolfPAW, your applicant portal.
Please note: If you apply in August before we begin processing applications, you will not receive your wolfPAW log in credentials until we begin processing applications. It may take 4-5 weeks after August 1 to begin processing applications.
Check Your Email
We encourage you to check your email often, as we may email you about additional items needed to complete your application.
Using your school-assigned email address? Sometimes our emails may be blocked by the server, so we recommend using a non-school email to receive our communications.
Submit the FAFSA
You don’t need to wait for an official admission decision to submit your FAFSA, and we encourage students to apply as soon as possible.
- FAFSA open date: October 1
- Priority filing date for NC State: March 1
- NC State school code: 002972
View Your Decision
You will be notified of your admission decision on your wolfPAW portal. If you completed your application on time and submitted all required materials by the deadline, you will receive a decision on the notification date corresponding to the application deadline for the semester you applied for.
Early Action Deadline: November 1
Notification Date: January 31
Regular Decision Deadline: January 15
Notification Date: March 31
International applicants will receive their decision on a rolling basis.
Decision Types
There are four different decision-types that you may receive as a first-year applicant:
Admit
Some students we are able to admit right away. Head to our admitted student page to learn about next steps for joining the Wolfpack family.
Deny
Unfortunately, we cannot admit all applicants to NC State. We encourage denied applicants to consider applying to NC State in the future as a transfer applicant.
Defer
When we review applications, we find some applicants who may benefit from the opportunity to provide improved fall grades before receiving a final decision in March.
Waitlist
We are unable to admit all qualified students into our class. Some applicants are placed on the waitlist who we believe would be successful at NC State if space is available.
Frequently Asked Questions
Still have some questions about the first year application process? Check out our FAQ for answers to common questions and concerns.