High School Counselor Newsletter 2026-27
NC State deeply values your dedication to supporting and empowering your students. Our mission is to equip you with the information and resources needed to help them navigate the admissions process and expand their access to higher education.
Our Partners in Success
At NC State, learning begins in the classroom, but it doesn’t end there. Students put their knowledge into action through research, internships and co- ops with a wide network of business and industry partners. This hands-on approach prepares them with the career-ready skills and experiences they need to thrive long after graduation.
As the largest university in North Carolina and the flagship STEM campus of the UNC System, NC State is home to more than 39,000 students and 2,400 faculty across 10 colleges and a graduate school, covering every major academic discipline. Our campus fosters both academic excellence and personal growth, with more than 100 majors and minors, 200+ study abroad opportunities, 800+ student organizations, 22 Division I athletic programs and a vibrant arts and culture community.
We hope you find the materials in this newsletter useful as you guide your students through the admissions process. Below, you’ll find key updates and resources for the year ahead, including our December decision notification timeline, application tip videos and an important major name change in the College of Design. We look forward to partnering with you this year and invite you to see firsthand how NC State continues to Think and Do the extraordinary.
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Application Deadlines
First-Year Timeline
| Application Type | Application Deadline | Residency and Materials Deadline | Notification Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Early Action | Nov. 1 | Nov. 10 | NC Residents*: By the end of Dec. All other applicants: Jan. 31 |
| Regular Decision | Jan. 15 | Feb. 1 | March 31 |
| Studio-Based Majors | Nov. 1* | Nov. 10 | NC Residents*: By the end of Dec. All other applicants**: Jan. 31 |
| Spring Applicants | Oct. 1 | Oct. 15 | Nov. 15** |
| *Portfolio due Nov. 1 | *North Carolina residency must be confirmed through the Residency Determination Service by Nov. 10 in order to receive a decision by the end of Dec. **Released on a rolling basis |
The enrollment confirmation deadline is May 1 for fall admits and December 1 for spring admits.
Transfer Timeline
| Application Type | Application Deadline | Residency and Materials Deadline | Notification Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall Applicants | Feb. 15 | March 1 | April 15** |
| Studio-Based Majors | Nov. 1* | Nov. 10 | Jan. 31** |
| Spring Applicants | Oct. 1 | Oct. 15 | Nov. 15** |
| *Portfolio due Nov. 1 | **Released on a rolling basis |
The enrollment confirmation deadline is May 1 for fall admits and December 1 for spring admits.
The following majors are not eligible for spring entry:
- Applied Math
- Exploratory Studies
- Fashion and Textile Design
- Majors in the College of Engineering*
- Mathematics
- Music Technology
- Physics*
- Statistics
- Studio-Based Majors in the College of Design
*Spring applications are open only to transfer students.
University Honors
For the fall 2027 application cycle, first-year applicants must submit their NC State application by the November 1 Early Action deadline to be eligible to apply to the University Honors Program (UHP).
How to Apply
The undergraduate application for fall 2027 is now available! Once a student has submitted their application, they will receive login credentials to wolfPAW, our applicant portal. That’s where they will track their application status, manage documents and get their final admissions decision.
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2026 First-Year Facts
This information provides a “snapshot” of the Class of 2030 as of August 2026. Final profile information after the fall census date may vary slightly.
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Admitted Student Data by College
Our first-year admit rates by college and Exploratory Studies for 2026 are displayed below. This data is intended to help illustrate the varying levels of competition across NC State’s colleges and provide additional context as your students consider their options.
However, admit rates (which can fluctuate by majors within the same college) should not steer students away from the academic programs they are most interested in pursuing. We recommend that students focus on selecting first and second choice academic programs that genuinely interest them. While many students are admitted to their first-choice program, some are offered admission to their second choice.
If students are unsure where to start, Focus 2 Apply can help them explore how their strengths and interests align with different NC State majors and future career paths.
| Academic College | Applications | Admit Rate | Enrollment Target | Weighted GPA* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| College of Agriculture and Life Sciences | 4,222 | 39% | 616 | 4.35 |
| College of Design | 1,198 | 25% | 128 | 4.24 |
| College of Education | 972 | 44% | 162 | 4.28 |
| College of Engineering | 13,053 | 45% | 1875 | 4.45 |
| College of Humanities and Social Sciences | 7,323 | 34% | 540 | 4.36 |
| College of Natural Resources | 1,991 | 38% | 277 | 4.31 |
| College of Sciences | 7,797 | 43% | 734 | 4.45 |
| Exploratory Studies | 2,948 | 62% | 825 | 4.21 |
| Poole College of Management | 7,577 | 34% | 558 | 4.37 |
| Wilson College of Textiles | 625 | 61% | 195 | 4.20 |
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Need to Know
Early Action Decision Timeline for North Carolina Residents
For the fall 2027 application cycle, NC State plans to release Early Action admission decisions for North Carolina residents by the end of December.
To help your students qualify for this earlier notification, please encourage them to:
- Submit their Early Action application by November 1.
- Ensure their application is complete with the Office of Undergraduate Admissions by November 10.
- Complete the Residency Determination Service (RDS) process and be confirmed as a North Carolina resident by November 10. Students can provide their Residency Classification Number (RCN) on their application or add it later through their wolfPAW portal by the deadline.
All other Early Action applicants with a complete application on file by November 10 will receive an admission decision by January 31.
We encourage counselors to remind North Carolina students to complete the RDS process early so they can take advantage of the earlier decision timeline.
Application Advice Video Series
Help your students put their best application forward with quick tips and advice straight from the NC State Undergraduate Admissions team. Our Application Advice Video Series covers key topics like essays, test scores and more to help students build a competitive first-year application.
Stay Connected With Slate.org
Slate.org is a free counselor portal that gives you real-time access to your students’ NC State application statuses and allows you to securely submit application materials directly to our office. If you haven’t joined yet, we encourage you to create an account and connect with NC State to make it easier to support your students throughout the admissions process.
Selecting a First and Second Choice Program
We recommend encouraging students to select first- and second-choice academic programs that genuinely interest them. While many students are admitted to their first-choice program, some may be offered admission to their second choice. For this reason, students should choose a second-choice program they would be excited to pursue. Changing majors once enrolled at NC State requires a competitive Change of Degree Application (CODA) process and is not guaranteed.
For students who are still exploring their options, Focus 2 Apply can help them discover how their strengths and interests align with NC State majors and potential career paths.
Math Preparation for First-Year Applicants
To prepare for the academic rigor of college-level courses, we strongly recommend that all high school students take pre-calculus.
To be a competitive applicant for a STEM or business-related program, pre-calculus is a minimum requirement. To ensure students are fully prepared for the advanced math coursework they will encounter in these fields, we will also expect for them to complete calculus if it is offered at their high school.
Test Score Policy for Applicants
NC State is test-optional for first-year applicants with a weighted GPA of 2.8 or above (a B- average). These students are not required to submit SAT or ACT scores and can indicate on their Common App or Coalition on Scoir application whether they would like their scores considered as part of the review process. If submitted, test scores will only be used to enhance a student’s application; choosing not to submit scores will not negatively affect their application.
First-year applicants with a weighted GPA greater than or equal to 2.5 and less than 2.8 will be required to submit a score of 17 or higher on the ACT, or 930 or higher on the SAT, to meet the University of North Carolina System minimum eligibility requirements.
Academic Program Updates
Art + Design Becomes Media Arts, Design and Technology
Beginning with the 2027 application cycle, the Art + Design major will be renamed Media Arts, Design and Technology. While the curriculum remains the same, the new name better reflects the interdisciplinary nature of the program and the evolving fields it prepares students to enter.
No Additional Essay for Studio Based Majors in College of Design
Students applying to studio-based majors in the College of Design will no longer be required to submit an additional essay as part of the application process. Instead, students will provide a brief written description for each portfolio slide to help reviewers understand both the work and the creative thinking behind the work. In each description, students will be asked to explain what they made, what they were exploring and how they approached the creative process. Descriptions should highlight meaningful experiments, decisions, iterations or developments that demonstrate how the work evolved and not simply describe the final product.
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First-Year Program Updates
First-year programs provide incoming students with opportunities to explore broad, multidisciplinary areas. Exploratory Studies is a great option for first-year students who are still exploring their academic interests. However, students who enter the program with a significant number of college credits (generally 30 or more credits or more than 10 completed college courses), including a combination of dual enrollment, AP, IB or other college-level credit, may find it challenging to apply those credits effectively, as the curriculum is designed for students with fewer credits.
For this reason, students entering NC State with a significant number of college credits are generally better suited for admission to a specific academic program rather than Exploratory Studies. We encourage these students to apply directly to a major that aligns with their academic interests and allows them to make the best use of their existing credits toward timely graduation.
Read more about all of our first-year programs below.
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Transfer Pathways
Transfer students are an essential part of the Wolfpack. In fact, one in five NC State graduates began their journey elsewhere, with more than half of those students coming from a North Carolina Community College.
We encourage counselors to help students explore all of our transfer pathways. Students can also complete our quick “Which Transfer Pathway is for Me?” form to find out which transfer pathway may be the best fit for them.
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Scholarships and Financial Aid
Financial Aid Information
Students should complete the FAFSA to be considered for financial aid. The FAFSA for the 2026-27 school year will be available on October 1. We encourage students to start preparing to apply for the FAFSA by creating an account through studentaid.gov. This account will provide students with their FSA ID that they will need to complete the FAFSA when it becomes available.
Scholarships Information
Students who are admitted will have access to apply for scholarships on our PACK ASSIST portal after they receive their decision. Encourage your students to apply for admission by the Early Action deadline of November 1 for priority scholarship consideration. Scholarship applications received by February 15 will receive priority consideration.
Help Students Understand the Cost of College
As students and families consider their college options, understanding the true cost of attendance is an important part of the process.
NC State’s Net Price Calculator can help students estimate what they may actually pay after grants and scholarships are considered. While published costs provide a general overview, the Net Price Calculator offers a more personalized estimate based on a family’s financial information.
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Visit Opportunities for Prospective Students
Students can discover what it’s like to live and learn at NC State. We encourage students to register for as many sessions as they are interested in. Campus visits are offered Monday through Friday. Students can also register and attend University Open House to explore everything that NC State has to offer.
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NC State Travel Brochure
Looking for a quick NC State reference? View our travel brochure for an overview of the information we’re sharing with prospective students and families while we’re on the road.
