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 three-day 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: Three-day on-campus residential program
• October: On-campus reunion
• December: Virtual mentor panel and check-in
• April: Virtual mentor panel and decision day celebration for seniors

Rising high school students 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 3.6 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 $30 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:

• Are a rising 12th-grade student who has a cumulative unweighted GPA of a 3.6 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 will open in January 2025. The deadline to apply is March 14.

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 three-day 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 22 – 24	Residential in-person program*
October	On-campus program reunion
December	Virtual mentor panel and check-in
April	Virtual mentor panel and decision day celebration for seniors

Emerging Scholars Academy (ESA)

Emerging Scholars Academy is for you if you:

• Are a rising 12th-grade student who has a cumulative unweighted GPA of a 3.6 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 will open in January 2025. The deadline to apply is March 14.

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 three-day 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 15 – 17	Residential in-person program*
October	On-campus program reunion
December	Virtual mentor panel and check-in
April	Virtual mentor panel and decision day celebration for seniors

Native Education Forum (NEF)

Native Education Forum is for you if you:

• A rising 11th or 12th-grade student who has a cumulative unweighted GPA of a 3.5 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 will open in January 2025. The deadline to apply is March 14.

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 three-day 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 29 – July 1	Residential in-person program*
October	On-campus program reunion
December	Virtual mentor panel and check-in
April	Virtual mentor panel and decision day celebration for seniors