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 and historically underrepresented students and have an emphasis on cultural programming during the on-campus component.

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 your cultural community including knowing your worth and growing your value on a college campus
• 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 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 a 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.

CAMINOS: Your Journey to College

During the on-campus program, students will participate in workshops to learn about university student life, engage in topics as they relate to the Latinx/Hispanic community and higher education, and receive assistance with the college application and financial aid process. Click here to watch a video and learn more about CAMINOS: Your Journey to College.

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

• Are a rising 11th or 12th grade student that identifies as Hispanic/Latinx or have an interest in Hispanic/Latinx Culture
• 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

Application Deadline

Applications for the 2023 program are now closed. We appreciate your interest!

Emerging Scholars Academy (ESA)

During the on-campus program, students will participate in workshops to learn about university student life, engage in topics as they relate to the Black/African American community and higher education, and receive assistance with the college application and financial aid process. Click here to watch a video and learn more about Emerging Scholars Academy.

Emerging Scholars Academy is for you if you:

• Are a rising 11th or 12th grade student that identifies as Black/African American or have an interest in Black/African American Culture
• 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

Application Deadline

Applications for the 2023 program are now closed. We appreciate your interest!

Native Education Forum (NEF)

During the on-campus program, students will participate in workshops to learn about university student life, engage in topics as they relate to the American Indian/Native American community and higher education, and receive assistance with the college application and financial aid process. Click here to watch a video and learn more about Native Education Forum.

Native Education Forum is for you if you:

• Are a rising 11th or 12th grade student that identifies as Native American/American Indian or have an interest in Native American/American Indian culture
• 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

Application Deadline

Applications for the 2023 program are now closed. We appreciate your interest!