nc state essay prompts 2022

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How to Get Into NC State University: Acceptance Rate and Strategies

August 1, 2024

North Carolina State University is a large public research university that forms one corner of the so-called Research Triangle, along with Duke University and the University of North Carolina—Chapel Hill. With almost 25,000 undergraduates, NC State’s Raleigh campus is bustling with activity and innovation. The highly ranked business, engineering, and computer science programs are a huge draw not only for high-achieving North Carolinians but also standout students from around the United States. Moreover, in recent years, the number of applicants to NC State has skyrocketed and the acceptance rate has declined accordingly.

Given this increased level of selectivity at NC State, the following article will touch on the following topics:

• NC State’s Class of 2027 acceptance rate
• NC State in-state vs. out-of-state acceptance rate
• Early Action acceptance rate
• SAT and ACT scores of enrolled NC State applicants
• Admissions trends from the Class of 2027
• NC State’s system for rating applicants
• A look at the demographics of NC State undergraduates
• NC State’s yield rate
• Tips for applying to NC State
• NC State Supplemental Essay Tips
• How to assess whether applying to NC State is even worth the $85 application fee (for you)

Let’s begin with an examination of the most recent admissions data.

NC State Acceptance Rate – Class of 2027

Out of 39,822 total applications submitted for a place in the 2023-24 freshman class, 15,750 were accepted. This translates to an NC State acceptance rate of 40%.

Historical NC State acceptance rates are as follows:

NC State In-State vs. Out-of-State Acceptance Rate

NC State gives a major edge to North Carolina residents in the admissions process. For the Class of 2027, the in-state acceptance rate was 50% compared to just 29% for out-of-staters.

NC State Early Action Acceptance Rate

NC State is one of the rare universities that publishes early action acceptance data. 29,143 Early Action applications were received for the Class of 2027, and 11,718 were admitted for an EA acceptance rate of 40%.

What GPA do you need to get into NC State?

Enrolled freshmen in the Class of 2027 possessed an unweighted GPA of 3.9. Moreover, 77% held a GPA of 3.75 or higher, and only about 5% had a GPA under 3.5.

What class rank do you need to get accepted to NC State?

In terms of class rank, the Class of 2027 saw 47% of its members hailing from the top decile of their high school class. 84% fell in the top quarter, and 99% were in the top half.

What is the minimum SAT or ACT score for NC State?

Even though NC State is test-optional, 72% of enrolled 2023-24 freshmen submitted standardized test scores alongside their application. Within that group, the mid-50% SAT range was 1280-1430 and the mid-50% ACT range was 25-31.

Admissions Trends & Notes — Class of 2027

• Applications to NC State increased by 11% last cycle; the acceptance rate dropped seven points.
• 16% of incoming first-year students were from out-of-state.
• 73% of students applied via Early Action.
• 57% of incoming students planned to study STEM fields.
• 30% identify as students of color.
• Top activities and accomplishments for the Class of 2027 were service, arts, research, honors, work, and sports.

Who Gets Into NC State?

Next, let’s take a gander at the demographics for the Class of 2027.

Geographically, the Class of 2027 is from:

• 96 of North Carolina’s 100 counties.
• 39 of the 50 U.S. States.
• 30 different countries.
• 1,554 different high schools.
• 29% of North Carolina students are from rural countries.

Competition is harshest among those hailing from states with endless streams of qualified applicants (the entire Northeast & the West Coast). If you come from a less populated state like South Dakota, Wyoming, or Idaho, your location is more likely to provide a boost to your admissions chances.

Looking at ethnic identity, the breakdown for the Class of 2027 is as follows:

• Hispanic: 9%
• Black or African American: 8%

The top ten majors for the incoming class:

• Engineering
• Exploratory Studies
• Life Sciences
• Animal Science
• Fashion & Textile Management
• Sport Management
• Political Science
• Criminology

The breakdown by gender for the Class of 2027 is as follows:

• Female: 54%

Although fewer men enter the university, female applicants have a significant edge during the admissions process. Female Class of 2027 applicants enjoyed a 44% acceptance rate compared to 34% for their male counterparts.

NC State’s Yield Rate

NC State’s yield rate—the percentage of accepted students who elect to enroll, divided by the total number of students who are admitted—is 35%, several points higher than previous years. For comparison, other notable tech-centric public research universities sport the following yield rates: Georgia Tech (43%), Purdue (25%), and Virginia Tech (27%).

How NC State Rates Applicants

Three factors are rated by NC State as being “very important” to their admissions process: rigor of secondary school record, class rank, and GPA. Standardized test scores are the lone “important” factor (despite being test-optional).

Straight from the NC State admissions office:

• “Every student has a different story to tell. Although your academic record is a strong indicator of your future success, and important in our review process, it doesn’t always tell the whole story. We want to hear about your background and the experiences that have shaped you into a competitive applicant and potential member of the Wolfpack.”
• “We encourage you to take challenging courses your school may offer that align with your academic interests and prove your ability for future success (honors, AP, IB, dual enrollment, etc.)”
• We also consider diversity, legacy status, first-generation status, and rural areas. NC State is enriched through the varied knowledge and backgrounds of our students and we expect everyone to give of their talents, skills, time and effort to make NC State an environment of inclusive excellence for all.

Tips for Applying to NC State

If you plan on joining the 40,000+ Wolfpack wannabes for the next admissions cycle, you should know the following:

• NC State will continue to be test-optional for students who have a weighted GPA of at least 2.8.
• NC State admits students “directly into the major they select on the application. First-year applicants can select up to two major choices on the application based on your interests…”
• Make sure to select a backup major when you apply to NC State. Certain programs are extremely competitive.
• NC State does not offer any type of in-person or alumni interviews for incoming freshmen.
• NC State does consider “ demonstrated interest ” so you may be judged on whether or not you made a campus visit, contacted an admissions officer, etc. Given the school’s lower yield rate (compared to some other elite schools), it is a good idea to reach out to an NC State admissions officer with a question, attend a virtual session, or engage with the school on social media.
• Make sure to dedicate sufficient time and effort to the supplemental NCSU essays. In the 2023-24, there was just one required prompt:

1) Explain why you selected the academic program(s) above and why you are interested in studying these at NC State. (250 words)

For further essay advice, visit our blog: NC State Essay Prompts and Tips .

Should I Apply to NC State?

Those best positioned to gain acceptance into NC State will boast a transcript of mostly A’s in an exceptionally rigorous program of classes. Given their test-optional policy, students with sparkling transcripts can be successful even without SAT or ACT scores. Still, students (particularly those aiming for engineering or CS, and particularly those who live out-of-state) should plan to bring sparkling credentials.

NC State Acceptance Rate — Final Thoughts

All prospective NC State applicants need to develop a balanced college list consisting of multiple “safety” and “target” schools to go along with their “reach”/dream schools. You’ll want to do this in conjunction with a qualified admissions professional, including your high school counselor.

Ready to start building your college applications? Consider checking out the following:

• Should I Apply Test-Optional?
• What is Demonstrated Interest?
• Do Colleges Look at Social Media?
• College Fair Advice for High School Students
• How to Complete the Common App Activities List
• Common App Essay Prompts
• How to Quickly Format Your Common App Essay
• 25 Inspiring College Essay Topic Ideas
• Should I Complete Optional College Essays?
• Application Strategies

Andrew Belasco

A licensed counselor and published researcher, Andrew's experience in the field of college admissions and transition spans two decades. He has previously served as a high school counselor, consultant and author for Kaplan Test Prep, and advisor to U.S. Congress, reporting on issues related to college admissions and financial aid.

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How to Write the NC State Supplemental Essays 2024–2025

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North Carolina State University (NC State), the flagship STEM campus of the UNC System, supports their diverse student body in both research and leadership . NC State’s accomplished alumni include comedian Zach Galifianakis, quarterback Philip Rivers, and SAS CEO James Goodnight. Hoping to join their ranks? First, you’ll need to nail your NC State supplemental essays. Let’s dive in.

North Carolina State University 2024-2025 Prompts

Required essay prompts, explain why you selected the first choice academic program above and why you are interested in studying this at nc state. (250 words or fewer), discuss any other obstacles and/or hardships that you have encountered that have affected you personally or academically and how you dealt with them. (250 words or fewer), university honors program applicants prompt, tell us about an event, realization, or project where your curiosity inspired you to take action. what initially sparked your interest, how did you pursue further understanding, and what specific actions did you take as a result  (600 words or fewer), we’ll review your essay.

Receive edits in as little as 24 hours

General Tips

The NC State supplemental essays could all benefit from your taking the time to show, rather than tell, the reader your perspectives. What exactly does “show, don’t tell” mean in the context of the college essay, though? Here are three ways.

1. Narration

Instead of telling your reader that you’ve grown as a person, it can be more helpful to compose a narrative showing how you’ve grown. Was there a particular hardship you went through that made you the person you are today? Share that story with the reader, and you’ll have succeeded in composing a narrative.

2. Specificity

This point is often the easiest to grasp of the “show, don’t tell” paradigm but the hardest to implement. Many students feel like they have to get abstract and philosophical in their college essays in order to demonstrate their intelligence and thoughtfulness to the reader. However, this strategy only works when the student has specific views to share with the reader. Most of the time, a concrete, specific essay is more effective.

What does this mean in practice? For instance, instead of writing an essay about your general ideas concerning grief, compose an essay grounded in your unique experience of grief. When writing a description, try to use adjectives that are tangible or visible, versus abstract (e.g., “colorless” instead of “boring,” “noisy” instead of “annoying”). Implementing this strategy will make your essay more vivid.

3. Repetition

This is the point that surprises students the most. Although you want to avoid writing a repetitive essay, some repetition can, when implemented correctly, be very effective. The most classic way to implement repetition in an essay that shows instead of tells is to make a point at both the beginning and ending of the essay.

Ever notice the similarities between introductory and concluding paragraphs in essays? This is due to the repetition of the author’s thesis statement, motivation, and/or argument in both sections of the essay. This rhetorical strategy allows the essay to become more cohesive while also subliminally showing the reader that the essay is consistent from beginning to end.

With that said, let’s break down the NC State supplemental essays.

NC State University Required Essay Questions

NC State requires two or three short essays for all applicants. The third short essay is only required for applicants who select a second choice academic program, and the prompt is identical to that of the first choice academic program. In addition, students applying to the NC State University Honors Program are required to answer an additional prompt.

In this essay prompt, you should describe what you want to study at NC State and why you want to study this subject, specifically at NC State. Note that there is an identical prompt for your second choice academic program, if you have one. Because the prompt is the same, we’ll just discuss it once in this article. Now, let’s break it down.

You are asked to share the following three pieces of information:

• what you want to study.
• why you want to study this subject/these subjects.
• how NC State specifically is a great place for you study this subject/these subjects.

You can take your response to this prompt in a few different directions. For instance, you could focus on a specific program or course that you would like to get involved in while at NC State. Then, explain how NC State’s unique opportunities fit with your academic interests.

Alternatively, you could focus on the unique career outcomes of students in your prospective major. Then, move on to discuss how your dreams align with those outcomes. To take things in a third direction, you could start with describing your academic interests. Then explain how your chosen department would support your pursuit of those unique opportunities.

You may have noticed a common theme in this breakdown so far: specificity. Half the battle with this particular essay is doing thorough and thoughtful research into the programs at NC State that interest you. That way, you can explain why NC State specifically is the school for you. NC State considers applicants’ demonstrated interest (according to the Common Data Set ). Thus, this essay provides an opportunity for you to demonstrate your interest in NC State.

In other words, taking the time to understand the opportunities available to you at a school not only helps you write your essays but also helps show the admissions officers how you will fit into their school. Perhaps your fit is not obvious or your interests are an atypical blend of disciplines. Alternatively, maybe you’re worried that your academic interests won’t stand out from the crowd. Whatever the reason, doing your research and being specific in your supplemental essay will go a long way toward emphasizing to the admissions committee that you’re a great candidate for their school.

For many applicants looking back at their applications, something seems missing. If there was a drop in your grades during sophomore year and nowhere else in your application did you have the opportunity to explain this situation, this essay is your chance.

If you faced a significant hardship in your personal life, perhaps you want to explore that hardship here. Or if you faced a financial or other barrier to participating in certain extracurricular activities (for instance, you were accepted into a selective academic summer camp but couldn’t afford to attend), then you may wish to provide those details in this essay.

The above are just a few of the many examples of topics you could write about in this essay. Before beginning your draft, think about your application as a whole. Does it truly show you as you are?

Remember, no matter what story you choose to tell here, you’ll need to be specific for the admissions team. Your reader doesn’t necessarily know you very well, but you want them to fully understand whatever situation you choose to describe. If you’re genuine and specific, this essay can strengthen your application.

NC State University Honors Program Required Essay Question

This prompt requires a few pieces of information. Let’s break each one down.

• Describe the event, realization, or project that sparked your curiosity.
• Explain how that curiosity led to action.
• Be specific and share with the reader what action you took.
• Explain how you deepened your understanding of the topics and questions underpinning the event, realization, or project that sparked your curiosity.
• Reflect upon this experience. If desired, share some of the philosophical or personal lessons you learned.

What this looks like in practice will be different for everyone. It’s important that you make self-motivated actions the focus of this essay. A project required for school or prompted by an authority figure or friend is insufficient.

In addition, specific details are key. Your essay needs to describe your own unique experiences in such a way that they can only apply to you. If you want to write about how your interest in web design led you to build websites for various people in your community, you need to explain what kind of community you come from and why you were motivated to help your fellow community members, versus any other group. Moreover, you’d want to clarify what kind of websites you were designing and what impact they had on your community.

Grounding this essay in a narrative structure could help you organize your thoughts. Consider opening the essay in media res (in the middle of things) with narration about your experience taking action. Then, go back and explain how you got to that point. Along the way, share how you developed the curiosity that sparked this action. For example, if your curiosity to understand how vaccines work was sparked by the pandemic and led to you pursuing an internship as a lab assistant in a biochemistry lab, you could start your essay with your lab assistant experience and later return to the origins of your curiosity.

If you need help polishing up your NC State supplemental essays, check out our College Essay Review service. You can receive detailed feedback from Ivy League consultants in as little as 24 hours.

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NC State Supplemental Essay Examples

North Carolina State University is a highly-ranked public research university in Raleigh, North Carolina . Holding the #72 spot on the U.S. News Best National Universities list, NC State is known nationwide. Accordingly, NC State admissions is competitive, meaning applicants must craft strong NC State supplemental essays for a chance of acceptance. Reading effective NC State supplemental essay examples can help you learn how to craft your own.

NC State essay examples, like any well-written sample college essay, each work for their own reasons. This guide will delve into three NC State supplemental essay examples, starting with a why this major essay example. Then, we’ll analyze an obstacle essay. Finally, we’ll closely read a cultural diversity essay. By breaking down NC State supplemental essay examples, we’ll help you prepare to write your own NC State supplemental essays.

How many essays does NC State require?

Before approaching any NC State supplemental essay examples, you should know how many you’ll have to write. To put it simply, there are three required essays and one optional essay. If you know how to get into NC State, you know that all your essays should be as strong as possible. But what exactly are the NC State supplemental essays?

Applicants can complete the NC State application on either the Common Application or Scoir (also known as the Coalition Application). The NC State personal statement is the essay required by these application platforms. As it’s so common, there is no shortage of sample college essay resources for this NC State personal statement. In this guide, however, we will only review NC State supplemental essay examples for the NC State-specific prompts.

It’s important to note that while the NC State admissions page only lists one required prompt, there are indeed three. You can confirm which NC State supplemental essay examples are required on the Common App website . We’ll further explore the essay prompts for the NC State application soon.

Applicants may also indicate their interest in the prestigious NC State University Honors Program. There are additional required NC State supplemental essays for applicants to the UHP.

NC State University Honors Program

The NC State University Honors Program challenges highly motivated students with unique opportunities, including Honors seminars and the Honors Forum. Additionally, Honors students can engage in special research, creative, and academic pursuits both on- and off-campus. The application process is correspondingly challenging, requiring more NC State supplemental essays.

There are two additional NC State supplemental essays you must write for the UHP . We don’t have NC State supplemental essay examples for these two, but the prompts are similar to those of other Honors programs nationwide.

Here are the UHP essay prompts:

1. one of the key components of the university honors program is a special set of courses called honors (hon) seminars. you can learn more about them here. these discussion-based seminars are designed to expose students to the ways multiple disciplines approach and solve problems. review the courses we have offered in recent years and write a 250-350 word essay in which you explain why one particular course will be of interest, furthering your academic, professional, and personal goals while engaging you and your peers., 2. another key component of the university honors program is the honors forum. the honors forum is designed to help students become active, informed, and engaged citizens. it delivers debates and discussions about contemporary social, political, and scientific issues; lectures from people with compelling stories to tell; and performances from a diverse collection of artists. you can learn more about it here. as a uhp student, imagine you are tasked with helping select speakers and topics for the honors forum. in an essay of 250-350 words, tell us what speaker, creative figure, or topic would you promote how did you make your choice how does your choice educate, challenge, and inspire others.

In general, these essays should be particularly strong, featuring introspection on your experiences and your future. You should emphasize academic curiosity, particular offerings of the program , and, if possible, concrete aspirations. Make sure to highlight your thirst for knowledge and willingness to engage with the world and people around you. Check out our guides for Boston , Brown , Purdue , and Clemson Universities for some advice on similar essays.

NC State Supplemental Essay Prompts

As stated above, our three NC State supplemental essay examples will cover the three NC State supplemental essay prompts. All NC State supplemental essays have a 250-word limit. The prompts are:

1. Explain why you selected the academic program(s) above and why you are interested in studying these at NC State.

2. nc state university is committed to building a just and inclusive community, one that does not tolerate unjust or inhumane treatment, and that denounces it, clearly and loudly. please describe what those words mean to you and how you will contribute to a more diverse and inclusive nc state environment., 3. discuss any other obstacles and/or hardships that you have encountered that have affected you personally or academically and how you dealt with them..

Of course, the wording of the prompts can change between admissions cycles. As a result, NC State supplemental essay examples that worked may look different from year to year. In fact, two of our NC State supplemental essay examples address slightly different versions of the current prompts. However, the best approach for NC State essay examples is still the same.

NC State Supplemental Essay Prompts Breakdown

Let’s briefly discuss the best way to approach each prompt. Keep these tips in mind as you read our NC State supplemental essay examples and our specific commentary on each one. How can you implement these in your own essays?

Why this major essay

The first prompt is a fairly standard why this major essay example combined with a why school essay example. When applying to NC State, first-year applicants are required to choose a first- and second-choice major . There are scores of NC State majors but no undecided option. So, even if you aren’t entirely sure, do your best to choose a major you’re interested in.

NC State essay examples that answer this prompt well are clear about their interest in a specific field of study. Equally important is specificity regarding the school. You’ve probably heard this advice a thousand times: talk about programs, professors, or courses you like. It’s cliché, but it’s true. Doing your research on a school never hurts, and the best NC State essay examples leverage that research.

Cultural diversity essay

The next prompt is essentially a cultural diversity essay, asking about your contribution to a diverse community. NC State essay examples answering this will have an extra point to consider: denouncing injustice. There are infinite ways to approach this one, as everyone brings something unique to campus. But it’s important to address the prompt’s question of what a “just and inclusive community” means to you.

Obstacle essay

Lastly, there is the optional obstacle essay. At first, “any other obstacles” may make it seem like this is a space to detail extenuating circumstances. Indeed, writing about personal hardships is absolutely acceptable, especially if you’re explaining a dip or gap in your academic history. On the other hand, if you have a more general academic or personal challenge, write it. Knowing how to get into NC State means knowing how to deepen your personal narrative . These 250 words can do just that. In other words, don’t think of this as just an optional essay.

Finally, before we look at some NC State supplemental essay examples, remember that they’re broadly useful. Even if you’re not completing an NC State application, these NC State supplemental essay examples answer common essay prompts. In other words, the NC State supplemental essay examples and advice we give may prove helpful with other college essays.

NC State Essay Example #1 – Why Major/Why School?

The first of our NC State supplemental essay examples answers the following prompt:

Discuss your reasons for pursuing the Major/Academic Program selected above.

You’ll notice it’s a reworded version of the first prompt. Here is the sample college essay:

NC State Essay Example #1

As an innovator and creative thinker with a love of math and science, I am interested in pursuing a career in engineering. I will contribute my natural curiosity to the NC State learning community while developing critical thinking skills and collaborating with my peers. 

Why this NC State essay worked

First of all, you’re may be thinking, “Is that it?” Remember that prompts can change from year to year. When this essay was submitted, this prompt had a 50-word limit. However, even short NC State essay examples have something to teach us—especially for other short-answer essays. In essays this short, every word counts.

When writing NC State supplemental essay examples, it can be challenging to stay concise. With a prompt this short, you have no choice. Short NC State supplemental essays have no room for the anecdotes and dialogue found in an NC State personal statement. This writer states clearly what kind of student they are, their areas of interest, and aspirations for college and beyond. Although stylistically different from a narrative why this major essay example, it still checks all the boxes of an effective sample college essay.

In fact, it’s not a far leap to adapt NC State essay examples like this for the current prompt. The author could write about a time they demonstrated the qualities laid out so neatly in this essay. If you’re getting lost in the weeds drafting an essay, take a step back. Can you write what you want to say in 50 words? Give it a try—you may find that you just need to clarify your vision.

NC State Supplemental Essay Example #2 – Obstacle Essay

The second of our NC State supplemental essay examples is about obstacles. Specifically, it answers this prompt:

Discuss any obstacles and/or hardships you have encountered and how you dealt with them.

This is nearly identical to the current third prompt, except that the current version specifies that obstacles can be personal or academic. Let’s read the essay, which also had a different—longer—word limit when it was submitted:

NC State Essay Example #2

A familiar sense of dread washed over me as I contemplated suffering through yet another group project. My AP Language class was essentially a yearlong exercise in collaboration. The groups always consisted of a leader personality and a few follower types, and I had come to expect directing projects assuming all responsibility. This time, I would have to lead my team in creating a video and website, while resisting the temptation to do the project myself. I struggled to make myself vulnerable by releasing control. 

I was always placed with two students who consistently saved their work until the night before it was due. My mind went on autopilot, organizing my time to complete the entire project myself. I tirelessly researched facts and wrote a script for our video, individually bearing the load of an assignment designed for three people. As the deadline approached, my stress level and workload increased. I realized something had to change. I embraced the different learning styles and work ethics of my group. Typically, I would choose to collaborate with students I know well, but it can prove deadly for creativity. While working on the website, I assigned each person a specific task so that everyone was invested in the outcome. Leading this diverse team by delegating produced better results. In the past, my classmates had depended on me, but this time, I insisted on equal contributions. Our website was much better as a culmination of everyone’s ideas instead of a reflection of only my own. Through this and future projects, I learned to thrive on collaborating for a common purpose. 

I have translated my delegation skills directly into my life. When I paint houses with Habitat for Humanity, I have seen how effective collaboration helps others who are less fortunate. Even though it can be challenging to entrust the outcome to others, each person in our group has a different skill set to aid in the completion of the house. Whether working at school or in the community, I have learned that delegating the work is essential to successful collaboration.

Why this NC Supplemental Essay worked

Effective NC State supplemental essays for this prompt will be both retrospective and introspective. That is to say, they reflect not only on the obstacle, but how you navigated it with your tools and knowledge. What did you learn about yourself in the process? Did overcoming this obstacle change you?

This author is frank about their control issues and how this character flaw was hindering their group work. Clearly, they have thought a lot about their approach to group projects, as well as their struggles with leadership. Additionally, they acknowledged their history of working with the same people and why that is often unproductive. Acknowledging personal flaws and growing with them is welcome in NC State supplemental essays.

Good NC State essay examples like this one are also full of specific details. Here, the writer delineates their process of realizing the problem, then delegating tasks. The reader can see into the writer’s thought process, following their shift in perspective. Details help to root NC State essays examples in reality and keep the reader engaged.

Finally, the writer draws connections between this experience and other areas of their life. This is a great strategy for showing that you can apply lessons to different situations and recognize those links. Good NC State supplemental essay examples are able to illustrate the relationships among various skills, experiences, and activities. Moreover, great NC State State essay examples can show those through time: how could this challenging experience inform your future?

NC State Essay Example #3 – Diverse Community Essay

The last of our NC State supplemental essay examples addresses the following prompt:

NC State is a community that is strong because of the diversity of our perspectives and experiences. Please describe how you could contribute to or benefit from campus diversity. 

This prompt looks the most different from its current version, though it’s still very similar. The current prompt includes NC State’s vision for an inclusive community and asks for a response. With that said, let’s read the last of our NC State essay examples.

NC State Essay Example #3

Diversity is the culmination of experiences and backgrounds within a community. 

Through my diversity of opinion, I have contributed to my high school classroom as well as [NAME OF SCHOOL REDACTED]. In my AP Literature class, I look beyond the literal meaning of a poem and into the deeper meaning, often suggesting a contrasting interpretation. I play the Devil’s advocate in an AP Government debate to explore the many facets of an issue. In my AP Spanish class, I apply my grammatical knowledge to our class discussion of the differences between the Mexican and American education systems. While attending [NAME OF SCHOOL REDACTED] for instrumental music, I had a unique perspective as a French horn player in a large orchestra. I will continue to seek out opportunities to provide various perspectives in a classroom setting, respect differences of opinion, and promote intellectual curiosity. 

Why this essay worked

By opening with their definition of diversity, the writer provides a frame for understanding the rest of their essay. This can be helpful for prompts that could have multiple different interpretations depending on the individual. Even more, it can help you set the theme for your essay.

This writer centers the intellectual diversity they bring to the table, from poetry analysis to debate. By providing several discrete examples, they evoke both the multitude of things they do and the various perspectives they hold. They show the reader that they consider topics from all angles and try to find new points of view.

Aside from the wealth of examples, the writer strikes a balance between showing and telling. Another piece of advice college applicants never stop hearing, showing-not-telling is important. However, it’s also critical to arrive at your point. What are these examples and anecdotes for? This writer closes by looking to the future and how their intellectual curiosity will underpin their approach to college.

Are NC State Supplemental Essays important?

As you cannot submit your application without NC State supplemental essays, yes, they’re important. But more than just fulfilling a requirement, NC State supplemental essays show NC State admissions officers who you are. In addition to the NC State personal statement, NC State supplemental essays demonstrate your personal and intellectual character. 

Even if you know all about how to get into NC State, an acceptance letter is never guaranteed. As one of the top schools in North Carolina , NC State is in high demand, especially among North Carolina residents. In light of that, highly polished and intentional essays are a must.

Another confounding factor is test-optional admissions . NC State has gone test-optional through fall 2024 in response to the challenges of testing during the COVID-19 pandemic. In the most recent admissions cycle, 53% of students applied without submitting test scores. In such cases, the rest of an NC State application is weighed more heavily. Especially for students applying without test scores, strong NC State essays can make or break your NC State admissions chances.

If you’re banking on financial aid and scholarships, applying early with well-crafted NC State supplemental essays is the best strategy. Early deadlines usually yield higher acceptances and more financial aid, no matter what school. The NC State Early Action deadline is November 1st , so make sure you start writing early to get ahead.

Getting Started on your NC State Essays

By now, you’ve read some NC State supplemental essay examples and are ready to start writing your own. Right? Or maybe you’re not sure what to write about. Choosing a topic is the first step to writing college essays. Reflection and brainstorming exercises can help you think of potential topics. Start your college admissions process early to give yourself plenty of time to think, draft, and edit.

For example, you might try a free write. Pick a prompt, set a ten-minute timer, and write anything that comes to mind. These could be isolated words or whole sentences spanning a wide range of possible topics. After the timer goes off, you may have the seeds for a few drafts.

You could also try making a mind map. Choose a prompt and a topic, like an extracurricular activity or experience, then make a web of ideas around it. This can be helpful if you already know your subject but aren’t sure about what exactly you want to say.

If you’re having trouble with the first prompt, try reading another why school essay example or two. Think about what you know about NC State, why you like it, and why it’s on your college list. There should be reasons beyond high rankings , like programs, location, or campus culture. Try to link those to your academic interests in your NC State supplemental essays.

However you approach your essays, make sure to edit your drafts with the help of others. Revise your NC State personal statement thoroughly , since you’ll likely send it to multiple colleges. Even before closely proofreading your essays, you should edit them for clarity—do they address the prompt? Also, you should ask a trusted peer or adult for feedback to further refine your essays.

More CollegeAdvisor Resources to Support You

CollegeAdvisor.com has no shortage of resources for you to use in your college admissions journey. If you’re still researching colleges, take a look at our college finder series. This series covers the college search , college list , and comparing colleges . If you’ve narrowed your scope to North Carolina, we have a list of the best colleges and universities in the state .

In addition to these NC State supplemental essay examples, we have sample college essay articles for dozens of colleges. Whether NC State is your dream school or you’re applying to other great universities, our essay guides can help you.

In particular, we have a whole guide to the “ why this school ” essay, featuring longer essay examples and detailed analysis. For help with the cultural diversity essay prompt, check out our webinar on highlighting your own diverse perspective. Finally, we have more general guides to writing outstanding supplemental essays, as well as a wide array of essay examples .

As for the NC State personal statement, we have a ton of panels and advice straight from Admissions Officers. We even have a webinar entirely on personal statement revision . And if you’re starting early (smart!), we have tips on using the summer to draft your personal statement.

NC State Supplemental Essay Examples – Final Thoughts

We looked at three different NC State supplemental essay examples and why they worked. Good NC State supplemental essays address the prompt directly and concisely. While narrative NC State supplemental essay examples are common, we saw that you don’t always need an anecdote. Rather, you should focus on clearly conveying the qualities that will help you succeed at and contribute to NC State.

NC State University is one of the best universities in North Carolina, and among the top universities nationwide. As a renowned research university, NC State offers a top-tier education for those who can impress NC State admissions. A successful NC State application needs polished NC State supplemental essays. Reading NC State essay examples is a good place to start.

As part of our mission to demystify college admissions, all of our articles and webinars are free to use. We also have an extensive network of Admissions Experts who can provide personalized, one-on-one support on your schedule. Whether you’re wrapping up sophomore year or about to become a senior, we’ll work with you on your admissions strategy.

This essay examples guide was written by senior advisor, Gina Goosby . Looking for more admissions support? Click here to schedule a free meeting with one of our Admissions Specialists. During your meeting, our team will discuss your profile and help you find targeted ways to increase your admissions odds at top schools. We’ll also answer any questions and discuss how CollegeAdvisor.com can support you in the college application process.

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North Carolina State 2024-25 Supplemental Essay Prompt Guide

Early Action: Nov 1

Regular Decision Deadline: Jan 15

North Carolina State 2024-25 Application Essay Question Explanation

The Requirements: Why

Supplemental Essay Type(s): 2 essays of 250 words; 1 optional essay of 250 words

Explain why you selected the first choice academic program above and why you are interested in studying this at NC State. (250 words)

This prompt gives you a chance to geek out about your intended major. Do you and Statistics have some unfinished business? Are you planning to get a jump on your pharmaceutical career with a major in Biological Sciences? Whether your goals are intellectual, professional, or somewhere in between, your reasoning should be grounded in what NC State has to offer. If you’re interested in law, make sure you talk about a program they actually offer: Criminology, perhaps. Get ambitious and aim to answer these two key questions: What do you absolutely love about your intended major? Why is NC State the ideal place for you to study it? Think about what excites you about the department at NC State—professors, classes, guest speakers, alumni—and dig deep to show how NC State will help you achieve your goals.

Explain why you selected the second choice academic program above and why you are interested in studying this at NC State.(250 words)

Admissions understands that you haven’t got it all figured out yet. And that’s okay! A lot of very successful people have leapt in and out of various disciplines or have even found common ground where they overlap (think philosophy and economics or agriculture and business). You’re allowed (encouraged, even!) to have many interests, and admissions wants to know where your strengths lie. Just like for the last question, do your research, so you can clearly identify specific aspects of NC State’s program that appeal to you. 

Optional: Discuss any other obstacles and/or hardships that you have encountered that have affected you personally or academically and how you dealt with them. (250 words)

This prompt is incredibly similar to the Common App’s Prompt #2 , which asks applicants to recount a time when they faced a challenge, setback, or failure. Our advice is similar: isolate an incident of trial in your life and illustrate how you learned from it. Writing about a difficult time in your life requires both vulnerability and perspective, and instead of focusing on the barrier or obstacle you were up against, we recommend spending most of the words at your disposal on how you rose to the occasion to overcome the challenge at hand. This is your opportunity to show admissions that you are a developing, maturing young adult with resilience and work ethic. If you had a drop in your grades during your sophomore year, this is the place to explain what happened and why you won’t let that define you. As you zero in on a key moment, ask yourself the following questions: What healthy coping mechanisms or communication skills did you develop? Who, if applicable, did you choose to lean on and why? What did you learn about yourself? How will you approach difficult situations moving forward? Of course, this prompt will not be applicable to all students, so don’t feel like you need to submit an essay here if you don’t have an obvious story to tell.

Honors Program Only:

Tell us about an event, realization, or project where your curiosity inspired you to take action. what initially sparked your interest, how did you pursue further understanding, and what specific actions did you take as a result (250-600 words).

This prompt isn’t just about your academic interests; it’s about how you pursue your passions, so try to come up with a specific example of projects or activities that grabbed your attention and refused to let go. Focus on a subject that sparks your curiosity, a specific concept that has infiltrated your browser history (or TikTok FYP since we all know we build our algorithms brick by brick), or an experience that has burned itself into your brain. When was the last time you went down an internet rabbit hole trying to research something? When were you extremely motivated to solve a problem or create something new? What was the last fact or skill you learned outside of school that truly captured your imagination? Which book or poem altered the way you think about your place in the world? Next, consider what about the event, activity, or realization inspired your pursuit of further knowledge and describe what you did to acquire it. Did you seek out an internship related to your subject of interest or download software to help you develop related skills? Regardless of what floats your boat, NC State is aiming to bring self-motivated, deep thinkers into their Honors Program. Admissions officers want to know that you’ll be eager to contribute to lively class discussion and maybe conduct research in your latter years on campus, so show them why you’ll be a valuable addition to any classroom setting.

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What Does it Take to Get Into North Carolina State University—Raleigh?

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North Carolina State University’s acceptance rate is 46%. What does it take to get in?

North Carolina State University, located in Raleigh, is a large public research university known for its value and programs dedicated to the state’s key industries, such as natural resources and textiles.

With an enrollment of 35,000 students, NC State is one of the largest schools in the country. It is home to 12 colleges offering programs across all disciplines, with more than 100 undergraduate majors. It also offers more than 100 master’s degrees and over 60 doctoral degrees.

NC State is respected for the value of its education; it currently holds a top 10 ranking from U.S. News and World Report for Best Value Among U.S. Public Universities. In-state students currently pay just over $9,000 for tuition and fees. It is ranked 32nd for Top Public Schools and lands in the top 15 for its programs in both industry and agriculture. To learn more about how your high schooler can earn acceptance to NC State, don’t miss this post.

Applying to NC State: A Quick Overview

NC State accepts the Common Application or the Coalition Application . Your student only need to fill out one of the two. If they’re applying to other schools on one of the platforms, it’s usually easiest to continue using that one.

There are several different application deadlines that potential applicants should be aware of. Early Action applications are due October 15. In addition, some majors and scholarships have application deadlines of October 15. Most notably, this includes all studio majors. Regular Decision applications are due January 15. For a complete overview, see the NC State Dates and Deadlines page .

For a complete application, your high schooler also must submit:

• $85 Application Fee or Fee Waiver
• Official SAT or ACT Scores
• Official Transcript
• Supplemental Essays (Learn more about these in our guide, How to Write the North Carolina State – Raleigh Essays 2018-2019 ).

Teacher recommendations are neither required or recommended for admissions to NC State. Alternatively, students may choose to submit one counselor recommendation, which will be reviewed as supplemental material by the admissions committee.

NC State Acceptance Rate:  How Difficult Is It to Get In?

NC State is considered a moderately selective college. In 2018, NC State received over 29,000 applications for 4,500 seats. However, because only a fraction of accepted students ultimately enroll, far more students are offered a placed in the incoming class.  In 2018, the acceptance rate at NC State was 46%.

The students accepted to NC State represent a diverse body hailing from all across the country. In 2018, accepted students came from all 100 of North Carolina’s counties, all 50 states and the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

So, How Does One Get Into NC State?

First of all, to even be considered for admission to NC State, students must fulfill some basic requirements in high school. All applicants must complete at least 15 credit units. These must include four units of English and math, three units of science (at least one of which must be a lab class), two units of a foreign language, and one unit each of social studies and history.

Beyond the basic requirements, applicants to NC State must present a strong academic record and solid standardized test scores. In fact, the factors considered most important by the admissions committee are the rigor of your secondary school classes, your class rank, your GPA, and your test scores.

Many other factors are also considered, including essays, recommendation, extracurriculars, and personal characteristics. While these factors are weighed in the big picture, they aren’t nearly as important as your child’s academic record and test scores. 

How to Make Your Application Stand Out

Score a 1390 or higher on your SAT, or a 31 or higher on your ACT. Test scores are very important to the admissions committee at NC State. By hitting these out of the park, your student will really shine. In 2018, the average SAT score of accepted students was 1344 and the average ACT score was 29. Average won’t be enough, however, if your high schooler wants to rise above the crowd. To do that, they should aim to achieve a score in the top 25%. For the SAT, the magic number is 1390, and for the ACT, it’s 31. For help preparing for your SAT, consider the benefits of CollegeVine’s customized SAT Tutoring Program , where the brightest tutors in the industry guide students to an average score increase of 250 points.

Maintain a strong GPA. Again, we can’t stress enough how important academics are to your teen’s chances. 59% of students admitted to NC State in 2018 achieved an unweighted GPA of 3.75 or above. Weighted GPAs were well over 4.0, as NC State applicants usually take a heavy course load. Of students admitted in 2018, nearly a third took dual enrollment classes and 70% took AP classes. Your student should keep their grades up and take challenging classes if they want a shot at NC State.

Apply Early Action. NC State is one of the schools that does admit students at a slightly higher rate when they apply through the early action program. If your student wants to maximize their chances in every way possible, have them apply through early action. The acceptance rate last year through early action was 50%, compared to the overall acceptance rate of 46%.  

What If Your Student Gets Rejected?

On the one hand, NC State accepts nearly half of all applicants. On the other hand, slightly more than half of all applicants are ultimately rejected. If your high schooler gets rejected, they’re actually among the majority.

The bad news is that NC State doesn’t really use its waitlist very actively. In 2018, over 4000 students accepted spots on the waitlist, but only 20 were ultimately accepted. That means less than 1% of students on the waitlist were ultimately accepted.

NC State does accept transfer applicants, but the standards for admissions are similar to the standards for first-year students. This means that if a student is rejected during first-year admissions, they’ll need to up their game to be accepted as a transfer. If they can achieve great grades and prove their academic abilities at another college, they might just have a shot at transferring later.

That being said, a student’s first priority should be finding another great school to attend where they’re just as likely to thrive. With thousands of options, there is a good fit out there for everyone. For help adjusting to a different school, they can read our post, Envisioning a New Future: Preparing for Life at Your Second-Choice (or Third, or Fourth) School .

Curious about your chances of acceptance to your dream school? Our free chancing engine takes into account your GPA, test scores, extracurriculars, and other data to predict your odds of acceptance at over 500 colleges across the U.S. We’ll also let you know how you stack up against other applicants and how you can improve your profile. Sign up for your free CollegeVine account today to get started!

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Take your passion for design and turn it into a lifelong career. Majoring in design provides the tools, knowledge, and curiosity necessary to transform your ability to solve complex global problems that enhance the world and improves lives.

Studio Based Majors – Fall Admissions ONLY

Architecture (beda), art + design, graphic & experience design, important dates.

• August 1st: Application opens for first-year applicants looking to apply to NC State University.
• Mid-October: Students are encouraged to submit Common or Coalition Application in order to gain access to the NCSU wolfPAW system which is the platform used for the submission of their portfolio by the November 1st deadline.
• *November 1*: 10-piece Portfolio and Design Essay due for Studio-Based Majors in wolfPAW. In order to submit the required portfolio and design essay, the Common or Coalition Application should have been submitted before November 1. 
• *Not all departments conduct interviews, you will be notified if your participation is required.
• Mid-January: Departmental interviews by invitation only.
• Mid-February: Final Decisions will be released by the Office of Undergraduate Admissions.
• May 1st : Deadline to confirm your undergraduate enrollment into admitted major.

Admissions Process

Steps to complete application:.

• *Important! Submit your application by mid-October to ensure you have time to complete and submit your 10-piece portfolio and design essay by the November 1 deadline. Incomplete portfolios or portfolios received after November 1 may not be reviewed for admission . Check your wolfPAW portals checklist frequently to view any missing application materials.
• After your application has been processed, you should receive an email from the Office of Undergraduate Admissions to gain access to wolfPAW portal.
• Use wolfPAW to upload your 10-piece portfolio and design essay.
• You must upload 10 SEPARATE design pieces for your portfolio and 1 document for your essay into wolfPAW.
• Design Essay Prompt – Your essay question is available below and in your wolfPAW account. Please submit your essay as a .doc or .pdf file in wolfPAW.

Design Essay Prompt – Fall 2025 Admissions

Architecture Prompt

Discuss one project in your portfolio that best reflects your current understanding of design. Consider how the materials and/or media contribute to the meaning and function of the piece. 250 – 300 word count. 

Art + Design Prompt

Reflect on your interest in Media Arts, Design and Technology. Select one project in your portfolio that best demonstrates your understanding of Animation, Gaming & Interaction Design, or Fibers & Soft Construction. Discuss how this project demonstrates your understanding of the design process, and how it’s connected to your potential career in design. 250 – 300 word count

Graphic & Experience Design Prompt

Discuss one project in your portfolio and describe your process in creating it, explaining your decision-making and any inspiration you drew from it. 250-300 word count.

Industrial Design Prompt

Discuss one project in your portfolio that best reflects your current understanding of design. Consider how it might be received or used by somebody other than yourself. 250-300 word count. 250-300 word count.

Portfolio Guidelines

What is a Portfolio?

The digital portfolio consists of works you have designed from a wide range of experiences and mediums. These can be designs you have created in high school, community college, workshops, commissions, or learning new skills on your own time. Design pieces do not need to be major-specific; any medium is accepted. You must submit 10 SEPARATE design pieces into the wolfPAW portal.

Portfolio Recommendations

Recommendations for the portfolio vary per major, please review the Admissions Booklet for Freshmen and Transfer Students . Common mediums may include the following;

• Drawing, Sketching, Painting, Pastels, Charcoal, Screen Printing, etc.
• Sculpture, Ceramics, Furniture, Woodwork Making, Metals, Fibers, etc.
• Photography, Animation, Video Game Clips, Videography, Graphic Design, etc.

Students are encouraged to showcase their creativity and passion for design through various mediums.

*The College of Design DOES NOT provide assistance with portfolio development!*

Digital Portfolio File Sizes and Types:

We support media files as large as 5GB, larger files will take longer to upload from your Internet connection and may stall if you are on a wireless connection or one that cannot sustain a connection for the necessary period of time. 

We support the following file formats:

• Video: .3g2, .3gp, .avi, .m2v, .m4v, .mkv, .mov, .mpeg, .mp4, .mxf, .webm, .wmv
• Audio: .aac, .m4a, .mka, .mp3, .oga, .ogg, .wav
• Slide: .bmp, .gif, .jpg, .png, .tif, .tiff
• Document: .doc, .docx, .odg, .odp, .odt, .pdf, .ppt, .pptx, .rtf, .wpd

( Portfolio Guideline PDF )

Interviews – By Invitation ONLY

Mandatory interviews may be conducted in order for the departmental faculty and/or their representatives to learn more about the student’s interest in the applied major. Invitations and details will be provided to the invited applicants in late December.

*Not all departments conduct interviews, you will be notified if your participation is required.*

Admissions Review Process and Procedures 

Each application undergoes a holistic review by departmental representatives and the university’s Undergraduate Admissions office . The reviews take into consideration all of the items listed above, with an emphasis departmentally on academic record, portfolio of creative work, and essays. Applicants may be asked to interview with departmental representatives as part of the review process. Departmental admissions recommendations are forwarded to the university’s Undergraduate Admissions office, who then make final decisions.

What if I don’t have experience in art or design from high school?

Portfolio pieces are not required to be created in a classroom. They simply need to be created by you. We encourage students to learn new skills on their own time, summer camps, commissions, community college, workshops, etc. Portfolio pieces do not need to be major-specific; any medium is accepted.

Can I view an example of a portfolio? Or can my portfolio be reviewed before admissions?

We in the College of Design do not provide examples of portfolios nor provide reviews prior to the admissions cycle.

If I am denied admission for my chosen studio major, will I automatically be accepted for my 2nd choice major?

No, NC State Undergraduate Admissions will potentially review your application for the 2nd choice major and provide you with an updated decision.

If I am admitted into NC State in my 2nd choice major, can I reapply to a studio-based program?

Yes, current NC State students can reapply during the fall semester as an on-campus transfer student through the CODA process. Please refer to our On-Campus Transfer Admissions page.

If I am admitted into my chosen studio-major but I later change my mind and want to be considered for a different studio-major. Is this change automatically accepted?

No, each studio-based major application is reviewed by faculty within that specific department and has a limited number of seats. If you are interested in changing your studio-based major, another review of your application will need to be conducted during the following fall semester. Please connect with the Undergraduate Student Service Coordinator in regards to this process, [email protected] .

Can I pursue a minor or double major while in a studio-based major?

Yes, while the design studio curriculum can be rigorous, we do encourage students to explore other curiosities that they have.

Can I take part in extracurricular activities or programs while in a studio-based major?

Yes, we have plenty of students who are involved in club sports, student groups, honors societies, learning villages, and more.

I want to learn more about student life within the College of Design, who can I connect with?

Check out our Design Ambassadors webpage as these are current design students with a wide range of experience and background.

Tours and Virtual Info Sessions

Want to learn more about the College of Design? Sign up for an in-person tour or virtual information session. You can also connect with a Design Ambassador as they are current design students.

Non-Studio Based Major – Fall and Spring Admission

No portfolio required

• Early Action – Application Deadline November 1st
• Regular Decision – Application Deadline January 15th

Spring Entry

• Regular Decision – October 1st
• Apply via the Common Application or Coalition Application by the Undergraduate Admissions deadlines .
• We HIGHLY recommend that you put a second-choice major. If you are not selected for your first choice major, you could be under consideration for your second choice major. Your second choice major cannot be another studio-based major and should be something that interests you.
• No portfolio required or design essay.
• After you apply, you will receive access to your wolfPAW portal , which is your applicant portal. Check your wolfPAW account frequently to view any missing application materials, check your application status and upload materials.

Got Questions?

Assistant Dean of Student and Academic Services

Undergraduate Student Services Coordinator

Additional Resources

• Admissions  
• First Year Admissions 
• On-Campus Transfer 
• Off-Campus Transfer 
• Master’s Programs 
• Doctoral Programs 
• Graduate Certificates 
• Schedule a Tour 
• Financial Aid 

If you believe you’re qualified for the Park Scholarships based on our selection criteria of scholarship, leadership, service and character, we welcome you to apply! The application processes for Park Scholarships and NC State undergraduate admissions are separate, so be sure to follow the instructions below. The application for 2024-2025 is now open !

Eligibility Requirements:

To be eligible for the Park Scholarships program, candidates  must:

• Have a minimum unweighted GPA of 3.8.
• Be a United States citizen, permanent resident of the U.S., or graduating from a high school located in the U.S. (regardless of citizenship status).
• Not open to transfer students.

By 11:59 pm ET, November 1:

• Apply for  undergraduate admission  to NC State.
• Complete the Park Scholarships application .

The Park Scholarships application requires:

• Two recommendations
• Information about advanced coursework completed

From the NC State admission application, we will also review your:

• Activities and honors
• Personal essay
• NC State’s short-answer essays
• NC State’s optional short answer essays
• ACT and/or SAT scores*
• We do NOT have access to general recommendations submitted to the NC State application.

*ACT and/or SAT scores are not required for your Park Scholarships application. If you submit your test scores to NC State AND ask that they be considered for admission, we will also consider them in our process.

*If you have any trouble accessing the application after following these instructions, please email park [email protected] and request that we have Admissions add an application to your wolfPAW portal.

• About the UHP
• Prospective Students
• Benefits of the UHP
• Criteria for High School Seniors
• Criteria for Transfer and Mid-year
• Information Sessions and Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
• Current Students
• Program Advisors
• Requirements
• HON Seminars
• Approved Coursework
• Honors Forum
• High Impact Experiences
• Honors Capstone
• Honors Portfolio
• Important Forms
• Exploration
• Career connections
• Cultural exploration
• Outdoor exploration
• Summer study abroad
• Honors Village
• Give Now 

Admissions Criteria for High School Seniors

Who can apply?

We encourage all students interested in the University Honors Program to apply. 

Admission is not automatic. Students are required to respond to additional program-specific essay questions for the University Honors Program as they apply to NC State. These questions are integrated into the NC State application. 

Admission is based on the assessment of your potential for exceptional academic work and understanding of the program requirements. Primarily this is done by evidence of creativity, initiative, and aspirations for academic excellence as described in your application essays. Secondarily, the programs consider SAT/ACT scores (when available), high school grades, the rigor of courses taken in high school, class rank (when available).

Application Timeline :

Early action.

• Students have until January 5, 2024 to submit their University Honors Program application via their WolfPaw account.
• Students who are admitted to NC State University in January will receive a decision about the University Honors Program admission on February 23, 2024.

Regular Decision

• Students have until February 2, 2024, to submit their University Honors Program application via their WolfPaw account.
• Students who are admitted to NC State University in March will receive a decision about the University Honors Program on April 5, 2024.

Students applying to the University through the Common Application can apply to the Honors Program within that application OR in their wolfPAW account. Students applying to the University using the Coalition application must apply to the Honors Program exclusively through their wolfPAW account.

We encourage you to review the Admissions Frequently Asked Questions page.

If you have questions about the application process, please email our main office at [email protected].

University Catalog 2024-2025

Undergraduate.

The NC State Wolfpack is an ever-growing community of inventors, creators, and scholars. As a community, we not only think about how to make the world better, we also take action and make it happen. We're quick, curious, and creative - and we want you to join us!

If you're considering joining the NC State Wolfpack, the Undergraduate Catalog is a valuable resource to help introduce you to our university. Start exploring with the links in the sidebar. You can find information on admission requirements , degrees offered, and academic policies relevant to your career as a student. You'll also find a wealth of information on the numerous services NC State offers to students. See how NC State can help you put your ideas into action!

• Accounting (BS)
• Aerospace Engineering (BS)
• Agribusiness Management (AAS)
• Agricultural Business Management (BS)
• Agricultural Business Management (BS): Biological Sciences Concentration
• Agricultural Education (BS): Agricultural Business Concentration
• Agricultural Education (BS): Agricultural Engineering Technology Concentration
• Agricultural Education (BS): Agronomy Concentration
• Agricultural Education (BS): Animal Science Concentration
• Agricultural Education (BS): Horticultural Science Concentration
• Agricultural Education (BS): Natural Resources Concentration
• Agricultural Education (BS): Poultry Science Concentration
• Agricultural Science (BS)
• Agroecology & Sustainable Food Systems (BS): Agroecology Research & Production Concentration
• Agroecology & Sustainable Food Systems (BS): Community Food Systems Concentration
• Agroecology & Sustainable Food Systems (BS): Urban Horticulture Concentration
• Animal Science (BS): Industry Concentration
• Animal Science (BS): Science Concentration
• Animal Science (BS): Veterinary Bioscience Concentration
• Anthropology (BA): General Anthropology Concentration
• Applied Education Studies (BS)
• Applied Education Studies (BS): Learning Design and Technology
• Applied Mathematics (BS)
• Applied Mathematics (BS): Financial Mathematics Concentration
• Architecture (Bachelor): One-Year Professional Degree
• Art and Design (Bachelor)
• Arts Studies (BA): Film Studies Concentration
• Arts Studies (BA): Music Concentration
• Arts Studies (BA): Theater Concentration
• Arts Studies (BA): Visual Arts Concentration
• Biochemistry (BS)
• Biological and Agricultural Engineering Technology (BS)
• Biological and Agricultural Engineering Technology (BS): Agricultural Systems Management Concentration
• Biological and Agricultural Engineering Technology (BS): Environmental Systems Management Concentration
• Biological Engineering (BS)
• Biological Engineering (BS): Agricultural Engineering Concentration
• Biological Engineering (BS): Bioprocessing Engineering Concentration
• Biological Engineering (BS): Ecological Engineering Concentration
• Biological Engineering (BS): Environmental Engineering Concentration
• Biological Sciences (BA)
• Biological Sciences (BS)
• Biological Sciences (BS): Ecology, Evolution and Conservation Biology Concentration
• Biological Sciences (BS): Human Biology Concentration
• Biological Sciences (BS): Integrative Physiology and Neurobiology Concentration
• Biological Sciences (BS): Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology Concentration
• Biomedical Engineering (BS)
• Bioprocessing Science (BS)
• Business Administration (BS)
• Business Administration (BS): Business Analytics Concentration
• Business Administration (BS): Entrepreneurship Concentration
• Business Administration (BS): Finance Concentration
• Business Administration (BS): Human Resources Concentration
• Business Administration (BS): Information Technology Concentration
• Business Administration (BS): Marketing Concentration
• Business Administration (BS): Operations/Supply Chain Management
• Business Administration (BS): Undeclared
• Chemical Engineering (BS)
• Chemical Engineering (BS): Biomanufacturing Sciences Concentration
• Chemical Engineering (BS): Biomolecular Concentration
• Chemical Engineering (BS): CHE/TE Dual Major
• Chemical Engineering (BS): Honors Concentration
• Chemical Engineering (BS): Nanoscience Concentration
• Chemical Engineering (BS): Sustainable Engineering, Energy, and the Environment
• Chemistry (BA)
• Chemistry (BS)
• Civil Engineering (BS)
• Communication (BA)
• Computer Engineering (BS)
• Computer Science (BS)
• Computer Science (BS): Artificial Intelligence Concentration
• Computer Science (BS): Cybersecurity Concentration
• Computer Science (BS): Game Development Concentration
• Construction Engineering (BS)
• Criminology (BA)
• Crop and Soil Sciences (BS): Agronomy
• Crop and Soil Sciences (BS): Crop Biotechnology
• Crop and Soil Sciences (BS): Soil Science
• Crop and Soil Sciences (BS): Turfgrass Science
• Department of Agricultural and Human Sciences
• Design Studies (BA)
• Design Studies (BA): Business Administration Concentration
• Design Studies (BA): Nonprofit Studies Concentration
• Economics (BA)
• Economics (BS)
• Electrical Engineering (BS)
• Electrical Engineering (BS): Renewable Electric Energy Systems Concentration
• Elementary Education (BS): Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics Concentration
• Engineering (BS)
• Engineering (BS): Electrical Engineering Systems Concentration
• Engineering (BS): Mechanical Engineering Systems Concentration
• Engineering (BS): Mechatronics Concentration
• Engineering (BS): Nuclear Power Concentration
• Engineering First Year
• English (BA): Creative Writing Concentration
• English (BA): Film Concentration
• English (BA): Linguistics Concentration
• English (BA): Literature Concentration
• English (BA): Rhetoric and Professional Writing Concentration
• English (BA): Teacher Education Concentration
• Environmental Design in Architecture (Bachelor)
• Environmental Engineering (BS)
• Environmental First Year Program
• Environmental Sciences (BS)
• Environmental Technology and Management (BS)
• Exploratory Studies
• Fashion and Textile Design (BS): Fashion Design Concentration
• Fashion and Textile Design (BS): Textile Design Concentration
• Fashion and Textile Management (BS): Brand Management and Marketing Concentration
• Fashion and Textile Management (BS): Fashion Development and Product Management Concentration
• Field Crops Technology (AAS)
• Fisheries, Wildlife, and Conservation Biology (BS): Conservation Biology Concentration
• Fisheries, Wildlife, and Conservation Biology (BS): Fisheries Science Concentration
• Fisheries, Wildlife, and Conservation Biology (BS): Wildlife Science Concentration
• Food Science (BS): Science Concentration
• Food Science (BS): Technology Concentration
• Forest Management (BS): Ecology Concentration
• Forest Management (BS): Production Concentration
• General Agriculture (AAS)
• Genetics (BS)
• Geology (BS)
• Graphic & Experience Design (Bachelor)
• History (BA)
• History (BA): Legal History Concentration
• History (BA): Teacher Education Concentration
• History (BS)
• Horticultural Science (BS): Landscape Design, Gardens & Urban Environments Concentration
• Horticultural Science (BS): Plant Breeding and Biotechnology in Horticulture Concentration
• Horticultural Science (BS): Production Systems and Entrepreneurship in Horticulture Concentration
• Horticultural Science Management (AAS): Ornamentals and Landscape Technology Concentration
• Horticultural Science Management (AAS): Small Scale Farming Concentration
• Industrial Design (Bachelor)
• Industrial Engineering (BS)
• Inter-College Transfer
• Interdisciplinary Studies (BA): Africana Studies Community Studies Concentration
• Interdisciplinary Studies (BA): Africana Studies Concentration
• Interdisciplinary Studies (BA): Self Design Concentration
• Interdisciplinary Studies (BA): Women's, Gender and Sexuality Studies Concentration
• Interdisciplinary Studies (BS): Self Design Concentration
• Interdisciplinary Studies (BS): Women’s, Gender and Sexuality Studies Concentration
• International Studies (BA): Africa Concentration
• International Studies (BA): East and Southeast Asia Concentration
• International Studies (BA): Europe Concentration
• International Studies (BA): Global Cultural Studies Concentration
• International Studies (BA): Global Relations Concentration
• International Studies (BA): Global Sustainability and Development Concentration
• International Studies (BA): Latin America Concentration
• International Studies (BA): South Asia and Middle East Concentration
• Leadership in the Public Sector (BA): Distance Education
• Life Sciences First Year
• Livestock and Poultry Management (AAS)
• Marine Sciences (BS): Biological Oceanography Concentration
• Marine Sciences (BS): Chemistry Concentration
• Marine Sciences (BS): Geology Concentration
• Marine Sciences (BS): Meteorology Concentration
• Marine Sciences (BS): Physics Concentration
• Materials Science and Engineering (BS)
• Materials Science and Engineering (BS): Biomaterials Concentration
• Materials Science and Engineering (BS): Nanomaterials Concentration
• Mathematics (BS)
• Mathematics Education (BS) and Mathematics (BS) (Double Major)
• Mathematics Education (BS) and Statistics (BS) (Double Major)
• Mathematics Education (BS): Computer Specialization
• Mathematics Education (BS): Mathematics Specialization
• Mathematics Education (BS): Middle Grades Mathematics Concentration
• Mathematics Education (BS): Statistics Specialization
• Mechanical Engineering (BS)
• Meteorology (BS)
• Meteorology (BS): Marine Sciences Concentration
• Microbiology (BS)
• Microbiology (BS): Microbial Biotechnology Concentration
• Microbiology (BS): Microbial Health Science Concentration
• Microbiology (BS): Microbial Research Concentration
• Middle Grades Education (BS): English Language Arts and Social Studies Concentration
• Middle Grades Education (BS): Mathematics and Sciences Concentration
• Music Technology (BS): Electronics & Circuits Concentration
• Music Technology (BS): Software & Digital Hardware
• Natural Resources (BS): Ecosystem Assessment Concentration
• Natural Resources (BS): Marine and Coastal Concentration
• Natural Resources (BS): Policy and Administration Concentration
• Natural Resources (BS): Soil, Water and Land Use Concentration
• Nuclear Engineering (BS)
• Nutrition Sciences (BS)
• Nutrition Sciences (BS): Applied Nutrition Concentration
• Paper Science and Engineering (BS)
• Paper Science and Engineering (BS): Dual Major
• Parks, Recreation and Tourism Management (BS): Recreation and Park Management Concentration
• Parks, Recreation, and Tourism Management (BS): Tourism and Event Management Concentration
• Philosophy (BA)
• Philosophy (BA): Ethics Concentration
• Philosophy (BA): Philosophy and Law Concentration
• Philosophy (BS)
• Philosophy (BS): Logic, Representation and Reasoning Concentration
• Physics (BA)
• Physics (BS)
• Physics (BS): Interdisciplinary Physics Concentration
• Plant Biology (BS)
• Political Science (BA)
• Political Science (BA): American Politics Concentration
• Political Science (BA): International Politics Concentration
• Political Science (BA): Law and Justice Concentration
• Political Science (BA): Public Policy Concentration
• Political Science (BS)
• Polymer and Color Chemistry (BS): ACS Certification Concentration
• Polymer and Color Chemistry (BS): Medical Sciences Concentration
• Polymer and Color Chemistry (BS): Science & Operations Concentration
• Poultry Science (BS): Science Concentration
• Poultry Science (BS): Technology Concentration
• Professional Golf Management (BS)
• Psychology (BA): General Psychology Concentration
• Religious Studies (BA)
• Science Education (BS): Biology Concentration
• Science Education (BS): Chemistry Concentration
• Science Education (BS): Earth and Environmental Science Concentration
• Science Education (BS): Middle Grades Science Concentration
• Science Education (BS): Physics Concentration
• Science, Technology and Society (BA)
• Science, Technology and Society (BS)
• Social Work (Bachelor)
• Sociology (BA)
• Sociology (BS)
• Sport Management (BS)
• Sport Management (BS): Professional Golf Management Concentration
• Statistics (BS)
• Sustainable Materials and Technology (BS)
• Sustainable Materials and Technology (BS): SMT Wood Products Concentration
• Technology, Engineering and Design Education (BS): Graphic Communication Concentration
• Technology, Engineering and Design Education (BS): Licensure Concentration
• Textile Engineering (BS): Chemical Processing Concentration
• Textile Engineering (BS): Information Systems Concentration
• Textile Engineering (BS): Product Engineering Concentration
• Textile Technology (BS)
• Textile Technology (BS): Medical Textiles Concentration
• Textile Technology (BS): Supply Chain Operations Concentration
• Textile Technology (BS): Technical Textiles Concentration
• Turfgrass Management (AAS)
• World Languages and Cultures (BA): Arabic Studies Concentration
• World Languages and Cultures (BA): Asian Language Concentration
• World Languages and Cultures (BA): Chinese Education Concentration
• World Languages and Cultures (BA): French Education Concentration
• World Languages and Cultures (BA): French Studies Concentration
• World Languages and Cultures (BA): German Education Concentration
• World Languages and Cultures (BA): German Studies Concentration
• World Languages and Cultures (BA): German Studies International Economics Concentration
• World Languages and Cultures (BA): German Studies Science and Technology Concentration
• World Languages and Cultures (BA): Spanish Education Concentration
• World Languages and Cultures (BA): Spanish Language and Literature Concentration
• Zoology (BS)

A Minor is an optional academic program that a student may pursue while a currently enrolled undergraduate student.

• Accounting (Minor)
• Africana Studies (Minor)
• Agricultural Business Management (Minor)
• Agricultural Entrepreneurship (Minor)
• Agroecology (Minor)
• American Literature (Minor)
• Animal Science (Minor)
• Anthropology (Minor)
• Applied Ecology (Minor)
• Art and Design (Minor)
• Arts Entrepreneurship (Minor)
• Arts Studies (Minor)
• Biological and Agricultural Engineering Technology (Minor)
• Biological Sciences (Minor)
• Biomanufacturing (Minor)
• Biotechnology (Minor)
• Brewing Science and Technology (Minor)
• Business Administration (Minor)
• Business Entrepreneurship (Minor)
• Chemical Engineering (Minor)
• Chinese Studies (Minor)
• Classical Studies (Minor)
• Coaching Education (Minor)
• Cognitive Science (Minor)
• Computer Programming (Minor)
• Creative Writing (Minor)
• Criminology (Minor)
• Crop Science (Minor)
• Dance Performance and Choreography (Minor)
• Dance Studies (Minor)
• Data Science in Business (Minor)
• Data Science with Graphic and Experience Design (Minor)
• Economics (Minor)
• Engineering Education (Minor)
• English (Minor)
• Entomology (Minor)
• Environmental Education (Minor)
• Environmental Sciences (Minor)
• Environmental Technology and Management (Minor)
• Ethics (Minor)
• Evolutionary Biology (Minor)
• Extension Education (Minor)
• Feed Milling (Minor)
• Film Studies (Minor)
• Food Safety and Quality (Minor)
• Food Science (Minor)
• Forensic Science (Minor)
• Forest Management (Minor)
• French (Minor)
• Genetics (Minor)
• Geology (Minor)
• German (Minor)
• Global Leadership and Team Decision-Making (Minor)
• Global One Health (Minor)
• Graphic Communications (Minor)
• Health (Minor)
• Health Physics (Minor)
• Health, Medicine and Human Values (Minor)
• Hindi-Urdu (Minor)
• History (Minor)
• Horticultural Science (Minor)
• Industrial Engineering (Minor)
• International Studies (Minor)
• Italian Studies (Minor)
• Japan Studies (Minor)
• Japanese (Minor)
• Jewish Studies (Minor)
• Journalism (Minor)
• Landscape Architecture (Minor)
• Law and Justice (Minor)
• Leadership in Agriculture and Life Sciences (Minor)
• Leadership: Cross Disciplinary Perspectives (Minor)
• Linguistics (Minor)
• Logic and Methodology (Minor)
• Marine Science (Minor)
• Materials Science and Engineering (Minor)
• Mathematical Data Science (Minor)
• Mathematics (Minor)
• Meteorology (Minor)
• Microbiology (Minor)
• Middle East Studies (Minor)
• Military Science (Minor)
• Military Studies: Aerospace Studies (Minor)
• Military Studies: Naval Science (Minor)
• Music Performance (Minor)
• Music Studies (Minor)
• Nano-Science and Technology (Minor)
• Native American Studies (Minor)
• Nonprofit Studies (Minor)
• Nonwovens (Minor)
• Nuclear Engineering (Minor)
• Nutrition (Minor)
• Outdoor Leadership (Minor)
• Paleontology (Minor)
• Parks, Recreation, and Tourism Management (Minor)
• Philosophy (Minor)
• Physics (Minor)
• Plant Biology (Minor)
• Political Science (Minor)
• Polymer and Color Chemistry (Minor)
• Polymer Science (Minor)
• Portuguese Studies (Minor)
• Poultry Science (Minor)
• Psychology (Minor)
• Pulp and Paper Technology (Minor)
• Religious Studies (Minor)
• Renewable Energy Assessment (Minor)
• Rhetoric, Writing, and Professional Communication (Minor)
• Russian Studies (Minor)
• Science Communication (Minor)
• Science, Technology, and Society (Minor)
• Social Work (Minor)
• Sociology (Minor)
• Soil Science (Minor)
• Spanish (Minor)
• Sports Science (Minor)
• Statistics (Minor)
• Supply Chain Engineering (Minor)
• Sustainable Materials and Technology (Minor)
• Teaching English as a Foreign Language (Minor)
• Teamwork in Interdisciplinary Biomedical Research (Minor)
• Technology, Engineering and Design Education (Minor)
• Textile Technology (Minor)
• Tissue Engineering (Minor)
• Toxicology (Minor)
• Turfgrass (Minor)
• Wetland Assessment (Minor)
• Wildlife Sciences (Minor)
• Women’s, Gender and Sexuality Studies (Minor)
• World Cultural Literacy (Minor)
• Zoology (Minor)

Certificates

• Advanced Critical and Creative Thinking (Certificate)
• Agribusiness Management (Certificate) (Distance Education)
• Agricultural Business Management (Certificate) (For Post-Baccalaureate Students, Distance Education)
• Agricultural Business Management (Certificate) (Non Post-Baccalaureate Students, Distance Education)
• Agricultural Leadership (Certificate)
• Animal Nutrition (Certificate)
• Arabic (Certificate)
• Biomanufacturing (Certificate)
• Biomanufacturing (Certificate) (For Post-Baccalaureate Students)
• Computer Programming (Certificate) (For Post-Baccalaureate Students, Distance Education)
• Crop Science (Certificate) (Distance Education)
• Data Science in Business (Certificate)
• Data Science with Graphic and Experience Design (Certificate)
• Essentials of Business (Certificate)
• Feed Milling (Certificate)
• Field Botany (Certificate)
• Food Safety & Quality Management (Certificate)
• French (Certificate)
• Fundamentals of Entomology (Certificate)
• German (Certificate)
• Global Perspectives (Certificate)
• Horticulture (Undergraduate Certificate)
• Interdisciplinary Entrepreneurship (Certificate)
• Leadership in the Public Sector (Certificate)
• Microbiology (Certificate)
• Plant Pests, Pathogens, and People (Certificate)
• Regulatory Science in Agriculture (Certificate)
• Renewable Energy Assessment (Certificate)
• Soil Science (Certificate)
• Swine Science (Certificate)
• U.S. Culture and Cooperative Education (Certificate) (GTC)
• U.S. Culture and Education (Certificate) (GTE)
• Undergraduate Certificate in Professional Writing

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Frequently Asked Questions

Ready to think and do with us? Begin your journey to NC State.

Run With the Wolfpack

Getting started on your application to NC State is easy, but how you apply depends on who you are — and where you’re coming from.

Once submitting your application, you’ll receive login credentials to wolfPAW , our applicant portal. That’s where you’ll track your application status, manage documents and get your final admissions decision.

• Coalition on Scoir
• NC State Transfer Application

wolfPAW Portal

Application tip:.

When completing your application, please provide a personal email address. Do not submit your school-issued address or a parent’s address.

Find Your Starting Point

First-Year Students

If you’re graduating from high school or have never enrolled in college, you’re considered a first-year applicant.

Take the first step 

Transfer Students

If you’ve already graduated from high school and begun your college education at another institution, you’ll apply as a transfer applicant.

Make the switch 

International Students

We proudly welcome scholars from around the world. If you’re not a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, you’ll apply as an international applicant.

Get started 

High school students graduating with an associate degree from a North Carolina early college (known as Cooperative Innovative High Schools) can apply as a first-year or transfer applicant.

Know your options 

More Pathways

Everyone’s pathway to the Pack looks a little different — and not every potential student falls neatly into the categories above. Explore other possible routes to NC State, and learn more about their application processes and admissions requirements below.

Delve Deeper

Agricultural institute.

Embarking on a career in agriculture? Our two-year Agricultural Institute allows you to earn an Associate of Applied Science degree in one of six academic areas. 

Community College Collaboration (C3)

Our dual-admission program lets you begin your studies with one of our community college partners, then finish your degree here. 

Non-Degree Studies

You don’t have to get a degree to get an NC State education. Learn about our part-time, non-degree offerings. 

Readmission

If you’ve previously attended NC State, find out if you’re eligible to apply for readmission and pick up where you left off. 

Apply on Time

Your application must be complete before we can process it, so make sure that you apply by the deadline.

Need Help With Your Application?

If you’re working to make your way to NC State, we want to do everything we can to support you. Dig into our resources — and uncover tips and tricks from start to finish.

Selecting Your Major

Your choice of major on your application is a factor in our admission review process. Explore more than 100 options to find your fit. 

Already completed some college courses? See if the courses you’ve taken will transfer to NC State. 

Get answers to common questions that may arise as you move through the application process. 

Once you’ve applied, your wolfPAW account will be your one stop for all information regarding your application.

Title IX Statement and Information

NC State strives to ensure that applicants, students, faculty, staff and visitors are safe and not subject to further discrimination, harassment or retaliation regarding protected statutes and protected activities. Learn more here .

Should you experience or witness discrimination, harassment or retaliation, you have the option to file a report with NC State University’s Office of Equal Opportunity and/or NC State Police .

More To Explore

Have any questions about admissions? Learn how you can get in touch with our office.

Let’s chat 

An NC State degree pays off. See why we’re a great value — and discover financial aid and scholarship opportunities.

Find out more 

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Grand jury in NYC returns new indictment against Harvey Weinstein

NEW YORK -- A grand jury has returned a new indictment against Harvey Weinstein, prosecutors with the Manhattan DA's office said in court.

Weinstein, who is recuperating after emergency heart surgery , was not present and prosecutors asked the judge to set a date for his arraignment.

Weinstein's lawyers on Thursday said he would have liked to be present but currently has a shunt in his chest.

After a back and forth with the prosecution, Judge Curtis Farber did rule that he would remain at Bellevue Hospital's prison ward for the time being instead of going back to Riker's Island where he was being held because "inattention carries very real risks that he could find himself again in a crisis."

The Manhattan DA did confirm there is a new indictment with new alleged victims and they are asking for these charges to be consolidated with the original indictment.

Weinstein's lawyers were not pleased.

"We don't know what the exact accusations are. No matter if you think Harvey is the worst or best, it's not the way our criminal justice system is supposed to work. It's just not," said Arthur Adala, attorney.

That indictment will remain under seal until the arraignment tentatively scheduled for next Wednesday, Weinstein's attorneys can't guarantee he will be well enough.

A trial is tentatively scheduled for November.

Weinstein became the most prominent villain of the #MeToo movement, which took root in 2017 when women began to go public with accounts of his behavior.

At the original trial, Weinstein was convicted of forcibly performing oral sex on a TV and film production assistant in 2006 and rape in the third degree for an attack on an aspiring actor in 2013. Those allegations will be part of his retrial. Weinstein's acquittals on charges of predatory sexual assault and first-degree rape still stand.

After the retrial, Weinstein is due to start serving a 16-year sentence in California for a separate rape conviction in Los Angeles, authorities said. Weinstein was convicted in Los Angeles in 2022.

Weinstein, the co-founder of Miramax and The Weinstein Company film studios, was once one of the most powerful people in Hollywood, producing such Oscar winners as "Pulp Fiction" and "Shakespeare in Love."

(ABC News and the Associated Press contributed to this report.)

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Appalachian State University

• Cost & scholarships
• Essay prompt

Want to see your chances of admission at Appalachian State University?

We take every aspect of your personal profile into consideration when calculating your admissions chances.

Appalachian State University’s 2023-24 Essay Prompts

Why this college short response.

Appalachian State University prepares students to lead purposeful lives as global citizens who understand and engage their responsibilities in creating a sustainable future for all.

Our students think critically, communicate effectively, make local to global connections, and understand the responsibilities of community engagement. We embrace our obligation to help create healthy, just, and sustainable societies by equipping our students to live with knowledge, compassion, dedication, humility, and dignity.

After reviewing our institutional mission statement, please describe why you are interested in attending Appalachian State. Your response is an important factor in distinguishing an admissible candidate within our applicant pool. You can type directly into the box or you can paste text from another source.

Common App Personal Essay

The essay demonstrates your ability to write clearly and concisely on a selected topic and helps you distinguish yourself in your own voice. What do you want the readers of your application to know about you apart from courses, grades, and test scores? Choose the option that best helps you answer that question and write an essay of no more than 650 words, using the prompt to inspire and structure your response. Remember: 650 words is your limit, not your goal. Use the full range if you need it, but don‘t feel obligated to do so.

Some students have a background, identity, interest, or talent that is so meaningful they believe their application would be incomplete without it. If this sounds like you, then please share your story.

The lessons we take from obstacles we encounter can be fundamental to later success. Recount a time when you faced a challenge, setback, or failure. How did it affect you, and what did you learn from the experience?

Reflect on a time when you questioned or challenged a belief or idea. What prompted your thinking? What was the outcome?

Reflect on something that someone has done for you that has made you happy or thankful in a surprising way. How has this gratitude affected or motivated you?

Discuss an accomplishment, event, or realization that sparked a period of personal growth and a new understanding of yourself or others.

Describe a topic, idea, or concept you find so engaging that it makes you lose all track of time. Why does it captivate you? What or who do you turn to when you want to learn more?

Share an essay on any topic of your choice. It can be one you‘ve already written, one that responds to a different prompt, or one of your own design.

What will first-time readers think of your college essay?