North Carolina State University, situated in the vibrant Research Triangle alongside prestigious institutions like Duke University and the University of North Carolina—Chapel Hill, stands as a prominent public research university. Boasting a bustling Raleigh campus with close to 25,000 undergraduate students, NC State thrives as a hub of activity and innovation. Its renowned business, engineering, and computer science programs attract not only top-tier North Carolinians but also outstanding students from across the nation.
In the early 2000s, approximately 65% of aspiring Wolf pack members received acceptance letters, with enrolled freshmen boasting a mean SAT score of 1170. Fast forward to 2021, and the university witnessed a nearly threefold increase in applicants, resulting in a decline of roughly 20 points in the acceptance rate. Concurrently, the average enrolled freshman now commands an SAT score 160 points higher than their counterparts two decades ago.
What is The NC State University Acceptance Rate?
For the 2022-23 freshman class at NC State, out of 32,907 total applications received, 47% were accepted. Surprisingly, this marked a slight increase compared to the 46% acceptance rate for the Class of 2024.
NC State favors North Carolina residents in its admissions process. In fact, for the Class of 2024, the acceptance rate for in-state applicants stood at 54%, notably higher than the 38% acceptance rate for out-of-state candidates.
What is The NC State University SAT and ACT Scores?
For the Class of 2025 at NC State, enrolled freshmen showcased impressive academic credentials. Their mid-50% weighted GPA ranged from 4.17 to 4.48, while the unweighted GPA spanned from 3.75 to 3.97. In terms of standardized testing, students boasted a mid-50% SAT range of 1290 to 1430 and an ACT range of 27 to 32. On average, the SAT score landed at 1330, while the average ACT composite score stood at 29. Additionally, 45% of the class ranked within the top decile of their high school class.
What is The Admission Insights at The NC State?
Admissions Trends & Notes:
- 16% of incoming first-year students hailed from out-of-state.
- 52% of enrolled students opted for NC State’s test-optional policy, choosing not to submit SAT or ACT scores with their application.
- 44% of incoming students pursued non-STEM fields of study.
- 43% of students participated in dual enrollment courses during high school.
- The freshman class of 2021-22 welcomed 188 high school valedictorians and salutatorians.
- The Class of 2025 boasted an impressive average unweighted GPA of 3.83, indicating a high level of academic achievement with few students earning less than a B on their entire high school transcript.
What is The NC State University Demographics?
Now, let’s delve into the demographics of the Class of 2025 at NC State.
Geographically, the Class of 2025 hails from:
97 out of North Carolina’s 100 counties. 39 of the 50 U.S. states. 37 different countries worldwide. Representing 1,422 distinct high schools. Approximately 34% of North Carolina students are from rural areas. Of the 4,983 members, 683 are non-residents. Competition is fiercest among applicants from states with abundant qualified candidates, particularly the entire Northeast and the West Coast. Applicants from less densely populated states like South Dakota, Wyoming, or Idaho may have a better chance of admission.
In terms of ethnic diversity, the breakdown for the Class of 2025 is as follows:
White: 70% Asian: 9% Hispanic: 8% African American: 6% Two or more races: 4% International: 2% The countries contributing the highest number of students to NC State’s undergraduate body are:
China: 49% India: 14% Saudi Arabia: 4% Korea: 3% Canada: 3% The gender breakdown is as follows:
Male: 52% Female: 48% With fewer women enrolling in the university, female applicants notably have a significant advantage over male applicants. In-state female applicants for the Class of 2024 enjoyed a 57% acceptance rate, compared to 51% for their male counterparts.
What is The Admission Criteria at The NC State University?
In NC State’s admissions process, four factors are deemed “very important”: rigor of secondary school record, class rank, GPA, and standardized test scores (despite being test-optional). Essays are considered the sole “important” factor.
According to the NC State admissions office:
“Every student has a unique narrative to share. While your academic performance is a key indicator of future success and holds significance in our evaluation, it may not capture the entirety of your story. We’re interested in learning about your background and the pivotal experiences that have shaped you into a competitive applicant and potential member of the Wolfpack.”
“We encourage you to challenge yourself with rigorous coursework that aligns with your academic interests and demonstrates your capacity for future achievement (such as honors, AP, IB, dual enrollment, etc.).”
“In addition to academic factors, we value diversity, legacy status, first-generation status, and rural backgrounds. NC State thrives on the diverse knowledge and backgrounds of our students, and we expect everyone to contribute their talents, skills, time, and effort to foster an environment of inclusive excellence for all.
What is The NC State University Yield Rate?
NC State’s yield rate, which measures the percentage of accepted students who choose to enroll, stands at 32%. In comparison, other prominent tech-centric public research universities have the following yield rates: Georgia Tech (37%), Purdue (23%), and Virginia Tech (33%).
The NC State University Application Process Key Tips
If you’re gearing up to be one of the 32,000+ hopefuls for the next NC State admissions cycle, here’s what you need to be aware of:
- NC State admits students directly into the major they choose on the application. First-year applicants can pick up to two majors based on their interests.
- It’s wise to select a backup major when applying to NC State, especially for highly competitive programs.
- In-person or alumni interviews are not offered for incoming freshmen at NC State.
- Demonstrated interest matters at NC State, so activities like campus visits (in non-pandemic times) or reaching out to admissions officers may influence your application. Engaging with the school on social media can also be beneficial, especially given the school’s lower yield rate compared to some elite institutions.
- Don’t overlook the importance of the supplemental essays for NC State. There are three supplemental essays, each with a 250-word limit, so be sure to allocate enough time and effort to craft compelling responses.
Conclusion
In conclusion, navigating the admissions process for universities like NC State requires careful consideration of various factors. From selecting majors strategically to engaging with the admissions team, every step can impact your chances of acceptance. By understanding the trends, demographics, and admission criteria outlined in this guide, prospective students can better position themselves for success in joining the Wolfpack.