Preparing for College
Because freshman admission to NC State is competitive, you will need to begin early so that you understand the admission requirements and meet deadlines. The most important factor that will affect your child's admission is their overall high school academic record. The Admissions Office will consider the level and difficulty of courses taken, grade point average, class rank, and SAT or ACT scores. The most competitive students take a rigorous college prep curriculum and maintain a strong average throughout high school. Extracurricular activities including leadership and community service are considered but not weighed as heavily as the academic record. Except where noted, NC State does not require letters of recommendation. However, we will be happy to consider any materials your student would like to submit in support of his or her application.
SAT or ACT test scores are required for freshman admission to public universities in North Carolina. They must be sent to us directly from the testing agency - we are unable to accept scores forwarded by students or reported on their high school transcripts. It is recommended that students begin taking the tests during their junior year, and then again early in their senior year of high school. (If taking the ACT, make sure to register for the Writing portion of the test.) Standardized tests are only one of the factors that admissions offices use in order to make decisions. Parents and students should not think that the standardized test is the only factor that matters in the admissions process.
The Following are links with information that may help your student to prepare for college.
