nc state admissions essay questions

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2024-25 NC State Supplemental Essays – Prompts & Advice

August 12, 2024

Situated in the state capital of Raleigh, North Carolina State University is a stellar public research institution that attracts droves of high school stars from around the country. Known for its standout STEM and business programs, NC State rejects more applicants than it accepts. Further, the average enrolled student has 90th percentile SAT/ACT scores and a near-perfect GPA. Undoubtedly, it is accurate to say that NC State is significantly more selective than it was a generation ago. This brings us to the subject of the NC State supplemental essays.

 (Want to learn more about How to Get Into NC State? Visit our blog entitled:  How to Get Into NC State: Admissions Data and Strategies  for all of the most recent admissions data as well as tips for gaining acceptance.)

NC State’s 250-word essay prompt is “important” to the admissions process. Therefore, it is vital that all Wolfpack applicants dedicate a significant amount of time to this short answer question. Below are NC State’s supplemental prompts for the 2024-25 admissions cycle along with our advice for composing winning essays.

2024-2025 North Carolina State University Essay Questions

1) explain why you selected the academic program(s) above and why you are interested in studying these at nc state (250 words)..

This is part “Why Us?” and part “Explain Your Major”. Ultimately, your aim is to seamlessly touch on both topics in a tightly woven 250-word composition. For a deeper dive, let’s examine a list of characteristics of a winning NC State supplemental essay:

• Discuss the experiences, opportunities, interests, and/or activities (formal or informal) that led you to select your academic program of choice.
• Demonstrate how your goals align with the school’s mission statement. “NC State will be known as a diverse, equitable and inclusive community that has a transformative impact on society and advances the greater good.”
• Cite specific academic programs , professors , research opportunities , internship/externship programs , study abroad programs , student-run organizations , etc.
• Discuss how you will be an active, contributing member of the academic community at NC State.
• Discuss how you will take advantage of NC State’s immense resources both inside and outside of the classroom.
• Explain why NC State is an ideal-fit institution.

In any “Why Us?” composition, you need to show that you’ve done your homework on a given school. In addition to the pure research element, a lot of the time and skill required in creating a stellar NC State essay will involve connecting the classes, professors, opportunities, etc. of interest that you have uncovered to your distinct values, talents, aims, proficiencies, and future goals.

NC State Supplemental Essays (Continued)

2) 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 optional (truly)—you should only respond if you faced a significant hardship or obstacle that has not been discussed elsewhere on the application.

If you do elect to respond to this prompt, colleges like students who demonstrate grit, perseverance, and resilience as these qualities typically lead to success in a postsecondary environment. No matter what type of example you offer, demonstrating these admirable traits can do wonders for your admissions prospects. Examples of challenges could be academic in nature, such as a learning disability, or a tumultuous life event. For example, you moved in the middle of junior year, your parents got divorced, you were significantly impacted by an illness, or any number of other personal/family traumas one can name. Be as emotionally honest and nuanced as possible. Trust us—the reader will appreciate your honest thoughts more than clichés and platitudes.

How important are the NC State supplemental essays?

The essays (both the Common App essay and supplemental essays) are “important” to the NC State admissions committee. This places them as the fifth most important factor. The essays are behind only GPA, class rank, standardized test scores, and the rigor of your secondary school record.

Want personalized assistance with your NC State supplemental essays?

Interested in working with one of College Transitions’ experienced and knowledgeable essay coaches as you craft your NC State supplemental essays? We encourage you to get a quote  today.

Looking for additional writing resources? Consider checking out the following:

• Common App Essay Prompts
• 10 Instructive Common App Essay Examples
• College Application Essay Topics to Avoid
• How to Quickly Format Your Common App Essay
• Should I Complete Optional College Essays?
• How to Brainstorm a College Essay
• 25 Inspiring College Essay Topics
• “Why This College?” Essay Examples
• How to Write the Community Essay
• College Essay

Dave Bergman

Dave has over a decade of professional experience that includes work as a teacher, high school administrator, college professor, and independent educational consultant. He is a co-author of the books The Enlightened College Applicant (Rowman & Littlefield, 2016) and Colleges Worth Your Money (Rowman & Littlefield, 2020).

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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).

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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How to Write the North Carolina State – Raleigh Essays 2020-2021

We’ve updated this post! Read the  2021-2022 NC State essay guide .

North Carolina State University, located in the heart of downtown Raleigh, is North Carolina’s largest public university. It was founded in 1887 with the goal of making a higher education available to a larger number of students, particularly the children of farmers and mechanics. Today, this research university maintains its strong agricultural program and places an important focus on engineering, teaching, and veterinary medicine, among other subjects, as it works to prepare students for a career after graduation.

NC State is a selective university with a 43.9% acceptance rate for its 2019 freshman class. Notably, it is ranked among the top 10 public universities in the U.S. for best value and ranked #1 for ROI out of North Carolina public universities.

In addition to the Common App or Coalition Application essay , North Carolina State University requires prospective undergraduate freshmen to write two supplemental essays of about 250 words each. Honors and Scholars applicants must write an additional essay of 500 words. CollegeVine is here to provide detailed tips and examples to help you approach the NC State supplemental essays. Want to know your chances at NC State? Calculate your chances for free right now.

Want to learn what NC State will actually cost you based on your income? And how long your application to the school should take? Here’s what every student considering NC State needs to know.

NC State Supplemental Essay Prompts

All applicants.

Prompt 1: Discuss your reasons for pursuing the Major/Academic Programs selected above? (250 words)

Prompt 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. (250 words)

University Honors Program Applicants

One of the key components of the university honors program is a set of special courses called 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. discuss why you think courses like these are an important part of an undergraduate experience and how they would enhance your development and challenge your intellectual curiosity. (500 words), university scholars program applicants, part of the mission of the university scholars program is to offer students unique academic and enrichment programs that challenge them to be culturally-connected, informed, and engaged citizens. what does this mean to you and how does it connect to what you hope to be and who you hope to become (500 words), all applicants, prompt 1, discuss your reasons for pursuing the major/academic programs selected above (250 words).

This is the classic “ Why This Major? ” essay. Reading this prompt, it would be easy to fall into a trap of simply listing extracurriculars that you have done which relate to your intended major. For example, if you want to major in engineering, you would list that you participated in Science Olympiad and other STEM activities. However, avoid the urge to do this.

While you should certainly mention if there is a particular extracurricular that drove you to love this field, do not simply list the things that you have done relating to this major or program. Instead, you want to support your decision with content that the NCSU admissions officers have not yet seen on your application.

For example, you could tell a story about a moment during Science Olympiad when you encountered a project with applications beyond the club. Perhaps you discovered a robotic device to assist others and from that moment, you realized that this was a field where you could make an impact.

Questions to consider:

When did you decide to pursue this major/program? Why?

Think back to the things that first got you interested in the program you intend to pursue. For example, if math has been a passion of yours for a long time, then you could make a joke about your first memory being of doing a math problem. Or perhaps you always considered yourself a math person until you challenged yourself in a humanities class and discovered your passion for the subject.

What are the broader applications of this program?

Another factor that admissions officers will be looking for is your ability to exhibit how a degree from their school in this major would help you achieve your goals and make the world a better place. Try citing your career goals and how your major will help you achieve them. The admissions officers want to see your passion; they do not want to accept someone who is pre-med just because it is financially lucrative or because their parents want them to be a doctor.

How does your major connect with some of your other interests?

Admissions officers appreciate students who realize that their major has connections and relations to other subjects and activities. Referencing both shows you to be multidisciplinary and can highlight your personality by helping to show off interests other than your major. Be careful to not get carried away talking just about extracurriculars, however; make sure it relates back to your major.

An example of this: Philosophy, much like the jazz music I play on my piano, is all up to interpretation and how you see things. You can give any pianist the same chords and never get the same song. Similarly, after proposing a question to a group of philosophers, you will get myriad and innovative responses.

Why this major/program at NCSU and not another school?

The most important thing for this part of your response is doing research! If you incorporate NCSU into your essay, then you should avoid hackneyed statements like: “NCSU will help me pursue my dreams of becoming a civil engineer because they have a really good engineering program.” NC State puts a heavy focus on research and will appreciate someone who is ready to positively contribute to their community and is genuinely interested in the subject.

For research, you can look at the work that professors of your major are doing. You could also look at some of the clubs on campus and what kinds of projects they are working on or events they hold ─ admissions officers want to be able to picture you as an NC State student contributing to the community, so tell them what specific resources you would take advantage of on campus. For example, the civil engineering student interested in building safer bridges could write about how they want to join the NC State chapter of the American Concrete Institute in order to make concrete models of hybrid sliding-rocking columns.

It’s okay to be undecided.

One of the wonderful things about college is that it is a time to explore your interests and try new things! With this in mind, if you are not sure of your potential major, then provide examples of things that you want to try out at NC State. You could discuss how you may want to be an engineer but have worked with little kids as a camp counselor and would like to try teaching. For this, the same rules apply as above; do not list, but rather, be specific and tell a story about your background or how you would fit in at NCSU as you try new things and gain value from a multidisciplinary education! Here’s more tips on how to write the “Why This Major” essay if you’re undecided .

An example of what not to do:

I have a passion for learning about different cultures. I have studied French for six years and participated in an exchange trip after my freshman year for two weeks, allowing me to live with a family in Oyonnax, France. This experience, along with continued political discussions in the midst of the French and American elections, has inspired my interest in global affairs. I love communications, diplomacy, and politics. I want to go into international public service with a focus on human rights and be a voice for those who lack one.

One of the main reasons this “Why global affairs?” essay is not as strong is due to its “listiness” quality. Many of the items included in this essay are ones that the admissions office will already have read from the activities list on the Common Application; so, including them here wastes space that could be used to say something new.

How could it be improved? Telling a story and showing why you want to study this major is a good place to start. Focus on what was mentioned in the last sentence: “be[ing] a voice for those who lack one.” Have you had experience with this? Why is this important? Why have you enjoyed it in the past? The focus could also be placed on the part about the French and American elections: What was interesting about these discussions? How were the elections similar and different? Give specific details to strengthen your response. Here is an example:

“Macron a gagné,” my host mom said with a relieved sigh. It was 2017, and I was studying abroad as a homestay student in Oyonnax, France. The murmur of BFM TV became muted as I tuned into my own thoughts ─ I had just lived through my first French election, and it was a fascinating experience!

Since that day, I have been interested in the differences between French and American elections, and most of all, democratic power transitions. Elections to me are a universal human right ─ the peaceful transition of the torch of Lady Liberty, the keys to the kingdom, is a historical marvel. I want to keep democracy alive; by combining what I learned in Oyonnax and in Durham as a poll worker about political accountability, I aspire to start an election monitoring NGO specializing in my mother’s home country of Mali. Majoring in Political Science at NC State, with its unique Honors Program and faculty advisors who conduct comparative elections research, is the best stepping stone I could take to make my goal a reality…

All Applicants, Prompt 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. (250 words).

To start this essay, think about the concepts they want you to define: a just and inclusive community, denouncing inhuman treatment. Explain what they mean to you with a story, and connect the two concepts ─ to have a just and inclusive community, we must denounce inhuman treatment. You could begin the essay with first lines similar to the following:

The rain was pouring on us, the wind was gushing. I could barely keep my soaked eyes open, but I could still see the beauty of the moment. Thousands of people of every color and walk of life were marching together to support Black Lives Matter. The Raleigh Convention Center faded behind us as we moved closer to the state capitol ─ closer to progress. That was the day when I truly learned what a just and inclusive community looks like. 

A just and inclusive community is one where one person’s struggles and oppression, no matter how different they are from our own, are treated as everyone’s struggles and oppression. This community does not come about, but is created by denouncing inhuman treatment. The arc of the universe bends towards justice, but not without help.

I aspire to bend the arc of NC State’s community towards inclusiveness by…

The next step is to explain how you will contribute to diversity. Here are some tips for if you decide to discuss, at least in part, how you could contribute to the diverse student populus at NC State:

Pick an overarching idea you want to get across.

Doing this will allow you to focus on something that the admissions officers have not yet seen in your application, as well as allow you to provide supporting examples. This is also beneficial because who you are is made up of more than just one experience; therefore, by picking a theme, you can show things in your life that have helped you to become who you are.

For example, you can focus on how in whatever you do, you work to help and be a voice for others. From that, you pick two experiences that would support this ability to empathize with others: your work with a child with autism and being the co-founder of a reading program at the SPCA.

Questions to consider when deciding what makes you different from others.

Use these questions as a basis for figuring out what makes you unique. You can use one as your overarching idea or simply tell a story based off of one of these questions about something important in your life. Also note that you do not have to say, “I am diverse because…”

Your essay will be stronger if you focus on telling a story about the kind of person you are:

• How did the location you grew up in influence your identity?
• Does your family emphasize the importance of religion or culture?
• Did you grow up in an area with a lot of diversity?
• What are some of the things that get you fired up? What are you passionate about?
• Is there something that you could bring to NCSU that they don’t already have? (Example: You are a master at solving Rubik’s Cubes and would love to bring this quality to share with others at NC State.)

Benefiting From Diversity

The admissions officers will gather a lot about how you can contribute to diversity at NCSU. They also want to know how you will benefit from being around so many unique people. Note: It is okay to mention both what you will bring and how you will benefit but, as there is a limited amount of words for this essay, you could also focus on one.

• Have you lived in a diverse area before? If not, is there something that you think can be gained from diversity? Be specific! Avoid saying that you want to just “learn new things from new people,” but rather explain why this could be helpful to your education or growth as a person. For example, you could talk about how being around students who come from different cultures will help you realize how different people and beliefs intertwine. You could talk about how you are interested in learning about Middle Eastern Studies but haven’t ever met anyone from the Middle East. If you have, what did you gain from the interaction? What else would you gain from NC State? Talk about some of the benefits of diversity and how you expect, or do not expect, something similar at NC State.
• How would diversity help you understand the world around you or help prepare you for a job in the future? NCSU places a high priority on preparing you for a career after graduation. For example: You could talk about how with globalization, the world is getting smaller. It is now more important than ever to learn about other cultures. You could even mention how, along with this, you want to study abroad and experience even more diversity across the globe.

The University Honors Program provides a transformative learning experience that empowers students to critically engage meaningful problems in the world. Students in the University Honors Program are capable and motivated students who embrace interdisciplinary coursework and participate in disciplinary based research, scholarship, and creative activities.

The goal of HON seminars is to give honors students an interdisciplinary education based on research and discussion. You will want to start the essay by telling the story of the moment when you realized why such an education is important for the world we live in today. For example, the introduction could be:

We didn’t win the bottle rocket competition in AP Physics by chance. There was something our team had that resulted in the creation of the Velox rocket, a four foot, multi-chambered missile made from Sprite bottles. Our team had José, who laid the blueprints for our rocket with attention to detail. Muhammadu kept the team united and focused with his management skills, while Alexis crunched the numbers to optimize our aerodynamics. I added a Space X-style paint job to the body and fins and wrote our project report. I believe that our rocket soared into the sky on launch day not because each of us was a genius, but because we combined our diverse perspectives and skills with open communication and a passion for research. As our rocket landed on a nearby house, I saw the power of interdisciplinary teamwork.

Interdisciplinary teamwork not only produces bottle rockets, but real rockets. It is crucial for the undergraduate experience today because…

To explain how HON seminars are important to you specifically, think about your goals. What skills and personal values do you want to develop during undergrad, and what are you intellectually curious about? Look into the details of the HON seminars and choose a specific seminar that would help you go beyond your general education and reach your unique goals. 

You can begin this part of the essay with a connecting phrase such as “Interdisciplinary teamwork would be crucial for my own undergraduate experience.” Explain how your skills and personal values could benefit from an interdisciplinary environment and learning by doing. For example, if you wanted to develop your leadership skills during undergrad, you could talk about how an HON seminar would allow you to intellectually lead through discussion-based classes and research conducted with a socratic philosophy. 

Mention a topic that you would be excited to explore in your chosen HON seminar. Highlight why you have intellectual curiosity about this topic, and what questions you have about it. Show your passion here by probing deep. If you are interested in astrophysics, talk about how you would like your idea of starting an asteroid mining business to be intellectually challenged during the Science, American Style HON seminar. 

Conclude by tying your own intellectual curiosity back to the NC State community. Explain how you are ready to meet others who love asking questions, enjoy working with people who have completely different backgrounds and perspectives, and value mind-on learning.

A good start to this essay would be to show, rather than tell, what being a culturally-connected, informed, and engaged citizen means to you. The one thing you do not want to do with this essay is define the terms in the format of a list, e.g. “being culturally-connected means x, being informed means y, and being engaged means z.” Instead, describe moments in your life when you lived out these citizenship values firsthand.

One example could involve being an event planning volunteer at the International Festival of Raleigh. Here you would paint a picture of cultural connectedness using words, like this:

And so, the festival was coming to an end. As I gazed at the country flags on the ceiling of the Raleigh Convention Center, I saw a human story in every one. The flag of Belarus took me back to the first time I tried blini at the food stand, and the flag of Timor Leste reminded me of asking Cidália how the tais cloth at her booth was made. Reflecting on these experiences, I felt culturally-connected─I could attach cultures not to academic ideas or stereotypes, but to complex and authentic human stories.

Continue this model to explain what being an informed and engaged citizen means. To define “informed,” ask yourself what subjects should ideally be considered the most important for students to learn during their K-12 education before entering “the real world.” To define “engaged,” ask yourself what activities are essential to keeping society functioning or making it run better. 

Next, connect yourself to the picture with a few sentences such as the following:

I aspire to be an engaged citizen by working to solve my community’s shortage of rare earth minerals ─ now by taking apart old phones, and in the future by mining asteroids. Most of all, I aspire to live life as a leader who gives everyone a seat at the table. 

Then explain why you have these goals. Avoid making this part a “Why This Major” essay, and focus your attention on linking your choices to being a culturally-connected, informed, and engaged citizen.

While writing this part, take a look at the University Scholars Program (USP) website . Pull one recent news story, engagement activity, or Scholars Forum topic from the website that interests you and goes along with your goals. Weave this into your explanation of what and who you want to be. Conclude with the message that you hope to emulate the engaged citizenship displayed by the USP activity or graduate you choose as a hopeful USP graduate yourself. Here is an example:

I know that the University Scholars Program is the right program for me because its Scholars Forum speakers gaze at the stars like I do. I am thrilled to see that Christina Hammock was a USP alumna and that the program helped launch her success at NASA. She undoubtedly benefited from the USP’s encouragement of bold intellectual curiosity through its interdisciplinary, research-based education. Just NC State’s electrical engineering and physics programs were able to give Christina the opportunities to research science instrument development, they could afford me hands-on opportunities to build a prototype asteroid mining excavator. I hope to be an engaged citizen by creating the most environmentally friendly solution possible to the rare earth mineral shortage, and most of all, an accomplished USP physics and electrical engineering graduate like Christina. 

Good luck on your North Carolina State University application!

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University Catalog 2024-2025

Undergraduate admission.

NC State is a member of the  Common Application  and the  Coalition for Access, Affordability, and Success . Students may choose to apply through either application system.  Undergraduate Admissions implements a notification date system for both domestic freshman and transfer applicants. International applicants are notified of their admission decision on a rolling basis once their application is complete. Freshmen are strongly encouraged to apply during the fall of their senior year in high school  by the early action deadline .  

Application Dates and Deadlines

Freshman and transfer applicants for the College of Design and Fashion and Textile Design program must submit a complete application including a portfolio and additional essay by November 1 and list it as their first choice major. 

All applications for the spring semester should be submitted prior to October 1. A few programs do not accept applications for spring entry including applied mathematics and mathematics, College of Design studio-based majors, College of Engineering, Exploratory Studies, fashion and textile design, physics and statistics.

Students are notified of their decision on their  wolfPAW account  and  admitted students  must confirm their enrollment by May 1, or within ten days of if they are accepted after May 1.

The  Undergraduate Admissions website  provides more information on the application review process and procedure.

Office of Undergraduate Admissions NC State University 121 Peele Hall Campus Box 7103 10 Watauga Club Drive Raleigh, NC 2707 Phone: 919-515-2434 Email: [email protected]  

Jon Westover, Associate Vice Provost and Director of Undergraduate Admissions

Admission to the university is highly competitive. Applicants are asked to indicate their first and second choices for a curriculum, including undeclared majors within a college, or, if undecided, to indicate their choice of participating in University College Exploratory Studies. Applicants not admitted in their first curriculum choice will be reviewed for admission in their second curriculum choice. The admissions decision is based on a holistic review of a complete application. Of primary importance is the high school record, including the level and difficulty of the courses taken, the overall grade point average, rank in class, and scores on the SAT or the ACT. Extracurricular involvement, leadership, and many other factors are also considered.

Admissions Requirements

How to apply, admissions dates and deadlines, credit opportunities, out-of-state students.

The Board of Governors of the University of North Carolina System has determined that the Minimum Course Requirements (MCR) for all constituent institutions, including NC State, shall include a high school diploma or its equivalent and the following course units taken in high school:

• Four units in English
• Two units in a language other than English
• Algebra I and II, Geometry, and one unit beyond Algebra II
• Algebra I and II, and two units beyond Algebra II or
• Integrated Math I, II, III and one unit beyond Integrated Math III
• At least one unit in a life or biological science, and
• At least one unit in physical science, and
• At least one laboratory course
• One unit in U.S. history
• One other unit in social studies

Competitive applicants will typically exceed these minimum courses.  It is recommended that every student take a foreign language course and a mathematics course in their senior year.

NC State does not conduct individual interviews with applicants, however, students are always welcome to walk-in and meet with an admissions officer at NC State's Joyner Visitor Center. Information sessions and student led campus tours are also available Monday through Friday at the Campus Visits office in Talley Student Union.

• Review our deadlines: The application opens in August
• Complete the application through the Common App or the Coalition App; we do not have a preference. Applicants for Studio-Based Majors will also need to submit a portfolio.
• Pay the $85 application fee, or provide an official fee waiver.
• Self-report your test scores. Visit our website for more information and for our school codes.
• Submit your official academic transcript.
• Check your status in your wolfPAW account throughout the application process.

Decisions are released on the corresponding notification date as long as the application is complete by the deadline. 

Fall Entry Early Action:

• Deadline: November 1
• Notification Date: January 30

Fall Entry Regular Decision:

• Deadline: January 15
• Notification Date: March 30

Spring Entry Regular Decision:

• Deadline: October 1
• Notification Date: December 1

Some programs do not accept applications for spring entry. Visit our website for details.

Studio-Based Majors

The following programs are considered studio-based majors and are fall entry only:

• Architecture
• Art & Design
• Fashion & Textile Design
• Graphic Design
• Industrial Design

Application Deadline: November 1

Portfolio and Optional Essay Due: November 1

Agricultural Institute

NC State’s 2-year Agricultural Institute (AGI)  accepts freshman and transfer applicants.

Fall Entry:

• Deadline: June 1
• Decision Date: Rolling

Spring Entry:

Students can jump-start their college careers by acquiring pre-enrollment credits by one or more of the following means:

• by passing a proficiency examination administered by a teaching department at NC State;
• by meeting a specific minimum score on certain Advance Placement Program (AP), International Baccalaureate (IB) examinations, and/or A and AS Level Equivalencies; and/or
• by attaining a minimum score on certain College Level Examination Program (CLEP) subject tests.

Learn about the recognized test curriculum, accepted test scores and credit awarded at  admissions.ncsu.edu/apply/credit-opportunities .

Undergraduate applicants from outside North Carolina are reviewed using the same criteria as applicants from North Carolina. NC State is limited to enrolling not more than 18 percent of total new undergraduate students from outside the state as set forth by the University of North Carolina System.

The path to NC State is not always direct. About 20 percent of our students start their college career at another college or university. All transfer applicants should have at least 30 transferable college credit hours completed, including specific coursework and a competitive GPA based on the major you are applying for. Meeting these recommendations does not guarantee admission but sets you up to be considered a competitive applicant in the review process.  View our recommendations for competitive applicants .

What We Look For

Transfer credit.

Here are some of the items we're looking at when evaluating your transfer application to NC State:

• Your college coursework and GPA
• Your high school coursework and test scores if you have less than 30 transferable college semester credit hours completed
• Your interest in the program you're applying for
• Your accomplishments/involvement outside of the classroom

Your background and opportunities

Your individual story

Visit our Transfer Admissions website for more information and recommendations for competitive transfer applicants. Students are always welcome to walk-in and meet with an admissions officer at NC State's Joyner Visitor Center. Information sessions and student led campus tours are also available Monday through Friday at the Campus Visits office in Talley Student Union.

• Review our deadlines: The application opens in August. Be sure to pay attention to additional requirements and timelines for Studio-Based Majors and the Agricultural Institute.
• Plan your path, and review our recommendations for competitive applicants.
• Complete the application through the Common App or the Coalition App ; we do not have a preference. Applicants for Studio-Based Majors will also need to submit a portfolio.
• Pay the application fee or provide an official fee waiver.
• Submit your official academic transcript(s) from each institution you have attended.
• Check your status in your  wolfPAW  account throughout the application process.

NC State’s 2-year  Agricultural Institute (AGI)  accepts freshman and transfer applicants.

Search our  transfer course equivalency database  to get an initial idea of which course credits from other institutions transfer to NC State. An official course evaluation is provided to students once they are admitted.

Transfer Admissions Center Joyner Visitor Center 1210 Varsity Drive Raleigh, NC 27607 Phone: 919-513-1200

At NC State we value diversity and welcome international students. Located in Raleigh, North Carolina, we are proud to be home to the most diverse student body in North Carolina hosting students from 117 different countries.

The  Office of International Services  is the main resource for international students regarding immigration regulations, university policies, employment and travel. They provide assistance to you and your family as you prepare to arrive on campus and to smooth the transition to studying in the U.S.

Use of Agents or Educational Agencies

Financial and immigration information, contact us .

• Your Academic Achievement

Your financial ability: If you require an F-1 or J-1 student visa to study in the U.S., you must prove your ability to cover the estimated school expenses by completing the  Certificate of Financial Responsibility .

Your level of English language skills

Your interest in the program you are applying for

Your accomplishments/involvement outside the classroom

Visit our International Admissions website for more information on application considerations, including interactive interviews (for Chinese applicants) and SAT or ACT composite scores (for Freshman applicants only).

Visit our website to view the following information in the following languages:  Spanish ,  Korean ,  Mandarin ,  Portuguese  and  Arabic .

• Complete the application through the  Common App  or the  Coalition App ; we do not have a preference. Applicants for Studio-Based Majors will also need to submit a portfolio.
• Pay the application fee ($100 for international applicants).
• Submit your academic credentials. Visit our website for details.
• Show proof of English proficiency , if you are not from a country where English is the official or commonly spoken language.

International applicants must apply by the deadline and will have their admissions decisions released on a rolling basis once your application is complete.

NC State does not partner with incentive-based agents or educational agencies to represent the University or to administer any part of the application process.

We recognize that in many countries agents or consultants are retained by students and their families to assist in applying to universities in the United States. It is not necessary to engage an agent in order to have a strong chance of admission to NC State. Admission decisions are not based on the recommendations of agents.

NC State expects an application to be the work of the applicant and that all information on the application is complete, accurate and truthful. We may reject application materials, cancel an admissions offer or dismiss a student from attendance, if it is determined that application materials have been falsified.

It is critical that applicants use their own email address, phone number, and mailing address on their application to ensure that all communication from NC State is delivered in an accurate and timely manner. Missing any important communication from NC State may delay applicants’ application process and admission decisions.

All international applicants seeking an F-1 or J-1 student visa must submit a Certificate of Financial Responsibility (CFR) as part of the admission process. The purpose of this form is to certify financial solvency for the student throughout his/her program of study - this is a federal requirement that must be met before the Office of Undergraduate Admissions can issue any visa certificates.

In addition, applicants deemed admissible who are already in the U.S. must also fill out a Visa Clearance Form (VCF).  This includes international applicants who are in a nonimmigrant visa category other than F-1 or J-1 (ex: H-4, L-2, DACA, E-2, Pending Permanent resident etc.). These applicants are not required to complete a CFR, unless they plan to change to F-1 or J-1 student status (if eligible).

CFR and VCF forms are reviewed by the Office of Undergraduate Admissions upon receipt.  If the information provided by the applicant is incomplete or not acceptable (e.g. sponsor and bank official signatures, bank statements, etc.), the applicant will be notified that his/her documents were not approved and why.  Notification is done via e-mail.  The applicant will then have an opportunity to correct the problem(s) and resubmit the form(s). Applicants can check the status of their applications through their WolfPAW account.

Once the applicant is considered admitted (fully or conditionally) to the University, the Office of Undergraduate Admissions mails out the appropriate Certificate of Eligibility (Form I-20 for an F-1 visa or Form DS-2019 for a J-1 visa) along with the full admission letter and other important pre-arrival information. Newly fully admitted international students will also receive information and guidance from the Office of International Services (OIS) via email prior to their arrival to NC State.  Conditionally admitted international students will received information from the Intensive English Program (IEP) prior to their arrival as well.

New F-1 and J-1 international students must check-in with the Office of International Services upon arrival to campus and attend the New International Student Orientation, which is scheduled a few days before the semester begins.

New international students who are accepted to NC State have the opportunity to participate in a Summer Start program during the month of July before fall classes begin. More information can be found here.  https://newstudents.dasa.ncsu.edu/summerstart/

Office of Undergraduate Admissions Jeong Powell Director, International Admissions and Recruitment Phone: 919-515-2434 Email: [email protected]

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Your chance of acceptance, your chancing factors, extracurriculars, nc state supplemental essays: what to highlight.

Hey, guys! I'm in the process of writing my supplemental essays for NC State and I'm kinda stuck on what to focus on. What aspects of my experience should I emphasize to make my essays stand out? Any tips or suggestions would be super helpful!

Hey there! Congrats on working on your NC State supplements! The key to making your essays stand out is to highlight unique experiences and insights that showcase your personality, values, and interests. Here are some tips to help you craft a compelling essay:

1. Be genuine: Don't feel the need to exaggerate or embellish your experiences. Instead, convey your authentic self and let your voice shine through. Admissions officers can usually tell when an essay is not genuine.

2. Show passion: Pick a topic you're genuinely passionate about and excited to discuss. This will help make your essay more engaging and interesting to read.

3. Reflect and analyze: Rather than just stating what happened or what you did, analyze your experiences and explain the significance behind them. How did it shape your perspective, influence your goals or interests, or contribute to your personal growth?

4. Use anecdotes and examples: Illustrate your points with specific examples and anecdotes that provide depth and color to your essay. This helps paint a vivid picture and makes your experiences more memorable.

5. Demonstrate fit with NC State: Show how your values, goals, and experiences can positively contribute to the NC State community. Research the university and its programs to understand what they value and how you would fit in.

For instance, if you're interested in pursuing engineering at NC State, you could write about a STEM-related project you worked on, emphasizing your critical thinking skills, creativity, and collaboration. Explain what challenges you faced, how you overcame them, and how it confirmed your passion and dedication to the field, making you a strong candidate for their engineering program.

Remember to be reflective and specific in your essay to showcase your unique skills and personality. Good luck, and I hope these tips help with your NC State supplemental essays!

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North Carolina State University Undergraduate College Application Essays

These North Carolina State University college application essays were written by students accepted at North Carolina State University. All of our sample college essays include the question prompt and the year written. Please use these sample admission essays responsibly.

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College Application Essays accepted by North Carolina State University

Studying physics anonymous, north carolina state university.

As an individual fascinated with the universe and the potential questions it poses, I would quickly jump at the opportunity to spend a semester researching theoretical astrophysics. In this capacity, I have long considered academic study as...

The "Mystery" of the Electoral College Andrea Brady

Growing up a vegetarian with hippy parents, reading feminist and pacifist literature, and listening to Jimi Hendrix and the Beatles has shaped me into a very politically charged person. Thus, while I admit that the Great Pyramids are amazing and...

Science: A Lifelong Interest of Mine Darren L. Miller

People love to complain about how “useless” mathematics is in everyday life:

•“How will cubic factoring help me get my dream job?”

•“How is the quadratic formula going to stop global warming?”

If not mathematics, they often set their...

Tough as Fe(male) Elisa R. Moore

If you were asked to name five famous living female scientists or engineers off the top of your head, could you do it? The majority of people would probably not be able to name more than one, if that.

There are thirty-five members on my FIRST...

Getting Back in the Driver's Seat Kristina Jones

It was three o’clock in the afternoon. My first race was full of middle-aged men, and the decals on their cars weren’t all stickers like mine. They had been painted professionally. But paint jobs don’t impact speed and, to my advantage, I had the...

Pen Pals Caroline Wang

“So many emails say so little,” writes Norma Cone in her first letter to me. Her penmanship incorporates elaborate loops and smoothly conjoined letters from years of perfecting her cursive. In comparison, my script is poorly developed, a...

Tailored to You Anonymous

While rolling my clothes into the suitcase for the youth trip, I pondered new ways to persuade the school to accept my idea. I had used reasoning and humanitarian appeals, and nobody was signing on to my envisioned LGBTQ club. What more could I...

My Time to Come with Technology Nikkie Karimian

6,876 miles. This might be a hard distance to measure, so let me help you understand how far it is and just what it has entailed. It’s not only how far I’ve travelled almost every summer to see my family, but it’s how far I’ve travelled to become...

Finding Opportunities for Self-improvement in Failure Anonymous

My junior year of high school, I took Honors Biology. Although I expected to do well, as I had always had a knack for science, I immediately fell flat on my face. At the midterm, I distinctly remember looking at my grades and seeing a 74. I had a...

C810 Anonymous

“C810,” the judge announced. I check my code again — it’s mine. Rising from my seat, I step towards the front of the room. The other competitors clap, as is customary for speech events, breaking the sacred silence that previously occupied the...

Limits Anonymous

In front of the board stood two kindergarteners, a classmate and I, ready to engage in fierce competition. The task? Simply solving a two-digit addition problem. I felt my heartbeat racing, my hands shaking while holding the marker. I had no...

My Inner Structure Anonymous

Under the shadow of a magnificent mango tree at the heart of communist Cuba was the place where I learned to appreciate the beauty of the art of chess. When I was five years old, my father taught me the theory of chess, how the pieces moved and...

Collaboration and Community Service, One Ramp at a Time Anonymous

For me, the summer months used to possess a certain emptiness. The warm weather and freedom to explore personal projects were always welcome, but the absence of school’s daily scheduling and assignments sometimes left me feeling generally aimless...

The Intriguing Humanity in the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict Anonymous

I sat in the ornate home of my teammate’s mom, an established Palestinian surgeon, when she said, “I wish someone had killed them all.” I just finished asking this woman how the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict impacted her life, and was shocked at...

Feminism Nandini Vadlamani

“It’s a sultry and sweltering day in Rajasthan, India.”

A young woman aged 19 years gives birth to an unimpeachable little girl that smiles her way into the world, suddenly a young man bombards into the room and pulls out a gun. The last thing the...

Sisters Sofia Hines

Standing knee-deep in clear water, I peer at the minnows swimming lazily around my toes.

“Help, Daddy, there’s a Mexican!” wails a curly-haired girl from the security of a bright pink inflatable ring. Her pointed finger indicates to all the target...

Mr. Fishy Britney Hong

“Does Mr. Fishy go up, up, up or down, down, down?”

I ask my class as I lay a plastic toy fish on top of the water.

“Up, up, up!” a little boy named John exclaims.

“That’s right! Mr. Fishy goes up, up, up like we do!” I tell my class.

A plastic...

History - My Lifelong Love Katie Pack

I’ve never been able to buy my Halloween costumes from a store. While my friends dressed up as ballerinas and princesses, I was Molly Pitcher and Clara Barton - not exactly costumes you can find at PartyCity. Instead, my mom made my costumes,...

Recent Questions about North Carolina State University

The Question and Answer section for North Carolina State University is a great resource to ask questions, find answers, and discuss the novel.

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 will open in mid-August.

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.

• About the UHP
• Prospective Students
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• Criteria for High School Seniors
• Criteria for Transfer and Mid-year
• Information Sessions and Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
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• 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].

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An open group for those interested in NCSU

How Important are Optional Application Questions as Transfer

Hey, I’m a transfer student graduating with an AA from a CC this semester and had applied to NC State. I was really caught up and the deadline snuck up on me and I was only able to answer the required questions, such as “Why NC State” and “Diversity”. I already had common app’s supplemental questions such as how has Covid affected me completed, in which I felt i explained myself well (such as having to work 40 hours a week on top of school).

I was just wondering, how will missing out on the optional questions on the rest of the application, as well as the common app essay affect my odds as a transfer student?

I have around a 3.28 GPA as well, and applied to PCOM. I have all the recommendations met too.

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Want to write a college essay that sets you apart? Three tips to give you a head start

1. Keep it real. It’s normal to want to make a good impression on the school of your choice, but it’s also important to show who you really are. So just be yourself! Compelling stories might not be perfectly linear or have a happy ending, and that’s OK. It’s best to be authentic instead of telling schools what you think they want to hear.

2. Be reflective . Think about how you’ve changed during high school. How have you grown and improved? What makes you feel ready for college, and how do you hope to contribute to the campus community and society at large?

3. Look to the future. Consider your reasons for attending college. What do you hope to gain from your education? What about college excites you the most, and what would you like to do after you graduate? Answering these questions will not only give colleges insight into the kind of student you’ll be, but it will also give you the personal insight you’ll need to choose the school that’s right for you.

Have questions about college prep? We're here to help.

Written by CU Boulder Office of Admissions

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The University of Colorado does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, pregnancy, disability, creed, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, veteran status, political affiliation, or political philosophy. All qualified individuals are encouraged to apply. You may  view the list of ADA and Title IX coordinators  and  review the Regent policy .

As a student or prospective student at CU Boulder, you have a right to certain information pertaining to financial aid programs, the Clery Act, crime and safety, graduation rates, athletics and other general information such as the costs associated with attending CU Boulder. To view this information visit  colorado.edu/your-right-know .

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Admissions | FAQ | NC State IMSEI

Last Updated:  08/20/2023 and all information on this page is accurate and up-to-date

Admissions FAQ

Is the GRE requirement waived for applicants in the academic year of 2022? Show More

Yes, due to the current pandemic and the difficulty of taking the GRE exam, if you apply for admission in 2022, you do not have to submit your GRE scores.

The 2023 admissions determination has not been made yet.

Can I still submit my GRE scores to my application? Show More

You are more than welcome to upload your test scores to your application. Applications will not be reviewed on one single factor. Application materials will be reviewed as a total package. The online application, statement of purpose, official test scores, transcripts, and letters of recommendation will all be considered. However, if you would like to strengthen your application, we encourage you to submit your GRE test scores.

Am I qualified to apply to your graduate program? Show More

If you are interested in our program, please apply. Review the admissions requirements.

• If your GRE, TOEFL or IELTS scores are below our suggested minimum scores, you may want to retake the test.
• Applications will not be reviewed on one single factor. Application materials will be reviewed as a total package. The online application, statement of purpose, official test scores, transcripts, letters of recommendation, and research experience will all be considered.

I would like to submit certificates of accomplishments, a resume and other documents. Where should I send them? Show More

All supplemental documents must be submitted online through the  North Carolina State Graduate School Online Application . Upload the Statement of Purpose in the “Personal Statement” section and upload a resume or any additional documents in the “Resume/CV” or the “Other Documents” sections. Do not send hard copy documents to the IMSE Program or Graduate School.

I would like to defer my admission to a future semester. How do I request a deferral? Show More

All supplemental documents must be submitted online through the  North Carolina State Graduate School Online

To request to defer, you must email [email protected] and include:

• Your full name
• Your 9-digit NC State Student ID Number
• The program and semester you were admitted to
• The semester you would like to defer to
• A detailed explanation for requesting a deferral. The IMSEI Director and Graduate School must approve your deferral.

IMSE PRO TIP : You may only request to defer your admission semester for one year (two academic semesters).

Can’t find your answer?  Please contact our  Program Director  Michael Kay |  [email protected] | 919.515.2008.

• Master of Management
• Master of Quantitative Management
• Executive Education
• STEM Qualifying

Daytime MBA

Leaders who bring out the best in others.

Application Instructions

Application instructions - mms: foundations of business, help us get to know you better.

We want you to submit your best possible application, so please read all the instructions on this page so that you’re familiar with our requirements and the process of applying. We appreciate your taking the time to ensure you are submitting a complete application package.  If you’re considering both of our Master of Management Studies (MMS) programs, please remember:

• You may apply to only one of the two programs in a single application year.
• You cannot switch programs while you are a student.

We encourage you to explore both programs— MMS: Foundations of Business and MMS: Duke Kunshan University —to learn which one is the best fit for your interests and goals.

Apply to MMS: FOB

Eligibility

• You must have earned, or expect to earn, a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university by the start of the program.
• If you already have an MBA or its equivalent, you are not eligible.
• If you have more than 2 years of full-time, post-graduate work experience contact our  MMS Admissions counselor to review your eligibility.

The admissions committee can only review completed application packages. If you have questions after looking over the information on this page, please email our MMS Admissions counselor . 

The online application includes sections on both personal and program information.

Personal information needed:

• Educational background
• Transcripts
• Employment history
• Activities and achievements
• Self-reported test scores

Application basics:

• You’ll need to create a user ID and password to access the system.
• You may access the application as many times as you like before submitting it.
• Detailed application instructions are available in the online system.
• Your application will not be evaluated until you submit it and all supporting materials are received and verified.
• You may only apply to one admissions round in a given application year.
• You cannot apply to both Master of Management Studies programs concurrently; contact our  MMS Admissions counselor , to determine which program would be the best fit for you.

Do your research

To decide whether this program is right for you, we encourage you to assess your personal situation and goals, consider the specifics of the program, visit our campus or attend an admissions event if possible, and talk to family, friends, and mentors.

Review the online application and deadlines. Consider important aspects of the timeline, including decision release dates and tuition deposit dates.

Apply for the Master of Management Studies: Foundations of Business program with our online application, ensuring that your application is complete and that it provides the admissions committee with a comprehensive understanding of your background, skills, talents, and goals. You can view your application status by logging into your student portal.

We do not offer open interviews for MMS candidates. Interview invitations will be extended after careful review of your application materials. Most interviews will occur via video-conference; North Carolina residents may have the opportunity to interview on campus by invitation.

Receive a decision

You’ll be notified via email of your admission decision by midnight (Eastern Time) on the decision date for the round in which you apply. 

To reserve your place in the class, you must submit:

• A nonrefundable 2,000 USD tuition deposit, due by the deposit deadline for your admission round
• Official test scores sent directly from the testing agency
• Official transcripts sent directly from the institution/s you attended

Attend a virtual campus visit

The best way to learn about Fuqua and the MMS program is by experiencing it firsthand. We encourage you to take part in our virtual campus visit program and the virtual Blue Devil Experience event for admitted students. Attending these events will introduce you to the Durham area and help guide your transition—or give you valuable insights if you’re still making your decision.

Access our incoming student website

Shortly after you’re admitted, you’ll receive access to our incoming student website. This site includes a wealth of information about our community and expectations, helping to guide your decision.

You’ll find all the information you’ll need to transition into your new academic life:

• Program announcements
• Technical and computer information
• Assignments to prepare academically
• Information about housing and living in Durham

Apply for a visa (international students)

If applicable, visa application information will be included in your admission packet along with specific deadlines for submission. Visa processing can take up to several months to complete, so it is critical you apply no later than Round 2 to ensure that you’re able to join the program.

If you are currently in the U.S. on a student visa for another program, contact our admissions office prior to making plans to leave the country or transferring your visa to ensure that the proper steps are taken to secure your new visa for the MMS: FOB program.

Visa fast facts:

• You must submit your tuition deposit to start the visa application process.
• You’ll be emailed a link to the visa web form.
• You must submit the form and all required documentation by the visa deadline that corresponds to your application round.
• Your visa web form must be received at least 6 weeks prior to the program start date, or your offer of admission may be cancelled.

Application Requirements

Legible, scanned copies of all transcripts are required for each college or university you have attended where you:

• earned (or will earn) a degree;
• studied for one semester or more;
• earned 12 or more credits (note: 4 or more credits if your university awards 1 credit for the typical class instead of 3 credits);
• and/or took a class that relates to your graduate study interests. 

If you took classes at a college or university while in high school, do not list the college or university as a separate school in your application.

For transfer credits:  Follow the guidelines listed above, but please note that for any transferred credits that qualify to be reported, we need to see grades/marks .  If the grades/marks as well as the credits appear on your degree-conferring institution's transcript, then the additional transcript will not be required.

For student abroad credits:  Please follow the same guidelines as for transfer credits.

Transcripts must include:

• Your name and the name of the institution
• Each course taken and the grade received
• The degree received and date conferred

If your transcripts do not state the degree and date conferred, upload a copy of your diploma in addition to the transcript. If your transcript is not in English, it must be translated, attested, and uploaded along with the originals. Those applying from outside the U.S. should see additional transcript guidelines for international students.

Two options for sending transcripts:

• Electronically to [email protected]
• Directly by mail in a sealed envelope to: Duke University The Fuqua School of Business Office of Admissions 100 Fuqua Drive, Box 90120 Durham, NC 27708-0120

If you do not submit your official transcripts on time, or if you misrepresent, falsify, or omit information, we may rescind any offer of admission or financial assistance.

When to submit copies of official transcripts

Only if you are admitted to the program, will you be required to submit official transcripts from each college or university you have attended for verification. The due date for official transcripts will be noted in your admitted student portal. If you have not yet completed your studies by this date, your official transcripts should reach The Fuqua School of Business no later than one week before your program begins.

The admissions committee wants to learn more about your personal and professional motivations. To help us get to know you better, you’ll need to provide your thoughts on three short answer questions and two essays as part of your application.

Instructions for all written submissions:

• Responses should use 1.5-line spacing and a font size no smaller than 10-point.
• Do not repeat the question in the document you upload with your application.
• Respond carefully, fully, and concisely.
• Length requirements vary by question and are detailed below.
• Responses must be completed before submitting your application.

All essays are scanned using plagiarism detection software. Expressing your ideas by using verbiage from existing sources, including websites and other applicants' essays or materials, or having someone else compose your essays, without properly crediting those sources constitutes an act of plagiarism. Plagiarism, an act of theft and fraud, is considered a cheating violation within the Honor Code and will result in an application denial. Note: if you have worked with a consultant to complete your application materials, please ensure that the Honor Code policy is discussed and yours essays will not be shared with other potential applicants.

Required Short Answer Questions

Instructions:.

Answer all three questions. Respond in 500 characters at most (the equivalent of about 100 words per question).

• Why are you pursuing the MMS degree at this stage in your professional development?
• What are your immediate career goals after completing the MMS program?
• Life is full of uncertainties, and plans and circumstances can change. As a result, navigating a career requires you to be adaptable. Should the immediate goals that you provided above not materialize, what alternative directions have you considered?

Required Essay 1

Present your response in list form, numbered from 1-25. Some points may be only a few words, while others may be longer. Your complete list should not exceed two pages.

Question: The "Team Fuqua" spirit and community is one of the things that set the Fuqua experience apart, and it is a concept that extends beyond the student body to include faculty, staff, and administration. When a new person joins the admissions team, we ask that person to share with everyone in the office a list of "25 Random Things About Yourself." As an admissions team, we already know the new hire's professional and academic background, so learning these "25 Random Things" helps us to get to know someone's personality, background, special talents, and more.

In this spirit, the admissions committee also wants to get to know you—beyond the professional and academic achievements listed in your resume and transcript. You can share with us important life experiences, your likes and dislikes, hobbies, achievements, fun facts, or anything that helps us understand what makes you who you are.

Required Essay 2

Respond in 350 words at most.

For our MMS: Foundations of Business class, the admissions team is looking for students who are eager to engage with, and learn from, their classmates. This learning takes place both inside and outside the classroom, as extracurricular engagement is an important part of the MMS experience. Describe how you would plan to be engaged outside of the classroom and how your unique perspective, experiences, and passions will add to the MMS community.

Optional Essay

If you feel there are circumstances of which the admissions committee should be aware (e.g., unexplained gaps in work, choice of recommenders or lack of a professional recommendation, inconsistent or questionable academic performance), please explain them. Do NOT upload additional essays nor additional recommendations in this area. The optional essay is intended to provide the admissions committee with insight into your circumstances only.

Re-Applicant Essay

An additional essay is required for re-applicants. Respond to the following in no more than two pages:

Question: It is not uncommon for it to take more than one try to achieve a goal. Please share with us the self-reflection process that you underwent after last year's application and how you have grown as a result. How did it shape your commitment to Fuqua and inspire your decision to reapply?

Submit your required resume electronically within the online application system. For employment and volunteer positions, include the location, title, date, and responsibilities, starting with your most recent position. The education section should include dates of attendance and degrees received.

Your resume should include:

• Full-time or part-time employment
• Volunteer work
• Internships

One letter of recommendation is required and should come from someone who knows you in a professional context, such as a supervisor at an internship or place of employment. If you are unable to provide a professional recommendation, you may submit a recommendation from someone who knows you through school and can speak to your performance in an academic setting. Please clarify if you select this option in the Optional Essay. You may not submit more than one recommendation.

Other recommendation guidelines:

• Use your recommenders’ work email addresses, rather than their personal accounts, like Gmail, Hotmail, Yahoo, and so on.
• Recommendations from relatives and friends are strongly discouraged.

Fuqua accepts GMAT, GRE, SAT, and ACT scores. GMAC and ETS, the administrators of the GMAT and GRE tests, respectively, have now made available the option to take these tests from a home environment, which we view the same way as tests taken in a test center. Please visit the GMAC or ETS websites for more information. Test scores are valid for five years.

For SAT and ACT, we are able to waive accept tests taken prior to your undergraduate experience. If test scores are expired, please contact the Office of Admissions to discuss your situation.  

We do require one of these test scores in order for an application to be considered complete and receive an admissions decision.

We do not accept TOEFL or IELTS test scores. We will review applicants' English abilities based on written essays in the application and verbal proficiency in the interview.

Admission system test codes:

• GMAT: Duke program code Q13-N5-19
• GRE: Duke program code 5156, and the 4201 Business Administration and Management Department name on your GRE exam
• ACT: Duke school code is 3052. The instructions on how to submit official test scores can be found  here . If your test date was before 9/1/2017, ACT provides specific instructions on how scores can be obtained.
• SAT: Duke school code is 5946. The instructions to send recent scores can be found  here . The instructions on how to send older scores can be found  here .

Need more help?

Information on registering and sending GMAT scores   Information on registering and sending GRE scores  

A 125 USD nonrefundable application fee, payable by VISA or MasterCard, is due when you submit your online application.

Application fee waivers

You may be eligible to receive an application fee waiver if you meet at least one of the following criteria:

Before submitting your application, you register for and attend a recruiting event. Attend an admissions event , and in the online application indicate the event type, location, and month of attendance in your online application.

You are a member of the military—active duty, active reserve, or honorably discharged/completed service (within three years) of any nation . Either voluntary or compulsory service is valid for qualification.

You are an active participant or alumnus/alumna of the Peace Corps, AmeriCorps, or Teach for America.

You are a current member of the Forté, Posse Foundation, or Management Leadership for Tomorrow.

You receive Fuqua admissions committee approval. In your application, include the reason for your waiver request, the name of the committee member granting approval, and the date the request was granted.

You obtain an  endorsement  from a current Fuqua student or alumnus/alumna. In your application, include your recommender’s name, program (Daytime, Cross Continent, Weekend Executive, Global Executive, Master of Management Studies: Foundations of Business, Master of Management Studies: Duke Kunshan University, or Master of Quantitative Management) year of graduation (if known), and email address.

You attended one of four Diversity Events: 

• The Duke MBA Workshop
• The Duke MBA Women’s Leadership Weekend
• The Duke MBA Pride Weekend
• The Duke MBA Veterans Symposium

You are an alumni of Duke University. In your application, include the name of your degree and the year in which you graduated.

Instructions to apply for an application fee waiver:

• Meet at least one of the above criteria.
• Select an application round in the “Personal Information” section of the online application.
• Complete the questions included in the "Application Fee Waiver Information" section.
• Submit your application after all sections are complete. However, do NOT submit your application if you are asked for credit card information.

Following the above instructions is the only way to receive an application fee waiver. If you submit your online application without selecting the "fee waiver" option, then you will not qualify for the waiver, and no refund will be available.

Interviewers will have a copy of your resume, but no other component of your application. We do not offer open interviews for MMS candidates. Interview invitations will be extended after careful review of your application materials. Most interviews will occur via video-conference; North Carolina residents may have the opportunity to interview on campus by invitation. Both formats are given equal weight in the admissions process.

Interviews are conducted by Fuqua staff, alumni, or select students who will ask you a variety of questions about your educational background and personal interests. At the conclusion, you’ll have the opportunity to ask questions.

On-campus interview fast facts:

• Interviews are only available to North Carolina residents who are invited to interview.
• Interviews are conducted in English and generally last 30–45 minutes.
• Select a time that lets you participate in other campus visit activities.
• Appropriate attire is business casual.
• Arrive 20 minutes prior for parking and check-in.
• Bring a one-page resume to the interview.
• Interviewers will have a copy of your resume, but no other portion of your application file.

Video conference interview fast facts:

• Most applicants will interview via video-conference, as on-campus interviews are only available to invited North Carolina residents.

In service to reapplicants, we offer the ability to replicate or "clone" your application from a previous application year (2019 and later). If you are reapplying, please submit the Reapplicant Request form  (login credentials required) to request that your previous application data be transferred over to the next available round of admission in the current application cycle. Please contact [email protected] should you have any questions or trouble logging in. You will receive a confirmation email once this process is complete, and can edit all or part of your application after it has been cloned.

You will need to interview in the new cycle; the same interview policies apply to you as to other applicants.

When re-applying, you are required to complete/submit:

• Short-answer questions
• Standard application essays
• A special re-application essay

Re-applicants do not need to resend official test scores to us unless your previous scores have expired. 

All applicants are required to complete the core set of application materials; however, non-U.S. applicants have additional application requirements and instructions.

Application timing for international students

International students must apply by the round 2 deadline if they:.

• Require an F-1 visa
• Are not already studying in the U.S.
• Are not eligible for a transfer

Admitted students in Round 2 need to start the visa application process quickly to ensure it’s received before the program start date.

Three-year bachelor's degree

Fuqua welcomes the applications of qualified candidates from outside the United States. We accept three-year bachelor’s degrees that are equivalent to a U.S. bachelor's degree.

Transcripts and diplomas

Transcripts, diplomas, and academic records must be in English and certified by an appropriate university official.

If your transcripts do not state the degree and date conferred, upload a copy of your diploma in addition to the transcript.

If your transcript is not in English, you must have it:

• Uploaded in addition to the originals
• Directly by mail in a sealed envelope to: Duke University The Fuqua School of Business Office of Admissions 100 Fuqua Drive, Box 90120 Durham, NC  27708-0120 USA

English as a Second Language test scores

Fuqua does not accept ESL test scores.  We will use other aspects of your application to assess language proficiency. 

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• Frequently Asked Questions

Questions About the M.A. Program

How big is the program.

Typically, 20 to 25 students join the program each year. Annual enrollment in the program totals about 50 students.

What are the different areas of emphasis in the program?

Our students choose among four programs of study:

• Strategic Communication
• Theory and Research

The Journalism program of study features three specializations: interactive design journalism, public life reporting and video journalism.

We also offer two dual-degree programs. The  J.D./M.A. dual degree  combines the Theory and Research program of study with graduate study in law. The  dual degree in Environment and Science Communication  combines the Journalism, Strategic Communication or Visual Communication program of study with a bachelor’s degree in environmental studies or environmental science.

Visit our  curriculum page  to read about these programs of study and their respective requirements and faculty members.

Is the program theoretically or professionally oriented?

We deliver both. The Journalism and Strategic Communication programs of study prepare students for careers in industry. The Theory and Research program of study is designed for students interested in pursuing doctoral degrees, careers in academia (teaching and research) or non-academic research positions.

How long does the program take to complete?

The Strategic Communication and Theory and Research programs of study typically take two academic years (four semesters) to complete. The Journalism program of study is designed to be completed in one year, from summer II (starting late June), through fall, spring and summer I (ending late June the next year).

Can the M.A. program be completed on a part-time basis?

This degree program is designed for full-time students based on course sequencing and timing. Working professionals interested in a part-time master’s option are encouraged to consider the online  M.A. in Digital Communication degree program .

What are the differences and similarities between the on-campus and online master’s programs?

Both programs feature the expert faculty and individual attention that are the hallmarks of graduate education at UNC Hussman, but there are several key differences between the M.A. in Media and Communication and the M.A. in Digital Communication. The residential program features a curriculum that is customizable to meet the needs of students with a variety of goals and interests, while the online program features a broad, prescribed curriculum designed specifically for working professionals with at least three years of communications experience. See the chart below.

Can I transfer credits or grades from other institutions into the program?

We do not accept credit transfers from other institutions for our master’s programs.

What is tuition for the program?

Tuition and fees are detailed on our  page about program costs .

How do I establish residency to qualify for in-state tuition?

If you indicate in your online application that you claim North Carolina residency for tuition purposes, you will be prompted to complete a residency determination form online. Guidelines for residency consideration are available from the  North Carolina Residency Determination Service .

Who administers the program?

The program is administered by UNC Hussman’s  Office of Graduate Studies .

How can I learn more about the program?

We offer online info sessions every fall for prospective students. Our graduate program staff and M.A. program director are available to answer your questions and connect you with more resources. Contact the Office of Graduate Studies at BLANK or (919) 843-8307 to be added to our program email list or ask a question.

Questions About the Application Process

When is the application deadline.

The application deadline to start the Strategic Communication or Theory and Research program of study in fall 2023 is Tuesday, Dec. 13, 2022. The priority application application to start the Journalism program of study in summer 2023 is Dec. 13, 2022, and the final application deadline for Journalism is March 14, 2023.

More information on the application timeline is available on our  admissions page .

How do the two deadlines for the Journalism program of study work?

UNC Hussman faculty members will make priority admissions decisions in February. Once the March deadline passes, they will consider addtional applications received for any remaining slots. Applying by the priority deadline gives you the best chance at admission.

What materials are required with the application?

The following materials are required:

• Unofficial undergraduate transcript(s)
• Statement of purpose
• Letters of recommendation, submitted by recommenders
• Writing sample(s)
• For Journalism applicants, work portfolio

Are GRE scores required?

GRE scores are not required. You may elect to submit GRE scores if you feel the scores will benefit your application.

What is the application fee, and how do I pay?

The $95 application processing fee can be paid online through the online application system via credit/debit card (Visa/Mastercard). You may also send a check drawn on a U.S. bank in U.S. dollars payable to UNC-Chapel Hill to:

The Graduate School – Admissions Campus Box #4010, 200 Bynum Hall University of North Carolina Chapel Hill, NC, 27599

I cannot afford the application fee. Is it possible to request a waiver?

Please visit  The Graduate School’s website  to determine whether you are eligible for an application fee waiver and for instructions on how to request an application fee waiver.

What are the minimum requirements for admission?

Minimum criteria include:

• A recognized undergraduate degree
• An undergraduate GPA of “B” or better (3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale)

For more information, please visit our  admissions page.

Applicants below these standards will need to demonstrate substantial compensatory qualifications to be considered. Meeting the above criteria is not a guarantee of admission.

If my undergraduate degree is not in communication, journalism or a related field, will I still be considered for admission?

Yes. The program is designed to meet the needs of many different types of students; among those are holders of bachelor’s degrees in other areas.

If I am an international student, must I take the TOEFL or IELTS exam?

International students who have not graduated from a degree program in which English is the sole language of instruction must take the TOEFL or IELTS exam and achieve the following scores:

• Internet TOEFL exam: 105 or higher
• Computer TOEFL exam: 260 or higher
• Paper-based TOEFL exam: 620 or higher
• IELTS exam: 7.5 or higher

The Graduate School’s application instructions outline the  specific conditions  under which this requirement is waived.

Can letters of recommendation be sent electronically?

Yes, all application materials, including letters of recommendation, must be submitted electronically through The Graduate School’s online application system. Applicants will be prompted to provide the names and contact information for a minimum of three persons who will write letters of recommendation. Each recommender will receive an email with instructions on how to upload their letter of recommendation into the online system or how to mail a sealed, printed copy of the recommendation directly to The Graduate School.

May I submit more than three letters?

Yes, you may have more than three letters sent on your behalf.

What are the guidelines for the statement of purpose?

The statement of purpose should describe your background, career goals and areas of research or professional interest. It should be double-spaced and no more than four pages long. The statement should clearly specify how the graduate degree will contribute to your career goals (professional or academic). Applicants to the theory and research program of study should further elaborate on their research interests.

What are the guidelines for the writing sample?

Upload your writing sample in the Supplemental Document(s) – Required section of the Program Supplement page of the online application. You may submit an academic paper, news article(s), marketing plan or other representative piece of writing.

What are the guidelines for the Park Fellowship essay?

U.S. citizens wishing to be considered for a Park Fellowship must submit an additional essay in the Supplemental Document – Optional section of the Program Supplement page of the online application. Guidelines for this essay are available on the  Park Fellowships page .

What are the guidelines for the portfolio?

Applicants to the Journalism area of interest must submit a portfolio of their work in the Supplemental Document(s) – Required section of the Program Supplement page of the online application. If the portfolio is available online, please upload a PDF containing a link to the online portfolio. There is no required format for the portfolio. Any work you wish to be considered must be in English or accompanied by an English translation.

How do I go about sending in my transcripts?

One unofficial transcript from each university attended must be uploaded into the application by the December 13th deadline. We only accept unofficial transcripts for application evaluation. Please do not mail transcripts. If you are offered admission, you will be requested to obtain one official transcript for each university attended and given instructions on how to submit those official transcripts.

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