We’ve provided the answers to some of the most common questions we receive below.
If your questions are not answered below, email us at undergrad-admissions@ncsu.edu.
Wherever you are in your educational journey, NC State could be your next step. You can now apply for spring or fall 2025.
Learn about fee waivers, submitting transcripts, updating your application and more.
View our advice for class changes and creating your schedule.
Learn how to submit test scores and how we consider them in the application review process.
Learn more about your transfer credit report or see how your prior credits may transfer to NC State.
View tips for selecting a major or how to change your major once your application has been submitted.
View FAQ’s about residency as it relates to your NC State admissions application.
Learn the best way to contact our office or how to get information about NC State.
After submitting your application to NC State, you will receive an email with information regarding your applicant portal, wolfPAW. Your wolfPAW account is where you can view your application status, missing items and view your admissions decision once it has been released.
Missing items on your wolfPAW account take time to be processed in our system, so give your missing items a couple of weeks to see if they are updated as received on your account. If after two weeks your wolfPAW is still notifying you of missing items, call our office and an admissions representative will help you locate your items.
Students at participating public high schools in North Carolina can request that their final high school transcript be sent through CFNC.
See if I qualify
We will only accept official transcripts – transcripts still in unopened envelopes that were sealed by the issuing institution or sent electronically via a recognized transcript delivery service such as Naviance/Docufide, Scrip-Safe, Avow, National Student Clearinghouse or Parchment.
Use the Postal Information address if your material is sent through the United States Postal Service (USPS). Use the Courier Address if your material is sent through UPS, FedEx, DHL or other shipping carriers.
Office of Undergraduate Admissions
NC State University
Campus Box 7103
Raleigh, NC 27695-7103
Office of Undergraduate Admissions
NC State University
121 Peele Hall
10 Watauga Club Drive
Raleigh, NC 27607 USA
We strongly recommend that applicants use a personal email address when completing their application to NC State, not a school-issued email address. This helps to ensure that you continue to receive important information about your application status and deadlines even after you graduate from high school or community college.
NC State does not distribute fee waiver codes to applicants; however, there are a variety of ways to qualify for a fee waiver. International applicants are not eligible for fee waivers.
To be eligible for a fee waiver, you must meet one of the qualifications below.
NC State does not distribute fee waiver codes to applicants; however, there are a variety of ways to qualify for a fee waiver. International applicants are not eligible for fee waivers.
To be eligible for a fee waiver, you must meet one of the qualifications below.
Applicants have the opportunity to indicate on the application if they are active-duty military personnel in order to receive a fee waiver for the application fee. There is no documentation required.
If you need to update or add items to your application after it has been submitted, you can upload the information to your wolfPAW account or email our office at undergrad-admissions@ncsu.edu.
Once your application and fee have been submitted, it takes a few days for your application to be downloaded by NC State. Within 24 hours, you will receive an email confirming we have received your application and information on how to access wolfPAW. We also encourage you to keep a close eye on your spam folder for an email from undergrad-admissions@ncsu.edu during this time period, as it is possible for our emails to end up there.
Additionally, it takes about two weeks to process all your documents. Your application may say it is incomplete due to a missing transcript – it can take up to two weeks to be processed, evaluated and entered into the system.
Letters of recommendation are only required for students applying for the Agricultural Institute. Scholarship applications may also require additional letters of recommendation.
For all other academic programs, we consider many factors in our review process and feel we receive the best insight from the essay responses the student submits themselves. While we do not require letters of recommendation, applicants are able to submit them if they choose and they will be considered along with all other application materials. Since it is not a required material, we do not have guidelines or restrictions on who can write a letter or recommendation or how they should be submitted.
If you choose to submit a letter, you can email it to our office or upload it through your wolfPAW account after submitting your application.
We encourage you to contact our office at undergrad-admissions@ncsu.edu or call 919-515-2434 to speak with an admissions officer.
To apply for summer, you will need to select your entry term as fall. If admitted, you can email us at undergrad-admissions@ncsu.edu to request your application be updated to summer entry. We will then consider you for entry for Summer Session II which begins at the end of June.
Admitted first-year and transfer undergraduate students who do not plan to enroll as a full-time student at another institution may request a gap term for a maximum of two semesters for any of the following reasons: medical, military service, required religious observance, travel, or work. Email our office at undergrad-admissions@ncsu.edu to request more information.
Students planning to request a gap term/defer their enrollment do not need to pay the enrollment deposit until the semester they plan to enroll.
Applicants admitted for fall who defer their enrollment to spring are able to take up to two courses at another institution during the fall semester.
Applicants admitted for fall who defer their enrollment to the next fall are able to take up to two courses during the fall semester and up to two courses in the spring semester (no more than four courses during the gap year).
If you are interested in deferring your enrollment/ taking a gap term, please email our office at undergrad-admissions@ncsu.edu to request a “GAP Request Form” be placed on your wolfPAW account.
Transcripts for home-schooled students should include the following items:
The transcript must be signed and dated by the home school administrator.
Transcripts should be submitted by the home school administrator through the Common App or Coalition on Scoir App, or they can be mailed in a sealed envelope from the home school administrator.
At NC State, we admit students directly into the major they select on the application. First-year and transfer applicants can select up to two major choices on the application. Check out our tips for choosing your major here.
For first-year applicants, some majors on the application are first-choice majors only and cannot be selected as second-choice majors.
There is not an undecided major option for transfer applicants. Transfer applicants must select a specific major on the application. View all majors here.
First-year applicants have the opportunity to explore major options through one of our unique first-year programs. These programs include Exploratory Studies, Life Sciences First Year, Engineering First Year, Management First Year and Environmental First Year. Learn more about the different programs here.
If you have not received an admission decision, you can request to change your major by filling out the Major Change Request form located in your wolfPAW account by the listed deadline. Keep in mind that you may only submit the Major Change Request form once.
If you are admitted and wish to change your major, we will review your requested major change on a space available basis. You will need to submit a Major Change Request form located in your wolfPAW portal by the listed deadline. Keep in mind that you may only submit the Major Change Request form once. Agricultural Institute (AGI) admits should email undergrad-admissions@ncsu.edu with any major change questions.
If you have received a decision other than admit, we will consider your major change request, however it will not have an effect on your current decision. You will need to submit a Major Change Request form located in your wolfPAW portal by the listed deadline. Keep in mind that you may only submit the Major Change Request form once. Denied applicants may not submit a major change request.
We are test optional for applicants with a weighted GPA of 2.8 or above (that’s equivalent to a B- average). Learn more about test score consideration here.
Any test scores we have received by the time we read your application will be considered. All materials, including test scores, should be received no later than two weeks after the application deadline for your application to be complete for review. We cannot guarantee test scores received after the materials deadline will be considered in your application review.
Early Action Deadline
Regular Decision Deadline
The SAT college code for NC State is 5496 and the ACT college code for NC State is 3164.
You should self-report your test scores on your application. After you have applied, any additional test scores can be added on your wolfPAW account. We will not accept standardized test scores on your high school transcript. If you ultimately enroll at NC State, official SAT or ACT test scores will be required and should be sent directly from the testing agency. SAT Essay or ACT Writing scores are not required.
The SAT college code for NC State is 5496 and the ACT college code for NC State is 3164.
Submitting SAT or ACT test scores is optional for international students. However, if international students choose to submit SAT or ACT test scores, the scores must be sent directly from the testing agency.
International students who live outside the U.S. or who have NOT attended a U.S. high school since grade 9 are required to submit one of the following scores for proof of English proficiency: TOEFL, IELTS Academic or Duolingo English Test. The test scores must be sent directly from the test agency.
The SAT college code for NC State is 5496 and the ACT college code for NC State is 3164.
AP scores are not required or considered in the review process for first-year applicants*; however, if you would like to receive credit for your AP course, you must submit your AP score from the College Board. Learn more about sending your AP scores here.
To send your AP score report to NC State, you must complete the following steps.
Your score report will include your AP scores from this year and any previous years.
*Transfer applicants are encouraged to submit any AP scores for consideration in the review process. See how AP course credit is awarded at NC State here.
Our office doesn’t offer advice on proposed schedule changes. If you are considering a schedule change, we would urge you to discuss it with your school counselor to consider the impact of the change and to ensure you will still meet the UNC System Minimum Course Requirements (MCR).
We encourage all students to enroll in a challenging curriculum throughout high school. All students are expected to pursue and maintain the highest level of academic success throughout their senior year.
Students should be aware that we have the right to re-review, change or rescind a decision if it is determined that the student has not maintained the appropriate level of academic rigor or performed at the level of their academic ability throughout their senior year.
You can look at everything we consider in the application review process here.
While students applying to NC State are not required to take two units of world language prior to applying, the completion of two sequential world language courses is recommended to satisfy the NC State General Education Program’s Foreign Language Proficiency Requirement.
When considering changes to your course schedule, we encourage you to speak to your advisor and review the recommended coursework for the academic program you are interested in.
If you make any changes to your course schedule, make sure to email us so we can update your application.
The North Carolina State Board of Education issued a policy beginning with the 2024-25 school year that allows high school students who meet certain requirements to graduate after three years.
Applicants who graduate from high school early may still be admissible. In addition to meeting the minimum course requirements (MCR) established by the Board of Governors of the University of North Carolina System, applicants who are most competitive for admission have taken challenging courses offered at their school that align with their academic interests and demonstrate their ability for future success (honors, AP, IB, dual enrollment, etc.). Learn more about what we look for in our application review process at go.ncsu.edu/academic-achievement.
An official evaluation of your credits will not be completed until you apply and submit your official transcript. A transfer credit summary will be available to admitted transfer students.
Newly enrolled first-year applicants taking dual enrollment courses in high school or attending an early college should submit an official final college transcript by July 15. We will then evaluate your courses and apply transferable credit towards your degree. View how to submit your official transcript here.
Dual Enrollment
We do not require your dual enrollment transcript when you apply, but you will need to submit an official final college transcript if you decide to enroll at NC State and would like credit for your college coursework. Review our transfer course credit database to see how your courses will transfer. Prior to registering for courses, we encourage you to utilize the database to select courses that transfer to NC State.
Transfer Applicants
We will evaluate your transcripts once you apply to the institution and you will be provided a transfer credit report if you are admitted.* Only courses from a regionally accredited institution are eligible for evaluation and you must receive a grade of a C- or higher to receive credit. For more information on transferable credit, we encourage you to visit our Credit Opportunities page.
*International Transfer Applicants
We are unable to determine how many of your credits will transfer to NC State when you apply. If you are admitted, and once you decide to attend, your department will then determine how many of your non-U.S. university credits will transfer toward your degree. You will need to have a course-by-course evaluation completed by World Education Services (WES) and have it submitted to our office.
Transfer students who are admitted will be able to view a preliminary transfer credit report on MyPack Portal. Some of your courses may still be under review, but you are able to see a preliminary report to view how your credits will transfer.
The Residency Determination Service (RDS) is responsible for all tuition residency classifications, reclassification requests and appeals. To apply for in-state residency consideration for tuition purposes, you must apply through the Residency Determination Service (RDS) for a Residency Classification Number (RCN).
At NC State, the application review process is the same for both in-state and out-of-state applicants. As a member institution of the UNC System, only 18% of NC State’s enrolling first-year class can be from outside of North Carolina. Due to the current quantity of out-of-state applications we receive, residency does not impact admissions decisions. Residency is only used for tuition purposes for enrolled students.
You can apply for residency at any time throughout your application process. You will need to include your Residency Classification Number (RCN) on your application or through your wolfPAW account after applying.
You will be considered out of state for tuition (billing) purposes until you receive a RCN that shows a validated in-state status. Your residency status is valid for 15 months.
You can find your RCN on your Residency Determination Service of North Carolina (RDS) account. To create your account or sign in, visit https://ncresidency.cfnc.org/residency/#/RESlogin.
If you have not received an admission decision, you can enter your RCN through your wolfPAW account. If you have an incorrect RCN on your wolfPAW account, email our office at undergrad-admissions@ncsu.edu.
If you have already been admitted to NC State, follow the steps below to view/update your tuition classification.
Undergraduate Admissions no longer makes any residency determinations. As of February 20, 2017, all undergraduate residency decisions are made by the Residency Determination Service of North Carolina (RDS).
For more information about the residency process and answers to some frequently asked questions, visit https://ncresidency.cfnc.org/residencyInfo/.
All of our admissions officers are able to assist with any questions you may have. We do not have admissions counselors assigned to specific regions or schools. You can email us with any questions at undergrad-admissions@ncsu.edu and one of our admissions officers will get back to you as soon as possible.
View the best method for contacting our office here.
Complete our interest form at go.ncsu.edu/interest-form to receive personalized communication about NC State. We will contact you regarding upcoming application deadlines, events and when the admission application is available.
There are a variety of ways to connect with an admissions counselor. You can speak with a member of our staff by calling or emailing our office.
If you come to campus and are not registered for a campus tour, stop by our Joyner Visitor Center any day of the week to pick up information about a self-guided tour. Self-guided campus tours are accompanied by a video playlist featuring undergraduate students. The video playlist and self-guided tour highlight our well-known student spaces on NC State’s Main Campus, including Talley Student Union, Wellness and Recreation and Hill Library.
1210 Varsity Drive
Raleigh, NC 27606
Free Visitor Parking
There are a variety of ways to get your questions answered no matter where you are.
Hours: Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Email: undergrad-admissions@ncsu.edu
Phone: (919) 515-2434