Frequently Asked Questions
Answers to questions about College of Engineering admissions, financial aid, degree requirements and NC State campus life.
What do I need to be admitted?
Admission to the College of Engineering at NC State is competitive. The typical acceptance rate for an incoming freshman class is approximately 55 percent. The average first-year student has a weighted high school grade point average between 4.2 and 4.6 and SAT scores in the 1170-1360 range (on the original two-part SAT, critical reading and math); this equates to 25 - 29 on the ACT-composite. Students are required to submit ACT scores or SAT scores with the writing component. All engineering and computer science applicants must apply through the university’s admissions office.
What factors do you consider for admission?
A student’s high school record, including grade point average and class rank, receives the most emphasis. Students who have taken advanced courses, particularly in math, chemistry and physics, are more competitive in the admissions process. We are also interested in students who have participated in engineering- or science-related extracurricular activities such as Science Olympiad and FIRST Robotics. Standardized test scores (SAT or ACT) are also considered but do not receive as much emphasis in the admission decision. If you have multiple tests on multiple dates, we will take your highest scores.
But we also look at other activities. If you play great guitar, volunteer at a homeless shelter, or star on the volleyball team, we want to know about it. As one of our academic advisors says, “What differentiates you?” (More)
Are engineering scholarships available?
Yes. About 80-100 Engineering merit scholarships were offered to incoming students for the 2011 academic year with an average range of $2,000 to $5,000 annually. Some scholarships are based on academic merit only, while others are based on academic merit and documented financial need. Most scholarships are offered in the various engineering departments, which students typically join after the first year. Once students enroll and apply for a scholarship, the final decision is based on the student’s academic performance at the college level as well as extracurricular and leadership activities. (More on scholarships for current and future students)
I live outside North Carolina. How many out-of-state students are admitted to the College of Engineering? Is it harder out-of-state students to get in?
Out-of-state students typically comprise about 10-15 percent of our incoming students each year. Since we receive a much smaller number of out-of-state applications than in-state applications, we do not apply stricter admission standards to them. In fact, we welcome them!
Do I have to pick an engineering major as soon as I arrive at NC State?
No. All freshmen engineering students have what’s known as a common first year, in which they take several introductory courses that prepare them for all engineering fields. After the first year, most students typically pick a major and join an academic department as a degree-seeking student. We provide a variety of experiences in our first- year engineering course that are designed to assist students in selecting a major. They include visits to our various departments, the Engineering Career Fair and the freshman design project.. We encourage students to familiarize themselves with the NAE Grand Challenges http://www.engr.ncsu.edu/grandchallenge/ as another avenue for choosing a field of study. (More)
What happens after I’m admitted?
You’ll be invited to an Engineering Open House in the spring and new student orientation in July where you’ll register for classes and learn about housing options and campus life. We also encourage students to attend one of the College of Engineering information sessions that we offer each Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Current engineering students help out with most of these sessions, and they can provide helpful “inside information” to newly admitted students.
Can I place out of introductory courses with advanced placement or international baccalaureate credit?
Students at NC State may receive placement in advanced courses and accelerate their studies through the College Board Advanced Placement Program (AP), the International Baccalaureate Program (IB), the College Level Examination Program (CLEP) or NC State University departmental placement exams. Each year nearly 50 percent of incoming freshmen at NC State present AP scores to receive advanced placement and/or credit. There is no limit on the number of AP or IB credits you can receive. We encourage students with significant advanced credits to pursue double majors or add academic minors to their degree program and still graduate in four years. (More)
When do I have to apply to an engineering department?
You should complete a web-based form to join the department of your choice after you have completed a required set of courses, usually after your first year. (More)
Where will I take most of my first-year classes?
If you take the standard freshman engineering curriculum during your first year, most of your classes will be on Main Campus, where most student housing is also located. If you have extensive AP, IB or other college credit, you might take an engineering course during your first year, and it might be on Centennial Campus.
Which engineering departments are on Centennial Campus?
Currently, we have three engineering buildings (EBI, EBII and EB III) on Centennial Campus. Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering and Materials Science and Engineering are in EBI, Computer Science and Electrical and Computer Engineering are in EBII, and Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering and Biomedical Engineering are in EB III. Two more engineering buildings are planned for Centennial Campus. After they are built, the entire College of Engineering will be located on Centennial Campus. The First Year Engineering Program will remain on Main Campus.
How do students get from main campus to Centennial Campus?
We have a campus-wide bus system — Wolfline — that many students use to get around campus. The system includes a dedicated engineering route — Route 3 — that connects the engineering buildings on the two campuses. A sophisticated bus tracking system lets students follow buses online so they don’t wait long at the bus stop.
Is there student housing on Centennial Campus?
Not at this time, but Centennial is only a short distance from Main Campus, easily accessible by the Wolfline transportation system. (More)
What is the average class size?
During your first year, you may be in one or two classes with up to 200 students; these are courses that most freshmen are required to take. Most of the large lectures have labs associated with the class, and they usually have 15-20 students. English classes generally have 30 or fewer students. After you matriculate into your major after the first year, the class sizes are much smaller.
What type of computer do I need?
The College expects all incoming students to have a laptop computer that meets our specifications. To help you with this, we have a Student Owned Computing team that’s ready to help you. Our recommended new models are from Apple, Dell and Lenovo. (More)
I’m interested in more than one field. Can I double major?
Yes. You can have two engineering majors, or you can have one engineering major and another major in another college. We have a formal double major called the Ben Franklin Scholars Program that includes coursework in the College of Humanities and Social Sciences.
Will I be able to graduate in four years?
All engineering degree programs can be completed in four years, but many students choose to add second majors or minors, participate in cooperative education, or take internships, all of which can extend the time it takes to graduate. But those students leave with additional skills that will serve them well in industry or graduate school.
I’m interested in other activities, such as intramural sports and the marching band. Can I participate in these activities and still have time for my class work?
Yes. NC State has multiple intramural and club sports opportunities. More than 50 percent of marching band members are engineering students. NC State also offers a diverse set of student organizations, so there’s truly something for everyone.
What types of student organizations does the College of Engineering have?
We have more than 50 engineering student organizations ranging from Engineers Without Borders to the Underwater Robotics Club. These organizations provide fun ways for students to get to know each other, and they provide ways to serve the community, improve the lives of people in other countries and gain valuable technical and team-building skills that help students after they graduate.
Will I have time for a study abroad experience?
Yes. We encourage students to study abroad. NC State has a rich program in international study that sends students to every corner of the world. (More)
Do you have any summer camps for engineering?
Yes. Through our Engineering Place K-20 outreach program, we have elementary school, middle school and high school engineering summer programs. Many K-12 students who attend these camps enjoy them so much that they choose to study engineering at NC State. (More)
What are the chances I’ll be able to get a job after I graduate?
Your chances are very good. In addition to our comprehensive Career Development Center, NC State holds a giant Engineering Career Fair that’s one of the largest career fairs in the nation held specifically for engineering students. Each fall and spring, recruiters from hundreds of companies and government organizations come to campus to recruit our students for not only permanent positions, but also internships and co-ops. These positions help students gain valuable experience and make industry contacts that help them land the job they want after graduation.
I’m not sure if I want to major in an engineering field or something else. What should I do?
Our First Year Engineering program allows you to explore our curriculum and our 18 majors, as well as other opportunities. If you find that engineering is not the discipline for you, our advisers will work with you to find a more suitable major. The courses you take as a freshman in engineering will transfer to most other majors at NC State.