Academics
The “largest and most diverse” of North Carolina’s public university system, NC State provides undergrads with a “high level education” and “great value.” The campus rings with a “welcoming, down-to-earth” vibe and “Wolfpack pride” is certainly infectious. Moreover, the university maintains “opportunities to fit every single type of person no matter their interest.” Academically, NC State is home to a stellar engineering school that students contend is “the best engineering program in the state of North Carolina.” It offers “world-renowned faculty who conduct innovative and cutting edge research in a plethora of scientific fields.” Undergrads also like to emphasize the “exceptionally rigorous” design program which is “small and personal.” And we’d certainly be remiss if we didn’t mention the “fantastic business school” and “great entrepreneurship program” it has developed. Inside the classroom, students find their professors to be “very enthusiastic about what they teach” and appreciate that they truly “challenge you to think.” As one satisfied junior adds, “My professors are extremely knowledgeable about the course material and bring in practical demonstrations to bring the lecture to life.” And just as important, “professors love to discuss future professional development plans with undergraduate students.” All in all, it’s highly evident that “professors and TAs here love their jobs.” Simply put, “they want you to succeed.”
Student Body
When you first step onto the campus of NC State, “first impressions might make it seem like everyone there is a sorority girl or a frat guy who all wear cowboy boots and come from rural NC.” However, “if you look closely [you’ll see a] very diverse campus with lots of opportunities.” Indeed, you’ll find a range from “hipster to farm boy” and everything in between. Of course, no matter the easy or convenient characterization, most undergrads agree that their peers are “welcoming” and “friendly.” Students tell us that “fitting in is super easy and getting involved with any of the many programs on campus help[s] with meeting new people and making friends!” And while most students are “devoted to academics,” they all still manage to “go out and have fun.” Additionally, undergrads say their peers “are service oriented and always think of creative ways to give back.” Finally, as one junior reveals, “NCSU is huge, so every person can find a spot—and when you do, you find a family. To me, it doesn’t feel like a large school. I see someone I know walking on campus every day. I don’t know anyone, particularly those that began their education living on campus, that hasn’t found their niche.”
Campus Life
Students proffer that NC State’s campus is always abuzz with activity. As one excited senior quickly shares, “There’s always something to do for fun—spanking the UNC Tarheels at football, painting the Free Expression Tunnel, stalking American Idol winner Scotty McCreery, and people-watching at the State Fair are just a few examples.” Athletics are extremely popular here and it often feels as though “basketball games and football games are almost required [viewing].” And, naturally, these contests are accompanied by “a large tailgate culture.” Additionally, the university “sponsors many different programs, ranging from concerts to a movie at the campus cinema every weekend.” And there are “quite a few service and community oriented activities that go on around campus, such as Shack-AThon for Habitat for Humanity and the Krispy Kreme Challenge for children’s hospitals.” Students also love to take advantage of the surrounding area. As one freshman tells us, “Hillsborough Street has a lot of fun restaurants to go to when we want to go out and do things. Also, there [are] lots of [places] to go to the movies and shop right outside of campus.” Indeed, the “Raleigh-area is full of things to do from concerts, bars, shows, restaurants, museums, malls, etc.” As another freshman sums up life at NC State, “The problem isn’t finding something to do, it is finding time to do it all [while] manag[ing] to stay on task and put aside time to study.”
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