Is It Easy to Get Into Nc State
What are NCSU's admission requirements? While there are a lot of pieces that go into a college application, you should focus on only a few critical things:
- GPA requirements
- Testing requirements, including SAT and ACT requirements
- Application requirements
In this guide we'll cover what you need to get into NCSU and build a strong application.
School location: Raleigh, NC
This school is also known as: North Carolina State University
Admissions Rate: 44.9%
If you want to get in, the first thing to look at is the acceptance rate. This tells you how competitive the school is and how serious their requirements are.
The acceptance rate at NCSU is 44.9%. For every 100 applicants, 45 are admitted.
This means the school is moderately selective. The school expects you to meet their requirements for GPA and SAT/ACT scores, but they're more flexible than other schools. If you exceed their requirements, you have an excellent chance of getting in. But if you don't, you might be one of the unlucky minority that gets a rejection letter.
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NCSU GPA Requirements
Many schools specify a minimum GPA requirement, but this is often just the bare minimum to submit an application without immediately getting rejected.
The GPA requirement that really matters is the GPA you need for a real chance of getting in. For this, we look at the school's average GPA for its current students.
Average GPA: 3.8
The average GPA at NCSU is 3.8.
(Most schools use a weighted GPA out of 4.0, though some report an unweighted GPA.
With a GPA of 3.8, NCSU requires you to be near the top of your class, and well above average. Your transcript should show mostly A's. Ideally, you will also have taken several AP or IB classes to show that you can handle academics at a college level.
If you're currently a junior or senior, your GPA is hard to change in time for college applications. If your GPA is at or below the school average of 3.8, you'll need a higher SAT or ACT score to compensate. This will help you compete effectively against other applicants who have higher GPAs than you.
SAT and ACT Requirements
Each school has different requirements for standardized testing. Most schools require the SAT or ACT, and many also require SAT subject tests.
You must take either the SAT or ACT to submit an application to NCSU. More importantly, you need to do well to have a strong application.
NCSU SAT Requirements
Many schools say they have no SAT score cutoff, but the truth is that there is a hidden SAT requirement. This is based on the school's average score.
Average SAT: 1335
The average SAT score composite at NCSU is a 1335 on the 1600 SAT scale.
This score makes NCSU Moderately Competitive for SAT test scores.
NCSU SAT Score Analysis (New 1600 SAT)
The 25th percentile New SAT score is 1270, and the 75th percentile New SAT score is 1410. In other words, a 1270 on the New SAT places you below average, while a 1410 will move you up to above average.
Here's the breakdown of new SAT scores by section:
Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
Math | 680 | 630 | 730 |
Reading + Writing | 655 | 620 | 690 |
Composite | 1335 | 1270 | 1410 |
SAT Score Choice Policy
The Score Choice policy at your school is an important part of your testing strategy.
NCSU has the Score Choice policy of "Highest Section."
This is also known as "superscoring." This means that you can choose which SAT tests you want to send to the school. Of all the scores they receive, your application readers will consider your highest section scores across all SAT test dates you submit.
Click below to learn more about how superscoring critically affects your test strategy.
How does superscoring change your test strategy? (Click to Learn)
For example, say you submit the following 3 test scores:
Section | R+W | Math | Composite |
Test 1 | 700 | 300 | 1000 |
Test 2 | 300 | 700 | 1000 |
Test 3 | 300 | 300 | 600 |
Superscore | 700 | 700 | 1400 |
Even though the highest total you scored on any one test date was 1000, NCSU will take your highest section score from all your test dates, then combine them to form your Superscore. You can raise your composite score from 1000 to 1400 in this example.
This is important for your testing strategy. Because you can choose which tests to send in, and NCSU forms your Superscore, you can take the SAT as many times as you want, then submit only the tests that give you the highest Superscore. Your application readers will only see that one score.
Therefore, if your SAT superscore is currently below a 1335, we strongly recommend that you consider prepping for the SAT and retaking it. You have a very good chance of raising your score, which will significantly boost your chances of getting in.
Even better, because of the Superscore, you can focus all your energy on a single section at a time. If your Reading score is lower than your other sections, prep only for the Reading section, then take the SAT. Then focus on Math for the next test, and so on. This will give you the highest Superscore possible.
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NCSU ACT Requirements
Just like for the SAT, NCSU likely doesn't have a hard ACT cutoff, but if you score too low, your application will get tossed in the trash.
Average ACT: 30
The average ACT score at NCSU is 30. This score makes NCSU Strongly Competitive for ACT scores.
The 25th percentile ACT score is 27, and the 75th percentile ACT score is 32.
Even though NCSU likely says they have no minimum ACT requirement, if you apply with a 27 or below, you'll have a very hard time getting in, unless you have something else very impressive in your application. There are so many applicants scoring 30 and above that a 27 will look academically weak.
ACT Score Sending Policy
If you're taking the ACT as opposed to the SAT, you have a huge advantage in how you send scores, and this dramatically affects your testing strategy.
Here it is: when you send ACT scores to colleges, you have absolute control over which tests you send. You could take 10 tests, and only send your highest one. This is unlike the SAT, where many schools require you to send all your tests ever taken.
This means that you have more chances than you think to improve your ACT score. To try to aim for the school's ACT requirement of 30 and above, you should try to take the ACT as many times as you can. When you have the final score that you're happy with, you can then send only that score to all your schools.
ACT Superscore Policy
By and large, most colleges do not superscore the ACT. (Superscore means that the school takes your best section scores from all the test dates you submit, and then combines them into the best possible composite score). Thus, most schools will just take your highest ACT score from a single sitting.
However, from our research, NCSU is understood to superscore the ACT. We couldn't confirm it directly from the school's admissions website, but multiple sources confirm that the school does superscore the ACT. We recommend you call their admissions office directly for more information.
Source
Superscoring is powerful to your testing strategy, and you need to make sure you plan your testing accordingly. Of all the scores that NCSU receives, your application readers will consider your highest section scores across all ACT test dates you submit.
Click below to learn more about how superscoring critically affects your test strategy.
How does superscoring change your test strategy? (Click to Learn)
For example, say you submit the following 4 test scores:
English | Math | Reading | Science | Composite | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Test 1 | 32 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 20 |
Test 2 | 16 | 32 | 16 | 16 | 20 |
Test 3 | 16 | 16 | 32 | 16 | 20 |
Test 4 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 32 | 20 |
Superscore | 32 | 32 | 32 | 32 | 32 |
Even though the highest ACT composite you scored on any one test date was 20, NCSU will take your highest section score from all your test dates, then combine them to form your Superscore. You can raise your composite score from 20 to 32 in this example.
This is important for your testing strategy. Because you can choose which tests to send in, and NCSU forms your Superscore, you can take the ACT as many times as you want, then submit only the tests that give you the highest Superscore. Your application readers will only see that one score.
Therefore, if your ACT score is currently below a 30, we strongly recommend that you consider prepping for the ACT and retaking it. You have a very good chance of raising your score, which will significantly boost your chances of getting in.
Even better, because of the Superscore, you can focus all your energy on a single section at a time. If your Reading score is lower than your other sections, prep only for the Reading section, then take the ACT. Then focus on Math for the next test, and so on. This will give you the highest Superscore possible.
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Download our free guide on the top 5 strategies you must be using to improve your score. This guide was written by Harvard graduates and ACT perfect scorers. If you apply the strategies in this guide, you'll study smarter and make huge score improvements.
SAT/ACT Writing Section Requirements
Both the SAT and ACT have an optional essay section.
NCSU requires you to take the SAT Essay/ACT Writing section. They'll use this as another factor in their admissions consideration.
SAT Subject Test Requirements
Schools vary in their SAT subject test requirements. Typically, selective schools tend to require them, while most schools in the country do not.
NCSU has indicated that SAT subject tests are recommended. Typically this means that SAT subject tests are not required, but submitting them can showcase particular strengths. For example, if you're applying to an engineering school, submitting science and math SAT subject tests will boost your application.
Typically, your SAT/ACT and GPA are far more heavily weighed than your SAT Subject Tests. If you have the choice between improving your SAT/ACT score or your SAT Subject Test scores, definitely choose to improve your SAT/ACT score.
Final Admissions Verdict
Because this school is moderately selective, strong academic performance will almost guarantee you admission. Scoring a 1410 SAT or a 32 ACT or above will nearly guarantee you admission. Because the school admits 44.9% of all applicants, being far above average raises the admission rate for you to nearly 100%.
If you can achieve a high SAT/ACT score, the rest of your application essentially doesn't matter. You still need to meet the rest of the application requirements, and your GPA shouldn't be too far off from the school average of 3.8. But you won't need dazzling extracurriculars and breathtaking letters of recommendation to get in. You can get in based on the merits of your score alone.
But if your score is a 1270 SAT or a 27 ACT and below, you have a good chance of being one of the unlucky few to be rejected.
Want to build the best possible college application?
We can help. PrepScholar Admissions is the world's best admissions consulting service. We combine world-class admissions counselors with our data-driven, proprietary admissions strategies. We've overseen thousands of students get into their top choice schools, from state colleges to the Ivy League.
We know what kinds of students colleges want to admit. We want to get you admitted to your dream schools.
Learn more about PrepScholar Admissions to maximize your chance of getting in.
Admissions Calculator
What are your chances of admission at North Carolina State University?
Chances of admission with these scores:
Here's our custom admissions calculator. Plug in your numbers to see what your chances of getting in are.
Pick your test: New SAT ACT
Note: Your admission decision relies not only on your GPA and SAT/ACT scores, but also on your coursework difficulty, extracurriculars, letters of recommendation, and personal statements. This tool provides only a simplistic estimate of your chances of admission. Instead of treating this tool as a crystal ball, we recommend you consider the big picture of what your chance means:
We recommend you apply to schools across a range of chances. Applying to some safety schools will guarantee you have a college to go to, while applying to some reach schools will give you a shot at getting into the school at the top of your range.
How would your chances improve with a better score?
Take your current SAT score and add 160 points (or take your ACT score and add 4 points) to the calculator above. See how much your chances improve?
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Application Requirements
Every school requires an application with the bare essentials - high school transcript and GPA, application form, and other core information. Many schools, as explained above, also require SAT and ACT scores, as well as letters of recommendation, application essays, and interviews. We'll cover the exact requirements of NCSU here.
Application Requirements Overview
- Common Application Accepted
- Universal Application Not accepted
- Electronic Application Available
- Essay or Personal Statement Recommended for all freshmen
- Letters of Recommendation
- Interview Not required
- Application Fee $85
- Fee Waiver Available? Available
- Other Notes
Testing Requirements
- SAT or ACT Required
- SAT Essay or ACT Writing Required
- SAT Subject Tests Recommended
- Scores Due in Office February 28
Coursework Requirements
- Subject Required Years
- English 4
- Math 4
- Science 3
- Foreign Language 2
- Social Studies 1
- History 1
- Electives 1
Deadlines and Early Admissions
-
- Offered? Deadline Notification
- Regular Admission
- Yes January 15 March 30
- Early Action
- Yes October 15 January 30
- Early Decision
- No
Other Schools For You
If you're interested in NCSU, you'll probably be interested in these schools as well. We've divided them into 3 categories depending on how hard they are to get into, relative to NCSU.
Reach Schools: Harder to Get Into
These schools are have higher average SAT scores than NCSU. If you improve your SAT score, you'll be competitive for these schools.
School Name | Location | SAT Avg | ACT Avg |
---|---|---|---|
University of Michigan | Ann Arbor, MI | 1435 | 33 |
Emory University | Atlanta, GA | 1435 | 33 |
Boston University | Boston, MA | 1420 | 32 |
University of California, Berkeley | Berkeley, CA | 1415 | 31 |
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute | Troy, NY | 1409 | 31 |
Villanova University | Villanova, PA | 1395 | 33 |
Binghamton University | Vestal, NY | 1375 | 30 |
Same Level: Equally Hard to Get Into
If you're competitive for NCSU, these schools will offer you a similar chance of admission.
School Name | Location | SAT Avg | ACT Avg |
---|---|---|---|
University of California, Santa Barbara | Santa Barbara, CA | 1355 | 29 |
University of Texas at Austin | Austin, TX | 1355 | 30 |
University of Texas at Dallas | Richardson, TX | 1350 | 30 |
University of Washington | Seattle, WA | 1340 | 30 |
Stony Brook University | Stony Brook, NY | 1335 | 29 |
California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo | San Luis Obispo, CA | 1335 | 29 |
University of Connecticut | Storrs, CT | 1315 | 29 |
Safety Schools: Easier to Get Into
If you're currently competitive for NCSU, you should have no problem getting into these schools. If NCSU is currently out of your reach, you might already be competitive for these schools.
School Name | Location | SAT Avg | ACT Avg |
---|---|---|---|
University of Massachusetts Amherst | Amherst, MA | 1290 | 29 |
Drexel University | Philadelphia, PA | 1290 | 28 |
Syracuse University | Syracuse, NY | 1275 | 28 |
United States Military Academy | West Point, NY | 1270 | 28 |
Penn State University Park | University Park, PA | 1265 | 28 |
University of Cincinnati | Cincinnati, OH | 1265 | 27 |
Hofstra University | Hempstead, NY | 1250 | 28 |
Want to build the best possible college application?
We can help. PrepScholar Admissions is the world's best admissions consulting service. We combine world-class admissions counselors with our data-driven, proprietary admissions strategies. We've overseen thousands of students get into their top choice schools, from state colleges to the Ivy League.
We know what kinds of students colleges want to admit. We want to get you admitted to your dream schools.
Learn more about PrepScholar Admissions to maximize your chance of getting in.
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Source: https://www.prepscholar.com/sat/s/colleges/NCSU-admission-requirements
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