Dear Denied Crop & Soil Sciences Student,

Decisions are Hard

College decisions are hard.  You put much thought and effort into your studies, college choice, and application. You’ve worked really hard for a long time. And the reply that came from NC State wasn’t the one that you’d hoped to receive.  

We understand. College decisions are hard on us too.  Every year our admissions department faces the tough choices of a large, competitive, and diverse applicant pool. If yours was one of the applications declined last week, you may be feeling down and a little confused about what to do next.  

Our department doesn’t handle admissions, but I want you to know that there is still opportunity here for you. I’d like to show you how.

Use a Different Door

Have you ever come home to find the front door of the house locked and you without a key? Your first move isn’t to give up and relocate! You go check the other house doors and windows or phone a friend for help. 

NC State’s College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS) has many pathways that lead to study here. And fall admission is just the front door at NC State. If you are motivated to join the Wolfpack, we want you here. So let’s find your place in the Pack.

PackTrac

Did you know that at least 25% of NC State students have studied somewhere else before coming to our campus?  PackTrac is CALS’s collaboration with the NC community college system to provide a planned route into NC State for ag-interested students. In short, you agree to take 30 credit hours of suggested classes, maintain a 3.0 GPA, and you are guaranteed admission into one of our Crop and Soil Sciences degree programs. Pretty amazing, right? 

As a parent of a college student, I look at it this way – you are taking classes that meet NC State requirements but just starting off at another campus. Once you complete the requirements and fully join the Pack, your degree will ultimately come from NC State.  

Plus, PackTrac students receive three advisors.  One in CALS, one in Crop and Soil Sciences (that’s me!), and one at your community college. This advising team works together to make sure the classes you take are directly transferable into one of our programs. Follow the pathway we lay out and you are in.

Two-Year Agricultural Institute

Maybe you just want to get your feet wet here at NC State.  Our Agricultural Institute offers a practical knowledge and experience program for students to succeed in agriculture industries. Roughly 10% of our students choose a 2-year Associate of Applied Science degree. 

Our Crop & Soil Sciences department offers both Turfgrass Management and Field Crop Technology associate’s degrees. It may just be the way you want to get started.

Unsure of Your Next Move?

Our Crop and Soil Sciences degree programs lead to growth fields.  We’re dedicated to preparing students to become in-demand ag professionals, whether or not you spend four years here. 

Do me a favor – actually two favors:

• Read a bit about our three Crop and Soil Sciences undergraduate degree programs, then…
• Schedule an appointment with me to discuss your interests. It is super easy to meet online through NC State’s web conferencing tools.      

The Pack is always expanding – and there’s room for you. In Crop and Soil Sciences, we’re growing the future one student at a time. This is your time.

Sincerely,

Dr. David Crouse

Director of Undergraduate Programs
Department of Crop & Soil Sciences