First-Year Admissions

Forty-two percent of first-year applicants were accepted to NC State in 2024, representing 96 North Carolina counties, 41 states and more than 35 countries.

Demand for CALS grads is at an all-time high.

In fact, we need to increase the number of graduates in our four-year degree programs by 1.5 to 2 percent a year and add 90 students to our two-year degree programs to meet the needs of our state.

Fall Semester Admission

We strongly encourage all applicants to apply for first-year admission by November 1 for priority consideration.

Here are the dates you need to know:

Early Action:

• November 1: Application deadline. If you apply by this deadline, you will automatically be considered for most merit-based scholarships.
• January 30: Applicants will be notified of the admission decision.
• May 1: Deadline for admitted students to submit the Advanced Enrollment Deposit (AED) to confirm enrollment.

Regular Decision:

• January 15: Application deadline
• March 30: Applicants will be notified of the admission decision
• May 1: Deadline for admitted students to submit the Advanced Enrollment Deposit (AED) to confirm enrollment

Spring Connect

This program is largely targeting our under-enrolled degree programs in the crop and soil sciences, horticulture, plant biology, and poultry science, but is also available to selected students in other majors. Students who apply to CALS during the fall of their senior year may be accepted for spring admission and start classes at NC State the spring following high school graduation.

You will be notified by the end of March, leaving plenty of time to decide what opportunities to take advantage of until you start classes in January:

Take classes at a local community college to prepare for the spring semester. North Carolina has an abundance of excellent community colleges, allowing you to take courses before starting at NC State in the spring. Be sure to work with one of our advisors so that your community college courses meet the NC State degree requirements. You must notify us of your intent to take courses and submit an official transcript from the community college. Start the discussion by emailing CALS Advising at cals-steam@ncsu.edu.

Volunteer, travel for service or pleasure, work or study a foreign language — the possibilities are endless.

Here are the dates you need to know for the new Spring Connect Program:

• June 1: Deadline to accept Spring Connect (using your WolfPAW account)
• December 20: College transcripts due (if you choose to take classes this summer or fall)

Here are the dates you need to know for regular spring admission when applying the fall immediately before the spring semester:

• October 1:  Application deadline
• December 1:  Applicants will be notified of the admission decision

Thinking CALS?

Let’s talk. We want to ensure every potential student has the chance to thrive at our college.

• Get in touch. We’ll do everything we can to get you here.
• Arrange a visit. Spend a day at NC State and explore our campus.
• Nominate a student. Tell us about a prospective student interested in CALS.