North Carolina State University (NCSU)

North Carolina State University holds the distinction of being both North Carolina's largest public university and serving as the flagship STEM campus of the UNC System. Undergrads praise NC State for providing them with a "high-level education" and "great value." With 68 departments spanning 12 colleges, the university offers "opportunities to fit every single type of person no matter their interest." Students praise NC State's standout engineering school, which they contend is "the best engineering program in the state of North Carolina." It's home to "world-renowned faculty who conduct innovative and cutting-edge research in a plethora of scientific fields." Undergrads also cite the strength of the school's "exceptionally rigorous" design program, which is described as "small and personal," and its "fantastic business school" that has developed a "great entrepreneurship program." Students find their professors "very enthusiastic about what they teach" in the classroom and like that they "challenge you to think." "My professors are extremely knowledgeable about the course material and bring in practical demonstrations to bring the lecture to life," explains one undergrad. Though NC State is a massive research university, professors are accessible to students outside the classroom and are invested in their success; according to one enrollee, "professors love to discuss future professional development plans with undergraduate students." Another asserts that the faculty is supportive and "they want you to succeed."

"Wolfpack pride" pervades NC State's student body, making for a "welcoming, down-toearth vibe" among undergrads. "If you look closely, [you'll see a] very diverse campus" with enrollees spanning the range of "hipster to farm boy." No matter how they might choose to label their peers, most students describe their classmates as "welcoming" and "friendly." Apparently, "fitting in is super easy, and getting involved with any of the many programs on campus helps with meeting new people and making friends!" As one junior explains, "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...that hasn't found their niche." While most students are "devoted to academics," they still make time to "go out and have fun." And in alignment with the school's many engagement and volunteer opportunities, undergrads say their peers "are service-oriented and always think of creative ways to give back."

With an undergraduate enrollment of over 26,000, something is always happening on NC State's campus. Athletics are extremely popular, with "basketball games and football games" considered "almost required [viewing]." As might be expected, "a large tailgate culture" accompanies these sporting events. Those less enthusiastic about sports will appreciate that the university "sponsors many different programs, ranging from concerts to a movie at the campus cinema every weekend." There are "quite a few service and community-oriented activities that go on around campus, such as Shack-A-Thon for Habitat for Humanity and the Krispy Kreme Challenge for children's hospitals." Students also enjoy exploring what the surrounding area has to offer. According to one student, "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." Another adds that the "Raleigh area is full of things to do from concerts, bars, shows, restaurants, museums, malls, etc." One first-year sums up life at NC State by saying, "The problem isn't finding something to do; it is finding time to do it all [while] managing to stay on task and putting aside time to study."