About NC State

Colleges and Universities A-Z North Carolina State University
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<p>Leftie17:</p>

<p>I too am from PA - the Pittsburgh area. I’ve lived in Raleigh for about 20 years. My son was accepted into NC State and he has confirmed his intend to attend.</p>

<p>We couldn’t be happier !</p>

<p>Given I have lived in both worlds I think I can give you some good insights. First, the reality is Raleigh has grown a ton in these last 20 years. A high percentage of that growth is a result of migration from other states - particularly those in the northeast and, it seems to me, a lot from the Pittsburgh area. </p>

<p>You may occasional hear a joke about being a “yankee”. But that’s really all it is - also given so many folks that live here are transplants you hear it less and less (just as people in the north don’t go around joking about being yankees). So, even those there’s a high percentage of in state students, I would bet you a good percentage of them are first generation North Carolina residents with transplanted parents likely from the north. </p>

<p>Shopping: Cameron Village is across the street from NC State. This is a quasi-upscale area. </p>

<p>Location/Area: The section of town State is located in is a historic area and very safe (as most places in Raleigh are). </p>

<p>Things to do: Is Raleigh New York? No. But there’s pro sports (NHL) a large Theater complex that gets decent productions (plays), a downtown open area concert venue and a large amphitheater. Multiple large shopping malls, Lots of restaurants, a citywide push to bring more people and events downtown and emerging trendy areas of town for dining and nightlife. Adequate public transportation…etc.</p>

<p>Your child is wanting to attend college here. NCSU is huge. I mean HUGE. the footprint of the college is impressive occupying nearly the entire eastern half of the city. My guess is he or she would have little reason or interest in leaving campus to travel around Raleigh. </p>

<p>The city of Raleigh is quite a large geographic are 147 sq miles. Population of Raleigh is just over 400,000, the neighboring town of Cary about 125,000. The size of the County (Wake) is about 925,000. </p>

<p>I wouldn’t be as concerned that your child is going to some “hick” place, NCSU is very bustling, sprawling campus with 25,000 students. In fact my son will have to take the college’s own bus line (wolf line) to get from his dorm on Central campus to his courses on the Centennial Campus (the two are divided my a major thoroughfare -Western Blvd.</p>

<p>Finally, College Basketball is huge here. NCSU has an awesome home court (PNC Center) and the Football stadium is first rate. Both located on the same lot of land, but several miles from the school. Any student attending NC State would certainly be getting an education at a “big time” school.</p>

<p>If you have any specific question, just ask me!</p>

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<p>Thanks to you all for the helpful information.</p>

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<p>mudgedatch gave some good information, but I must correct something.</p>

<p>We are a campus of around 25,000 undergraduates, but total students we are usually around 36,000. Add faculty and staff to that number and NC State is a little city within itself of about 50,000. </p>

<p>I’m also a transplant from the suburbs of Chicago and while I sometimes get wide eyes when I say I don’t like sweet tea, I’ve never felt out of place here.</p>

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<p>I think we should all be grateful for ncstatefreshman’s consistent and great comments! They are very helpful. </p>

<p>To describe the State campus as almost its own small city is really the best way to think of it. </p>

<p>I should also point out that the greater Raleigh community and the school have always enjoyed a great relationship.</p>

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<p>…even towards the occasional student who doesn’t like sweet tea. :-)</p>

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<p>I’m another out-of-stater now in Raleigh. I grew up in the west, but I’ve never felt anything but at-home here! Being right here in the Research Triangle, Raleigh is full of transplants.</p>

<p>Sometimes NC State gets a “reputation” as being an overly southern school, what with its strong ag program. But in reality, it has all types. It’s probably most known for engineering, but its humanities programs are huge, too. Big school, lots of diversity. I guess it’s hard to generalize! But like I said, I’ve always felt at-home here.</p>

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<p>Sooo…is sweet tea what we call iced tea in NJ? If so, we’ll blend right in, haha. We’re getting really excited about son’s upcoming visit to State in April. The program looks good (PER), and I see that basketball is huge and that there’s a pep band. He was in his hs bands - state champion hs Marching and also jazz band, and joined his college Marching and Pep Bands - great fun and a good way to make friends. Am hoping if he attends that he has time to join a band there. Thanks to you all.</p>

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<p>In NC, you generally need to specify if you want sweet or unsweet tea in a restaurant.</p>

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<p>Hello Moxy:</p>

<p>Yes, from what I recall of Iced Tea it’s the same thing. Just about any tea order at a restaurant would imply sweet tea. You may certainly order unsweetened tea or even half and half. Think of it sort of like a order for coffee…the waiter may ask if you want regular or decaf, but it’s implied you want regular unless you say decaf. </p>

<p>Enjoy your visit in April!</p>

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<p>If you plan on majoring in Civil Engineering NCSU is a great choice. I’m a junior in Civil. Its one of the smaller engineering programs so its kind of a close knit community. The professors are great. Pretty much every professor in CCEE is involved in some kind of research. There are also tons of companies in the area and around the country that work with our department to hire undergrad interns and recruit employees.</p>

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<p>Rsdeanes: What is the best dorm for freshman? Is Metcalf good?? Looks close to everything including Mann Hall.</p>

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<p>I’m not rsdeanes, but I think I can answer this.</p>

<p>There is not one best dorm for freshman. There are a few things to consider (where on campus do you want to be, suite or hall style, stairs vs. elevators, etc), but that answer will depend on the individual student.</p>

<p>As for being close to Mann Hall, as a freshman you probably won’t be taking any classes in the building your major is held in. I wouldn’t worry about being close to specific classrooms, instead ask yourself “gym or library?”</p>