Deferred from NC State

<p>I recently was deferred from NC State, and I was wondering if you could let me know if I'll be able to get in. I'm worried because their site says that 28% of deferred applicants got accepted in 2012. NCSU is a terrific college and I'd love to go, so please help me out.</p>

<p>In-state resident
White
Major: Computer Science or Computer Engineering</p>

<p>Taking 4 AP classes senior year. Doing well in all of them (3 As, 1 B but the B could be an A semester grade). I have not taken any APs until senior year, but I took all the honors classes I could and did well (mostly A's, some B's) in all of them.</p>

<p>Unweighted GPA (as of end of last year): 3.4.737
Weighted GPA (as of end of last year): 4.1579</p>

<p>ACT scores: 27 composite, 28 math, 25 sci, 26 reading, 27 eng, 26 eng/writing combined
I took the SAT but my scores are embarrassingly bad. I will probably retake it.</p>

<p>Extracurriculars:
VP of school's Robotics Team
Did very well in an IBM mainframe programming challenge twice (2011 and 2012)
Did well in a Cisco networking challenge (2011)
Earned a CompTIA A+ Certification (Professional IT hardware certification)
Tutor lower level math students 2hrs/wk</p>

<p>The school is allowing us to report semester grades and new ACT/SAT scores in February. Please let me know everything I can do to improve my chances of admission. Also, as I will retake the SAT, what score should I shoot for?</p>

<p>Thank you very much!!</p>

<p>I don’t know what scores you will need but looking at the collegeboard, your ACT is in the middle range and SAT’s are at about 1800 average. Have you considered retaking both tests? An increase in either of them may be helpful since they take either and you may be better at one than the other. It could be that the major you are applying for is particularly competitive and requires higher scores.
Did they ask you to write an additional essay? Put effort into that. Keep your grades up and hopefully you will get admitted.</p>

<p>Thanks for the reply. I am going to retake the SAT and possibly the ACT - and focus mainly on the math portions; I’m aiming for at least a 680-700 on the SAT Math section. And, if possible, I want to take the math I subject SAT test, if I have time before March.</p>

<p>I read an article online that said it is a really good idea to call or write the school admissions office and inquire about the specific weaknesses that deferred my application. Should I do this? What would be a good way to go about doing it - would they react better to me personally calling and asking or having a counselor do it?</p>

<p>What’s your backup plan?</p>

<p>I am also applying to UNC Charlotte, where I have a pretty good chance of acceptance, and some other schools, including Syracuse, UNC Chapel Hill, and Univ. Southern California. If none of those work out, I will transfer from a community college or from UNC Greensboro.</p>

<p>UNC-Charlotte: Safety
UNC-Chapel Hill: Reach
NCSU: Match
Syracuse: Match
USC: Reach
UNC Greensboro: Safety</p>

<p>Thanks. Still wondering if I should contact the admissions office or not.</p>

<p>I think your stats are low for your major. I would think that you’d be able to get into the general college, but it’s a little iffy for your concentration.</p>

<p>NCSU engineering is very difficult to get into. One of the top programs in the country. I am surprised that you got deferred though since I got into Meteorology (similar to engineering with all the math and physics courses required) with lower scores, albeit higher GPAs. Maybe call them and ask to be reconsidered for another major?</p>

<p>I think it would be fine to contact admissions- not to complain, but to explain that you are seriously interested and ask what you can do to improve your chances of admission. It may help you gain information. Also, I thought they would ask you to write another essay- where you could also say, again, why you wish to attend. </p>

<p>Didn’t they ask you for a second choice major on the application? You might have a better chance if the second choice is for another school in the college- but be careful as it is difficult to get the prerequisite classes if you are in another major. Ask about “First Year College” as a second choice as it has some flexibility.</p>

<p>Okay, I will contact them. Do you think an email would be fine, or would a letter or call look better? </p>

<p>My second choice was Computer Engineering - the same school. I’ll ask them about the First Year College major. </p>

<p>Thanks a bunch for your input, everyone!</p>

<p>A phone call is more personal. Good luck!</p>