@ppxyz123 I will do that for sure. We have been to both before (VT many times since we spend most holidays in Blacksburg) but being we will be looking thru different eyes this time.
I’m going to VT on the 7th, too. NC State is my first choice, but was deferred, so I’ve decided to check out VT since I’ve heard so many great things about it.
Does anyone know if they may release regular decisions somewhat early? I know they released EA decisions a few days before the intended date.
@jcliff Last year it looks like decisions were released on March 23rd which was a Friday. If that holds true this year we may hear on Friday March 22nd. I’m hoping that’s the case.
I just looked into that as well! Yep… March 23 they heard. ALSO… it appears that Spring Admits were notified on the 21st.
FYI for what its worth to others with all the VT comments…My daughter applied to NC State (early) and VT. She was deferred to regular admission at NC State and accepted (OOS) to Va Tech. Anecdotally looking at all the posts (those deferred/waitlisted on NC and Tech), the theme is NC State just went down the line on ACT/SAT scores (Being lazy IMO), where as, VT focused more on at GPA (and courses) AS IT SHOULD BE, especially in Engineering. NC State is still her #1 so hopefully a good answer here in a few weeks.
@markmil1 best of luck to your Daughter. My son’s first choice was originally VT but now he is seriously considering NC State. We are OOS for both so either way it will cost us a bundle I guess it will come down to which one “feels” right. Such a difficult decision to make.
My 2c (as a UVA Engineer, Va native)…if both are OOS, then drill into what his major is to make the call. Va Tech is more nationally known for example but something like BME (New at Va Tech) is more established in NC and of course if targeting a job in NC… Then its environment preference…VT is more rural, much bigger layout, great food, etc…NC State more ‘city’ feel. IMO. Also MANY of her friends are going to NC State. Personally, i think VT is a better school, but as a OOS parent, its not 2x better 
@markmil1 I do think in general schools with large applicant pools can’t really be as ‘holistic’ as they claim, however, at NCSU I know certain classes can be skipped if test scores are high enough; for example an english ACT of 33 allows one to submit a writing portfolio and skip english 101 and a 35 english allows automatic opt out. Also, anyone can apply to honors or scholars programs and test scores are a cutoff for that too… In general, at state schools (including UNC) the OOS ones tend to be in the top quartile of everyone.
Not real sure of your point, but perhaps i wasn’t clear on mine. My only point/observation based on all the posts and my own daughters experience, is that NC state seems to take a simple first cut based on ACT and not really look at GPA and (AP) courses. Conversely other schools, like Va Tech put GPA and courses first. Shes NC, so in state which further makes my point/observation. She got merit money at USC early acceptance, accepted into Va Tech and waitlisted/deferred at NC State, as instate so thats about the only thing that explains it (other than admissions making a mistake). She applied to a competitive program (BME), so for her final review, they will look at her second choice which is a fairly low bar, so i can’t ultimately imagine her not getting in. Its a tech college, so i don’t really care about being ‘holistic’…I care about her review based on GPA and courses which is what will matter at college, not a standardized test. At a personal level, these are big impacts to kids that could be lessened if a little more upfront rigor was applied in admissions review.
@markmil1: Hi. No. That isn’t the case. I had a 1510 SAT and got defferred with a unweighted of 3.8. I was told it was my GPA. Weighted is a 4.4. Lots of EC too and Honor Society.
Also this was for engineering.
Yeah your on the line with GPA but what AP’s and what program did you apply to? If CS, your way to low, esp if not heavy AP’s…if biology probably should have gotten in, again assuming heavy AP’s like bio, physics, Calc, etc
Sorry… I didn’t see this. Frankly based on other posts and students that we know got accepted , I’m surprised you didn’t get accepted early, esp if instate. I personally know several of my daughters friends who had your GPA and much lower SAT/ACT’s and got in (BME and biology)…so you seem an oddity, but good luck!
My daughter has been accepted to many schools and it will come down to either nc state - exploratory program or VT business school. I would be interested in any thoughts that people have in comparing these schools. I wonder whether or not Raleigh will provide her with more internship and job opporutnities. Does anyone have any knowledge about how VT kids do getting internships and jobs?
@markmil1 1) if she gets in (even if not engineering) all students have to CODA into a major within the COE and the prereqs that are used for that calculate a pseudo GPA. BME majors have the highest CODA GPA major of any. (it really doesn’t matter what college you apply to, but what your grades are in the CODA prereqs). All else being equal completing Calculus BC with a 5 on the AP as a junior is important since that is a CODA determinant and signals you already have an “A” for CODA. AP Physics C series 5s are also very helpful for same reason. From what I can tell those specific AP tests along with grades and scores are keys for admission to engineering. (they don’t use high school grades for CODA but can use AP scores)
We know of someone in same year as DD from high school who did not get into NCSU engineering but got into UNC, so ncsu engineering is more competitive than people think.
@anon145 thanks for this info. I too heard the same. I am still confused between Penn State and NCSU. Penn state entry courses seem better and you get the entry to a pre-major
@ppxyz123 remind me are these similar in cost for you ?
@anon145 yes almost. A 5K difference per year. Am ok with that.
you guys could probably start a thread and call it “NC State vs V Tech vs Penn st” under college selection and get some knowledgable comments. Cost is always important to include (e.g. for any of these if there’s a huge in state discount folks are going to recommend that)