NCSU Graphic Design Major Chances

I feel embarrassed to post this but please take this seriously for those that are viewing this thread. I want to major in graphic design and decided to go in-state. NC State has one of the best graphic design majors I’ve seen and I’m very intent on applying. But the problem is that I have such a low GPA. Currently its a 2.81 weighted and I’m going to be a rising junior. But I’m really going to try my best to turn my life around and study well for my classes and the SATs and ACTs. Currently the clubs I’m in are:

-Key club
-Student council class secretary
-Yearbook staff
-Photography club
-NHAS (National Honor Art Society)
-NHTS (National Honor Technical Society)

And I’m apart of the Health Science Academy program that I’m going to be taking 135 hours of health science internships. I’m also going to earn my pharmacy technician certifications to work alongside for college. I know, very ironic for someone who wants to major in graphic design, right? Yeah, its a little bit complicated as I figured myself out and decided to not go by my parents expectations.

Just for the extra stats I’m an Asian-American female who is a middle class family (not the upper middle class but lower if that’s makes sense?), has a family background attending to NC State (my aunt in bachelor of science in biochemistry, botany, and biological sciences, my uncle in business management, and my dad who majored in electrical computer engineering but dropped out), and third generation (if that even helps but most likely not).

Also another thing to mention is that when applying in graphic design through an art portfolio, isn’t it more likely and logical for admissions to weigh my portfolio over my academics since its what I’m basically doing. I’m confident in creating a good art portfolio but do you think I’ll even have the chance to at least become deferred?

I think the way it works in the School of Design is that you first have to clear the admissions department. Once they decide you are in the University then they send your application to the School of Design for them to make the decision on the degree chosen. If they decide not to admit you to the school, then the application is sent back to admissions for them to look at your alternate choices.

Hi! I’m not sure if you’ll see this but I’m over here stressing about getting into the COD @ NCSU as well. I’m mainly nervous because I didn’t know until recently that I wanted to go into Graphic Design, thus I don’t have much Graphic Design to show. I have spent a lot of time drawing, and I have learned some HTML & CSS over the summer on my own, and I’m working to gain experience in preparation for submitting a portfolio. As far as applying for general admission, I would technically be considered a transfer student, as I graduated from high school this past June with so many credits. Right now, I’m at ECU and came in with 31 credits from a mixture of AP testing and dual enrollment. My ACT was a 32, and my SAT was a 1320 (680 R&W, 640 M). I had a 4.2 weighted & maybe a 3.7 unweighted. I was involved in a number of clubs, including the Vice President of my high school’s National BETA Club, completed over 100 volunteer hours and worked at the YMCA for 2 years. I’ve never been a big STEM person, that’s why I was never interested in NCSU until I decided on Graphic Design. Any insight anyone can provide would be greatly appreciated because I am STRESSING.

@honestlybleh I think you have a chance of raising that up and really working hard your next two years. I will caution you that applying gets more & more competitive each year. I applied for UNC Chapel Hill last year and was waitlisted, which broke my heart. However, on a positive note, NCSU’s acceptance rate is about 50%, whereas Chapel Hill’s is 20%, so I think you should focus on just getting admitted into NCSU, even if you’re not admitted to the COD right away.

@student0206 , My son and I attended the Open House at NCSU yesterday and after visiting his two chosen colleges (Poole and Humanities) we went into the CoD. We talked to several professors in the CoD. They said that while most of the majors in the department require a portfolio, there are two that do not.

I don’t recall which two, but if you contact the CoD, I’m sure they will tell you.

ADDED: I think Design Studies is one, but contact the CoD to be sure.