NC State

The NCSU experience is dominated by its location in the heart of research triangle.  Because of this, NC State students benefit from  extensive research and internship opportunities that most students at a state school this size never experience.  In addition and possibly because of its location, NCSU is known more for its engineering, physical and math sciences, textile and agriculture colleges than their liberal arts program. The strongest programs include Design, Statistics, Engineering, Pulp and Paper Science, Agriculture Forestry and Textiles. Usually a college of arts and sciences is the largest of the colleges at a university.  At NCSU, it’s third. Engineering and business are the most popular programs.

Taking advantage of their location NCSU characterizes it’s approach as a cooperative education program where students can alternate their semesters between traditional classroom experiences and on-site work at local companies.  This is not to say that students don’t get a well-rounded education.  General education requirements include:

• 20 hours of math and science, 
• 21 hours of humanities and social sciences, 
• 7 hours writing, speaking and information literacy
• 3 hours of science, technology and society
• 2 hours of computer literacy, and
• 2 hours of physical education.

Students must also demonstrate proficiency in a foreign language.

Being a large state school enrolling 32,000 students, it is not surprising that classes tend to be large especially for freshmen. in addition, 92% of the students are from NC.  On the other hand it also has the advantages a school that size can offer.  You can always find people like yourself and the school has a great sports program.  College basketball is the greek system  but there are other things out there to do.