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Division of Academic and Student Affairs
New Student Programs

Pre-Semester Programs

Before your official first day of classes, NC State offers a wide variety of programs to help you get a jump start on your transition to college.

Explore Opportunities

Events and activities planned by New Student Programs and a number of other campus departments will help you create a foundation of success for your first year and beyond. Explore these opportunities that take place throughout June, July, and August before fall semester classes start each year, and email new-students@ncsu.edu if you have any questions.

New Student Orientation

New Student Orientation, a program that is required for all new undergraduate students, will help you prepare for your transition into college life as well as the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead—intellectually, emotionally, academically, and socially.

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Group of student standing around and listening to someone present
New students learn about extracurricular activities during orientation at Talley Student Union.

Summer Start

Summer Start helps new students transition to NC State through five weeks of summer college courses and community-building during Summer Session II. In addition to up to eight credit hours of coursework, many optional social, academic, leadership, and service programs will be offered. Summer Start will provide a strong virtual introduction to the culture of NC State and a jump start on your academic degree requirements with a smaller community of your peers.

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Students sitting in a circle with one having their back facing the camera and wearing a shirt that says Summer Start
New students learn about extracurricular activities during orientation at Talley Student Union.

Pride Symposium

Pride Symposium is a 1-day welcome and community-building experience designed to provide incoming students with information about the LGBTQ Pride Center, annual events, and ways to get involved. Students will learn about LGBTQ+ student organizations on campus, opportunities to volunteer through the Pride Center and the LGBTQ+ resources in the local community.
Incoming students will get a chance to connect with each other and hear from returning students about what it’s like to be LGBTQ+ at NC State. This annual event is a great way for students to create community, learn about campus resources, enjoy free food, and have some fun.

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Back view of Mrs. Wolf and two students under multi-color balloon arch
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Symposium for Multicultural Scholars

The Symposium for Multicultural Scholars is a culturally affirming educational and transitional experience centering on and exploring the experiences of incoming undergraduate first-year and transfer students and first-generation college students from all backgrounds at NC State. Its purpose is to foster a sense of community for students while providing them with information about campus support, personnel, and resources as a basis for helping ensure academic, social, and emotional success at NC State.
This program is open and welcoming to students from all races, ethnicities, and cultures, and we encourage any interested student to register.

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Group photo of Symposium participants on brickyard with grass in the background
New students learn about extracurricular activities during orientation at Talley Student Union.

Wolf Camp

Wolf Camp is an optional incoming NC State student outdoor program. These three- or four-day trips provide an opportunity to meet other new students while engaging in the North Carolina outdoors. Trips and activities are led by trained professional and student staff. Start your experience here at NC State off right before the fall semester!

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New students learn about extracurricular activities during orientation at Talley Student Union.

Wolfpack Welcome Weeks

Wolfpack Welcome Weeks marks the beginning of every fall semester with a series of events that allow new students to start building their community at NC State. Students will have the opportunity to explore campus involvement, get acclimated to academic life at NC State, and meet lots of other members of the Class of 2030! Mark your calendar for #NCStateWWW and visit the website to get an idea of last year’s schedule.

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Talley Student Union.

Summer Start Abroad

Summer Start Abroad programs are two-week programs that merge the high-impact experiences of a first-year inquiry (FYI) course and study abroad. Students earn three GEP credits that count towards their degree before the start of their first semester on campus. Students will be immersed in inquiry-guided learning, led by NC State faculty, utilizing the host country as their classroom.

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Wicked Problems, Wolfpack Solutions

Wicked Problems, Wolfpack Solutions (WPWS) is a free, online, multidisciplinary course created for all incoming first-year and transfer students at NC State. Students will take a deep dive into (Y)Our Changing World, learning directly from NC State faculty who are contributing to diverse solutions around the globe. This course offers incoming students a chance to connect with other new students, meet faculty members and learn about some of the work happening at NC State, and earn two (2) credit hours at no cost. Contact your advisor for additional information..

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