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2024-25 NC State Supplemental Essays – Prompts & Advice

August 12, 2024

Situated in the state capital of Raleigh, North Carolina State University is a stellar public research institution that attracts droves of high school stars from around the country. Known for its standout STEM and business programs, NC State rejects more applicants than it accepts. Further, the average enrolled student has 90th percentile SAT/ACT scores and a near-perfect GPA. Undoubtedly, it is accurate to say that NC State is significantly more selective than it was a generation ago. This brings us to the subject of the NC State supplemental essays.

 (Want to learn more about How to Get Into NC State? Visit our blog entitled:  How to Get Into NC State: Admissions Data and Strategies  for all of the most recent admissions data as well as tips for gaining acceptance.)

NC State’s 250-word essay prompt is “important” to the admissions process. Therefore, it is vital that all Wolfpack applicants dedicate a significant amount of time to this short answer question. Below are NC State’s supplemental prompts for the 2024-25 admissions cycle along with our advice for composing winning essays.

2024-2025 North Carolina State University Essay Questions

1) explain why you selected the academic program(s) above and why you are interested in studying these at nc state (250 words)..

This is part “Why Us?” and part “Explain Your Major”. Ultimately, your aim is to seamlessly touch on both topics in a tightly woven 250-word composition. For a deeper dive, let’s examine a list of characteristics of a winning NC State supplemental essay:

• Discuss the experiences, opportunities, interests, and/or activities (formal or informal) that led you to select your academic program of choice.
• Demonstrate how your goals align with the school’s mission statement. “NC State will be known as a diverse, equitable and inclusive community that has a transformative impact on society and advances the greater good.”
• Cite specific academic programs , professors , research opportunities , internship/externship programs , study abroad programs , student-run organizations , etc.
• Discuss how you will be an active, contributing member of the academic community at NC State.
• Discuss how you will take advantage of NC State’s immense resources both inside and outside of the classroom.
• Explain why NC State is an ideal-fit institution.

In any “Why Us?” composition, you need to show that you’ve done your homework on a given school. In addition to the pure research element, a lot of the time and skill required in creating a stellar NC State essay will involve connecting the classes, professors, opportunities, etc. of interest that you have uncovered to your distinct values, talents, aims, proficiencies, and future goals.

NC State Supplemental Essays (Continued)

2) discuss any other obstacles and/or hardships that you have encountered that have affected you personally or academically and how you dealt with them (250 words)..

This prompt is optional (truly)—you should only respond if you faced a significant hardship or obstacle that has not been discussed elsewhere on the application.

If you do elect to respond to this prompt, colleges like students who demonstrate grit, perseverance, and resilience as these qualities typically lead to success in a postsecondary environment. No matter what type of example you offer, demonstrating these admirable traits can do wonders for your admissions prospects. Examples of challenges could be academic in nature, such as a learning disability, or a tumultuous life event. For example, you moved in the middle of junior year, your parents got divorced, you were significantly impacted by an illness, or any number of other personal/family traumas one can name. Be as emotionally honest and nuanced as possible. Trust us—the reader will appreciate your honest thoughts more than clichés and platitudes.

How important are the NC State supplemental essays?

The essays (both the Common App essay and supplemental essays) are “important” to the NC State admissions committee. This places them as the fifth most important factor. The essays are behind only GPA, class rank, standardized test scores, and the rigor of your secondary school record.

Want personalized assistance with your NC State supplemental essays?

Interested in working with one of College Transitions’ experienced and knowledgeable essay coaches as you craft your NC State supplemental essays? We encourage you to get a quote  today.

Looking for additional writing resources? Consider checking out the following:

• Common App Essay Prompts
• 10 Instructive Common App Essay Examples
• College Application Essay Topics to Avoid
• How to Quickly Format Your Common App Essay
• Should I Complete Optional College Essays?
• How to Brainstorm a College Essay
• 25 Inspiring College Essay Topics
• “Why This College?” Essay Examples
• How to Write the Community Essay
• College Essay

Dave Bergman

Dave has over a decade of professional experience that includes work as a teacher, high school administrator, college professor, and independent educational consultant. He is a co-author of the books The Enlightened College Applicant (Rowman & Littlefield, 2016) and Colleges Worth Your Money (Rowman & Littlefield, 2020).

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University Catalog 2024-2025

University Honors Program

Cultivate and apply your passions with the University Honors and Scholars Program. We enrich the educational experience of a diverse community of academically motivated, intellectually curious, and high-potential students from all communities, providing them a platform for achieving their unique potential. 

Program Requirements and Components

Advanced and innovative coursework: Students enroll in unique, interdisciplinary HON seminars that feature co-curricular experiences; honors sections of courses; graduate-level courses; independent study courses; and research opportunities. Students are required to complete a minimum 12 credit hours of advanced and innovative coursework. At least 6 of those hours must be earned by enrolling in HON seminars 

Enrichment: The Honors Forum features addresses by public figures, discussions of contemporary issues, performances, off-campus excursions, and much more. Students are required to pass a minimum of 2 semesters of Honors Forum during their first two years in the program.

High-impact experiences: Our students engage in opportunities that support undergraduate research, disciplinary breadth, professional development, service, global exploration, leadership, the arts and other experiences approved by the UHP staff. Students are required to complete 3 high-impact experiences from these categories by the time they graduate.   

Portfolio: As they prepare to graduate, students create a portfolio to reflect on their program experience and detail the ways they met the program’s goals.

These requirements apply to students who begin attending NC State in the 2022-23 academic year of later. Requirements for students who entered the University Honors Program or University Scholars Program before the 2022-23 academic year are available on the University Honors Program website.

The Honors Village

The Honors Village is a dynamic living and learning community that enhances the intellectual exploration and personal development of its residents. The village, a collaborative effort between the University Honors Program and, and University Housing, offers students a wide range of educational and social opportunities that ease the transition to college life and help students make connections with their peers, NC State, and the world around them.

In Addition

The Honors experience at NC State includes Honors programs located in the colleges and departments. Students are invited to participate in these programs at various times, depending upon the specific program (generally the second semester of the sophomore year or first semester of the junior year). Many of the students in the University Honors Program are also participants in one or more of the college or departmental Honors programs.

For more information about the UHP, contact:

Division of Academic and Student Affairs

Campus Box 8610,Raleigh, NC 27695-8610

Phone: 919-515-2353                                                                                              

Email: [email protected]

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2024-2025 Undergraduate Catalog

A PDF of the entire 2024-2025 Undergraduate catalog.

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A PDF of the entire 2024-2025 Graduate catalog.

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First-Year Applicants

It's never too early to start preparing for your future, and we are here to help. If you're graduating from high school or have never enrolled in college, you will apply as a first-year applicant. If you've already graduated from high school and begun your college education at another institution, you will need to apply as a transfer applicant . If you are not a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, you'll need to apply as an international applicant .

How To Apply

Apply online.

Choose to apply through one of our two applications – we do not have a preference which application you choose.

Pay the Fee

A non-refundable application fee of $85 is required. If you think you may qualify for a fee waiver, view fee waiver eligibility requirements and learn how to submit documentation here .

Select a Major

On the application, you’ll be asked to select up to two majors based on your interests. We encourage you to select two different majors because if we determine you’re not competitive for your first-choice major, you’ll be reviewed for your second-choice major.

Students interested in a studio-based major (Architecture, Art + Design, Fashion and Textile Design, Graphic & Experience Design, Industrial Design) must apply by November 1 in addition to submitting a 10-piece portfolio and design essay.

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Self-Report Your Test Scores

As a part of the UNC System, NC State will be test optional for applicants with a weighted GPA of 2.8 or above. A 2.8 weighted GPA is equivalent to a B- average. 

Applicants with a weighted GPA of 2.8 or above will not be required to submit standardized test scores as part of a complete application.

On the admission application, you will be required to indicate whether or not you plan to submit SAT or ACT scores for consideration in the admission review process. Applicants with a weighted GPA of 2.8 or above will not be disadvantaged if you indicate you do not want scores to be considered in your application review. Learn more about test score consideration in the review process here .

• If you choose to submit your test scores, you should self-report them on your application. We encourage you to submit all scores, and we will consider your highest sub-score from each section across your test dates to create a super-score .
• We can not guarantee scores received after the application materials deadline will be used in our review. See which test dates we accept for our application deadlines here .
• SAT Essay or ACT Writing scores are not required.
• After you have applied, any additional test scores can be added on your wolfPAW account. We will not accept standardized test scores listed on your high school transcript.
• If you choose to enroll at NC State and opted for test scores to be considered during your application review, official SAT (code: 5496) or ACT (code: 3164) test scores will be required prior to enrollment.

Complete the Essay Prompts

You’ll choose an essay prompt from the list provided by Common App or Coalition App so you can share your story with us in 650 words or less. We also have some additional short answer questions to help us get to know you better. These responses will be included in your application.

Required Short Answer Questions

• Explain why you selected the academic program(s) above and why you are interested in studying these at NC State.

University Honors Program

If you are interested in being considered for NC State’s University Honors Program , there is an additional question required with a response of no more than 600 words available on the admissions application or on your wolfPAW account after you apply. Learn more about admissions criteria for these programs here .

Submit Your Transcript

To complete your application, you must send an official high school transcript to our office . Your high school counselor can submit your transcript through Common App, Coalition App, slate.org or another secure sending service such as Naviance or Parchment. Students studying at participating public high schools in North Carolina can request official transcripts be sent to our office using CFNC .

How To Be Competitive

Learn what factors we take into consideration during application review and how to be a competitive first-year applicant. 

See how you may be provided college credit for courses and exams completed in high school using our transfer credit database. 

Early College Students

View application options for North Carolina high school students studying at an early college.  

Already applied? Log in to wolfPAW to check your application status.  

High School Counselors and Community-Based Organizations

High school counselors and CBO’s play a vital role in a student’s college selection and application processes. We are here to do everything we can to support you.

After You Apply

Check your email.

After you submit your application to NC State, you will receive an email with credentials to log in to wolfPAW , your applicant portal. Please note: it may take up to 24 hours after you submit your application for you to receive wolfPAW log in credentials . Here, you can check for missing items and stay up-to-date on the status of your application.

We encourage you to check your email often , as we may email you about additional items needed to complete your application. Using your school-assigned email address? Sometimes our emails may be blocked by the server, so we recommend using a non-school email to receive our communications.

Submit the FAFSA

You don’t need to wait for an official admission decision to submit your FAFSA , and we encourage students to apply as soon as possible .

• Priority filing date for NC State: March 1
• NC State school code: 002972

View Your Decision

You will be notified of your admission decision on your wolfPAW account. If you completed your application on time and submitted all required materials by the deadline, you will receive a decision on the notification date corresponding to the application deadline for the semester you applied for.

Types of Decisions

• Admit – Some students we are able to admit right away. Head to our admitted student page to learn about next steps for joining the Wolfpack family, a view the New Student Checklist here .
• Defer – When we review applications, we find some applicants who may benefit from the opportunity to provide improved fall grades before receiving a final decision in March.
• Waitlist – We are unable to admit all qualified students into our class. Some applicants are placed on the waitlist who we believe would be successful at NC State if space is available.
• Deny – Unfortunately, some students will not be considered competitive for first-year admission. We encourage denied applicants to consider applying to NC State in the future as a transfer applicant .

Prepare to Apply

Many factors go into choosing the right college for you. It’s never too early to start thinking about your future and creating a plan for success. We consider your academic record beginning with the ninth grade and encourage you to make the most of your time in high school by doing the following.

• Identify your academic interests – NC State offers 100+ majors and minors in a wide variety of academic fields.
• Explore your personal interests – Many times, your personal and academic interests influence each other. NC State is home to more than 600 student organizations to help you find your Wolfpack.
• Challenge yourself in the classroom – Schools offer a variety of curricula. In addition to taking at least the  UNC minimum course requirements , we recommend students take challenging courses. For students applying to STEM or business majors, this usually means taking precalculus as one of their mathematics courses. When given the opportunity we encourage students to take calculus. While first year students applying to NC State are not required to take two units of world language, the completion of two sequential world language courses is recommended to satisfy the NC State General Education Program’s Foreign Language Proficiency Requirement.   If a student does not take two sequential units of a world language in high school those two additional courses must come from English, mathematics, science, social studies or computer science.

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Your journey to college begins in high school. You and your family can use this college road map to navigate your road to success.

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North Carolina State University | NC State’s 2023-24 Essay Prompts

Why this major short response.

Explain why you selected the academic program(s) above and why you are interested in studying these at NC State.

Overcoming Challenges Short Response

Discuss any other obstacles and/or hardships that you have encountered that have affected you personally or academically and how you dealt with them.

University Honors Program Essay

Critical and creative thinking are valuable skills in problem-solving. Tell us about a time in which you used one or both of these skills to address a problem or a need, in or out of the classroom.

Common App Personal Essay

The essay demonstrates your ability to write clearly and concisely on a selected topic and helps you distinguish yourself in your own voice. What do you want the readers of your application to know about you apart from courses, grades, and test scores? Choose the option that best helps you answer that question and write an essay of no more than 650 words, using the prompt to inspire and structure your response. Remember: 650 words is your limit, not your goal. Use the full range if you need it, but don‘t feel obligated to do so.

Some students have a background, identity, interest, or talent that is so meaningful they believe their application would be incomplete without it. If this sounds like you, then please share your story.

The lessons we take from obstacles we encounter can be fundamental to later success. Recount a time when you faced a challenge, setback, or failure. How did it affect you, and what did you learn from the experience?

Reflect on a time when you questioned or challenged a belief or idea. What prompted your thinking? What was the outcome?

Reflect on something that someone has done for you that has made you happy or thankful in a surprising way. How has this gratitude affected or motivated you?

Discuss an accomplishment, event, or realization that sparked a period of personal growth and a new understanding of yourself or others.

Describe a topic, idea, or concept you find so engaging that it makes you lose all track of time. Why does it captivate you? What or who do you turn to when you want to learn more?

Share an essay on any topic of your choice. It can be one you‘ve already written, one that responds to a different prompt, or one of your own design.

What will first-time readers think of your college essay?

Frequently Asked Questions

Applying for the park scholarships program.

• How do I apply?

Are official ACT or SAT scores required?

Is there a minimum gpa that students must have in order to apply, what are the park scholarships application essay prompts what tips do you have for writing essays, what information will you use from my nc state/commonapp, who should write my letters of recommendation, what tips do you have for preparing my application, are there additional resources available to help me with my application, do i need an endorsement or nomination to apply, if i no longer wish to be considered for the park scholarships program, what must i do, selection process, how are park scholars selected, is financial need taken into consideration, when are park scholars selected when will i know about my status, can the park scholarship be deferred, what are park scholarships interviews like.

• May I reschedule my interview if I have a conflict?

The Park Scholarships Program

What is the park scholarships program, what is the park foundation.

• What are the conditions for renewal of the Park Scholarship?

Am I able to receive scholarships in addition to the Park Scholarship?

Can park scholars receive additional funding for activities, does being a park scholar take a lot of time, what are park faculty scholars, what are learning labs, where do park scholars go after they graduate, how do i apply for the park scholarships program.

• Submit a complete Park Scholarships application by Nov. 1.
• Submit an application for admission to NC State by Nov. 1.

ACT or SAT scores are not required for your Park Scholarships Application. If you submit your test scores to NC State and ask that they be considered for admission, we will consider them in our process.

A minimum unweighted GPA of 3.8 is required to apply for the Park Scholarships program. A successful Park Scholar applicant is also a competitive applicant to NC State University.

The Park Scholarships application essay prompts change annually. The two essay prompts for the 2024-2025 selection cycle (the Class of 2029) are listed below. Each essay response is limited to 600 words and applicants will answer both prompts.

Your essays should delve beneath the surface and reveal insights about your candidacy based on our four  selection criteria : scholarship, leadership, service, and character. Essays that go beyond merely describing an experience, person, or project help our Selection Committee learn more about you.

Instructions from the application:

The Park Scholarships  selection criteria  are scholarship, leadership, service, and character.

Park Scholars are intellectually curious students who excel academically and seek learning experiences beyond the classroom. They dedicate themselves to making a positive difference for others. Park Scholars listen well, lead by example, take risks and champion original ideas. They demonstrate the highest levels of integrity, honesty and conscientiousness.

Strong applicants describe their experience and potential in the four criteria in these two essays. As you write your responses, we welcome you to include any settings that have been part of your high school experience – school, community, work, family, etc.

2024-2025 Essay Prompts

• Tell us about an event, realization or project where your curiosity insipred you to take action. What initially sparked your interest, how did you pursue further understanding and what specific actions did you take as a result? (This essay prompt is also part of the application for NC State’s University Honors Program . You are welcome to reuse or adapt this essay for that application.)
• Park Scholars make a positive difference for others. What meaningful civic contributions have you made? Why did you engage in this service? What was the impact of your actions? 

From your NC State admission application we will also review your:

• Activities and honors
• Personal essay
• NC State’s short-answer essays
• NC State’s  optional  short answer essays
• We do NOT have access to general recommendations submitted to the NC State application.

The best recommendation letters are from people who know you well and can provide specific examples of how you meet the  selection criteria . At least one of your recommenders should be someone who is familiar with your academics. This could be a high school teacher, community college instructor/faculty member, counselor/advisor, or principal.

The Selection Committee will only see the recommendation letters submitted as part of your Park Scholarships application. They will not see recommendation letters submitted as part of your application for admission to NC State. You may use the same recommenders if at least one meets the criteria above. Remember to select recommenders familiar with your accomplishments and potential in scholarship, leadership, service, and character.

Recommendations are due by 11:59pm, November 1. If recommendations are not submitted by the Nov. 1 deadline your application will not be eligible for consideration in our process.

Applications offer our first picture of Park Scholarships candidates. To paraphrase Park Scholar Sam Dotson ’24: “The Park Scholarships Selection Committee wants to get to know each candidate as a person, so dig deep into who you are and present your most authentic self to the Selection Committee.” Answer the essay prompts the way you want to answer them, not with words you think someone else wants to hear. Stay true to yourself and focus on the four pillars of the Park Scholarships program: scholarship, leadership, service, and character.

Park Under-Resourced Assistance (PURA) is a student-run initiative to help under-resourced candidates through each phase of the selection process. Under-resourced students are defined to include applicants who are first-generation, are from low-income backgrounds, attend overpopulated schools, are from rural areas or who are from other socio-economically disadvantaged areas. PURA essay submission instructions and resources will be available in October. Learn more about PURA .

No! Prior to fall 2022, counselor and self-endorsements were a part of the Park Scholarships application process. To reduce burdens on prospective students and counselors, the Park Scholarships program has discontinued the endorsement process. Prospective students may access the application as soon as it is available and are encouraged to start it as early as possible.

Should you opt not to continue in the Park Scholarships selection process at any point, please email  [email protected]  with your request to withdraw from consideration.

At every stage of the process, the Selection Committee evaluates all candidates on the following  criteria : scholarship, leadership, service, and character. Applications are reviewed by Regional Selection Committee members and from those applicants, Semifinalists are selected each year to participate in Semifinal Interviews. After those interviews, Finalists are selected and invited to participate in Final Selection Activities. For more detail, visit the Selection Process page .

The Park Scholarship is a merit-based award and financial need is not a selection criterion. Park Scholarships candidates should also apply for need-based aid if they think they may be eligible. For more information, visit Student Services’  Financial Aid website .

All applicants will be notified at each stage via email, but they can also check their status in their  wolfPAW portal . See the “Important Dates”  sidebar  for specific notification dates.

Yes; in fact, we encourage students to defer their university studies for one year to travel or work abroad or to engage in some other “gap year” activity. Incoming students may request a deferral in writing.

Our interviews usually last 20-30 minutes and are conducted by a panel of 2-4 alumni and faculty  Selection Committee  members. Students should expect questions related to the selection criteria and their applications. Candidates do not need to study for interviews but should review their applications beforehand. Interviews also provide candidates an opportunity to ask questions about the Park Scholarships program and NC State.

Semifinal Interviews are held via Zoom. Finalist Interviews are held in-person during our Final Selection Activities weekend.

May I reschedule my Semifinalist or Finalist interviews if I have a conflict?

We regret that we cannot reschedule interviews. Hundreds of alumni, faculty and Park Scholar volunteers are involved with Semifinalist and Finalist interviews; thus, we are unable to arrange alternate dates. See the “Important Dates”  sidebar  for the current year’s interview dates.

The Park Scholarships program brings exceptional students to NC State, based on outstanding accomplishments and potential in scholarship, leadership, service, and character. The program develops and supports Park Scholars in these areas, preparing them for lifelong contributions to the campus, state, nation, and world. The scholarship is a four-year award that covers tuition and fees, room and board, books and supplies, travel, and personal expenses. An academic enrichment program complements the financial award.

The Park Scholarships program was established to honor the legacy of the late Roy H. Park ’31, a distinguished alumnus of NC State and founder of Park Communications. The charitable  Park Foundation  helped launch the Park Scholarships program through a series of grants and a  $50 million gift to start an endowment  for the program. Today, students, alumni, families, faculty, and friends have joined the effort to fully endow the Park Scholarships program. Find out how you can  invest in exceptional students  dedicated to scholarship, leadership, service, and character.

What are the conditions for renewal of the Park Scholarships?

The Park Scholarship is renewable for a total of eight semesters at NC State. Scholars must meet high standards in academic performance, character, conduct, and participation in program and service activities while completing at least 12 credit hours per semester.

Per  university policy , Park Scholars are eligible for additional merit scholarships from North Carolina State University provided they do not receive funds that exceed the  Cost of Attendance  as defined by the Office of Scholarships and Financial Aid, unless the awarding department stipulates otherwise.

If you have received scholarship money from outside the university, it is up to that funding source whether or not you are eligible for its scholarship. If you are still eligible, and the total of the outside scholarship(s) and the Park Scholarship is higher than your Cost of Attendance in a semester, NC State will adjust the Park Scholarship to reflect other funds received so that the total amount of funds a student receives is not more than the Cost of Attendance.

With respect to need-based financial aid, we highly encourage Park Scholars to complete the  Free Application for Federal Student Aid  (FAFSA) annually so they may receive the need-based aid for which they are eligible. Park Scholars who have applied for and receive Federal Pell grants, grants from the state of North Carolina, or university grants to meet their demonstrated need will have the Park Scholarship reduced appropriately to keep the student within the Cost of Attendance. For additional questions, please call the  Office of Scholarships and Financial Aid  at 919-515-2421.

Yes. Park Scholars may apply for  Park Enrichment Grants  to support professional and personal enrichment experiences in the U.S. and abroad. Scholars have the opportunity to apply for travel grants awarded by the  Park Alumni Society  in order to cover airfare for fall and spring study abroad experiences.

Park Scholars are also eligible to apply for the supplemental funding resources available to all students at NC State, including:

• Grants for entrepreneurial ventures through  NC State Entrepreneurship  
• Grants for internship and research opportunities through  NC State’s University Fellowships Office
• Grants for research through  NC State’s Office of Undergraduate Research  
• Grants for sustainability projects through  NC State’s Sustainability Fund
• Study abroad awards through  NC State’s Study Abroad Office

Park Scholars spend time on service and program activities. A student should expect to spend about the same time on Park Scholarships activities as might be spent on a three credit-hour university course.

Park Faculty Scholars are two NC State professors who meet regularly with each class of Park Scholars and assist them in organizing their enrichment activities. For a list of the current Park Faculty Scholars, visit the  Staff and Faculty  section of this site.

Park Scholars participate in two  Learning Labs  – trips for scholars to learn about challenges facing leaders at the state, national, and global levels. The first trip is to a region of North Carolina during spring of the first year. Learning Lab II takes place in Washington, D.C., during fall break of the sophomore year.

Park Scholars attend prestigious graduate and professional programs at institutions including Cambridge, Harvard, Johns Hopkins, MIT, Oxford, and Stanford. They work for Fortune 100 companies, launch their own businesses, and engage in public service through programs like Teach For America and the Peace Corps. See the  Park Alumni  page for more details.

If you have a question that is not answered on the Park Scholarships website, you can contact the Park Scholarships office by email at [email protected] or by phone at 919-515-3794.

What are your chances of acceptance?

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How to Write the North Carolina State – Raleigh Essays 2020-2021

We’ve updated this post! Read the  2021-2022 NC State essay guide .

North Carolina State University, located in the heart of downtown Raleigh, is North Carolina’s largest public university. It was founded in 1887 with the goal of making a higher education available to a larger number of students, particularly the children of farmers and mechanics. Today, this research university maintains its strong agricultural program and places an important focus on engineering, teaching, and veterinary medicine, among other subjects, as it works to prepare students for a career after graduation.

NC State is a selective university with a 43.9% acceptance rate for its 2019 freshman class. Notably, it is ranked among the top 10 public universities in the U.S. for best value and ranked #1 for ROI out of North Carolina public universities.

In addition to the Common App or Coalition Application essay , North Carolina State University requires prospective undergraduate freshmen to write two supplemental essays of about 250 words each. Honors and Scholars applicants must write an additional essay of 500 words. CollegeVine is here to provide detailed tips and examples to help you approach the NC State supplemental essays. Want to know your chances at NC State? Calculate your chances for free right now.

Want to learn what NC State will actually cost you based on your income? And how long your application to the school should take? Here’s what every student considering NC State needs to know.

NC State Supplemental Essay Prompts

All applicants.

Prompt 1: Discuss your reasons for pursuing the Major/Academic Programs selected above? (250 words)

Prompt 2: NC State University is committed to building a just and inclusive community, one that does not tolerate unjust or inhumane treatment, and that denounces it, clearly and loudly. Please describe what those words mean to you and how you will contribute to a more diverse and inclusive NC State environment. (250 words)

University Honors Program Applicants

One of the key components of the university honors program is a set of special courses called hon seminars. you can learn more about them here . these discussion-based seminars are designed to expose students to the ways multiple disciplines approach and solve problems. discuss why you think courses like these are an important part of an undergraduate experience and how they would enhance your development and challenge your intellectual curiosity. (500 words), university scholars program applicants, part of the mission of the university scholars program is to offer students unique academic and enrichment programs that challenge them to be culturally-connected, informed, and engaged citizens. what does this mean to you and how does it connect to what you hope to be and who you hope to become (500 words), all applicants, prompt 1, discuss your reasons for pursuing the major/academic programs selected above (250 words).

This is the classic “ Why This Major? ” essay. Reading this prompt, it would be easy to fall into a trap of simply listing extracurriculars that you have done which relate to your intended major. For example, if you want to major in engineering, you would list that you participated in Science Olympiad and other STEM activities. However, avoid the urge to do this.

While you should certainly mention if there is a particular extracurricular that drove you to love this field, do not simply list the things that you have done relating to this major or program. Instead, you want to support your decision with content that the NCSU admissions officers have not yet seen on your application.

For example, you could tell a story about a moment during Science Olympiad when you encountered a project with applications beyond the club. Perhaps you discovered a robotic device to assist others and from that moment, you realized that this was a field where you could make an impact.

Questions to consider:

When did you decide to pursue this major/program? Why?

Think back to the things that first got you interested in the program you intend to pursue. For example, if math has been a passion of yours for a long time, then you could make a joke about your first memory being of doing a math problem. Or perhaps you always considered yourself a math person until you challenged yourself in a humanities class and discovered your passion for the subject.

What are the broader applications of this program?

Another factor that admissions officers will be looking for is your ability to exhibit how a degree from their school in this major would help you achieve your goals and make the world a better place. Try citing your career goals and how your major will help you achieve them. The admissions officers want to see your passion; they do not want to accept someone who is pre-med just because it is financially lucrative or because their parents want them to be a doctor.

How does your major connect with some of your other interests?

Admissions officers appreciate students who realize that their major has connections and relations to other subjects and activities. Referencing both shows you to be multidisciplinary and can highlight your personality by helping to show off interests other than your major. Be careful to not get carried away talking just about extracurriculars, however; make sure it relates back to your major.

An example of this: Philosophy, much like the jazz music I play on my piano, is all up to interpretation and how you see things. You can give any pianist the same chords and never get the same song. Similarly, after proposing a question to a group of philosophers, you will get myriad and innovative responses.

Why this major/program at NCSU and not another school?

The most important thing for this part of your response is doing research! If you incorporate NCSU into your essay, then you should avoid hackneyed statements like: “NCSU will help me pursue my dreams of becoming a civil engineer because they have a really good engineering program.” NC State puts a heavy focus on research and will appreciate someone who is ready to positively contribute to their community and is genuinely interested in the subject.

For research, you can look at the work that professors of your major are doing. You could also look at some of the clubs on campus and what kinds of projects they are working on or events they hold ─ admissions officers want to be able to picture you as an NC State student contributing to the community, so tell them what specific resources you would take advantage of on campus. For example, the civil engineering student interested in building safer bridges could write about how they want to join the NC State chapter of the American Concrete Institute in order to make concrete models of hybrid sliding-rocking columns.

It’s okay to be undecided.

One of the wonderful things about college is that it is a time to explore your interests and try new things! With this in mind, if you are not sure of your potential major, then provide examples of things that you want to try out at NC State. You could discuss how you may want to be an engineer but have worked with little kids as a camp counselor and would like to try teaching. For this, the same rules apply as above; do not list, but rather, be specific and tell a story about your background or how you would fit in at NCSU as you try new things and gain value from a multidisciplinary education! Here’s more tips on how to write the “Why This Major” essay if you’re undecided .

An example of what not to do:

I have a passion for learning about different cultures. I have studied French for six years and participated in an exchange trip after my freshman year for two weeks, allowing me to live with a family in Oyonnax, France. This experience, along with continued political discussions in the midst of the French and American elections, has inspired my interest in global affairs. I love communications, diplomacy, and politics. I want to go into international public service with a focus on human rights and be a voice for those who lack one.

One of the main reasons this “Why global affairs?” essay is not as strong is due to its “listiness” quality. Many of the items included in this essay are ones that the admissions office will already have read from the activities list on the Common Application; so, including them here wastes space that could be used to say something new.

How could it be improved? Telling a story and showing why you want to study this major is a good place to start. Focus on what was mentioned in the last sentence: “be[ing] a voice for those who lack one.” Have you had experience with this? Why is this important? Why have you enjoyed it in the past? The focus could also be placed on the part about the French and American elections: What was interesting about these discussions? How were the elections similar and different? Give specific details to strengthen your response. Here is an example:

“Macron a gagné,” my host mom said with a relieved sigh. It was 2017, and I was studying abroad as a homestay student in Oyonnax, France. The murmur of BFM TV became muted as I tuned into my own thoughts ─ I had just lived through my first French election, and it was a fascinating experience!

Since that day, I have been interested in the differences between French and American elections, and most of all, democratic power transitions. Elections to me are a universal human right ─ the peaceful transition of the torch of Lady Liberty, the keys to the kingdom, is a historical marvel. I want to keep democracy alive; by combining what I learned in Oyonnax and in Durham as a poll worker about political accountability, I aspire to start an election monitoring NGO specializing in my mother’s home country of Mali. Majoring in Political Science at NC State, with its unique Honors Program and faculty advisors who conduct comparative elections research, is the best stepping stone I could take to make my goal a reality…

All Applicants, Prompt 2

Nc state university is committed to building a just and inclusive community, one that does not tolerate unjust or inhumane treatment, and that denounces it, clearly and loudly. please describe what those words mean to you and how you will contribute to a more diverse and inclusive nc state environment. (250 words).

To start this essay, think about the concepts they want you to define: a just and inclusive community, denouncing inhuman treatment. Explain what they mean to you with a story, and connect the two concepts ─ to have a just and inclusive community, we must denounce inhuman treatment. You could begin the essay with first lines similar to the following:

The rain was pouring on us, the wind was gushing. I could barely keep my soaked eyes open, but I could still see the beauty of the moment. Thousands of people of every color and walk of life were marching together to support Black Lives Matter. The Raleigh Convention Center faded behind us as we moved closer to the state capitol ─ closer to progress. That was the day when I truly learned what a just and inclusive community looks like. 

A just and inclusive community is one where one person’s struggles and oppression, no matter how different they are from our own, are treated as everyone’s struggles and oppression. This community does not come about, but is created by denouncing inhuman treatment. The arc of the universe bends towards justice, but not without help.

I aspire to bend the arc of NC State’s community towards inclusiveness by…

The next step is to explain how you will contribute to diversity. Here are some tips for if you decide to discuss, at least in part, how you could contribute to the diverse student populus at NC State:

Pick an overarching idea you want to get across.

Doing this will allow you to focus on something that the admissions officers have not yet seen in your application, as well as allow you to provide supporting examples. This is also beneficial because who you are is made up of more than just one experience; therefore, by picking a theme, you can show things in your life that have helped you to become who you are.

For example, you can focus on how in whatever you do, you work to help and be a voice for others. From that, you pick two experiences that would support this ability to empathize with others: your work with a child with autism and being the co-founder of a reading program at the SPCA.

Questions to consider when deciding what makes you different from others.

Use these questions as a basis for figuring out what makes you unique. You can use one as your overarching idea or simply tell a story based off of one of these questions about something important in your life. Also note that you do not have to say, “I am diverse because…”

Your essay will be stronger if you focus on telling a story about the kind of person you are:

• How did the location you grew up in influence your identity?
• Does your family emphasize the importance of religion or culture?
• Did you grow up in an area with a lot of diversity?
• What are some of the things that get you fired up? What are you passionate about?
• Is there something that you could bring to NCSU that they don’t already have? (Example: You are a master at solving Rubik’s Cubes and would love to bring this quality to share with others at NC State.)

Benefiting From Diversity

The admissions officers will gather a lot about how you can contribute to diversity at NCSU. They also want to know how you will benefit from being around so many unique people. Note: It is okay to mention both what you will bring and how you will benefit but, as there is a limited amount of words for this essay, you could also focus on one.

• Have you lived in a diverse area before? If not, is there something that you think can be gained from diversity? Be specific! Avoid saying that you want to just “learn new things from new people,” but rather explain why this could be helpful to your education or growth as a person. For example, you could talk about how being around students who come from different cultures will help you realize how different people and beliefs intertwine. You could talk about how you are interested in learning about Middle Eastern Studies but haven’t ever met anyone from the Middle East. If you have, what did you gain from the interaction? What else would you gain from NC State? Talk about some of the benefits of diversity and how you expect, or do not expect, something similar at NC State.
• How would diversity help you understand the world around you or help prepare you for a job in the future? NCSU places a high priority on preparing you for a career after graduation. For example: You could talk about how with globalization, the world is getting smaller. It is now more important than ever to learn about other cultures. You could even mention how, along with this, you want to study abroad and experience even more diversity across the globe.

The University Honors Program provides a transformative learning experience that empowers students to critically engage meaningful problems in the world. Students in the University Honors Program are capable and motivated students who embrace interdisciplinary coursework and participate in disciplinary based research, scholarship, and creative activities.

The goal of HON seminars is to give honors students an interdisciplinary education based on research and discussion. You will want to start the essay by telling the story of the moment when you realized why such an education is important for the world we live in today. For example, the introduction could be:

We didn’t win the bottle rocket competition in AP Physics by chance. There was something our team had that resulted in the creation of the Velox rocket, a four foot, multi-chambered missile made from Sprite bottles. Our team had José, who laid the blueprints for our rocket with attention to detail. Muhammadu kept the team united and focused with his management skills, while Alexis crunched the numbers to optimize our aerodynamics. I added a Space X-style paint job to the body and fins and wrote our project report. I believe that our rocket soared into the sky on launch day not because each of us was a genius, but because we combined our diverse perspectives and skills with open communication and a passion for research. As our rocket landed on a nearby house, I saw the power of interdisciplinary teamwork.

Interdisciplinary teamwork not only produces bottle rockets, but real rockets. It is crucial for the undergraduate experience today because…

To explain how HON seminars are important to you specifically, think about your goals. What skills and personal values do you want to develop during undergrad, and what are you intellectually curious about? Look into the details of the HON seminars and choose a specific seminar that would help you go beyond your general education and reach your unique goals. 

You can begin this part of the essay with a connecting phrase such as “Interdisciplinary teamwork would be crucial for my own undergraduate experience.” Explain how your skills and personal values could benefit from an interdisciplinary environment and learning by doing. For example, if you wanted to develop your leadership skills during undergrad, you could talk about how an HON seminar would allow you to intellectually lead through discussion-based classes and research conducted with a socratic philosophy. 

Mention a topic that you would be excited to explore in your chosen HON seminar. Highlight why you have intellectual curiosity about this topic, and what questions you have about it. Show your passion here by probing deep. If you are interested in astrophysics, talk about how you would like your idea of starting an asteroid mining business to be intellectually challenged during the Science, American Style HON seminar. 

Conclude by tying your own intellectual curiosity back to the NC State community. Explain how you are ready to meet others who love asking questions, enjoy working with people who have completely different backgrounds and perspectives, and value mind-on learning.

A good start to this essay would be to show, rather than tell, what being a culturally-connected, informed, and engaged citizen means to you. The one thing you do not want to do with this essay is define the terms in the format of a list, e.g. “being culturally-connected means x, being informed means y, and being engaged means z.” Instead, describe moments in your life when you lived out these citizenship values firsthand.

One example could involve being an event planning volunteer at the International Festival of Raleigh. Here you would paint a picture of cultural connectedness using words, like this:

And so, the festival was coming to an end. As I gazed at the country flags on the ceiling of the Raleigh Convention Center, I saw a human story in every one. The flag of Belarus took me back to the first time I tried blini at the food stand, and the flag of Timor Leste reminded me of asking Cidália how the tais cloth at her booth was made. Reflecting on these experiences, I felt culturally-connected─I could attach cultures not to academic ideas or stereotypes, but to complex and authentic human stories.

Continue this model to explain what being an informed and engaged citizen means. To define “informed,” ask yourself what subjects should ideally be considered the most important for students to learn during their K-12 education before entering “the real world.” To define “engaged,” ask yourself what activities are essential to keeping society functioning or making it run better. 

Next, connect yourself to the picture with a few sentences such as the following:

I aspire to be an engaged citizen by working to solve my community’s shortage of rare earth minerals ─ now by taking apart old phones, and in the future by mining asteroids. Most of all, I aspire to live life as a leader who gives everyone a seat at the table. 

Then explain why you have these goals. Avoid making this part a “Why This Major” essay, and focus your attention on linking your choices to being a culturally-connected, informed, and engaged citizen.

While writing this part, take a look at the University Scholars Program (USP) website . Pull one recent news story, engagement activity, or Scholars Forum topic from the website that interests you and goes along with your goals. Weave this into your explanation of what and who you want to be. Conclude with the message that you hope to emulate the engaged citizenship displayed by the USP activity or graduate you choose as a hopeful USP graduate yourself. Here is an example:

I know that the University Scholars Program is the right program for me because its Scholars Forum speakers gaze at the stars like I do. I am thrilled to see that Christina Hammock was a USP alumna and that the program helped launch her success at NASA. She undoubtedly benefited from the USP’s encouragement of bold intellectual curiosity through its interdisciplinary, research-based education. Just NC State’s electrical engineering and physics programs were able to give Christina the opportunities to research science instrument development, they could afford me hands-on opportunities to build a prototype asteroid mining excavator. I hope to be an engaged citizen by creating the most environmentally friendly solution possible to the rare earth mineral shortage, and most of all, an accomplished USP physics and electrical engineering graduate like Christina. 

Good luck on your North Carolina State University application!

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How to Write the NC State Supplemental Essays 2024–2025

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North Carolina State University (NC State), the flagship STEM campus of the UNC System, supports their diverse student body in both research and leadership . NC State’s accomplished alumni include comedian Zach Galifianakis, quarterback Philip Rivers, and SAS CEO James Goodnight. Hoping to join their ranks? First, you’ll need to nail your NC State supplemental essays. Let’s dive in.

North Carolina State University 2024-2025 Prompts

Required essay prompts, explain why you selected the first choice academic program above and why you are interested in studying this at nc state. (250 words or fewer), discuss any other obstacles and/or hardships that you have encountered that have affected you personally or academically and how you dealt with them. (250 words or fewer), university honors program applicants prompt, tell us about an event, realization, or project where your curiosity inspired you to take action. what initially sparked your interest, how did you pursue further understanding, and what specific actions did you take as a result  (600 words or fewer).

General Tips

The NC State supplemental essays could all benefit from your taking the time to show, rather than tell, the reader your perspectives. What exactly does “show, don’t tell” mean in the context of the college essay, though? Here are three ways.

1. Narration

Instead of telling your reader that you’ve grown as a person, it can be more helpful to compose a narrative showing how you’ve grown. Was there a particular hardship you went through that made you the person you are today? Share that story with the reader, and you’ll have succeeded in composing a narrative.

2. Specificity

This point is often the easiest to grasp of the “show, don’t tell” paradigm but the hardest to implement. Many students feel like they have to get abstract and philosophical in their college essays in order to demonstrate their intelligence and thoughtfulness to the reader. However, this strategy only works when the student has specific views to share with the reader. Most of the time, a concrete, specific essay is more effective.

What does this mean in practice? For instance, instead of writing an essay about your general ideas concerning grief, compose an essay grounded in your unique experience of grief. When writing a description, try to use adjectives that are tangible or visible, versus abstract (e.g., “colorless” instead of “boring,” “noisy” instead of “annoying”). Implementing this strategy will make your essay more vivid.

3. Repetition

This is the point that surprises students the most. Although you want to avoid writing a repetitive essay, some repetition can, when implemented correctly, be very effective. The most classic way to implement repetition in an essay that shows instead of tells is to make a point at both the beginning and ending of the essay.

Ever notice the similarities between introductory and concluding paragraphs in essays? This is due to the repetition of the author’s thesis statement, motivation, and/or argument in both sections of the essay. This rhetorical strategy allows the essay to become more cohesive while also subliminally showing the reader that the essay is consistent from beginning to end.

With that said, let’s break down the NC State supplemental essays.

NC State University Required Essay Questions

NC State requires two or three short essays for all applicants. The third short essay is only required for applicants who select a second choice academic program, and the prompt is identical to that of the first choice academic program. In addition, students applying to the NC State University Honors Program are required to answer an additional prompt.

In this essay prompt, you should describe what you want to study at NC State and why you want to study this subject, specifically at NC State. Note that there is an identical prompt for your second choice academic program, if you have one. Because the prompt is the same, we’ll just discuss it once in this article. Now, let’s break it down.

You are asked to share the following three pieces of information:

• what you want to study.
• why you want to study this subject/these subjects.
• how NC State specifically is a great place for you study this subject/these subjects.

You can take your response to this prompt in a few different directions. For instance, you could focus on a specific program or course that you would like to get involved in while at NC State. Then, explain how NC State’s unique opportunities fit with your academic interests.

Alternatively, you could focus on the unique career outcomes of students in your prospective major. Then, move on to discuss how your dreams align with those outcomes. To take things in a third direction, you could start with describing your academic interests. Then explain how your chosen department would support your pursuit of those unique opportunities.

You may have noticed a common theme in this breakdown so far: specificity. Half the battle with this particular essay is doing thorough and thoughtful research into the programs at NC State that interest you. That way, you can explain why NC State specifically is the school for you. NC State considers applicants’ demonstrated interest (according to the Common Data Set ). Thus, this essay provides an opportunity for you to demonstrate your interest in NC State.

In other words, taking the time to understand the opportunities available to you at a school not only helps you write your essays but also helps show the admissions officers how you will fit into their school. Perhaps your fit is not obvious or your interests are an atypical blend of disciplines. Alternatively, maybe you’re worried that your academic interests won’t stand out from the crowd. Whatever the reason, doing your research and being specific in your supplemental essay will go a long way toward emphasizing to the admissions committee that you’re a great candidate for their school.

For many applicants looking back at their applications, something seems missing. If there was a drop in your grades during sophomore year and nowhere else in your application did you have the opportunity to explain this situation, this essay is your chance.

If you faced a significant hardship in your personal life, perhaps you want to explore that hardship here. Or if you faced a financial or other barrier to participating in certain extracurricular activities (for instance, you were accepted into a selective academic summer camp but couldn’t afford to attend), then you may wish to provide those details in this essay.

The above are just a few of the many examples of topics you could write about in this essay. Before beginning your draft, think about your application as a whole. Does it truly show you as you are?

Remember, no matter what story you choose to tell here, you’ll need to be specific for the admissions team. Your reader doesn’t necessarily know you very well, but you want them to fully understand whatever situation you choose to describe. If you’re genuine and specific, this essay can strengthen your application.

NC State University Honors Program Required Essay Question

This prompt requires a few pieces of information. Let’s break each one down.

• Describe the event, realization, or project that sparked your curiosity.
• Explain how that curiosity led to action.
• Be specific and share with the reader what action you took.
• Explain how you deepened your understanding of the topics and questions underpinning the event, realization, or project that sparked your curiosity.
• Reflect upon this experience. If desired, share some of the philosophical or personal lessons you learned.

What this looks like in practice will be different for everyone. It’s important that you make self-motivated actions the focus of this essay. A project required for school or prompted by an authority figure or friend is insufficient.

In addition, specific details are key. Your essay needs to describe your own unique experiences in such a way that they can only apply to you. If you want to write about how your interest in web design led you to build websites for various people in your community, you need to explain what kind of community you come from and why you were motivated to help your fellow community members, versus any other group. Moreover, you’d want to clarify what kind of websites you were designing and what impact they had on your community.

Grounding this essay in a narrative structure could help you organize your thoughts. Consider opening the essay in media res (in the middle of things) with narration about your experience taking action. Then, go back and explain how you got to that point. Along the way, share how you developed the curiosity that sparked this action. For example, if your curiosity to understand how vaccines work was sparked by the pandemic and led to you pursuing an internship as a lab assistant in a biochemistry lab, you could start your essay with your lab assistant experience and later return to the origins of your curiosity.

If you need help polishing up your NC State supplemental essays, check out our College Essay Review service. You can receive detailed feedback from Ivy League consultants in as little as 24 hours.

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NC State Supplemental Essay Examples

North Carolina State University is a highly-ranked public research university in Raleigh, North Carolina . Holding the #72 spot on the U.S. News Best National Universities list, NC State is known nationwide. Accordingly, NC State admissions is competitive, meaning applicants must craft strong NC State supplemental essays for a chance of acceptance. Reading effective NC State supplemental essay examples can help you learn how to craft your own.

NC State essay examples, like any well-written sample college essay, each work for their own reasons. This guide will delve into three NC State supplemental essay examples, starting with a why this major essay example. Then, we’ll analyze an obstacle essay. Finally, we’ll closely read a cultural diversity essay. By breaking down NC State supplemental essay examples, we’ll help you prepare to write your own NC State supplemental essays.

How many essays does NC State require?

Before approaching any NC State supplemental essay examples, you should know how many you’ll have to write. To put it simply, there are three required essays and one optional essay. If you know how to get into NC State, you know that all your essays should be as strong as possible. But what exactly are the NC State supplemental essays?

Applicants can complete the NC State application on either the Common Application or Scoir (also known as the Coalition Application). The NC State personal statement is the essay required by these application platforms. As it’s so common, there is no shortage of sample college essay resources for this NC State personal statement. In this guide, however, we will only review NC State supplemental essay examples for the NC State-specific prompts.

It’s important to note that while the NC State admissions page only lists one required prompt, there are indeed three. You can confirm which NC State supplemental essay examples are required on the Common App website . We’ll further explore the essay prompts for the NC State application soon.

Applicants may also indicate their interest in the prestigious NC State University Honors Program. There are additional required NC State supplemental essays for applicants to the UHP.

NC State University Honors Program

The NC State University Honors Program challenges highly motivated students with unique opportunities, including Honors seminars and the Honors Forum. Additionally, Honors students can engage in special research, creative, and academic pursuits both on- and off-campus. The application process is correspondingly challenging, requiring more NC State supplemental essays.

There are two additional NC State supplemental essays you must write for the UHP . We don’t have NC State supplemental essay examples for these two, but the prompts are similar to those of other Honors programs nationwide.

Here are the UHP essay prompts:

1. one of the key components of the university honors program is a special set of courses called honors (hon) seminars. you can learn more about them here. these discussion-based seminars are designed to expose students to the ways multiple disciplines approach and solve problems. review the courses we have offered in recent years and write a 250-350 word essay in which you explain why one particular course will be of interest, furthering your academic, professional, and personal goals while engaging you and your peers., 2. another key component of the university honors program is the honors forum. the honors forum is designed to help students become active, informed, and engaged citizens. it delivers debates and discussions about contemporary social, political, and scientific issues; lectures from people with compelling stories to tell; and performances from a diverse collection of artists. you can learn more about it here. as a uhp student, imagine you are tasked with helping select speakers and topics for the honors forum. in an essay of 250-350 words, tell us what speaker, creative figure, or topic would you promote how did you make your choice how does your choice educate, challenge, and inspire others.

In general, these essays should be particularly strong, featuring introspection on your experiences and your future. You should emphasize academic curiosity, particular offerings of the program , and, if possible, concrete aspirations. Make sure to highlight your thirst for knowledge and willingness to engage with the world and people around you. Check out our guides for Boston , Brown , Purdue , and Clemson Universities for some advice on similar essays.

NC State Supplemental Essay Prompts

As stated above, our three NC State supplemental essay examples will cover the three NC State supplemental essay prompts. All NC State supplemental essays have a 250-word limit. The prompts are:

1. Explain why you selected the academic program(s) above and why you are interested in studying these at NC State.

2. nc state university is committed to building a just and inclusive community, one that does not tolerate unjust or inhumane treatment, and that denounces it, clearly and loudly. please describe what those words mean to you and how you will contribute to a more diverse and inclusive nc state environment., 3. discuss any other obstacles and/or hardships that you have encountered that have affected you personally or academically and how you dealt with them..

Of course, the wording of the prompts can change between admissions cycles. As a result, NC State supplemental essay examples that worked may look different from year to year. In fact, two of our NC State supplemental essay examples address slightly different versions of the current prompts. However, the best approach for NC State essay examples is still the same.

NC State Supplemental Essay Prompts Breakdown

Let’s briefly discuss the best way to approach each prompt. Keep these tips in mind as you read our NC State supplemental essay examples and our specific commentary on each one. How can you implement these in your own essays?

Why this major essay

The first prompt is a fairly standard why this major essay example combined with a why school essay example. When applying to NC State, first-year applicants are required to choose a first- and second-choice major . There are scores of NC State majors but no undecided option. So, even if you aren’t entirely sure, do your best to choose a major you’re interested in.

NC State essay examples that answer this prompt well are clear about their interest in a specific field of study. Equally important is specificity regarding the school. You’ve probably heard this advice a thousand times: talk about programs, professors, or courses you like. It’s cliché, but it’s true. Doing your research on a school never hurts, and the best NC State essay examples leverage that research.

Cultural diversity essay

The next prompt is essentially a cultural diversity essay, asking about your contribution to a diverse community. NC State essay examples answering this will have an extra point to consider: denouncing injustice. There are infinite ways to approach this one, as everyone brings something unique to campus. But it’s important to address the prompt’s question of what a “just and inclusive community” means to you.

Obstacle essay

Lastly, there is the optional obstacle essay. At first, “any other obstacles” may make it seem like this is a space to detail extenuating circumstances. Indeed, writing about personal hardships is absolutely acceptable, especially if you’re explaining a dip or gap in your academic history. On the other hand, if you have a more general academic or personal challenge, write it. Knowing how to get into NC State means knowing how to deepen your personal narrative . These 250 words can do just that. In other words, don’t think of this as just an optional essay.

Finally, before we look at some NC State supplemental essay examples, remember that they’re broadly useful. Even if you’re not completing an NC State application, these NC State supplemental essay examples answer common essay prompts. In other words, the NC State supplemental essay examples and advice we give may prove helpful with other college essays.

NC State Essay Example #1 – Why Major/Why School?

The first of our NC State supplemental essay examples answers the following prompt:

Discuss your reasons for pursuing the Major/Academic Program selected above.

You’ll notice it’s a reworded version of the first prompt. Here is the sample college essay:

NC State Essay Example #1

As an innovator and creative thinker with a love of math and science, I am interested in pursuing a career in engineering. I will contribute my natural curiosity to the NC State learning community while developing critical thinking skills and collaborating with my peers. 

Why this NC State essay worked

First of all, you’re may be thinking, “Is that it?” Remember that prompts can change from year to year. When this essay was submitted, this prompt had a 50-word limit. However, even short NC State essay examples have something to teach us—especially for other short-answer essays. In essays this short, every word counts.

When writing NC State supplemental essay examples, it can be challenging to stay concise. With a prompt this short, you have no choice. Short NC State supplemental essays have no room for the anecdotes and dialogue found in an NC State personal statement. This writer states clearly what kind of student they are, their areas of interest, and aspirations for college and beyond. Although stylistically different from a narrative why this major essay example, it still checks all the boxes of an effective sample college essay.

In fact, it’s not a far leap to adapt NC State essay examples like this for the current prompt. The author could write about a time they demonstrated the qualities laid out so neatly in this essay. If you’re getting lost in the weeds drafting an essay, take a step back. Can you write what you want to say in 50 words? Give it a try—you may find that you just need to clarify your vision.

NC State Supplemental Essay Example #2 – Obstacle Essay

The second of our NC State supplemental essay examples is about obstacles. Specifically, it answers this prompt:

Discuss any obstacles and/or hardships you have encountered and how you dealt with them.

This is nearly identical to the current third prompt, except that the current version specifies that obstacles can be personal or academic. Let’s read the essay, which also had a different—longer—word limit when it was submitted:

NC State Essay Example #2

A familiar sense of dread washed over me as I contemplated suffering through yet another group project. My AP Language class was essentially a yearlong exercise in collaboration. The groups always consisted of a leader personality and a few follower types, and I had come to expect directing projects assuming all responsibility. This time, I would have to lead my team in creating a video and website, while resisting the temptation to do the project myself. I struggled to make myself vulnerable by releasing control. 

I was always placed with two students who consistently saved their work until the night before it was due. My mind went on autopilot, organizing my time to complete the entire project myself. I tirelessly researched facts and wrote a script for our video, individually bearing the load of an assignment designed for three people. As the deadline approached, my stress level and workload increased. I realized something had to change. I embraced the different learning styles and work ethics of my group. Typically, I would choose to collaborate with students I know well, but it can prove deadly for creativity. While working on the website, I assigned each person a specific task so that everyone was invested in the outcome. Leading this diverse team by delegating produced better results. In the past, my classmates had depended on me, but this time, I insisted on equal contributions. Our website was much better as a culmination of everyone’s ideas instead of a reflection of only my own. Through this and future projects, I learned to thrive on collaborating for a common purpose. 

I have translated my delegation skills directly into my life. When I paint houses with Habitat for Humanity, I have seen how effective collaboration helps others who are less fortunate. Even though it can be challenging to entrust the outcome to others, each person in our group has a different skill set to aid in the completion of the house. Whether working at school or in the community, I have learned that delegating the work is essential to successful collaboration.

Why this NC Supplemental Essay worked

Effective NC State supplemental essays for this prompt will be both retrospective and introspective. That is to say, they reflect not only on the obstacle, but how you navigated it with your tools and knowledge. What did you learn about yourself in the process? Did overcoming this obstacle change you?

This author is frank about their control issues and how this character flaw was hindering their group work. Clearly, they have thought a lot about their approach to group projects, as well as their struggles with leadership. Additionally, they acknowledged their history of working with the same people and why that is often unproductive. Acknowledging personal flaws and growing with them is welcome in NC State supplemental essays.

Good NC State essay examples like this one are also full of specific details. Here, the writer delineates their process of realizing the problem, then delegating tasks. The reader can see into the writer’s thought process, following their shift in perspective. Details help to root NC State essays examples in reality and keep the reader engaged.

Finally, the writer draws connections between this experience and other areas of their life. This is a great strategy for showing that you can apply lessons to different situations and recognize those links. Good NC State supplemental essay examples are able to illustrate the relationships among various skills, experiences, and activities. Moreover, great NC State State essay examples can show those through time: how could this challenging experience inform your future?

NC State Essay Example #3 – Diverse Community Essay

The last of our NC State supplemental essay examples addresses the following prompt:

NC State is a community that is strong because of the diversity of our perspectives and experiences. Please describe how you could contribute to or benefit from campus diversity. 

This prompt looks the most different from its current version, though it’s still very similar. The current prompt includes NC State’s vision for an inclusive community and asks for a response. With that said, let’s read the last of our NC State essay examples.

NC State Essay Example #3

Diversity is the culmination of experiences and backgrounds within a community. 

Through my diversity of opinion, I have contributed to my high school classroom as well as [NAME OF SCHOOL REDACTED]. In my AP Literature class, I look beyond the literal meaning of a poem and into the deeper meaning, often suggesting a contrasting interpretation. I play the Devil’s advocate in an AP Government debate to explore the many facets of an issue. In my AP Spanish class, I apply my grammatical knowledge to our class discussion of the differences between the Mexican and American education systems. While attending [NAME OF SCHOOL REDACTED] for instrumental music, I had a unique perspective as a French horn player in a large orchestra. I will continue to seek out opportunities to provide various perspectives in a classroom setting, respect differences of opinion, and promote intellectual curiosity. 

Why this essay worked

By opening with their definition of diversity, the writer provides a frame for understanding the rest of their essay. This can be helpful for prompts that could have multiple different interpretations depending on the individual. Even more, it can help you set the theme for your essay.

This writer centers the intellectual diversity they bring to the table, from poetry analysis to debate. By providing several discrete examples, they evoke both the multitude of things they do and the various perspectives they hold. They show the reader that they consider topics from all angles and try to find new points of view.

Aside from the wealth of examples, the writer strikes a balance between showing and telling. Another piece of advice college applicants never stop hearing, showing-not-telling is important. However, it’s also critical to arrive at your point. What are these examples and anecdotes for? This writer closes by looking to the future and how their intellectual curiosity will underpin their approach to college.

Are NC State Supplemental Essays important?

As you cannot submit your application without NC State supplemental essays, yes, they’re important. But more than just fulfilling a requirement, NC State supplemental essays show NC State admissions officers who you are. In addition to the NC State personal statement, NC State supplemental essays demonstrate your personal and intellectual character. 

Even if you know all about how to get into NC State, an acceptance letter is never guaranteed. As one of the top schools in North Carolina , NC State is in high demand, especially among North Carolina residents. In light of that, highly polished and intentional essays are a must.

Another confounding factor is test-optional admissions . NC State has gone test-optional through fall 2024 in response to the challenges of testing during the COVID-19 pandemic. In the most recent admissions cycle, 53% of students applied without submitting test scores. In such cases, the rest of an NC State application is weighed more heavily. Especially for students applying without test scores, strong NC State essays can make or break your NC State admissions chances.

If you’re banking on financial aid and scholarships, applying early with well-crafted NC State supplemental essays is the best strategy. Early deadlines usually yield higher acceptances and more financial aid, no matter what school. The NC State Early Action deadline is November 1st , so make sure you start writing early to get ahead.

Getting Started on your NC State Essays

By now, you’ve read some NC State supplemental essay examples and are ready to start writing your own. Right? Or maybe you’re not sure what to write about. Choosing a topic is the first step to writing college essays. Reflection and brainstorming exercises can help you think of potential topics. Start your college admissions process early to give yourself plenty of time to think, draft, and edit.

For example, you might try a free write. Pick a prompt, set a ten-minute timer, and write anything that comes to mind. These could be isolated words or whole sentences spanning a wide range of possible topics. After the timer goes off, you may have the seeds for a few drafts.

You could also try making a mind map. Choose a prompt and a topic, like an extracurricular activity or experience, then make a web of ideas around it. This can be helpful if you already know your subject but aren’t sure about what exactly you want to say.

If you’re having trouble with the first prompt, try reading another why school essay example or two. Think about what you know about NC State, why you like it, and why it’s on your college list. There should be reasons beyond high rankings , like programs, location, or campus culture. Try to link those to your academic interests in your NC State supplemental essays.

However you approach your essays, make sure to edit your drafts with the help of others. Revise your NC State personal statement thoroughly , since you’ll likely send it to multiple colleges. Even before closely proofreading your essays, you should edit them for clarity—do they address the prompt? Also, you should ask a trusted peer or adult for feedback to further refine your essays.

More CollegeAdvisor Resources to Support You

CollegeAdvisor.com has no shortage of resources for you to use in your college admissions journey. If you’re still researching colleges, take a look at our college finder series. This series covers the college search , college list , and comparing colleges . If you’ve narrowed your scope to North Carolina, we have a list of the best colleges and universities in the state .

In addition to these NC State supplemental essay examples, we have sample college essay articles for dozens of colleges. Whether NC State is your dream school or you’re applying to other great universities, our essay guides can help you.

In particular, we have a whole guide to the “ why this school ” essay, featuring longer essay examples and detailed analysis. For help with the cultural diversity essay prompt, check out our webinar on highlighting your own diverse perspective. Finally, we have more general guides to writing outstanding supplemental essays, as well as a wide array of essay examples .

As for the NC State personal statement, we have a ton of panels and advice straight from Admissions Officers. We even have a webinar entirely on personal statement revision . And if you’re starting early (smart!), we have tips on using the summer to draft your personal statement.

NC State Supplemental Essay Examples – Final Thoughts

We looked at three different NC State supplemental essay examples and why they worked. Good NC State supplemental essays address the prompt directly and concisely. While narrative NC State supplemental essay examples are common, we saw that you don’t always need an anecdote. Rather, you should focus on clearly conveying the qualities that will help you succeed at and contribute to NC State.

NC State University is one of the best universities in North Carolina, and among the top universities nationwide. As a renowned research university, NC State offers a top-tier education for those who can impress NC State admissions. A successful NC State application needs polished NC State supplemental essays. Reading NC State essay examples is a good place to start.

As part of our mission to demystify college admissions, all of our articles and webinars are free to use. We also have an extensive network of Admissions Experts who can provide personalized, one-on-one support on your schedule. Whether you’re wrapping up sophomore year or about to become a senior, we’ll work with you on your admissions strategy.

This essay examples guide was written by senior advisor, Gina Goosby . Looking for more admissions support? Click here to schedule a free meeting with one of our Admissions Specialists. During your meeting, our team will discuss your profile and help you find targeted ways to increase your admissions odds at top schools. We’ll also answer any questions and discuss how CollegeAdvisor.com can support you in the college application process.

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Honors College Worth It?

Howdy! I'm applying to NC State as an undergraduate and was wondering if the Honors College was worth applying for as a STEM Major (Animal Science).

I've looked through the seminar classes and none of them fit with what I intended to pursue academically. Is it worth applying just for the priority registration? Other than that there do not seem to be any concrete benefits.

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Applying to NCSU Honors program

So i am applying to NCSU Regular Decision , and there is a question about joining a Honors Society in NCSU and they require a 600 word essay , if i select that i do not want to join Honors Society at NCSU, will it decrease my chance of getting in ?

highly unlikely

so no , right ? it wont affect

Are you talking about the University Honors Program?

If there’s an optional group and optional essay (required to apply to the group), it should not impact admissions…no.

Likely only a small % of students are even involved.

What’s the question say word for word.

My son got into NC State from OOS and I don’t recall any Honors there he applied for.

ah alright , thank you so much

It won’t but if you have a decent profile and could be selected it’d add a lot to your experience. Check the CDS to see if they consider “interest” : since you’re applying RD and doing the extra essay could signify interest (since you no monger can apply Priority). If interest doesn’t matter and you don’t care about the potential perks/honors experience, don’t do it. Other ways to demonstrate interest is to join their mailing list and visit campus.

This topic was automatically closed 180 days after the last reply. If you’d like to reply, please flag the thread for moderator attention.

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English Honors Program

The English Honors Program offers talented and highly motivated English majors special opportunities for advanced study. In many instances, students may use their honors coursework to fulfill core requirements in the English major. Students should consult with their advisors to determine how particular courses fulfill core requirements. Please contact the Director of English Honors, Margaret Simon , with inquiries about upcoming seminars or graduating with English Honors.

Advantages of Honors

• Priority enrollment appointments for students within respective class levels (freshmen, sophomore, junior and senior);
• the opportunity, with other highly motivated students, to take small seminars (15 students or fewer), that are taught by some of our best, most enthusiastic professors;
• the option, where appropriate, to write an honors thesis that can be submitted to graduate schools as a writing sample; 
• the chance to sign up for graduate seminars; 
• an additional distinction on your transcript,  curriculum vitae , and job application that will set you apart from the crowd.

Admission Requirements

• A 3.5 overall GPA or higher
• Completion of at least 3 English (ENG) courses at the 200, 300, or 400 level with a minimum 3.5 GPA

Plan of Study

Students should work with their advisors and the Director of English Honors to develop a plan of study. This plan must include nine hours of honors coursework made up of:

• at least one honors seminar (ENG 491; 3 credits)
• at least one graduate class (ENG 5XX; 3 credits)
• an additional 491 honors seminar or ENG 5XX class

If a student has a particular academic subject they wish to research and a faculty member they wish to work with, three hours of English honors credit may be accomplished through a directed independent study (498H). Contact the relevant faculty member and the honors director at the start of the semester prior to when you wish to take the course for next steps.  

If your advisor suggests that you pursue an honors contract to complete English Honors Program requirements, please email the program director before the start of the semester for which you will take the course.

Graduating with Honors

Students who successfully complete Honors in English will be recognized in the Commencement Program and will receive the transcript designation “Completed Disciplinary Honors Program.”

To graduate with honors in English, students must:

• complete at least nine credit hours (three courses) of honors coursework with a grade of “B” or higher in each course
• achieve a minimum 3.5 GPA in English and overall
• give a short presentation at our end-of-year celebration sharing, in a casual and supportive environment, one of the research or creative projects undertaken in your honors coursework  

Student Testimonials

“My desire to pursue English Honors was two-fold: I wanted to have access to courses that would prepare me for graduate school and, as a nontraditional student, I had a desire to build a network of other highly motivated and passionate English students. I discovered a diverse group of peers who loved the field as much as I did, and I found the Honors course offerings and access to graduate courses to be invaluable as I prepared my applications to graduate schools.” – Charles Fleming (’21)

“Being a part of the English Honors program at NC State taught me a lot about humility and respect for others. The discussions were so well-rounded and I love how everyone got a chance to contribute something. I am grateful to have been a part of the English Honors Program and I hope that future students will enjoy it just as much as I did!” – Emily Tsan (’21)

“My experience with the English honors program at NC State gave me so much more than I was ever anticipating. Not only did this program introduce me to graduate-level courses and discussion, but it also introduced me to a diverse group of peers and friends with interests I would have never experienced! The English Honors Program here at State helped me take that first step towards graduate school and I am so grateful for the memorable experience, knowledge, and friends gained from being a part of the program!” – Alexandria Crews (’21)

“Participating in the English Honors Program has been one of the most influential aspects of my time at NC State.  Through the program I took Honors Seminars in which dedicated professors exposed me to new areas of study, enrolled in graduate courses that helped prepare me for further education, and took on projects that challenged me to see the discipline from different perspectives.  As I continue my academic career, I am indebted to the English Honors Program faculty for positively shaping my experience and for being a constant source of support.” – Jake Thompson (’15)

Frequently Asked Questions

How do i apply to the english honors program.

Applicants who meet the GPA requirement are invited via email during an admissions period at the start of the fall and spring semesters. If you believe you qualify but are between admissions cycles, feel free to contact the English honors director. Note that if you are admitted outside of the normal cycle, you will not have access to early registration until the following semester.

How do I enroll in graduate-level classes?

Students in English Honors are pre-approved to register for graduate-level courses. You do not need to request instructor permission. Undergraduate students must still be hand-added to graduate courses and there could be a waiting list, depending on demand. To register for a graduate-level course, please simply fill out  this form  and you will be placed in the appropriate course.

What if I don’t get into the graduate course I hope to take?

If you need to fulfill a specific core degree requirement, consult with your advisor. Otherwise, consider taking a course on a different topic or pursuing a directed independent study (ENG 498H).

Why is ENG 491 required?

ENG 491 seminars are restricted to English honors students and they have a low cap—15 students. This means you will receive a seminar experience and the chance to take courses with your honors peers. The courses are specially designed by faculty and chosen through a selective process. ENG 491 courses emphasize student research and innovative teaching, as well as topics that are cross-disciplinary and often take a broad historical approach.

How can I find out about upcoming ENG 491 courses?

• For courses in the next registration cycle, check the English Department’s  course sampler .
• For future ENG 491 courses (which are scheduled in two-year cycles) contact your advisor or the  Margaret Simon . 

When should I consult with the director of English honors?

The director is generally not able to answer specific degree audit questions, which should be directed to a student’s academic advisor. The director can answer any questions regarding honors program requirements, upcoming seminar topics, the end-of-year presentations and celebration, and graduating with English honors.

Should I take an honors seminar (ENG 491) before I take a graduate-level course?

There is no required sequence for English Honors coursework.

Can ENG 491 or ENG 5XX be used for both an English honors requirement and towards completion of my degree requirements?

How many semesters does it typically take to complete the honors program.

This depends on the student’s own schedule. Previous students have completed the program in as little as one semester.

Are the requirements the same for transfer students?

Transfer students who have scheduling constraints can pursue a honors contract for an ENG 4XX course to fulfill three credits of English honors coursework. Please contact the director if further accommodations are needed.

What if I join the program as a junior or senior and need help fitting in requirements?

Students joining with junior or senior status may pursue a honors contract for an ENG 4XX course to fulfill three credits of English honors coursework. Please contact the director if further accommodations are needed. 

When will I receive information about the required public presentations of my work?

Each April, the English Honors Program holds an end-of-year celebration. This event and its presentation requirements are advertised to graduating seniors in February. In general, the casual presentation is 10 minutes and is a fun opportunity to share your work with interested faculty and students. 

Dr. Margaret Simon Director of English Honors Tompkins 264 919-513-7930 [email protected]

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Participation in the University Honors Program provides students with a platform to achieve great things both on and off-campus. Some of the benefits include:

• Access to cultural events on and off campus through the Honors Forum course.
• Access to innovative coursework specially designed for Honors students that includes HON seminars and Honors sections of certain courses.
• Opportunities for travel and experiential learning through our Cultural, Outdoor, and Career Explorations trips as well as summer study abroad opportunities in Florence, Italy or Oxford, England.
• A sense of belonging in our vibrant living and learning community, the Honors Village, in Berry, Becton, and Bagwell Halls on East Campus.

These opportunities to travel, hear the latest cutting edge news from the newsmakers themselves, to gain exposure to the ideas percolating throughout our society,—these opportunities provide our students with the very real and necessary benefit of becoming further connected to the world around them and becoming well-rounded and involved citizens as well as knowledge creators.

Our graduates are amazing!

Upon completion of the program requirements, graduating students receive an official designation in their final university transcript, recognition in the commencement ceremony program, an invitation to the UHP senior ceremony, and a UHP medal. Students who successfully graduate from the program go on to be highly competitive applicants for prestigious graduate schools, employers, scholarships, fellowships, and grant opportunities. Our graduates are regularly admitted to top-tier graduate and professional schools such as Oxford, Stanford, and the NCSU College of Veterinary Medicine; receive scholarships such as the Goldwater, Marshall, and Churchill; or go on to pursue careers in the field of their choosing. Our students are prepared to think critically, engage deeply, act locally, and problem-solve creatively.

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ABOUT HONORS

Designed for high-achieving and exceptionally motivated undergraduates, the Honors College at North Carolina A&T offers student-centered learning experiences that promote intellectual growth, cultural appreciation, professional focus, leadership development and civic participation. As a participant in the Honors College, you will have special opportunities to grow and develop through contact with a community of Honors staff, students, and faculty. Participation in the Honors College will   prepare you to become successful as a professional, as a scholar and as a global citizen.  

Benefits of the Honors College

• Small class size
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• Study abroad opportunities and participation in conferences
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• Honors housing in a Living Learning Community
• Priority registration and advising
• Intensive scholarship, fellowship, and professional development
• Recognition at Honors graduation banquet and transcript

Scroll down to learn more about the Honors College.

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Learn about the Honors Living Learning Community, professional development, research, going abroad, community service, and more.

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This scholarship program began in fall 2021 and is deeply connected to N.C. A&T’s role in shaping America’s civil rights history.

Honors College News

N.C. A&T Charts New Enrollment Record: 14,311

09/06/2024 in Admissions , Student Affairs , Alumni , Students , Honors College , The Graduate College

Dorsett-Wilson, Woodfork Named 2024 White House Initiative HBCU Scholars

08/08/2024 in College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences , College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences , Honors College

Two A&T Students Among First in Du Bois Scholars Program at Harvard

07/22/2024 in College of Education , College of Science and Technology , Honors College

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“The Glorious Palms of Martyrs”: On the Damascus Martyrs of 1860

Eight Franciscan friars and three Maronite laymen martyred during the massacre of Christians in Damascus in July 1860 be canonized on October 20, 2024.

September 8, 2024 J. J. Ziegler Essay , Features , Special Report 0 Print

On May 23, Pope Francis  approved  a request by the Dicastery for the Causes of Saints to canonize eight Franciscan friars and three Maronite laymen martyred during the  massacre of Christians in Damascus  in July 1860. On July 1, during an ordinary public consistory of the College of Cardinals, Pope Francis  announced  that the eleven martyrs would be canonized on October 20, along with Blesseds  Giuseppe Allamano ,  Marie-Léonie Paradis , and  Elena Guerra .

In approving the canonization of the Damascus martyrs, who were beatified in 1926, Pope Francis acceded to  petitions  from the Order of Friars Minor and the Holy Synod of Maronite Bishops.

“The martyrs of Damascus are a fine image of the Church that has been able to experience the missionary testimony up to the gift of life,” Father Francesco Patton, OFM, the Custos, or superior, of the Franciscan province of the Holy Land,  said  following the papal approval of the canonization. “May these martyrs be an example for all of us, friars of the Custody, never to spare ourselves in our mission.”

“It gives us hope, it shows us where to put our feet on the path towards saintliness, which is the destination of every person who devotes their life to loving God and their neighbor,” added Father Firas Lufti, OFM, the guardian of the  Franciscan monastery  in Damascus where the martyrdom took place, and where the martyrs’ relics are venerated.

Pope Pius XI beatified the eleven martyrs on October 10, 1926, with his apostolic letter  Contingit ex auspicato.  The letter, published in  Acta Apostolicae Sedis  (Acts of the Apostolic See, pp. 411-415), was reprinted in the  Acta Ordinis Fratrum Minorum  (Acts of the Order of Friars Minor) and in  The Irish Ecclesiastical Record ,  but has never to my knowledge been translated into English.

In view of the martyrs’ upcoming canonization, I have translated  Contingit ex auspicato  into English, retaining the pontiff’s use of the  historical present tense  as he vividly described some of the martyrdoms.

In  Contingit ex auspicato,  Pope Pius XI referred to the beatification process  de non cultu  ( here  defined) and to the greater double rite ( here  described), as well as to the dispensation of the requirement for miracles prior to beatification, in accord with  Canon 2116  of the 1917 Code of Canon Law. There was a typographical error in the letter: the vigil of Pentecost was described as taking place on June 22, 1926, though it fell on May 22 that year.

Pope Pius referred to the martyrs’ slayers as Turks. The Custody of the Holy Land  describes the assailants  as Druze Shiites, who at the time were subjects of the Turkish Ottoman Empire.

For those with a desire for a deeper knowledge of the historical context, the destruction of Damascus’s Christian quarter, during which the martyrdom of the eleven took place, is the subject of books by the Lebanese historian Leila Tarazi Fawaz and by Eugene Rogan, professor of modern Middle Eastern history at the University of Oxford. Fawaz wrote  An Occasion for War  in 1994 and focused on the massacre in Chapter 4; Rogan published  The Damascus Events  earlier this year. Rogan has discussed the destruction of the Christian quarter in several recent  podcasts .

THE VENERABLE SERVANTS OF GOD

THE PRIEST MANUEL RUIZ AND SEVEN COMPANIONS, O.F.M

AND ALSO THREE BROTHERS

FRANCIS, MOOTI, AND RAPHAEL MASSABKI

MARTYRS AT DAMASCUS

ARE DECLARED BLESSEDS

Pope Pius XI

For the perpetual memory thereof. — Out of this auspicious year, indeed in these days in which, in the whole world, festivals are held in honor of the seventh centenary of the death of Saint Francis of Assisi, it happens that eight illustrious sons of the same Saint, who poured forth their blood in this our age for asserting the faith of Christ, are advanced, by solemn rite, to the honors of Blessed Martyrs.

In the year 1860, in the monastery in Damascus joined by spiritual bond to the Custody of the Holy Land, the unconquered heroes, killed in hatred of the Faith by barbaric crowds of Turks, themselves accomplished a martyrdom glorious in the sight of the Lord.

The first of them, Manuel Ruiz, a Spaniard by birth, had received the religious habit of Francis in the year 1825. The priest, perceiving himself called to preach Christ’s word to unbelievers, had come to the Missions of the Holy Land, and after exhausting years, through further apostolic labors with the richest fruit, governed the monastery at Damascus with singular prudence, and with a reputation of holiness.

The second, Carmelo Volta, himself also a Spaniard, entered the Order of Friars Minor in the province of Valencia in the same year 1825, and sent to Palestine, had been selected, as most knowledgeable in the Arabic language, as teacher of Missionaries in Damascus.

The third, Engelbert Kolland from the Tyrolean province, was a man of remarkable holiness and innocence of conduct, as well as of keen intelligence. Having made his solemn vows, he had come to Damascus, to the sacred Missions, and was a tireless helper of the previously mentioned Manuel in the pastoral office.

The fourth, Nicanor Ascanio, addressed by Arabs as Joseph, was from the Castilian province. After twenty years of active priestly ministry in Spain as a most eloquent herald of the divine Word, he had come to Palestine, so that also in that place he might sow the crop rich above all others in the Lord’s field.

The fifth and sixth were Nicolás Alberca from Andalusia and Pedro Soler from the Murcian province, men of remarkable virtue; the first was born in the year 1830, the second in the year 1827. Having been professed in the Order of Minors in the flower of youth, and having reached the Missions of Palestine, they devoted themselves in Damascus to the study of the Arabic language.

Two lay brothers, Francisco Pinazo d’Arpuentes and Juan Jacob Fernández, both Spaniards, served these illustrious priests. Resplendent with the spirit of piety, not less than that of humility, assigned to service in the monastery at Damascus, they fulfilled the tasks of their office most diligently, and with singular obedience.

That most hideous persecution against Christians, set in motion by the hostile enemies of the Faith of Christ on the tenth day of the month of July in the year 1860, stole away all these men, intent on their accustomed pious works. The persecution flared suddenly and brought destruction, fire, pillage, and slaughter.

And indeed, the infuriated throngs of Turks storm into the monastery and first rage against Manuel Ruiz. Warned about the imminent massacre, and with his companions strengthened for perseverance by sacramental absolution, he had come into the church to consume the sacred species, “lest he give up the heavenly members to rabid dogs.” Urged in vain to defect from the Faith, he himself is slaughtered by the sword, as he was praying on bended knees before the high altar.

Carmelo Volta, himself also invited again and again to embrace the Mohammedan religion, is killed by being beaten with a club.

Pedro Soler, as he professed that he was a Christian, is transfixed by a sword.

Nicolás Alberca, after he had declared openly that he would rather die a thousand times than defect from the Faith, is killed by a shot from a fiery crossbow.

Engelbert Kolland, who had fled from the religious house and had been able to escape from the first moment of slaughter, was caught by pursuers. Tempted to apostasy without success, he was struck with a hatchet and lay dead.

At length, Nicanor Ascanio was detected and slain on the upper floor of the monastery, and he himself gained an equal share of martyrdom with his companions.

The two lay brothers, Francisco Pinazo and Juan Jacob Fernández, who had fled into the bell tower, were sought by accomplices with cudgels and a sword. They prayed with hands raised to heaven until they were thrown headfirst from the top of the tower and acquired the glorious palms of Martyrs.

But not only did it fall to the eight sons of St. Francis to encounter death for Christ on that day; indeed, the fury of the Turks also burned against the brothers Francis, Mooti, and Raphael Massabki, Maronite Catholic men.

The first of them, Francis, seventy years old, abounded in a conspicuous patrimony of riches, not less than of Christian virtues, and for that reason prospered with the best reputation in the presence of the citizens of Damascus.

The second, Mooti, like his brother Francis a most virtuous father of a family, left behind his business, which he had conducted as honorably as possible. Dedicated to works of piety, he was handing on the Arabic language in the school of the Franciscan monastery.

Finally, the third, Raphael, celibate, surrendering himself wholly to prayer and living an ascetic life, frequented the church of the Franciscan friars every day.

Lest they abandon the Franciscan fathers in their peril, the same three men, at the first sound of the tumult, run to the monastery, and there, refreshed by the Eucharistic banquet, prayed before the altar together with the Religious. Heedless of their children and familial affairs, they courageously awaited death.

Seized by the Mohammedans storming into the church, they professed that they were Christians and moreover would die for the Faith of Christ. And immediately, before the steps of the high altar of the church itself, they were killed with iron clubs.

After this horrendous slaughter, the Servants of God began to be considered to be Martyrs of Christ, slain as victims by the ferocity of Mohammedans in hatred of the Faith. For this reason, the cause was first begun of decreeing the honors of Blessed Martyrs for the eight sons of the family of Friars Minor. Our Predecessor Pope Leo XIII, on December 17, 1885, affixed a seal with his own hand to the Commission of the introduction of the Cause.

Afterwards, when, under the Congregation of Sacred Rites, the question was proposed about martyrdom, and the cause of martyrdom, and likewise about signs and miracles, and it was indeed certain that the massacre of the same eight Servants of God from the Franciscan family occurred above all in hatred of the Christian name, and the Faith alone was its cause, We declared, in a solemn decree, on May 2, 1926, that the cause of martyrdom of Manuel Ruiz and his seven companions is certain. From the precept concerning signs or miracles, a dispensation was granted.

When, therefore, there was certainty about martyrdom and the cause of martyrdom, it remained for the Cardinals and Consultors of the Sacred Rites to be asked whether they recommended that the solemn Beatification of the same eight Servants of God could safely proceed. Our venerable brother Gennaro Granito Pignatelli di Belmonte, Bishop of Albano, Relator of the Cause, provided this in the general assembly of Sacred Rites, held in Our presence in the Vatican on June 18 of the current year, and all who were present — both the Cardinals and the Father Consultors –responded in the affirmative.

We, in truth, on the vigil day of Pentecost, namely, June 22 of this year, with the Sacred Eucharistic rite offered, and with Our Venerable Brothers summoned and present — Antonio Vico, Cardinal of the Holy Roman Church, Bishop of Porto and Santa Rufina, Prefect of the Congregation of Sacred Rites; Gennaro Granito di Belmonte, Cardinal of the Holy Roman Church, Bishop of Albano, Relator of the Cause; together with Our beloved sons Angelo Mariani, secretary of the same Congregation of Sacred Rites, and Carlo Salotti, general Promoter of the Holy Faith — We solemnly declared that it is safe to proceed to the Beatification of the eight sons of the seraphic family.

Then, when the decision about these men was made known, Our venerable brother Béchara Chémali, Maronite Archbishop of Damascus, expressed, too, the desires of the Eastern Patriarchs and Bishops: he entreated Us with pious requests that the honors of the heavenly Blesseds also be decreed for the three Massabki brothers, slain in hatred of the Faith, in one and the same slaughter as the previously mentioned Franciscan Religious.

We, moreover, willing to grant these requests, ordered that a judicial process be instituted in Damascus concerning the martyrdom of the same three Servants of God. When there was certainty about the martyrdom and cause of martyrdom, after a customary decree of the Congregation of Sacred Rites for these men was given on the fifth day of this month, and also a dispensation from signs according to law, at length on the seventh day of October, We decreed that to these three Servants of God also, the honors of the heavenly Blesseds could safely be granted.

Because these things are so, We, moved by the desires of the whole family of the Order of Friars Minor, and at the same time of the Archbishop of Damascus and the Eastern Bishops, and of the clergy and faithful of the Maronites, by Our apostolic authority, with the force of this letter, grant the faculty that the Venerable Servants of God Manuel Ruiz, Carmelo Volta, Engelbert Kolland, Nicanor Ascanio, Nicolás Alberca, and Pedro Soler, priests; Francisco Pinazo d’Arpuentes and Juan Jacob Fernández, lay Brothers, from the Order of Minors; and likewise the three Maronites, the brothers Francis, Mooti, and Raphael Massabki, be given the name of Blesseds, and that their bodies and relics, if extant, be proposed for the public veneration of the faithful, though not in a solemn fashion, and that their images be decorated with rays.

Moreover, by the same authority of Ours, we grant that their Office be recited and Mass be celebrated from the common of Martyrs, according to the Rubrics of the Roman Missal and Breviary. In such a manner, we specifically grant that the recitation of the Office and celebration of the Mass occur to this extent: in the dioceses in which the same Servants of God were respectively born, and likewise within the boundaries of the Maronite Archdiocese of Damascus and also in all the churches and chapels, wherever located in the world, with monasteries attached, which pertain to the family of Friars Minor; by all the faithful, whether seculars or religious, who are bound to recite the canonical Hours; and in what pertains to Masses, by assembled priests at the churches in which the feast of the Blessed Martyrs themselves is celebrated.

Finally, we grant that the solemnities of the Beatification of the same Servants of God be accomplished with an Office and Mass of greater double rite: and we grant that it be done in the aforesaid dioceses, and in churches or oratories, which we have named, on a day designated by the Ordinary, within a year after the same solemnities have been celebrated in the Patriarchal Vatican Basilica.

All things to the contrary notwithstanding, including Apostolic Constitutions and ordinances, and also published decrees  de non cultu . We wish, moreover, that copies of this Letter also be printed, provided that they be secured with the handwritten signature of the Secretary of the Congregation of Sacred Rites and the seal of the Prefect. We wish that in juridical discussions also, the same straightforward fidelity be extended, which has been held by the signification of Our will in this letter here shown.

Given at Rome, at St. Peter’s, under the ring of the Fisherman, on October 10, 1926, in the fifth year of Our Pontificate.

From P. Cardinal Gasparri, Secretary of State

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