Welcome Back, Pack!

Summer is winding down, and North Carolina State University has an impressive slate of events to welcome both returning students and a new Wolfpack freshman class. NC State’s fall semester begins Thursday, Aug. 16.

NC State received 20,348 freshman applications, and expects a freshman class of 4,316, as well as 1,192 transfer students. The class has a weighted high school grade point average of 4.37, an average SAT score of 1,219 in critical reading and math and 1,791 when the writing portion is included. One student had a perfect SAT score, while 30 students had perfect scores on the math portion and 18 had perfect critical reading scores.

Fifty-one percent of the expected freshmen were in the top 10 percent of their high school class, and 79 percent of the incoming class were in the top 20 percent. Students hail from 99 of North Carolina’s 100 counties, as well as 41 other states and 20 countries. Engineering and First Year College are the two most popular programs for incoming freshmen.

Most students living on campus can move in to residence halls Aug. 10 to 15. Returning students may notice some changes – such as major room renovations in Sullivan Hall, new windows in Carroll Hall and renovated kitchens in Watauga Hall. This year, more than 8,000 students will live in university housing, including 77 percent of admitted first-year students. More than 1,100 first year students will live in one of nine Living and Learning Villages – communities that enhance the student learning experience by supporting and integrating the academic and personal development of students. Find more information on housing at www.ncsu.edu/housing.

The Convocation Festival will be held Monday, Aug. 13, at the PNC Arena, featuring keynote speaker Rye Barcott – author of “It Happened on the Way to War: A Marine’s Path to Peace,” NC State’s summer reading selection. The event, which runs from 1:30 to 4:30 p.m., will also include a welcome from Chancellor Randy Woodson, games and a pep rally. Buses to the event will begin loading at 1 p.m. from Bragaw Hall. The convocation is also open to the public. Non-university attendees are asked to use the west parking lot and entrance.

On Friday, Aug. 17, make sure to participate in Service NC State’s 1,250 pint anniversary blood drive, which runs from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. at Carmichael Gym. If NC State meets its goal, it will be one of the largest blood drives in the nation. “Service to the community is a hallmark of the NC State experience,” says Mike Giancola, associate vice provost for student leadership and engagement. “Service NC State is a chance for our campus community to come together to support the American Red Cross and show the we do in fact all bleed red.” You can sign up for the blood drive at http://ncsu.givesblood.org.

Be ready to celebrate on Saturday, Aug. 18, at Packapalooza! The Hillsborough Street block party will run from 2 to 10 p.m. and will include food, music and entertainment.

NC State’s Office of Parents and Families Services (OPFS) and campus partners will continue the Parents’ Helpline program. Families with questions or concerns may call 919/515-2441 or 877/568-5733. Families can also contact OPFS via e-mail at ncsuparents@ncsu.edu for assistance. Members of the NC State Parents & Families Association have access to a number of helpful programs and services. Go to www.ncsu.edu/for_parents for more details.

For a full listing of Wolfpack Welcome Week activities, visit http://www.ncsu.edu/welcomeweek/.