Why I chose NC State as an Out of State Student

Choosing a college is a huge decision, and for me, finding the right fit was all about finding a place where I could grow in every aspect of my life. I am from California and wanted to have a new experience during college. I was looking at many schools all over the country, but NC State wasn’t on my list at the start. In California, we had a connection to an NC State alumni, and he enthusiastically told me that I simply had to check out NC State if I was looking in North Carolina! He was not going to take no for an answer and after doing some research, I saw a lot of really interesting things other schools did not offer. So I decided to add a stop in Raleigh on my college visit trip. My college search took place during COVID, so my visits weren’t your typical college visits, but NC State stood out to me the second I walked onto campus. During that time, there weren’t many students around, but you could still feel the enthusiasm of the Wolfpack! 

During my college search, finding ways I could get involved on a college campus was very important to me. My major was the first piece of my search. When I saw that NC State had a major in Parks, Recreation, and Tourism Management with a concentration in Tourism and Event Management in the incredible College of Natural Resources, I was sold! I also spent a lot of time looking at what clubs different schools had and what interested me. While looking at NC State’s Get Involved website, I found so many organizations that I wanted to be a part of. It helped me find one of my favorite organizations I am a part of, the NC State Equestrian Club. I grew up riding horses, and I knew that was something I couldn’t give up when I went to college, so it was exciting that I knew NC State could offer me the opportunity to compete in horse shows while allowing me time to be involved in other things I enjoy like my minor in the Dance Department and Sorority Life. 

For me, finding the right college fit was not only about academics, majors, and activities. I was diagnosed as having dyslexia during my senior year of high school. I knew that I had to find a school that would support me with the right accommodations, especially having such a big transition moving so far from home. I lived through so many years of frustration academically. It felt like I had to work twice as hard as others to receive good grades. After really not understanding why some schoolwork seemed so hard for me, I did not want to repeat that during my college years. One of my first stops during the college research process was the NC State Disability Resource Office website. The organization of the information on their website made it easy for me to see that they work hard to support the students of NC State. After a quick phone call to ask a few questions, I felt confident that I could be successful here!  Since my first meeting as a student with the Disability Resource Office, I have been super impressed by their attention to detail and support services. If I am ever struggling, I know they will be there to support me in any way they can! 

After spending two and a half years 2,880 miles away from home, I am happier than ever that I chose NC State! Raleigh feels like home to me now. After that first visit back in 2021, NC State was hands down my top choice. Waiting for my NC State decision to come in from admissions the following January was the most nervous I have ever been. When I saw the confetti fall on my acceptance letter, there was no question- I was moving to Raleigh!! I have made incredible friends and can tell you there is no place in America where people are more welcoming than at NC State. My family has even made great friends during my first couple of years here in Raleigh, and they look forward to visiting as often as they can. Through the Pack Family Regions program, they have connected to other West Coast families (and other states like Georgia and Texas), so the friendships are widespread! The Wolfpack community extends to so many places beyond North Carolina. I have other out-of-state friends, and we have a special bond. There is so much to do on the NC State campus and so many ways to get involved that I never had a lot of homesickness- I have just been way too busy for that. I love going home to California to visit, but I am always really excited to get back to NC State! 

Go Pack!
Mia Peterson, Parent Ally