The College of Design at NC State University has developed special admissions procedures to identify students best poised to earn a degree in any of the several design disciplines.

Quantitative measures such as high school grades, test scores, and class rank are important considerations. To complete the picture of a student's abilities, the College of Design relies heavily on examples of the student's creative work. Through the portfolio review, the Admissions Committees of Architecture, Art + Design, Graphic Design, Industrial Design, and Landscape Architecture get a sense of the student's creative talent and individual approach to problem-solving, allowing a more complete assessment of his/her potential as a design student. The review emphasizes the ideas presented, rather than the finished product.

There is no typical student applicant, but we have observed that some students moreso than others are able to show their independent thinking and initiative through drawing, painting, writing, or some other creative means. Portfolio pieces should represent the applicant's activities, interests, capabilities and creativity both inside and outside the classroom.