North Carolina State University - Raleigh

Overall, NC State University is not a bad school. The campus was beautiful, there were a lot of things to do, the food was good, and I met a lot of nice people. However, my problem lies with the Art + Design department. I majored in Art + Design with a concentration in animation, and I felt that the year that I spent was completely wasted. Design majors consist of a long studio that one takes every semester and this class is where you do the majority of your work for you major... except for if you're in animation. The first two studios involve nothing to do with animation or even basics and principles. The first semester was entirely based on architecture and industrial design with a little bit of fibers (the other main art + design concentration) thrown in. The class was graded on one's ability to be able to design and build constructions, something I certainly never learned how to do and certainly did not sign up to do, yet I was being graded for it. The second semester's studio was degrading to me as an artist. As someone who wants to peruse character animation, a field that is largely focused on creating works that mimic real life, I was forced to work only in abstract and representative art was taught to be less superior. The class seemed to be teaching for an entirely different major, teaching for as if I was going to go on and design chairs or sculptures. The only class I took that could somewhat contribute to my major was basic drawing, however it turned out awful. The professor was completely incompetent, proving time and time again that he had no idea what he was trying to teach, and I'm not exaggerating. He taught perspective wrong multiple times, made up words to try to explain his own made up ideas, and made us do assignments not because they would help us, but just because he thought about it and wanted us to try it out. I learned more in elementary school art class than I did in that drawing class. In conclusion, NC State is a great school if you want to be an engineer or an architect, but if you want to do art + design, specifically animation, beware.

1st Year Female -- Class 1921

Perceived Campus Safety: A+, Education Quality: C+

To transfer out or not, that is my dilemma.
I always thought I wanted to go to State but it was the wrong place for me. I feel like I'm getting less of the full college experience I expected.

My classes haven't been hard and my major doesn't seem to have enough opportunities to really explore things more - but I'm just a sophomore. I've found more projects to work on out of class than in class.

The only bright spot is my sorority and while I have filled out transfer applications, they may be what keeps me here. Living there will be much better if I say than being on campus because this is just not a fun place to be.

I got into Clemson, Charlotte and Virginia Tech out of high school. At this point, I think strongly about VT and maybe even UNC as both seem like a better options academically and in general. I have friends at both who are majoring in the same thing and seem to be much more positive about the experience, plus honestly their campus life just seems way more fun. If you are considering State, definitely take a long visit here and see if you like this place. My dad went to State and I thought my experiences for visits back for games in the past was enough - it wasn't.

2nd Year Female -- Class 2011

Surrounding City: B+, Innovation: F

International admission office does not have good assistant for international students. Mrs Powell helped just Chinese students not other country students. For example I saw her in the Library and I was trying to reach her. She was reading chinese newspaper or something and not answering her phone. I was just watching her and kept trying to call her. So school admission is sucks. Even director is not answering his emails...

1st Year Female -- Class 2015