Admissions
Our world needs leaders who can solve natural resources challenges — and enjoy successful careers doing so. Join us.
Your Bright Future
There’s never been a greater demand for natural resources professionals. When you come to the College of Natural Resources, you’ll learn how to make sustainable use of our shared environment — exactly what you need to solve many of the grand challenges our planet faces and to build a successful career.
From paper science and engineering to sport management to cutting-edge forestry, our college is the first choice of a diverse group of students with a wide range of interests. Whether you want to work outdoors as a wildlife biologist, develop community recreation and sport programs, or work with third-world countries making paper products using native renewable resources, our college will give you the skills and opportunities you need to make an impact.
If you’re interested in the big, wide world we share, we want you with us.
Start Your Journey
Explore undergraduate and graduate admissions to find the right path for your goals and interests.
Our nationally recognized programs combine hands-on experience, cutting-edge research and real-world application to prepare you for a meaningful career. Whether you’re just getting started or ready to take the next step in your education, our admissions team is here to support you every step of the way — from application to enrollment.
Explore Your Options
The Right Environment
With a student body of just over 1,700, our college is one of the smallest at NC State, home to a close-knit community and students who get the attention they deserve — including personalized advising and instruction. At the same time, our students benefit from all the resources and support of NC State, the largest university in North Carolina.
Our college also offers the best of both worlds in terms of location: We’re based in Raleigh — the state’s capital and one of America’s most-awarded cities — but enjoy easy access to exceptional outdoor learning labs, including Schenck Forest just 10 minutes from our door and Hill Forest only 45 minutes away.
Whether you want to study the native animals of Namibia or the forests of Sweden, our college will give you the opportunity to study the environment, diverse societies and engineering of sustainable resources around the world. And you’ll do it all at a university consistently ranked as one of the nation’s best values in education.
Admissions Toolkit
Meet Ryan Byrd ’27—a dual major in paper science & engineering and chemical engineering. He has been building real-world experience with internships at International Paper and Marcal Paper, while working toward becoming a process engineer. 💡
Beyond the classroom, Ryan hosts the Byrd & Bear 5K, raising over $50,000 for autism awareness and showing leadership in his community. His #NCStateCNR journey highlights perseverance, community involvement and the power of pursuing your goals with purpose.
Click the link in our bio to learn more about Ryan`s journey.
Happy first day of classes, #NCStateCNR Pack! A new semester is here—fresh starts, big goals and endless possibilities. You’ve got this! 🐺📚
Lauren Henderson ’25 is turning her passion for sports into advocacy for women and girls everywhere. 🏅
Basketball and softball were Lauren’s first loves, but after 10 years, she suffered a back injury. This ultimately led the #NCStateCNR alumna to her true calling: advocating for women in sports and sport management. Today, she is pursuing her master’s degree in sport leadership at Virginia Commonwealth University.
“I’m going to get my master’s degree, and I want to use that in conjunction with the College of Natural Resources and my sport management degree to hopefully one day become a WNBA general manager, where I can not only focus on my love for basketball and help organize logistics, but then help use that platform of a WNBA team to create or continue working on certain initiatives to help promote girls and women in sports and other underrepresented groups.” —@laurenghenderson
Check out the link in our bio to read more about Lauren.
Gregory Godwin `24 turned his passion for the outdoors into a purpose-driven career in wildlife conservation. 🌿
After graduating from NC State with a degree in fisheries, wildlife and conservation biology, Gregory began working with the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission—first as a conservation technician and now as a wildlife conservation biologist for District 4.
"Some of the most rewarding days are when I get a text saying, “Gregory, listen to the quail I have on the farm,” or “Look how many wild turkey poults I have on my trail camera.” Interactions like these remind me that I am not only making a difference on a personal level, but also positively contributing to the success of a variety of species in our state." —@gregorypg48
Check out the link in our bio to read more about Gregory`s journey.
Way to #ThinkAndDo this year, #NCStateCNR Pack! 🐺🐾
We can’t wait to see what 2026 holds.
New research from NC State’s Department of Forest Biomaterials (@ncstatefb) shows that electrification, biomass power and efficiency could drastically cut greenhouse gas emissions in U.S. pulp and paper mills. ⚡🌿📄
“We’ve found that there is a path toward zero emissions for these mills, but only if that progress is made in the electrical grid,” - Dr. Lokendra Pal, the EJ “Woody” Rice Professor in Paper Science and Engineering
Click the link in bio to read more about how NC State researchers are leading the change toward clean energy.
📸: Dr. Lokendra Pal (left) and Maria González, lead author and Ph.D. student in the Department of Forest Biomaterials, showcase the “Wolfpack Baby” pilot paper machine in the Paper and Pulp Testing Laboratory.
We hope that all of our students, faculty and staff have a wonderful winter break! ❄️ #NCStateOnCampus
Through the Women in Sport Spring Series, faculty and students in NC State’s College of Natural Resources are expanding opportunities for women in sport management and recreation. 🤝 🌱
Led by Dr. Kim Bush and supported by Wolfpack Women in Philanthropy, the initiative offers networking, mentoring, clinics and the annual Women in Sport Leadership Summit, connecting students with professionals shaping the future of the industry.
“I see both the desire and the need for more involvement from people of underrepresented genders in all roles surrounding athletics.” —Dr. Kim Bush
Click the link to see how NC State is helping the next generation of women sport leaders grow, connect and thrive.
Students at NC State are getting hands-on training that prepares them for real-world fire management, and new resources are making a huge difference. Thanks to more than $5,000 in donor support, students now have access to essential safety gear and equipment. 🔥
These resources allow students to safely participate in prescribed burns, gaining real-world experience that complements their classroom instruction. This fall, students applied their skills to 939 acres of forest, preparing them for Firefighter Type 2 certification and careers in fire management.
“Students voluntarily come out with us as an extracurricular activity, and fire equipment and PPE are really expensive. Some of the shirts and pants are $250. We want to be able to lend out safety clothing and equipment. So the gifts fulfill a real need.” —Dr. Jennifer Fawcett, NC State Extension specialist in wildland fire
Click the link in our bio to learn more about this impactful program.
📸 via @ncstateextension: NC State students conducted a prescribed burn at Calloway Forest Preserve in Raeford, North Carolina, as part of Fire Week 2025.
Meet Uchenna Osia, a Ph.D. candidate in NC State’s Center for Geospatial Analytics. 📚🌍
From earning a Fulbright Scholarship in the Netherlands to receiving multiple fellowships, Uchenna’s journey shows how passion and purpose can shape research that impacts real communities.
“I would also encourage students to be open and flexible but to stay grounded in their `why.` If you end up doing work that doesn’t truly interest you or that you can’t fully stand behind, it’ll be hard to stay motivated. Treat your degree as more than milestones to meet; it’s also a time for growth and self-discovery.”
Click the link in our bio to read Uchenna’s inspiring story.
The Buzzard Etiquette and Networking Dinner is our annual gathering bringing together current and former Buzzard Fellows, #NCStateCNR leadership, board members, community mentors and select guests. The evening provides a meaningful opportunity to connect, share experiences and strengthen professional relationships across the college.
Wishing you the best in all your future endeavors, #NCState25! 🎓 🎉 Take a look back at today’s ceremony and receptions at @ncstate`s McKimmon Center, where we celebrated 130 new undergraduate alumni and 68 graduate alumni.
