Ever heard the anecdote that North Carolina’s top state universities don’t really want students from Western North Carolina? Turns out it’s not just false, but nearly the opposite of the truth, a Carolina Public Press investigation has found.
Statistics from North Carolina State University in Raleigh show that WNC counties have among the highest acceptance rates for applicants.
While this may run contrary to popular wisdom, it’s not necessarily news to high school counselors who work with students to admission to college. The numbers at N.C. State have some WNC high schools thinking that small schools and increased funding efforts for rural districts are working to the advantage of their students.
The university provided CPP with county-by-county statistics for the number of students who applied, gained admittance and enrolled at N.C. State . . .
State and federal efforts in rural districts
Another factor contributing to student success in some WNC counties appears to be state and federal grants.
Three of the WNC counties topping the list in admissions per capita at NC State — Yancey, Madison and Rutherford — are part of the North Carolina New Schools/Breakthrough Learning Rural Innovative Schools initiative.
Through an initial federal grant for the U.S. Dept. of Education and additional private donations, the initiative has increased exposure for high school students to college-level courses. Students are able to take community college courses either at their local community college, on their own high school campus, or through online courses, according to information provided by North Carolina New Schools/Breakthrough Learning.
“This grant has opened up some community college access that wasn’t there before,” Gavenus said. “It’s a tactile, real-world experience. They take a class and see that it’s challenging, but manageable.” . . .
