TECHNICIAN
monday august
27 2012
Raleigh, North Carolina
technicianonline.com
Class of 2016 raises the academic bar Correspondent
The class of 2016 has made admission into the University more exclusive, as the relatively smaller class raised the average GPA and SAT scores from the previous classes. Of the 20,000-plus applications submitted to University Admissions, half were accepted. This year marks the first time in the University’s history the acceptance rate was so low. Out of the accepted applications, 4,316 freshmen enrolled. The class of 2016 represents 99 counties in North Carolina, 41 states and 20 foreign countries. “Having been in admissions for many years at N.C. State, it is really great to see so many wonderful students want to come here,” Thomas Griffin, director of admissions, said. The target size for this year’s freshman class was 4,250 students, 300 students less than the target size for the class of 2015. Several years of budget reductions created the need for a smaller enrollment this year. “A combination of more applications and a smaller freshman target meant the competition window for this year’s freshman class
T
SA
1219
118
1191
2010
2011
6
was extremely tough,”Griffin said. “We need to balance the total enrollment from years of growth with the current budgetary realities.” The increase in applicants and the admission of a smaller class with higher scores, creates an image of the University being more exclusive than in years past. The class of 2016 enjoyed widespread academic success, contributing to the competitive admissions environment.
GRAPHIC BY TREY FERGUSON
Average SAT score for NCSU freshman class
Taylor Adcox
2012
For the first time in the University’s history, the incoming freshman class averaged more than 1200 on the critical reading and mathematics portions of the SAT. The class of 2016’s average score of 1219 represents a 28-point jump over the class of 2015’s average score of 1191. “The average SAT scores for this year’s freshmen really stand out,” Griffin said. “Numbers like these are unprecedented ... a jump in SAT
scores this large is unusual. We are [also] seeing a trend of incoming students taking more and more AP courses.” The numbers are impressive. The class of 2016 boasts 206 valedictorians and 95 salutatorians. More than half of the incoming freshmen completed AP or IB courses in high school, averaging about 4.4 AP classes per student. When accepting applications, admissions looks for well-rounded students with strong high school transcripts. According to Griffin, admissions uses a holistic approach when considering an application. Extracurricular activities and full high school transcripts play an important factor in deciding admissions. “We have so many people that were president of their student body, editor of their newspaper, captain of their sports team ... the freshman class is full of students with the type of ability and leadership,” Griffin said. “We like to drill down beyond the GPA and class rank, looking at the transcript and independent grades in certain classes, such as math grades for engineering majors.”
Paul Ryan shines as poster child for Romney’s campaign Arjun Puri Staff Writer
On Saturday, Aug. 11, Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney announced Wisconsin’s House Representative Paul Ryan as his running mate for the 2012 Presidential elections. This nomination has ignited debate from both sides of the spectrum, especially in a swing state like North Carolina, where strong debate could be key. Ryan was not shy to draw fire when he compared the current American economy to that of Europe’s, telling ABC News, “What if your president … saw it coming? What if [he] knew that that crash was coming, what if [he] knew why it was going to hapCOURTESY OF MITTROMNEY.COM pen, but [he] just decided not to Presumptive Republican vice presidential candidate Paul Ryan stands out as the GOP’s poster child for conservative platforms . because it wasn’t good politics … friends, that’s exactly where we are today.” spending in the health care system Romney might only have to pay 1 greet local businesses. Ryan was met Ryan has promised to bring and reining in insurance compa- percent in federal taxes after his with protests, but also overwhelm300,000 jobs to a “stagnant” North nies—reforms that won’t touch gross annual income, which is said ing cheers as he spoke to the crowd Carolina economy and get the over- your guaranteed Medicare benefits,” to cross $15 million. about the nation’s credit rating all economy growing at 4 percent. Obama reported to USA Today in The GOP plan would also raise under Obama and the Affordable Obama’s team disputed Ryan’s his weekly radio address. taxes on middle class families earn- Care Act. c l a i m s , s t at i ng The Republican ing a combined household income Attendee Chad Buch said he that small to meresponse, backed by of $100,000 to $200,000. This is be- will vote for the Republican ticket dium businesses Romney and Ryan, ing fought by Senator Robert Casey, in November because he is a fan alone have added has been focused a Democrat from Pennsylvania, who of Ryan’s plan to simplify the tax 4.5 million jobs in towards the future said that middle-class earners would bracket. Like many, Buch is looking the last 29 months, of Medicare, saying see their tax bill rise sharply under for serious solutions. and this, coupled unless the system is the Ryan plan. While Obama swiped the North w it h A me r ic a n changed it will go The Huffington Post reports Ry- Carolina votes four years ago, most manufacturers bankrupt. Ryan’s an’s plan would eliminate taxes on experts think it will be even closer adding jobs for the plan to privatize capital gains, dividend income and this time and many, like Ryan, are first time since the Medicare will not interest income and would also do taking notice. 1990s, makes for affect anyone over away with the alternative minimum “North Carolina, when we think Paul Ryan, House Rep a very “non-stagthe age of 55. tax. of it, is a state with so many resourcnant” economy. Looking back at With Obama winning North Car- es, so much talent, a great university Health care, especially Medicare, Ryan’s prior votes on taxes in the olina by a slight count in 2008, it is system, great football, great baskethas become a key issue, and Obama House, they seem consistent with no surprise the GOP has paid several ball … it is known for its research, has wasted no time attacking the his official policy as the presumptive visits to the state before the Demo- known for its dynamic,” Ryan told GOP on their new proposals. Republican vice presidential candi- cratic National Convention takes ABC News. “Reforms that will save Medicare date. This may hurt Ryan, however, place in Charlotte starting Sept. 4. money by getting rid of wasteful as under the Republican tax policy, Ryan was in Raleigh Aug. 22 to
“North Carolina, when we think of it, is a state with so many resources, so much talent...”
insidetechnician
Student Connections
Students riot in South Africa. See page 3.
MLG steps up their game year after year Major league gaming. See page 5.
50 shades of Raleigh
How a book increased adult toy sales. See page 6.
NSF award accelerates transformer development Taylor Adcox Correspondent
The development of the next generation of power infrastructure has received a major boost following a grant from the National Science Foundation. The grant, in the form of the NSF’s Accelerating Innovation Research Award is the latest in a long history of accolades for the Solid State Transformer. Developed by FREEDM Systems Center on Centennial Campus, the Solid State Transformer is aiming to entirely rethink how power grids work. Power grids distribute energy from a given power plant to the consumers. The transformer’s role in the process is to “step down” the voltage of the electricity coming from a power plant. This reduction is necessary for devices such as household appliances, lights and consumer electronics to use the power. On its most basic level, the SST is a device that is able to intelligently analyze and adapt to changes in demand on the power grid. Richard Gould, professor in mechanical and aerospace engineering, is the faculty advisor to the SST project. “If you normally get your power from Virginia, but have a supply issue, the SST could recognize the problem and reroute the grid to send you power from South Carolina,” Gould said. The technology goes beyond fixing power outages. The SST is designed to be a bi-directional system. If adopted commercially, consumers could buy as well as sell back electricity to utilities companies. “Imagine it is a hot July day, where electricity is expensive, and you drive an electric vehicle,” Gould said. “With the SST, if you knew you were not going anywhere that day, you could drain the battery of your EV and sell the electricity to the power
NSF continued page 2