I have lived in Raleigh for about 10 years, so I knew what i was getting into when decided to stay in Raleigh for college.  Unlike some ppl say, there ARE things to do in Raleigh, you just have to be willing to and openminded.  In the spring/summer there is something called Alive After Five, where they shut down a city block in the middle of downtown and have bands play and serve alcohol and its basically one big party.  Across from campus there is a movie theatre that serves alcohol, and a few bars, including 2 Hookah bars.  Just a few miles down the road is a strip filled tons of bars and late night street hotdog vendors.  Off campus parties tend to be somewhat lame...you have to get connected with the right ppl who know where the good ones are. 

If you love sports then NCSU is the school for you.  School spirit is HIGH, if not off the charts.  The football and basketball games are amazing.  Everyone comes together.

Campus diversity is ok on diversity.  You will see a few asians, etc.  There didnt seem to be many black people.  However, the whole redneck thing is a lie.  There are of course groups of rednecks since it is an Agricultural school, but mostly the student body are just normal average middle class americans.  They also have on campus vendors who set up and sell neat things.  They arent pushy or anything, they are just set up their stuff and you can browse.  It seemed to add diversity, which I liked.  Also, during football season, for a whole week, they set up a big “pinic” for lunch and hand out football shaped beads and you stand in line and get free food which is catered by a restaurant across the road.  Its very good! 

As with all schools, some teachers were good, some wernt......some classes were hard, some wernt.  If you are engineering, be prepared to STUDY.  The engineering and science classes are hard.  Out of all the ppl I know who took Organic Chemistry....less than half passed it the first time.  I have found that all the very difficult classes ended up being rewarding, though.