Frequently Asked Questions
Q : How do I register for my courses?
A : Refer to Pre-Arrival information.
Q : I'm an Electronics and Communication Engineer and also have done a part time course in VLSI(VHDL programming-basic programs,CMOS and FPGA-mostly basic)so do you think I may have to do any pre-requisites if I take up CE, if so can you tell me the courses?
A : You do not need any pre-reqs for the introductory CpE (ComputerEngg) courses. The advanced courses have the introductory courses as prereqs. And again the ECE department is pretty flexible about pre-reqs. So do not worry about them.
Q : In some universities they have what is called co-operative engineering program in which the students attend college for the first 9 months and do work in the summer(internship sort of) and earn money to pay for further studies. Do all students get this chance i.e., work in the summer and earn enough money to pay for their forthcoming next semester?
A : International students are eligible to participate in the co-op program after spending 9 months in school. The program allows for work outside the university at jobs that justifiably related to one's field of study. You can find general information about co-ops at http://www2.ncsu.edu/ncsu/co-op_ed/. Not all students get internship, infact the scene for on campus job in this summer was also very sad.
A : It should be possible to make around 400 dollars a month which is sufficient for your monthly expenditure. Nobody can give you a guarantee whether you will get a on campus job, but if you get one with full 20 hours you can make around 400/ 420 $ per month very easily. You have to come prepared to hunt for on campus jobs if you don't have aid. And if you don't get an on-campus job be prepared to support yourself as NCSU overall is an expensive university. The chances of getting an on-campus job are pretty slim so don't bank on it.
Q : Can I work off-campus?
A : Students on F-1 visas are not allowed to work off-campus. Under extenuating circumstances this restriction may be waived, but only with prior permission from the Immigration and Naturalization Services, and that too only after completing nine months of studies here. The Immigration Department is very strict about permitting F-1 students to work off-campus, even if the situation appears desperate from the point of view of the student. There are some on-campus jobs available for students on a very competitive basis. Spouses on F-2 Visa are not allowed to work under any circumstances.
Q : Does one have to learn any software for getting jobs. I'm planning to learn about web designing?
A : If you have any special skills they will be of use. Like if you know Vb or VC ++ you might find openings that require knowledge of those. Learn basic HTML, it may be of use. The more skills you have the better off you are. (Think So! but doesnt always work that way as luck plays a huge role in getting a job here)
Q : If I get an admit when should I come?
A : 15 days before the orientation is a good time to come to NCSU. I believe school starts around the 20th of August. Most ppl without aid get here 2 weeks in advance of the opening date. Those who have aid should come around 4 / 5 days before orientation.
Q : About initial stay whom should I contact or do I have to arrange it by myself?
A : MAITRI will provide for your initial few days of stay. You will be picked up from the airport by MAITRI and will be housed with seniors till you can find an apartment and move in. Please stay tuned to this website for more details about this.
Q :Could you just tell me more about how to take courses and more about credits for each level, compulsory courses? (FOR ECE/CSC/CNC/CNE)
A : There is really just one rule, 2(Minimum) 700 level courses + research credits(if you are on a thesis option) + 500 level courses.
Q : We need 30 credits (or 10 courses) for an M.S and that we have to take two 700 courses. That leaves us eight 500 courses, doesnt it ? But I saw only about that many courses in the course listing in the NCSU website. Does this mean that we, have to take all those courses compulsorily ?
A : The truth is that though you NEED just 2 700 level courses to graduate, you will find that some good courses are offered only at the 700 level. Another reason is that you may find that some courses like "algorithms" are offered by the CS department but are cross listed as ECE courses. i.e you get ECE credit if you take the course.
Q: AID: What does AID depend on?
A : You have to be really a VERY VERY VERY lucky person to get aid in NCSU.
Q: On what basis is a student offered a tuition waiver?
A : At NCSU, tution waivers are never offered apart from those that come along with a TA/RA.
Q : Course: I believe that ECE has some good courses in networking but there are also some good courses in Computer Science and MSCN. I heard that the system in USA is very flexible ..does that mean I could take any courses of CN /CS by staying in ECE? What are my chances of shifting from ECE to CS once I get there?
A : Most of the courses are cross listed. The department is also pretty flexible on the courses that you can have on you plan of work to receive a degree. Yes you can take courses from CS/CN. As long as you can talk it out with the director of the grad. program. You cannot shift departments quite easily especially between CSC dept & ECE dept. The max. you can hope is for changing curriculum within the dept itself like shifting from EE to CPE. But even this is hard to do nowadays.
Q: Weather in NCSU ?
A : Weather is warm from April to August/ September. - total summer types. From September till February the weather becomes cooler and one definitely requires sweater, in December and January one requires a thick jacket. More information about the temperature variation is sent to you in the OISSS packet.
Q: Housing : Do Indian students prefer off-campus housing? I heard that the norm is: Cheap = off campus + sharing apartments. Could you provide me with some info on this? i.e. Where do you live and the no of people sharing the apartments + cost per head per month?
A : Yes, they do prefer off-campus housing. MOST students stay off campus in apartments that are close to school and on the university bus service (WOLFLINE) route. Its easy to get to campus by bus. The number of people in an apartment ranges from 2 to 4. Three or four ppl in an apt. is common. For more info refer Housing link
Q : Is there any good FAQ site about NC?
A : The official North Carolina Website : http://www.state.nc.us/
Q : Which department handles the MS in Computer Networks Program?
A : Both the CS and ECE departments. The course is almost identical in both the depts the difference is just in the titles CNC & CNE.
Q : I sent my financial statement, but the OISSS wants another one. What should I do about this?
A : NCSU's international student office requests a financial statement only after a student has been granted admission. After you receive your offer of admission, in order to receive your I-20 send a financial statement that is dated within a couple of months atleast ( they are very strict about that...and most ppl have problems about this one) along with a letter stating something to the effect that XYZ is the sponsor.