THE ADMISSIONS PROCESS

The admissions process for international degree program applicants incorporates two main stages: academic acceptance and review of your financial (and, if appropriate, visa) certification by the Office of International Services (OIS). All international applicants must submit an application to either Graduate Admissions or Undergraduate Admissions.

Applicants must be accepted academically before advancing to stage two of the admissions process: clearance by OIS (or the Graduate School ONLY if applicant is overseas planning to apply for an initial F-1 visa). Inquiries regarding applications, transcripts, TOEFL or GRE scores, and other academic materials should be directed to the appropriate admissions office. Undergraduate students should contact Undergraduate Admissions (undergrad_admissions@ncsu.edu); Graduate Students should contact the  Graduate Admissions office (graduate_applications@ncsu.edu). Once an applicant has been accepted academically, the appropriate admissions office will mail the applicant a letter of provisional acceptance and certain forms that must be returned to OIS (or the Graduate School ONLY if applicant is overseas planning to apply for an initial F-1 visa).

All accepted applicants will receive a letter of provisional acceptance and a Certificate of Financial Responsibility (CFR). In addition, accepted applicants who are already in the United States will also receive a Visa Clearance Form (VCF). Those applicants seeking a F-1 or J-1 student visa must complete the Certificate of Financial Responsibility. The purpose of this form is to certify financial capability for the student throughout his/her program of study. For more information on the Certificate of Financial Responsibility, please see the CFR Instruction Page. Applicants who receive the Visa Clearance Form must provide proof of their current nonimmigrant status. This includes those individuals who are Permanent Residents of the United States. (Once OIS receives proof of the permanent residency, Permanent Residents will no longer be considered international students.) Applicants who are already in the United States in a nonimmigrant visa category other than F-1 or J-1 (ex: Permanent Residents, H-1B, H-4, J-2, etc.) are not required to complete and return the Certificate of Financial Responsibility, unless they plan to change to F-1 or J-1 student status (if eligible). Applicants currently in the United States in another nonimmigrant status who wish to change to F-1 or J-1 status will need to consult with an OIS advisor to discuss change of status options.

Upon receipt of the Certificate of Financial Responsibility and, if appropriate, the Visa Clearance Form, OIS (or the Graduate School ONLY if applicant is overseas planning to apply for an initial F-1 visa) will review the document(s) for approval. If the information provided by the applicant is incomplete or not duly supported by proper documentation (e.g. sponsor and bank official signatures, bank statements, etc.), the applicant will be notified that his/her documents were not approved and why. Initial notification is done via e-mail, then regular air mail if necessary.  The applicant will then have an opportunity to correct the problem(s) and resubmit the form(s). Once OIS (or the Graduate School ONLY if applicant is overseas planning to apply for an initial F-1 visa) approves the financial, and if necessary, visa clearance, documents, OIS will notify the appropriate admissions office that the applicant has been cleared for official full acceptance. Applicants, who need to update critical information before arriving or when requested by OIS, can submit the online SEVIS Registration Form. Applicants can check the status of their applications online at Graduate Admissions or Undergraduate Admissions. The appropriate admissions office will prepare a letter of official acceptance and OIS will prepare the appropriate Certificate of Eligibility (Form I-20 or Form DS-2019) to be mailed to the applicant, along with important pre-arrival information. The applicant at this point is considered fully admitted to the University.

Lifelong Education/Non-Degree Students

Some individuals, primarily those already in the United States, may be interested in taking non-degree courses at NC State.  NC State offers distance education and continuing education classes.  Interested individuals will need to contact the Lifelong Education department for further information and to register for classes.  International students will be required to receive clearance from OIS before they can register for classes.  This clearance consists of the examination and approval of current visa documents.  No financial documentation is required to take non-degree classes.