Graduate Program - Application Procedure
The Computer Science department attributes much of the excellence and reputation of its graduate programs to the quality and scholarship of its students as well as its outstanding faculty. Consequently, we make every attempt to attract the best and brightest applicants. If you count yourself among this group, then before beginning the application process, we ask that you note several items intended to improve your overall experience. Some are new for the Fall 2010 application cycle.
- Beginning with the Fall 2010, some Master's applications may have a preliminary review by select, senior doctoral candidates within the Computer Science department (CSC). The admission decisions will continue to be by the faculty admissions committee. Student reviewers will not examine the application of anyone with whom they are personally acquainted.
- Our application process has changed and now requires you to upload a copy of scanned transcripts or academic records during the online application. When completing the Education History section you will be given additional instructions about transcripts.
- The department's administrative processes favor electronic submission of supporting application materials, i.e., recommendations, statements of purpose, resumes, faculty interest statements, and test scores. All duplicates of required documents are discarded, as are documents not specifically requested by CSC or the university, including certificates, secondary grade reports, financial and bank affidavits (pre-admission), passport photocopies, personal medical information, and letters of employment.
- We cannot ensure that resumes sent separately from the document upload process will be matched with applications. However, we do make serious efforts to do so.
- For questions about the Computer Science department, first seek answers within these web pages. If you don't find it here, then address inquiries ONLY to gradsecy AT csc.ncsu.edu.
- For admission questions not directly related to the department, begin your search at the Graduate School's FAQs website. If you don't find it there, then address inquiries ONLY to graduate_applications AT ncsu.edu.
- Never direct the same question to more than one addressee, either separately or simultaneously, as this unnecessary redundancy diverts needed assistance from other applicants.
NEW OPPORTUNITY: Of special note for admitted international applicants: starting in Fall 2010, CSC students pursuing non-thesis masters degrees will be eligible for curricular practical training (CPT) full-time in the subsequent summer and part-time (half) in their third and fourth semesters.
Prerequisites for Application (All Applicants)
Preparatory course work should include a three-semester sequence in differential and integral calculus (MA, 141, 241, and 242 ), a calculus based course in probability and statistics (ST 370 or MA 421 (preferred)) and Computer Science courses equivalent to our CSC 216, 226, 236, 316 and either 333 or 456. See individual degree descriptions for some additional requirements. Applicants must have a minimum undergraduate grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 in order to be considered for a graduate degree program.
To build a strong program and ensure that admitted students have a positive experience, we seek international applicants who:
- have a BS and/or MS in Computer Science or Computer Engineering from one of the top 10 universities in their country;
- have excellent grades;
- have GRE scores above the 85th percentile on the quantitative and 65th percentile on the verbal sections;
- have strong academic recommendations and research or project experience.
Chances for admission are substantially reduced if an applicant does not meet these criteria. Admitted students are candidates for financial aid but should request aid consideration on their application. No additional forms are needed. A subset of admitted students will be offered financial aid. Final decisions on admission and financial aid are subject to resource availability, regardless of qualifications. Applications are not processed until all of the following items have been received:
Graduate School online application
Transcripts or academic record
Recent scores for the GRE General Tests
Statement of Purpose form
Statement of Degree and Faculty Interest Form (optional)
Letters of Recommendation
Recent TOEFL or IELTS scores
Include your full name and NCSU ID number on mailed documents Do not send financial documentation until it is specifically requested.
All items listed with a red ball () above may be mailed to the Department at:
Computer Science Graduate Admissions
North Carolina State University
890 Oval Drive
2310 Engineering Building II
Box 8206
Raleigh, NC 27695-8206
Please note that our application system makes it possible to submit all required documents electronically. Doing so also provides the most prompt processing of applications possible.
Graduate School online application
Applications for admission can be submitted online from the Graduate School's admissions web page. This page also has links to related information on programs, admission requirements, and application deadlines. The application fee cannot be waived or deferred. Please write your name on your application exactly as it appears on your passport or social security card.
Transcripts or academic record
Upload an electronic copy of your academic record or scanned transcript when submitting your online application. The documents should attest to an accredited baccalaureate degree with average grades of B or higher. Preparatory course work should include a three-semester sequence in differential and integral calculus, a calculus based course in probability and statistics, and computer science courses equivalent to CSC 216, 226, 236, 316, and one of 312, 333, or 456.
Do not mail a copy of a transcript or academic record which you have uploaded to your online application.
[Top]Recent scores for the GRE General Test
Guideline scores are: Verbal Reasoning 65%, Quantitative Reasoning 85%, Analytical Writing 60%. To have your official GRE scores sent to us, use Institution Code 5496. GRE scores expire five years after the test date. Expired scores will not be accepted.
In recent years, admission has become more competitive and the scores have generally exceeded the above-mentioned guidelines. All components of the application are considered in arriving at an admission decision, and the department does not employ GRE "minimums" as a screening device.
Scores for the GRE Subject Test
A recent score for the GRE Subject Test in Computer Science is recommended but not required for PhD applicants. Guideline score is 720.
Write a statement of purpose of approximately 500 words addressing the following points:
- Your career goals.
- How graduate study in general, and study at NCSU in particular, will contribute to your goals.
- How you will contribute to our department as a student.
We recommend you include a resume or curriculum vitae when uploading your statement of purpose. A resume or CV does not substitute for a statement of purpose. Do not send copies of certificates, secondary grade reports, financial and bank affidavits (pre-admission), passport photocopies, personal medical information, and letters of employment . These items are unsolicited and will be discarded.
Statement of Degree and Faculty Interest Form
Please submit the form online here. This steup is optional, but strongly encouraged for all applicants.
Three letters of recommendation from persons qualified to evaluate the potential to succeed in graduate studies in computer science must be submitted. Letters from professors in computer science or a closely related discipline who have supervised the student in a class or research are most informative. Forms for the letters of recommendation are included with the online application, and we strongly encourage use of the electronic submission option, which permits applicants to manage their own reference list and send e-mail reminders.
In order to be eligible for admission to the Graduate School at NCSU, all international applicants, regardless of citizenship, must demonstrate proficiency in English at a level necessary to be successful in a graduate program at NC State. This requirement can be met for most applicants in one of the following ways:
Provide Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) with a total score of at least 80 on the Internet-based Test (iBT). Minimum test scores for each section:
Listening
18 points (minimum score)
Reading
18 points (minimum score)
Writing
18 points (minimum score)
Speaking
18 points (minimum score) - for admission to the Graduate School
23 points - for TA appointment where TA has direct verbal interactions with students
Provide the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) with a total score in at least the 6.5 band. Minimum test scores for each section:
Listening
6.5 (minimum score)
Reading
6.5 (minimum score)
Writing
6.5 (minimum score)
Speaking
6.5 (minimum score) - for admission to the Graduate School
7 - for TA appointment where TA has direct verbal interactions with students
be a citizen of a country where English is an official language and the language of instruction in higher education;
have successfully completed at least one year of full-time study in a degree program at a four-year US College or university.
TOEFL test date or the IELTS test date must be no older than two years (24 months) prior to the beginning of the requested entry term.
You can find score comparisons for different versions of the TOEFL here.
TOEFL and IELTS scores may be reported to us using institution code 5496. For purposes of review, the department accepts copies of GRE and TOEFL/IELTS score reports. However, if CSC recommends admission, the Graduate School must receive an official score report from the testing agency before it can approve the department's recommendation.
Current NCSU Students wishing to transfer to Computer Science
Students requesting admission through transfers from other departments at NC State or through co-major applications must complete the Request for Change of Degree Status or Curriculum [PDF][WORD] form by the last day of fall exams for spring admission and June 1 for fall admission. Any student requesting to transfer to one of our masters programs must meet with the Computer Science Admissions Specialist prior to initiating the transfer. Any student requesting to transfer to our PhD program must meet with the Computer Science Director of Graduate Programs prior to initiating the transfer.