[F]requently [A]sked [Q]uestions – for Applicants
The majority of the following answers are found on the Graduate School website. And remember, ALL STUDENTS MUST APPLY ONLINE!
Admissions Questions
After you complete and submit your online application, you will proceed to the payment section for your non-refundable application fee. The application system requires payment by credit card. Neither cash nor check can be accepted.
The application fee for United States citizens and permanent residents is $75.00 in U.S. currency drawn from a U.S. bank. The application fee for international applicants is $85.00 in U.S. currency drawn from a U.S. bank or from an international bank with a U.S. affiliate.
One official transcript from all colleges and universities previously attended; (NOTE: Applicants currently attending or who have previously attended NC State are not required to provide an NC State transcript.) A list of courses in progress if enrolled as a Post-Baccalaureate Studies (PBS) student at NC State is requested as well.
Three recommendations from people who know the prospective student’s academic record and potential for graduate study. Letters from research advisors are particularly valuable.
For 2019 admission, we will waive the application fee for the first 100 applicants that are American citizens and that have an undergraduate GPA of better than 3.0 . More details are here.
The Physics department does NOT waive the application fee for international students.
Yes, if he/she feels as though their physics background is strong enough to begin taking graduate physics courses immediately. Please explain in your Candidate Statement why you think you are prepared for our program.
We do request all students to take the general GRE and strongly suggest all students take the Physics GRE. This helps us better judge the best path for you, especially if you do not have an unusual educational pathway.
Statistics
TOEFL and GRE
To be eligible for admission to the Graduate School 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; however, some programs may require additional evidence of English proficiency:
- Provide Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) with a total score of at least 80 on the Internet-based Test (iBT). The Physics department requires the following minimum test scores for each section:
Listening: 18 points Reading: 18 points Writing: 18 points Speaking: 18 points for admission to the Graduate School 23 points for TA appointment where TA has direct verbal interactions with students 26 points for TA appointment where TA presents lectures in the class or laboratory NOTE: The current computer- and paper-based versions of the TOEFL test will be given until the iBT version is implemented in a particular location. Computer-based TOEFL scores must be 213 or higher (with at least 17 on three sections and no section score below 13). The paper-based test requires a score of 550 or higher (with scores of 50 on at least two of the three sections and no section score below 45). - Provide International English Language Testing System (IELTS) scores with an overall band score of at least 6.5. Minimum test scores for each section are listed below:
Listening: 6.5 Reading: 6.5 Writing: 6.5 Speaking: 6.5 for admission to the Graduate School 7.0 points for TA appointment - 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 U.S. college or university.
- TOEFL or IELTS test date must be no older than two years (24 months) prior to the beginning of the requested entry term.
You may send a photocopy of your TOEFL score report to the Physics Department Office. The copy you mail can be used for initial review purposes. However, if you are required to take the test, you cannot be admitted until ETS sends us your official score report.
Financial Aid
Most students (>95%) in the PY graduate program are supported by a teaching assistantship (TA), research assistantship (RA) or fellowship. Typical TA/RA support levels in Fall 2018 are ~$23,532/year. Health insurance is provided to all students in good standing, as is tuition for a specific amount of time for those on TA or RA appointments or fellowships. – The cost of living near NC State is relatively low, particularly compared to major metropolitan areas. Additional information can be found here.
Specific Questions
GSSP
First-year graduate students are usually eligible for the GSSP (Graduate Student Support Plan). Graduate students that meet the GSSP requirements are eligible to receive health insurance and tuition support (for a limited number of semesters). The annual stipend for a full-time TA position is $23,532. If you are on an RA, the annual salary is at the discretion of the research professor.
For more information regarding the GSSP, please refer to the Graduate School webpage.