International New Student Checklist

Confirm Your Enrollment

We can’t wait for you to join us on campus. When you submit your $300 Enrollment Deposit, you are verifying your intent to attend NC State. The deadline to confirm your enrollment is May 15 for fall entry and December 1 for spring entry (or within 10 days of receipt of your acceptance if after this deadline). Log in to your wolfPAW account to confirm your enrollment.

Access Your Unity Account

To confirm your enrollment, you must first log in to MyPack Portal with your Unity ID – a username assigned to you upon admission to access all NC State services.

• To obtain your Unity ID, log in to your wolfPAW account using your wolfPAW username and password.
• View your Unity ID and temporary password under “Account Information.”
• Use your Unity ID and password to access MyPack Portal to view billing and academic record information.

View answers to questions concerning your account login information here or contact the NC State Help Desk by emailing help@ncsu.edu or calling 1-919-515-HELP (4357).

Complete the Housing Application

Students who live on campus experience higher university grades and a better overall academic performance. For this reason, all first-year students are required to live on campus and must submit the University Housing application. You may complete the housing application prior to confirming your enrollment at NC State. There is no fee to apply for housing. We encourage you to apply as soon as possible to receive priority consideration for Living and Learning Villages.

Have questions about housing options or the application process? Email University Housing at housing@ncsu.edu.

Pay the SEVIS Fee

Upon receipt of your I-20, you must pay the non-refundable SEVIS fee. Click here for more information on the SEVIS fee, and to make a payment online. F-1 students transferring from another school are not required to pay the SEVIS fee. Learn more here.

Obtain Your Student Visa

To obtain your student visa, make an appointment to visit your local U.S. Embassy. When you visit the U.S. Embassy, you will need to show your acceptance letter, your original bank statement(s), and your I-20 to be considered for an F-1 student visa.

Applying for a visa
Visa appointment and wait times

Take Placement Tests

First-Year Students

To ensure that you are registered for the appropriate courses, placement tests are offered, and are sometimes required, in certain subjects such as math, English, chemistry and foreign languages. Learn more about placement testing here.

Transfer Students

Placement tests for math and English are not required for transfer students; however, based on your needs, you may need to complete tests chemistry, foreign languages, math or writing. Learn more about these assessments here.

Complete the Medical History and Immunization Form

It is strongly recommended that you complete your immunization requirements before arriving to campus. All international students are required to complete the Health History Form and TB Screening forms online and also upload proof of immunizations in your HealthyPack Portal.

Tuberculosis (TB) tests must be completed in the United States. TB tests administered overseas cannot be accepted. You will have the opportunity to complete the TB test requirement through NC
State’s Student Health Center upon your arrival. All records must be officially translated into English.
You can find more information on Immunization and TB Compliance here.

Visit the Center for Disease Control’s website for the most up to date information concerning COVID-19.

Purchase Health Insurance

NC State participates in the system-wide hard waiver health insurance plan administered by Student Blue, Inc. (BlueCross BlueShield of North Carolina). Both domestic and international full-time, degree-seeking students – domestic and international (F-1 and J-1) – are automatically included in this plan unless they prove they are eligible for a waiver. For more information, visit the Student Blue website.

Dependents are not covered under this plan. It is strongly recommended that eligible dependents obtain separate adequate health insurance.

Participate in Summer Start

Summer Start gives you the opportunity to acclimate to NC State and college life before the fall semester. In addition to taking up to eight credit hours towards your major, you will be exposed to valuable support programs and campus resources that will enable you to succeed at NC State. Learn more about Summer Start here.

Provide Final Transcripts

You must submit a copy of your official final transcript from all institutions you attended before enrolling at NC State. Final acceptance is contingent on your maintaining a level of academic performance that is equal or better than your previous academic record.

Failure to submit an official final transcript will cancel your enrollment.

Check-in with the Office of International Services

As part of your immigration status in the United States, you will need to complete the immigration check-in process with the Office of International Services. This is required by law. Some of the process can be completed prior to your arrival, but other parts can only be completed once you have entered the United States. Find more information about the check-in process here.

If you have a spouse coming with you, we encourage them to attend our dependent check-in which is held every other week. You can find more information pertaining to dependents and families here.

Attend the Information Fair

The Office of International Services hosts the International Information Fair near the start of each fall semester. New and returning students are encouraged to attend this event to meet with campus offices and community groups.

Attend New International Student Orientation

At the beginning of the fall and spring semesters, there is an orientation program that all new international students are required to attend. Organized by the Office of International Services and New Student Programs, this orientation will address important information that will assist you during your
transition to NC State. Details and instructions on how to register will be provided via email.

You can find more information about New Student Orientation here.