Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ):
- Admission
- Academics
- Financing Your Education
- Residence Life
- NDSU Facts and Figures
- Student Life
- The Campus
1. What are the requirements for undergraduate admission?
Students graduating in 1993 or later must complete the following Core Curriculum Requirements:
* 4 years of English
* 3 years of Mathematics (Algebra I and above)
* 3 years of Laboratory Science
* 3 years of Social Studies
In addition, the Office of Admission will also look at the student's cumulative grade point average and ACT or SAT scores when making an admission decision. Meeting these requirements does not necessarily guarantee admission.
2. When should I apply to NDSU?
We suggest you send in your application for admission in the fall or early winter for the following fall semester.
NDSU does not have an application deadline or a cap on enrollment, but early application facilitates other processes as you prepare for college.
3. When will a student be notified if he/she is admitted to NDSU?
Before an admission decision can be made, a student's admission file must be complete. For a file to be complete, it must contain an application for admission, official high school and/or college transcripts, ACT or SAT test scores, and a $35 application fee. Once the file is complete, the student will be notified of the admission decision in two to three weeks.
4. What are the application requirements for transfer students?
Students interested in transferring to NDSU from another college or university should submit the following:
- A completed application for admission and $35 nonrefundable application fee
- A high school transcript (if fewer than 60 semester/90 quarter transferable college credits)
- Official transcript(s) of all previous college work
- Transfer students should have a minimum grade point average of 2.00 (4.00 scale)
5. When do classes start?
- Fall Semester 2008-August 25, 2008
- Spring Semester 2009- January 12, 2009
6. If I take a course at a local college while I am still in high school,
will I receive NDSU credit for it?
In general, all college-level courses from accredited colleges or universities will be evaluated for transfer credit. Courses from non-accredited institutions will not be accepted for transfer. College-level courses that do not have an equivalent at NDSU will be accepted but may count only toward total credits. Submit a transcript from the college or university where you took the classes with your application for admission or as soon as possible following completion of the credits.
7. What types of placement and proficiency exams do you offer/ accept?
Students can earn advanced credit by taking the following courses and examinations: The College Level Examination Program (CLEP), The Advanced Placement Program, International Baccalaureate.
Details for each program are online.
1. How many classes do students take?
The average class load is 15-16 credits per semester, which is about five classes.
2. What majors do you offer at NDSU?
NDSU offers more than 100 majors. Learn more about Colleges, Majors and Minors.
3. What is the Tri-College system?
NDSU is a member of Tri-College University, which permits students at NDSU,
Minnesota State University Moorhead and Concordia College to take courses at
either of the other two schools at no extra charge. Some restrictions apply.
More on Tri-College.
4. Do I have to decide on a major before I apply?
No. Students who begin course work without a declared major get assistance
exploring majors and careers from the faculty in the University Studies.
Read more about University Studies.
5. Can I switch my major?
It is not uncommon for students to change their majors. It is important that
you work with your adviser and faculty in your new major to be sure you have
found the right fit. Call the Office of Admission if you would like to change
your major before your register for fall classes.
6. Does NDSU offer opportunities to study abroad?
Yes, you can study abroad and get credit for the course work. NDSU exchanges
allow students to pay tuition and fees at NDSU and receive credit toward their
degrees at NDSU. In addition to exchange agreements with universities in Mexico,
the Netherlands, Germany, Sweden, Canada and Norway, NDSU is also a member of
the International Student Exchange Program (ISEP) which allows students to
study in more than 100 different locations.
Read more about study abroad opportunities.
1. How much is the student activity fee and what does the fee go towards?
The student activity fee and technology fee is $962 per year. The money
is used to support various student activities on campus. Students may
attend varsity athletic events, movies, and other recreational events
for free. In addition, students may use the fitness facilities, see the
campus physician or nurse practitioner, located in the Wellness Center,
at no charge. A portion of the fee is used to support technology needs
on campus. Please note, some academic programs require students to pay
an additional program fee.
2. What kinds of scholarships are offered for new students?
NDSU offers a variety of academic, athletic, and music scholarships to new students. Students interested in academic scholarships should contact the NDSU Office of Admission and request a scholarship form or use the link below. The deadline for new student scholarships is Feb. 1. Students interested in athletic or music scholarships should directly contact either department.
First Year and Transfer Student Scholarship Application.
3. When will I find out about my financial aid award?
The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is available in most high school counselors' offices. The FAFSA is available at the financial aid office of any community college, trade school, university, etc. For priority consideration, we recommend you mail the FAFSA to the processor no later than February 28 to ensure processing by March 15. Students applying later will be considered for Pell Grants, Stafford Loans, and alternative loans. Award notices, known as Student Aid Reports or SARs, are mailed in May or June.
Learn more about Financial Aid at NDSU.
1. Are students required to live on campus their freshman year?
All first year students are required to live in a university residence hall. For more information,
visit the Department of Residence Life website. Learn
more about residence halls at NDSU.
2. Can students request who they live with in the residence halls?
Yes, a student may request a specific roommate. If a student designates a person, he/she must request the student as a roommate on the housing application. Both housing applications should be mailed in together with both of the students' deposits. Requests mailed before January 1 are most likely to be honored.
3. Should each student have his or her own computer?
It is not necessary for a student to bring his/her personal computer to campus. NDSU has several computer clusters with nearly 500 computers for students use. In IACC, there is a 24-hour computer center for students. If a student chooses to buy a personal computer, he/she may purchase a computer from the Campus bookstore at a reduced price. All of the residence halls are wired for Internet access. Information Technology Services.
4. Can students have cars on campus?
Yes, students may have cars on campus. Students may only park in the lot that is designated for their residence hall. Parking permits are $100 for a year. Lots also are available for students who do not live on campus.
1. How many students are enrolled at NDSU?
Current enrollment at North Dakota State University is approximately 12,527
students (fall 2007).
2. What is the ratio between students and faculty?
The student to teacher average ratio is 19 to 1.
3. Is NDSU on quarters or semesters?
NDSU is on the semester system. Fall semester usually begins the end of August and runs to the middle of December. Spring semester usually begins in January. Each semester is 15 weeks long. In addition, NDSU offers two summer sessions. One session is four weeks long and the other one is eight weeks long.
4. What is the average class size?
More than 80% of our undergraduate classes have fewer than 40 students.
However, first year students will have a variety of class sizes. Some
classes may be larger lectures and some classes will be around 20 students.
Introductory courses typically have more students, while classes specifically
relating to your major often have fewer than 25 students.
1. How many sororities and fraternities on campus?
NDSU has 5 social sororities, 9 social fraternities, and 2 professional fraternities.
2. How many student organizations are there on campus?
There are more than 200 recognized student organizations at NDSU.
3. Are there medical services provided on campus?
Yes, NDSU has a Student Health Service. During the academic year, the Health Service is open from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. It is staffed by a physician, nurse practitioner, registered nurses, a pharmacist, and a medical technologist. The center is able to care for minor illnesses and injuries. Check out NDSU's Wellness Center.
Student Health Service.
4. What kinds of events are held in the FargoDome?
The Bison football team plays football games in the FargoDome.
There are also many concerts, exhibitor shows, and city events in the dome.
1. How large is the campus?
The campus is about 258 acres or 30 city blocks. The NDSU main campus includes 90 major buildings. NDSU Downtown opened in August 2004. The building house the architecture program, art department, a gallery, studios, classrooms and an outdoor sculpture area. In all, NDSU is located on 22,053 acres of North Dakota land which includes the main Agricultural Experimental Station in Fargo and seven research centers located throughout the state.