• Must either have a Bachelor's degree in Computer Science from an accredited institution, or have some other Bachelor's degree or equivalent and have passed CS courses (or can prove experience) equivalent to the following undergraduate courses at USF:
  
  • Data Structures and Algorithms (CS 245)
  • Computer Architecture (CS 315)
  • Operating Systems (CS 326)
  • Compilers (CS 414) or both Programming Language Paradigms (CS 345) and Automata Theory (CS 411).
• Must meet all other requirements listed below for Conditional Graduate Students.

• Must have a Bachelor's degree in any subject from an accredited U.S. institution or equivalent.
• Undergraduate GPA must have been at least B- (2.7 on a scale of 0.0 to 4.0) in all upper division courses and at least B (3.0) in upper-division courses in the applicant's major field. Must also meet the TOEFL requirements.
• Must have a GRE General Test quantitative score of at least 680, though applicants should be advised that the average math GRE score is 750 for accepted applications.
• Must have passed CS and Math courses (or can prove experience) equivalent to the following undergraduate courses at USF:
  • Intro to CS I (CS 110)
  • Intro to CS II (CS 112)
  • Assembly Language and Systems Programming (CS 210)
  • Calculus I (Math 109, differential and integral calculus)
  • Linear Algebra (Math 130)
  • Discrete Math (Math 322)

The following foundation requirements are not required for admission to the graduate program, but must be completed while at USF to achieve regular status as a graduate student. The foundation requirements can be waived if met by previous studies or work experience equivalent to the requirements:

• Introductory programming (two courses)
• Upper-division programming (one course)
• Discrete math (one course)
• Data structures (one course)

If an applicant believes that they may have fulfilled these requirements by previous study or experience, please attach a statement to the application form with a descriptive explanation.


What is the typical course sequence for MS Internet Engineering?

Students normally following this structure:

Year 1	Fall	Spring
	OO Software Development Artifical Intelligence	Internet Systems Research Distributed Software Development
Summer Residency
Year 2	Human Computer Interaction Elective	Masters Project Digital Society

What is the typical course sequence for "4+1" Honors MS Internet Engineering Students?

Students may acquire their MSIE in 5 years by altering the last 2 years of their undergraduate work and then taking an extra year of course work as follows:

Year 3	Fall	Spring
	OO Software Development Operating Systems	Computer Architecture Compilers
Year 4	Fall	Spring
	undergrad elective Artifical Intelligence	Internet Systems Research Distributed Software Development
Summer Residency
Year 5	Human Computer Interaction Grad elective	Masters Project Digital Society

Do I need to fill out the general "Statement of Purpose" essay mentioned in some USF graduate application material?

No, but you must write a Computer Science Experience and Background Essay so we can learn more about you.


What do my GRE scores need to be?

The average math GRE score for accepted applications is 750. We will, however, accept applications whose math GRE score is 680 or above. The verbal score is not considered, but the analytical writing scores often a useful indicator. Minimum score is 3.5 for non-native English speakers. These scores are strictly enforced unless you have significant work experience.

For MS Internet Engineering, we expect good performance on the GRE general exam, but we examine all aspects of a person's record including work experience to make an acceptance determination. In some cases, the GRE requirement can be waived for accomplished applicants.

The reporting codes to give to the GRE people are:
USF: 4850
CS Dept: 0402

Verify with testing service in case of changes.


What do my TOEFL scores need to be?

Applicants who are not citizens or permanent residents of the US, eligibility for CS graduate study at USF depends on the TOEFL score. Exceptions to this requirement include applicants who have recently completed a degree program at a U.S. college or university, or who are from a country where English is the first language of all residents (e.g., United Kingdom, Canada, Ireland, Australia and New Zealand).

We can accept IELTS scores also; for example, 6.5 is roughly equivalent to TOEFL 570.

• 600 (paper test) or 250 (CBT) or 100 (iBT) or above: unconditionally accepted.
• 550-600 paper test or 213 to 250 CBT or 79 to 99 (iBT): sufficent but requires an advanced intensive English course during first semester.
• 530-550 paper test or 197 to 213 CBT: rarely accepted.
• Below 530 paper test or 197 CBT: Not eligible for admission.

INTERNATIONAL STUDENT ORIENTATION - GRADUATE STUDENTS
Sponsored by International Student Services
http://www.usfca.edu/iss/orientation.html

WELCOME RECEPTION FOR GRADUATE STUDENTS

University of San Francisco
FILE #72516
PO Box 60000
San Francisco, CA 94160-2516

USF Computer Science Dept.
2130 Fulton St. HR545
San Francisco, CA 94117-1080

Also there is a webpage at USF that lists other on-campus jobs and it may prove helpful to contact these employers. The computer science department also has a number of TA and are a positions, though they do not come with a tuition waiver.

You can also check with Residence Life (orl at usfca.edu); they offer a few Graduate Assistantships that are the only full-support graduate positions on campus. Experience with managing undergraduate dorm life is required, but they do interview over the phone, so the support can appear on an I-20.

All graduate students who desire employment usually find campus jobs--all such jobs pay hourly wages only, no tuition waiver or other benefits. Currently teachers assistants and research assistants make $12/hour, except for service courses. Internships for working graduate students range from $20 to $20 per hour. Students are allowed to work a maximum of 20 hours per week.


Tell me about your fellowships

Fellowships pay some or all of your tuition up to $15,000 and are given to students based upon a general competition every year. All applicants are considered for fellowships automatically. There is no main determining factor, but the Computer Science Experience and Background Essay tells us a great deal about you. Fellowship competition occurs until March 1 each year and money is applied starting in the Fall term usually. If fellowship money remains, then it will be offered to students for the Spring term.

Some students may also be interested in the Soros fellowship for "New Americans". The fellowship provide $20K spending money and 1/2 tuition for one year. The deadline is Nov. 1, 2005. Eligibility: "A New American is an individual who (1) is a resident alien; i.e., holds a Green Card or, (2) has been naturalized as a U.S. citizen or (3) is the child of two parents who are both naturalized citizens."

Note: you get a 20% discount for 3 or students more from same company!


What visa do I need to study at USF?

As an international Student you will need to enter the United States on an F-1 student visa, or transfer your present visa to USF. As soon as we verify your Certification of Finances, you will receive your I-20. If you are an international F-1 student currently living in the U.S., please contact the Computer Science Office (415-422-6530) to get a SEVIS I-20 form. Note that some students get the visa on the 5th attempt; keep trying if you get rejected.


How do I get a Certificate of Finance?
The certificate of finance is required of International Students by all U.S. schools in order to show evidence that the student has enough money to pay for tuition, fees, and living expenses. The student or sponsor must sign the certificate of finance and also provide an official bank letter or official account balance showing at least the required amount depending on the program. If you are receiving a fellowship, an official fellowship award letter is required and will also count toward fulfilling the certificate of finance requirement.

The estimated total amount of 2006-2007 funding for the Masters in Arts & Science is at least $28,936. That is based upon the minimum 6+6=12 units at $11,580 tuition.

For more info about tuition and fees, go to the bursar. To download a Certificate of Finance for your program, go to this application.

It can be faxed or mailed to:

Office of Graduate Admission
University of San Francisco
2130 Fulton Street
San Francisco, CA 94117 USA

Fax: 415-422-2066


Do I need health insurance? What does the university provide?
Domestic students must that have health insurance must be prepared to show proof of coverage when registering for classes. If you do not have coverage, you must either enroll in the USF insurance plan or purchase a plan of your choosing.

All international students are automatically enrolled in USF's health insurance plan, and a fee of $291.00 will be charged to their Bursar's account for the Fall 2004 semester.

If you have private health insurance, you may be able to waive the requirement by contacting the Office of Student Affairs, located in UC 405. For further information on this matter, you may contact that office directly at (415) 422-6251. Please note that your request for waiver of the health insurance must be received by that office not later than 5 days after the beginning of classes.


What will my housing/living expenses be?
[The following information was compiled by graduate student Vineet Agarwal (June 2004).]

Preferable housing: Off campus

Average rent for 2 room hall apt: $1500 (3 of them can stay, so around $500 per head). Deposit for house: first months rent.

Average monthly expense including food and light, gas, and all utilities: $500-$600

You should start looking for roommates as soon as possible. The University provides a facility for roommate networking

If one wants to stay alone, a studio (one room + kitchen + small hall) will be around $1000 - $1200 per month.

Things that could be brought from home country:

• Clothes try to bring 4-5 sweaters and may be a jacket, as it is usually cold throughout the year.
• Learn some cooking basics, to survive, until you get used to food here.
• Medications: basic medications.
• Along with the admission letter the university sends a detail list of things to be brought.

1. Fill out an application for graduation and commencement and fax or mail the completed form to:
   USF Graduation Center
   2130 Fulton St.
   San Francisco, CA 94117
   
   Fax: (415) 422-6329, or
   
2. File the form on line:
   Go to USF web site, under Current Students click on Registrars, click on forms, select "Graduating Student survey and ..." submit the form.

Application dead line is: Fall - September 1st. Spring and Summer - February 1st. You'll find hard copies of the form in Rosa Maria's (CS dept) office, HR 545.