Electrical and Computer Engineering

International Student Checklist

Please read through the following list and complete the necessary tasks.

  1. University ID: Pick up your student ID at the K-State Student Union ID Center. International students will have to show your I-20, passport or letter of acceptance.
  2. University eID: Visit the K-State eID registration page for information on eIDs and how to register.
  3. Enrollment: See your advisor to discuss enrollment. If you do not know who your advisor is, please log in to KSIS with your university ID (see #2 above). If you have not been assigned an advisor, please contact Dr. Andrew Rys. Please note that you must enroll in ECE 896 - Graduate Seminar (zero credit hours). *See note below for more information.
  4. Orientation: Register for orientation
  5. Mailboxes: Mailboxes will be given to each graduate student. The mailboxes are in 3111 Engineering Hall. These should be ready by the second week of the semester. Please check your mailbox at least once a week. DO NOT use the department address for personal mail or it will be returned to the addressee. If you have questions about the mailboxes or need help finding them, visit the ECE office in 3108 Engineering Hall for assistance.

If you have been hired as a GTA/GRA, please complete these tasks:

  1. Employment Paperwork: Visit the project coordinator in 3108B Engineering Hall to complete your paperwork. If you are a GTA, please see or email the faculty member overseeing your course.
  2. Key Requests: Visit the ECE office in 3108 Engineering Hall to fill out a key request form for the building. Office assignments will be available as soon as possible. *See note below for more information.

*Graduate seminars will be held regularly throughout the semester. Enrollment in ECE 896 is required every semester. You are required to attend. Announcements and schedules will be posted on the graduate student bulletin board and sent in emails to the graduate student listserv. If you have conflicts, please contact Dr. Andrew Rys.

*Office space will be given to students with appointments. Other students may get an office if space becomes available. Those wanting office space should contact Dr. Andrew Rys. You will be notified if space becomes available.

Checklist for newly admitted students

Before arrival (30-60 days):

  • Admission letter and I-20 has been received
  • Obtained visa
  • Viewed Graduate School's virtual orientation site for information
  • Travel plans have been made (the two closest airports are Manhattan (MHK) and Kansas City International (MCI))
  • Housing arrangements have been made
  • Notify department at grad@ece.ksu.edu and your advisor that you plan on attending graduate school at K-State

After arrival:

  • Take I-20 to International Student Center
  • Attend orientation sessions for international students
  • Go to Lafene Health Center to make arrangements for mandatory tuberculosis testing if from high risk country
  • Make banking arrangements
  • Secure housing and pay necessary deposits
  • If you received conditional acceptance contact English Language Program to register for English proficiency test. (Scheduling can take up to a month, consider retaking the TOEFL or IELTS before arrival)
  • GTA/GRA: If you did not meet the required language scores, prior to receiving your GRA/GTA position you must contact the English Language Program to register for SPEAK test. (A passing score is a 23)
  • If you received a GTA/GRA, go to “GRA/GTA link” for required employment documentation information
  • Meet with advisor for information concerning enrollment, departmental orientation sessions and program requirements.
  • Attend orientation session sponsored by the Graduate School for all new graduate students. (https://www.k-state.edu/grad/admissions/)
  • Attend orientation session sponsored by the Graduate School for all new graduate teaching assistants, graduate research assistants and graduate assistants.
  • Enroll in classes after consultation with advisor
  • Pay tuition and fees
  • Obtain student identification card
  • Obtain parking permit (if needed)
  • Purchase books and supplies
  • Attended departmental orientation sessions, if applicable
  • Check in with department for office assignments, mailboxes and keys
  • Attended first class!

Helpful Links

If you have been accepted for a GRA/GTA position to begin working for the University you must complete the following steps.

  1. Obtain Verification of Employment for the Social Security Administration (on letterhead) from the project coordinator. A request for an on-campus work permit will be submitted electronically at this time.
  2. Take the verification of employment form to International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS), ISSS will provide verification of enrollment
  3. Set up a bank account for direct deposit
  4. Take verifications to the Social Security office and apply for a Social Security card as soon as possible. A Social Security card is required to complete HR paper, which must be completed before employment can begin. Students should arrive in the United States at least 15 to 20 days prior to their start date. Students will need to bring in the following documentation for HR paperwork. All documents are required. The process and start date will be postponed until all documentation is provided:
    • Social Security Card
    • I-94 (Department of Homeland Security)
    • Passport
    • United States Visa
    • I-20 (Department of Homeland Security)
    • Voided check or a routing number and account number for direct deposit
  5. GTA’S will be required to take the SPEAK test if their first language is not English, and receive a score of 50 in order to be awarded a GTA appointment. Students will need to schedule this test through the English Language Program. Again, this will need to be done prior to their first day of employment. Arriving 15 to 20 days early, allows them enough time to schedule a SPEAK test appointment. GTA appointments are contingent on the student receiving a qualifying score. If a student does not receive this score a GTA appointment will not be awarded.

*If a student has been in the United States more than six months, a background check will also need to be completed. This cannot be completed without a social security card and can take up to 10 days to be processed. As noted above, the start date will be changed to reflect the completion of HR paperwork.