Semester Checklist
Welcome to NC State
We are excited to have you join the Wolfpack family. With more than 34,000 students and nearly 8,000 faculty and staff, NC State is a comprehensive university that’s globally recognized for its leadership in education and research.
The GTI will help you transition to life in the United States and provide opportunities to get engaged at NC State. Students receive the following information in a welcome email after their application is processed and approved:
You must bring an official transcript with you to submit to the Grad School when you come to campus in August.
- Campus ID: the nine-digit numeral shown on the Wolfpack One Card (ex. 200123456)
- Wolfpack One ID Card: used to access a variety of services on campus. Always carry it with you! Once you are registered for classes, you can get your ID card at the Wolfpack One office in the Talley Student Union (Monday-Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.) You MUST bring your passport. There is a $20 fee for replacement cards.
- Unity ID: six characters long, comprised of initials from your name and may also contain numbers (ex. jsmith3).
- Default Password: last 4 digits of Campus ID + birth month and day (ex. July 4 = 0704). Once you receive your default information, you are are ONLY able to set up your security questions and change your password. Use your temporary password to log in at https://www.ncsu.edu/uia and complete the security questions. When you’ve completed the security questions, visit https://www.ncsu.edu/password to change your password.
There are several health-related actions you need to take before you get to NC State University and immediately when you arrive.
- All students must complete their Health History form, the Tuberculosis Questionnaire, and submit copies of your immunization records (translated into English) online via HealthyPackPortal.
- North Carolina law requires that you submit proof of your immunizations to the Student Health Center before arriving on campus:
- Some students may also be required to complete a Tuberculosis screening when they first arrive to campus.
Students who do not complete their health records requirements will be dropped from all classes and lose access to NC State facilities and services.
MyPack Portal is a student self-service system through which students may change personal or academic information as well as semester schedules from any computer with internet access.
- Contact your departmental advisor to discuss what courses to take and how to enroll in the classes if there are pre-requisites or other restrictions.
- Search our course catalog for classes you would like to register for each semester.
- Maintain a minimum of 12 credit hours at all times (undergraduates) or a minimum of 9 credit hours (graduates).
- You can also edit/access your student information and update your address in MyPack.
- New students should enroll in the Student Health Insurance Plan.
- Health care can be very expensive in the United States. You should always utilize the Student Health Center if your medical situation is not an emergency.
- Most over the counter medication used to treat cold symptoms can be purchased at drug stores, grocery stores, and retail stores (Wal-mart, Target, etc). If you need prescription medication, you will need to see a healthcare provider.
- The chart below briefly outlines the various levels of care you can receive while in the U.S.

- Students can order their GoPass online ($5) by providing a valid US mailing address or pick it up at the Transportation Office at 2721 Sullivan Drive.
- Wolfline buses are free and will take you around the NC State campus.
- The Red Terror bus goes from campus to NC State home games at Carter Finley stadium (football) or the PNC Arena (basketball).
- Track Wolfline buses in real-time online or on your smartphone at http://ncsu.transloc.com/
- GoRaleigh buses are free with a GoPass, or $1.25 a ride, and will take you around Raleigh.
- For route maps and schedule, check the City of Raleigh’s website: http://www.raleighnc.gov/transit/
- There is a free R-Line bus that circulates the downtown Raleigh area.
- GoTriangle buses are free with a GoPass, or $2.25 a ride ($3 for express routes), and will take you around the Triangle region (the airport, Durham or Chapel Hill).
- Find schedules and routes at http://www.gotriangle.org/
- Public transportation in Raleigh and the Triangle area is constantly improving but it is not as extensive as public transportation in larger American cities like New York City or Washington, DC. If you plan to use public transportation, be sure to check schedules and maps and plan for a lot of travel time.
- Visit the NC State Transportation website for more information about how to rent bicycles or participate in car share or rideshare services.
- We have 900+ student organizations, Student Government and the Union Activities Board working together to enhance the Wolfpack experience. Discover how to get involved.
- NC State is part of the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) and participates in Division I, the highest level of college sports. Tickets to many athletic events are free if you show your student ID at the door. There is a lottery for tickets to football and men’s basketball games.
- Students have access to many resources through University Recreation, including club and intramural sports, fitness classes, and outdoor adventures.
- Check out university housing (on-campus dorm rooms and apartments).
- Discover the libraries on the NC State campus and everything they offer.
- Find out about dining options available on campus in various locations.

Raleigh Guide
Check out our interactive guide and orientation to Raleigh and the surrounding area.