Updated July 31, 2020
(The information below pertains ONLY to PhD students in the CSE Department. For information on the MS program, please go here.)
We understand that many of you have questions regarding plans for Fall 2020 instruction and we hope this document can provide some answers. If you still have questions after reading through the FAQs, please contact csegradinfo-phd@eng.ucsd.edu for more information.
Logistical FAQ for Joining Us in 2020/2021
- Admissions and Deferrals
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Can I defer my offer of admission?
In general you may defer your offer of admission to Fall 2021. However, if you are an international student who is unable to obtain a visa or is ineligible for financial support, then you may defer your offer of admission to Winter 2021, Spring 2021, or Fall 2021. This should be done in consultation with your faculty advisor.Readmission is not guaranteed if you defer until Fall 2021. You will need to be readmitted into the department. You may request a waiver of the application fee for the 2021 admissions cycle.
Can I defer my offer of admission past Fall 2021?
Exceptions will be extremely rare and made on a case-by-case basis.
How do I submit a deferral? Is there a deadline for deferral?
You must notify Julie Conner and Tierra Terrell as soon as possible. We will need to submit a change of admissions decision request to the Graduate Division.
How often can I change my mind? For example, what if I defer to Winter 2021, and then I want to defer to Spring 2021 or Fall 2021?
If you change your mind, you must notify Julie Conner and Tierra Terrell as soon as possible. We will need to submit a change of admissions decision request to the Graduate Division.HOWEVER, it is extremely important to be cognizant of the registration and enrollment deadlines and the schedule of refunds. We are not responsible for any late fees that you are assessed as a result of not registering and enrolling prior to the deadlines listed here.
Also, please refer to this Schedule of Refunds, as we are not able to make any exceptions if you fail to withdraw from courses after changing your mind regarding a deferral.
Similarly, what happens if I enroll in classes for Fall 2020, and then I decide I want to defer to a later quarter?
If you decide to defer, please do NOT enroll in classes for Fall 2020. You will be considered a "registered" student with the University and it will make the change of decision process longer.Once you have registered and enrolled in courses in a given quarter, you will be subject to campus drop/withdrawal deadlines as well as any applicable fees.
Please closely review the deadlines on the following calendars, and add to your calendar, as needed:
- Visa Questions
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What about…?
For all questions about your immigration status and/or your visa, please refer to the International Students and Programs Office: https://ispo.ucsd.edu/news/coronavirusinfo.html and https://ispo.ucsd.edu/news/immigration-policy.htmlWe will not answer any questions about immigration, as the information is constantly evolving. Your best source for information is here: https://ispo.ucsd.edu/news/coronavirusinfo.html and here: https://ispo.ucsd.edu/news/immigration-policy.html
- Enrollment and Coursework
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What does this new guidance from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) about hybrid vs. remote course enrollment mean for me?
Please see here.
How do I enroll in classes in the CSE Department?
This is no different than any other quarter. See here for details.
How will I be able to participate in coursework remotely and in a different time zone?
(pending additional guidance from ISPO and Graduate Division. See here for details.)Remote courses provide opportunities not present during in-person instruction. More materials are made available for review asynchronously, Office Hours are easier to attend, and, particularly for the fall offering, instructors are often including more frequent opportunities to get feedback.
Campus requires content to be available asynchronously and for us to provide a wide window for students to take exams (to account for time zone issues). Each instructor will manage this individually. Course content and delivery are at the discretion of the instructor, however, all content/lectures/assignments/etc. will be made available asynchronously for students who are not in the Pacific Time Zone.
- Research
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How will I be able to participate in research remotely?
The vast majority of CSE research labs are currently running remotely as seminars, and group meetings and individual meetings are being held online. For details, contact your specific faculty advisor(s) to ask what is expected for Fall 2020. - Career Services, Industry Networking, and Work Authorization
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Am I still eligible for work authorization (F-1 CPT, F-1 OPT, or J-1 AT) in Summer 2021 if I enroll remotely for Fall 2020?
Ultimately, we are beholden to the federal government, which is why we refer all visa and CPT questions to the ISPO, as they synthesize and disseminate federal guidance on behalf of the campus.Routinely view the following ISPO FAQs posted here.
I’ve heard that other Universities are creating a mandatory internship component of their curriculum so that students are eligible for CPT or OPT. Is CSE at UC San Diego planning to pursue something like this?
We are exploring all possibilities, but changing a graduate program curriculum is a serious undertaking that will take time. - Student Life
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How will CSE make sure that I stay connected to students and faculty if I enroll remotely?
We intend to approximate the in-person experience as much as possible and are working on creative ways to facilitate networking and socializing remotely!