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The one thing about Stevens that no other university can claim
Stevens Institute of Technology sits in Hoboken, New Jersey — and from its campus, you get an unobstructed, breathtaking view of the entire New York City skyline. Students I spoke to on campus described sitting on the benches outside with a cup of coffee, doing assignments while looking straight at Manhattan. That is not something you can say about almost any other university in the country. If a visa officer asks you why you chose Stevens, this is the kind of specific, lived detail that shows you have actually thought about your choice — not just picked a name from a shortlist.
The campus itself: older buildings, newer glass structures, and a main entrance most people miss
The oldest and main entrance to Stevens is one that many new students — and even cab drivers — tend to skip past. Once you walk through that main entrance, you see the full spread of the campus. If you look at the buildings, you can actually trace the history of the university through its architecture: the older, more traditional structures in the centre and gradually newer glass buildings appearing as you move outward. The campus has been steadily expanding over the years, and that growth is visible in the variety of building styles. Knowing this kind of detail matters — it tells the visa officer that you have researched your university properly, not just memorised bullet points from their website.
Practical student life details you should know before your interview
Textbooks, Canvas, and how learning actually works
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Book a Mock InterviewOne thing students at Stevens consistently pointed out is that you do not really need to buy textbooks. Professors share PDFs and reading materials directly, and the university uses an internal platform called Canvas, where you can access recorded lectures, track your grades, and manage all your coursework. If you need additional reading, Google Books and free e-books online are usually sufficient. This is worth mentioning in your interview if you are asked about preparation or costs — it shows you understand how the academic environment at your university actually functions.
Your student ID is called a Duck Card — and there is a reason for that
Stevens students are known as the Ducks — that is the university mascot. As a result, your student ID card is officially called a Duck Card. When you first arrive on campus, one of your first steps is to check in with ISSS (International Student and Scholar Services), submit your documents, and then get your Duck Card. Small details like this are exactly the kind of thing that demonstrate genuine familiarity with your university — and visa officers do notice the difference between applicants who know their campus and those who are simply reading from a brochure.
On-campus jobs, TAs, and RAs: what students actually told me
Getting an on-campus job at Stevens is possible, but it takes persistence. Students told me that simply applying through the university's job portal — called Workday — is rarely enough on its own. The real approach that works is going directly to professors: attending their office hours, knocking on their office doors, and sending emails that include your resume, a brief note about your coursework, and your relevant experience. One student I spoke to had given up after getting no responses in his first semester, then watched friends who arrived the following semester land TA (Teaching Assistant) and RA (Research Assistant) positions — which pushed him to start the process all over again. Eventually, after consistently reaching out and meeting professors in person, he secured a TA role. The lesson he passed on: do not rely on the portal alone. Keep reaching out directly, and be patient — responses sometimes come one or two months after your initial email.
GRE scores and scholarships at Stevens
Stevens does not require a GRE score for admission, but having a strong score can open the door to scholarships. One student on campus shared that his GRE score of 324 helped him secure scholarship funding. Beyond GRE, certain courses and a strong academic profile can also contribute to scholarship eligibility. If you are preparing your visa interview and the officer asks about funding, knowing the specific ways scholarships are awarded at your university — including merit-based options tied to test scores — makes your financial plan sound grounded and credible.
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