Here is a list of questions that previous students have asked about the Silicon Valley campus.

Q: How can I apply to ETC’s Silicon Valley campus?

A: First, you need to be accepted into the ETC program. More information about applying is available here. You need to spend your first semester at the main campus in Pittsburgh. Once there, you can apply to spend a semester at the SV campus. Some students have spent as many as three semesters out here.

Q: Where is ETC-SV located?

A: We’re located at the Electronic Arts campus in Redwood Shores, CA. A map is here.

Q: Can we use our CMU ID for free transportation in SV?

A: No. You can’t use your ID in SV for that. The ETC-SV campus students are not charged the activities fee or the bus fee, just tuition and the technology fee.

Q: Does ETC support us on the relocation?

A: Yes. You will receive a partial credit against the overall amount of your tuition. The amount helps to offset the costs of relocating to a different campus.

Q: Do they have a gym in SV?

A: Yes. You will have an EA badge to access EA buildings. EA’s gym facilities are available to CMU students for $20 per month.

Q: Do they have game room?

A: Yes. (We are at EA!)

Q: How can we use the library?

A: EA has their own internal library, which you can use. Games for PS2,3 / DS / Game Boy / PC games / XBox / Wii… etc. are available in addition to movies. It’s like a free small Blockbuster.

Q: How about other resources? Such as art history / music / computer software reference books?

A: San Mateo / Redwood City has a local library. The libraries have over 30 locations near EA. You can borrow from the location wherever they have the books or CDs / DVD that you want, and you can drop it off at any location that is convenient for you.

Q: What are the popular local banks over there?

A: Here’s a list:
Bank of America
Bank of the West
Citibank – Recommended to International students.
Union Bank of California
US Bank
Wells Fargo

Q: Where in Redwood City/San Mateo can we apply for a California state ID? Or CA driver’s license?

A: The state ID is useful for identification purposes so international students do not have to carry their passport all the time. You can apply for a state ID and driver’s license at the DMV – Redwood City Office or nearby your place. Please see this website.
http://www.dmv.org/ca-california/drivers-license.php

Q: Is there any forum in CMU West where students buy and sell things? I want to buy a car, or probably second hand furniture.

A: We would recommend Craig’s list http://www.craigslist.com. It is a large community with the same purpose as what you are looking for.

Q: What if I need to do shop work?
A: The best local resources for shop access are:

• The Crucible, a non-profit educational facility in Oakland that has classes and shop hours. Metalworking, woodworking and FIRE!
• TechShop, a 15,000 square-foot membership-based workshop with every type of prototyping and fabrication equipment you can imagine. In Menlo Park (about 10 minutes away) and San Francisco.
• The Sawdust Shop, 4,000 sq. ft. DIY woodworking shop in Sunnyvale.