International Application Instructions

More about Application Instructions

Students who are not citizens or permanent residents of the United States should apply to Michigan State University as international students. Citizens with dual U.S. citizenship should apply as citizens even if they currently reside outside the U.S.

Admission to Michigan State University is competitive. Students applying for Fall semester (August) admission are encouraged to apply during the fall of the prior year for maximum consideration. Students applying for Spring semester (January) admission may begin applying in September. Michigan State does not admit international undergraduate students for the Summer semester. Please note that the application for admission may not be available at certain times of the year.

Interested students should submit an online application for admission. Decisions are typically made eight to 12 weeks after all application materials are received.

Application Submission Instructions

  • Complete the application for admission online.
  • Prepare your required personal statement.
  • Pay the $50 nonrefundable application fee (drawn on U.S. funds) using Visa, MasterCard, Discover, American Express, or an electronic check (online applications only).
  • Request that all secondary schools attended, colleges or universities attended, or examination boards send original or attested copies of all transcripts, diplomas, mark sheets, and certificates directly to Michigan State University in an official, sealed envelope. In addition, where the original documents are not issued in English, also provide an official English translation of each document.
  • Submit official high school transcripts if you have completed fewer than 28 semester credit hours.
  • Provide proof of English proficiency (sent directly from the testing agency) if your first language is not English (TOEFL, IELTS, SAT, MSUELT, or MELAB accepted). MSU's TOEFL and SAT code is 1465. International students are encouraged, though not required, to submit SAT scores, if available. SAT scores are useful for determining academic admissibility, scholarship eligibility, and for placement in math and English composition classes. When scheduling testing, note that it may take a month or longer from the time of the request to send scores until they are received and recorded in the Office of Admissions.
  • Please do not send letters of recommendation, photographs, portfolios, or additional personal essays unless requested by the Office of Admissions. Doing so will delay processing of your application.

Important: In applying, applicants must certify that all documents submitted as part of the application for admission are authentic. Any falsification of academic records through omission or misstatement may result in cancellation of admission and/or other disciplinary action by Michigan State University. Each student is responsible for all information contained in his/her application for admission. Students who employ consultants in the application process are still responsible for the content and authenticity of their own applications.

Additional Requirements for International Transfer Students

Students who have studied at any college or university after high school graduation MUST apply as a transfer student to Michigan State University. In addition to the application instructions above, all transfer students must meet the university’s transfer admission criteria to be considered for admission to Michigan State. Transfer students selecting a limited enrollment major may have additional requirements. International transfer applicants should also submit:
  • List of college or university courses in progress.
  • Descriptions and syllabi for any university course work completed outside of the United States.
  • Original or attested copies of all transcripts, diplomas, mark sheets, and certificates from all secondary schools and colleges attended and official English translations if original or attested documents are not in English. When applying for Fall semester please provide academic records with marks through the Fall semester prior to the term of application.
  • Explanation of activities since secondary school graduation if more than one semester has elapsed since graduation.
  • APPLICANTS FROM CHINESE UNIVERSITIES: Please arrange for a verification report of your university transcript with the China Academic Degree and Graduate Education Development Center (CDGDC). The report must be mailed directly to the MSU Office of Admissions by the CDGDC, rather than by you or any third party.

    China Academic Degree and Graduate Education Development Center
    Verification Division
    B-17, Tongfang Scientific Plaza
    No.1 Wangzhuang Road, Haidian District, Beijing, 100083, P.R.China
    Tel: 86-10-82379480
    Fax: 86-10-82378718
    Email: cqv@cdgdc.edu.cn
    Website: www.chinadegrees.cn

Information Regarding Student Visa

In order to obtain the documents needed to file for a student visa (I-20 or DS-2019), admitted students must submit the non-refundable Advanced Enrollment Deposit and provide proof of financial support in the form of the affidavit of support with supporting bank statement (name of the account holder must be in English). The financial documents are not required until after the student is admitted to the university.

Minimum English Requirements

International applicants whose first language is not English must meet one of the following language proficiency requirements for regular admission to Michigan State University. Students with acceptable academic credentials who do not meet language proficiency requirements may be admitted on provisional status. Students who may be admitted provisionally are still required to submit English language proficiency exam scores to the Office of Admissions.

The following requirements pertain to undergraduate students only. Graduate applicants should consult MSU's Graduate School for minimum English language requirements.

Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)


Regular admission:

  • Internet-based test: score of 79 with no subscore below 17
  • Paper-based test: score of 550 with no subscore below 52

Provisional admission:

  • Internet-based test: 60-78
  • Paper-based test: 500-549

International English Language Testing System (IELTS)


Regular admission: Score of 6.5 or higher

Provisional admission: Score of 6.0


SAT Critical Reading


Regular admission: Score of 480 or higher


ACT Exam


Regular admission: Subscore of 18 or higher on the English section


Michigan State University English Language Test (MSUELT)


Regular admission:

  • Average score of at least 80 with no subscore below 80
    • OR
  • Average score of at least 85 with no subscore below 78

Provisional admission: Average score of 65-79


Advanced Placement English Language


Regular admission: Score of 4 or higher


Michigan English Language Assessment Battery (MELAB)


Regular admission: Average score of 80 or higher

Beginning Jan. 1, 2009, international applicants taking the MELAB must complete the MELAB speaking test


Michigan State University Certificate of English Language Proficiency (CELP)


Regular admission: Score of 65 with no subscore below 15

 

Application Validity

Applications are valid for one year beyond the semester of submission. It is not necessary to submit a new application form or application fee during this period. To be considered for an alternate semester, contact the Office of Admissions before your application expires.

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