Information for Day at State Visitors

If you are scheduled for a Day at State visit, you will meet your student host in the Office of Admissions located in Room 250, Hannah Administration Building. Daytime visitors should meet their student host at 9 a.m. Eastern Standard Time (EST); overnight visitors should meet their student host at 4 p.m. (EST). (At the end of your visit, you will meet your parent/guardian in the same location unless other arrangements have been made.)

On the day of your scheduled visit if you are more than 30 minutes late (9:30 a.m. (EST) for day visitors; 4:30 p.m. (EST) for overnight visitors), and you have not requested alternate arrangements, your visit will be cancelled. (The $15 processing fee is not refundable under any circumstance.)

Checklist for Day at State Visitors

  • Read the information packet sent to you in the mail and review campus maps and parking information before you arrive on campus.
  • Confirm your scheduled visit. A Day at State staff member will contact you two weeks prior to your visit to confirm plans. If you receive a message that Day at State has called, please return it within two days or your visit will be cancelled.
  • Leave early to meet your student host since you may encounter unexpected travel delays or need extra time to find your way around campus. If you are more than 30 minutes late to meet your student host, your reservation will be cancelled.
  • Remember you are a guest of your student host. You may not bring friends, family members (including parents), or significant others with you.
  • Wear comfortable shoes. (You will be walking around campus.)
  • Dress appropriately for the weather. (You may need an umbrella.)
  • Bring a camera and enough spending money to cover the cost of snacks and souvenirs.
  • Bring a sleeping bag, pillow, towel, toiletries, and school books (there may be time to study) if you are an overnight visitor.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I request a Day at State visit?

You can schedule a Day at State visit by submitting the reservation request form and $15 non-refundable processing fee. visits must be scheduled two weeks in advance.

How much does a Day at State visit cost?

A non-refundable $15 processing fee is required when requesting a reservation. Students wishing to change an existing reservation must cancel their visit, complete another online reservation form, and pay another non-refundable $15 processing fee. (Please note that the $15 processing fee is not refundable under any circumstance.)

Can my friend come with me?

You are a guest of your student host so it is not possible for you to bring friends, family members (including parents), or significant others with you. If a friend would like to participate in the Day at State Program, he/she must complete the online reservation, submit the $15 processing fee, and indicate on the reservation that the two of you would like to be paired together.

Can my parents/family members come with me?

You are a guest of your student host so it is not possible for you to bring friends, family members (including parents), or significant others with you. If your family members are planning to accompany you to East Lansing, they are responsible for their activities during the day and accommodations. Admission presentations and campus tours are available, and Michigan State University has several areas of interest for visitors.

Will I receive confirmation of my reservation to visit?

A Day at State staff member will call your home prior to your visit to confirm plans. If you receive a message that Day at State has called, please return it within two days or your visit will be cancelled. Your information packet will be sent to you in the mail after you confirm plans with the Day at State staff member. The packet will include information for your visit, including your student host’s name and contact information.

Do I have to pay for my lunch and dinner?

Day visitors receive a free lunch meal ticket; overnight visitors receive a lunch and dinner meal ticket. Meal tickets are valid in any residence hall.

Will you set up all the appointments that I requested?

Day at State staff will try to schedule all requested appointments; however, it is not guaranteed staff and faculty will be available to meet with you.

Can I contact my student host before the visit?

Yes. Day at State student hosts enjoy hearing from prospective students since they too are excited about your visit. The information packet sent to your home will include your student host’s name and contact information.

Am I guaranteed my student host will be the specific major or ethnicity I requested on my reservation form?

Day at State hosts are volunteers. Staff tries to pair participants with student hosts who meet a specific request. However, if a student host meeting the requested criteria is not available, another student will be scheduled.

What do I do if I need to change or cancel my visit?

We ask that you do not schedule a visit unless you are certain you can attend. If an extenuating circumstance occurs and you must cancel your visit, please inform Day at State at (517) 353-1615 as soon as possible. (Please note that the $15 processing fee is not refundable or transferable under any circumstance.) If you wish to change an existing reservation, you must cancel your existing one, complete another online reservation form, and pay another $15 processing fee.

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