The Alumni Distinguished Scholarship (ADS) Competition is one of the oldest of its kind in the nation. For 69 years, the ADS tradition has helped thousands of high-achieving students find a home at Michigan State University.
Scholarship awards
Approximately 120 scholarships will be awarded following the competition, and ADS participants will also be considered for additional scholarships that will be awarded to hundreds of students later in the spring. The Alumni Distinguished Scholarship itself is awarded to the top 15 candidates based on all parts of the competition as well as a holistic review of the application. Renewable over eight semesters, the scholarships include tuition, fees, room and board, and $1,000 annually.
Competition dates and deadlines
Invitations to compete in the examination were sent to the most high-achieving admitted students who applied for admission by Nov. 1, 2023. The competition includes multiple components (short online essays, in-person exam and Zoom interviews for the finalists) to be considered for the scholarships.
Registration and payment deadline: Jan. 8, 2024
Online essay completion: Jan. 10, 2024, from 6-9 p.m. ET
You must submit your online essays between 6 and 9 p.m. ET through the submission link that will be emailed to registrants on January 10, 2024. The two required essays will have a word count of no more than 200 words. The essay prompts will not be given in advance and will be available upon login. Online essay submission is required to advance in the competition. If you do not submit your online essays during the submission window, your registration will be canceled. Participants should plan for one hour to complete this task.
The two in-person exam dates are:
- Jan. 26, 2024
- Feb. 2, 2024
In-person activities will include the exam, academic presentations, campus tours, several scholarship drawings and opportunities to meet with faculty, staff and future classmates.
Check-in will be held in the lobby of the Kellogg Hotel and Conference Center on MSU's beautiful campus. Visitors to campus can also choose to stay at a variety of local hotels.
Participation cost and registration
ADS participants must submit a $30 nonrefundable competition fee. This fee includes the cost of the examination, as well as lunch for the registrant and guest(s). Please note that there is limited space for this invitation-only event, and registrations are filled on a first-come, first-served basis.