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Michigan State University
Michigan State University

Office of Admissions
Apply by the Feb. 1 priority deadline to receive an admissions decision by March 31. The final application deadline is April 1 (see all dates and deadlines).
Admissions > Apply > First-year applicants >

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Apply now

Once you’re ready to apply, this is where it all begins. Prospective first-year students should submit an online application as soon as possible in their senior year of high school and by Nov. 1 for maximum scholarship consideration.

Three ways to apply

Select the option that is right for you, but only submit one application for admission. MSU has no preference for which type of application you submit. Applicants who apply through the MSU application will receive an applicant ID that allows them to save their progress and submit when they are ready.

Note about Common App: MSU will start loading Common App applications in mid-August. You will receive an email with login instructions within 2-10 business days after your application is loaded.

MSU application

Apply through MSU.

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Common App

Apply through the Common App.

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Coalition

Apply Coalition with Scoir

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Application checklist

Here are the main things you need to have prepared to complete your application:

The $65 application fee (or application fee waiver, if you are eligible) is required to officially submit your application for admission.

Have your official transcript(s) sent directly from each school or institution attended to MSU. This includes all your high school transcripts as well as transcripts from any dual enrollment or early/middle college programs. These can be sent through online services or by U.S. mail.

Online services:
Parchment
Common App
Scoir
Slate
Naviance
eScrip-Safe
National Student Clearing House
U.S. mail:
Office of Admissions
Hannah Administration Building
426 Auditorium Road, Room 250
East Lansing, MI 48824-2604

As a first-year student you do not have to officially declare your major yet, however you will be asked to select your major preference on the application. If you are undecided, select the "Exploratory preference" option.

Changing your major preference
After submitting the application, fall first-year applicants have until May 1 to change their major preference in their account. Any student who applies, or is admitted, after May 1 cannot change their major preference until New Student Orientation (NSO).

If you anticipate the completion of any college-level course work prior to attending MSU, it is recommended that you indicate this on your application or contact the Office of Admissions to let us know.

As part of the undergraduate application for admission, each applicant is required to submit one essay (minimum 250 words, maximum 650 words) from the list of prompts. The essay may be considered as a positive factor to enhance admissibility, as well as for scholarship consideration.

Here are the essay prompts for the 2025 application for admission:

  1. Some students have a background, identity, interest, or talent that is so meaningful they believe their application would be incomplete without it. If this sounds like you, then please share your story.
  2. The lessons we take from obstacles we encounter can be fundamental to later success. Recount a time when you faced a challenge, setback, or failure. How did it affect you, and what did you learn from the experience?
  3. Reflect on a time when you questioned or challenged a belief or idea. What prompted your thinking? What was the outcome?
  4. Reflect on something that someone has done for you that has made you happy or thankful in a surprising way. How has this gratitude affected or motivated you?
  5. Discuss an accomplishment, event, or realization that sparked a period of personal growth and a new understanding of yourself or others.
  6. Describe a topic, idea, or concept you find so engaging that it makes you lose all track of time. Why does it captivate you? What or who do you turn to when you want to learn more?
  7. Share an essay on any topic of your choice. It can be one you've already written, one that responds to a different prompt, or one of your own design.
MSU does not require letters of recommendation as part of the application for admission.

First-year applicants