Michigan State University's International Student Policy Explained

Michigan State University (MSU) welcomes international students and offers a range of scholarships to support them. The university provides detailed application guidelines for international applicants, including information on transcripts, language requirements, and student visas. MSU has no preference for the application type, offering options such as the MSU application, Common App, or Coalition App. International applicants are required to submit proof of English proficiency and may be asked to provide translations of academic records. The university also offers various scholarships for international students, including the MSU Non-resident Scholarship, which is awarded based on academic performance.

Application deadlines

International applicants to Michigan State University are those who are not U.S. citizens or permanent residents and are on a temporary visa or will require any type of visa to study in the United States.

The application deadlines for international students at Michigan State University vary depending on the level of study and the semester for which they are applying. Here is a detailed breakdown of the application deadlines:

Undergraduate Admissions:

• Early Action: The early action deadline for undergraduate applications is November 1st. Applying early action guarantees an initial admission decision by January 15th and ensures maximum consideration for scholarship opportunities.
• Priority Deadline: The priority deadline for undergraduate applications is February 1st. Applications completed and submitted by this date will be guaranteed an initial admission decision by March 31st.
• Final Deadline: The final deadline for undergraduate applications is April 1st. Applications received after February 1st will be considered on a rolling basis.

Graduate Admissions:

The graduate application deadlines vary by program. Here are some examples of graduate application deadlines:

• Master of Arts in Journalism: Fall deadline is January 5th, Spring deadline is November 1st, and Summer deadline is January 15th (Round 1) or March 1st (Round 2).
• MS in Civil and Environmental Engineering: Spring deadline is September 30th.
• MS in Electrical and Computer Engineering: Spring deadline is September 15th.

International Transfer Students:

International students who have previously studied at any college or university after graduating from secondary school must apply as transfer students. The application process and deadlines for transfer students may differ from those for first-year students, so it is important to refer to the specific instructions for transfer applications on the Michigan State University website.

Other Important Dates:

• Deposit Deadline: Admitted international students should submit their Advanced Enrollment Deposit (AED) as soon as possible but no later than May 1st to secure their place in the incoming class.
• Scholarship Consideration: For maximum scholarship consideration, undergraduate applicants should apply by the November 1st early action deadline.

It is important to note that Michigan State University continues to accept undergraduate applications as long as space is available. However, the number of qualified applicants has exceeded available space in recent years, so students are encouraged to apply early. Most students enter the university in the fall semester, and admission to other semesters may be limited or unavailable.

Application fee

Michigan State University does accept international students. The application fee for international students is $75. This fee is required to officially submit your application for admission. Applications cannot be processed without the application fee.

The application fee is separate from the other costs associated with applying to Michigan State University. For example, prospective students are advised to plan for the costs of obtaining official transcripts and English translations of their academic records.

In addition to the application fee, international students are required to provide proof of funding. The amount required is $39,000 for the student, with an additional $5,000 required if the student plans to bring their spouse, and a further $3,000 per child.

Required documents

Michigan State University does accept international students. Here is a list of the required documents that international applicants need to prepare to complete their application:

Application Fee

The $75 application fee is required to officially submit your application for admission.

Official Transcripts

Request that all secondary schools, colleges, and universities attended send original or attested copies of all transcripts, marks sheets, certificates, and diplomas earned directly to the Office of Admissions at Michigan State University. These can be sent through online services or by mail. If sent by mail, any hard copy of academic records must be in an official, sealed envelope.

English Translations

If the original documents are not issued in English, an official translation of each document must be provided, along with the original language documents. Translations can be done by the school, college, or university attended, or by an authorized/official translator in the country of study.

Major Preference

As a first-year student, you are not required to 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.

College-Level Course Work

Indicate any college-level coursework you have completed or anticipate completing before attending MSU on your application, or contact the Office of Admissions to inform them.

English Language Proficiency Test Results

If English is not your first language, you must submit proof of English proficiency directly to MSU from a testing agency (TOEFL, IELTS, SAT, MSUELT, or MELAB). MSU's TOEFL code is 1465, and the SAT code is 1465; the ACT code is 2032.

Student Visa Requirements

Upon acceptance, admitted students must provide adequate proof of financial support to obtain the documents needed to file for a student visa (I-20 or DS-2019). Admitted students will be required to upload a signed affidavit of support and bank statement with the name of the account holder in English through their admissions account. Do not send financial documents in paper form when applying.

Essay

As part of the undergraduate application for admission, each applicant is required to submit one essay (250-650 words) from a list of prompts.

English language proficiency

Michigan State University does accept international students. However, international applicants must submit an application and meet certain requirements to be considered for admission.

Michigan State University requires international students whose first language is not English to provide proof of English proficiency. This can be done by submitting test results from one of the following accepted exams: TOEFL, IELTS, SAT, MSUELT, or MELAB. The university's TOEFL code is 1465. While submitting SAT or ACT scores is not mandatory, international students are encouraged to do so. The SAT code is 1465, and the ACT code is 2032.

It is important to note that MSU is test-optional, meaning that students are not required to submit standardized test scores as part of their application. However, for international students, submitting English language proficiency test results is necessary if their first language is not English.

In addition to the test scores, international applicants must submit an application fee of $75 and official transcripts from all previously attended secondary schools, colleges, or universities. If the original documents are not in English, an official translation must be provided along with the original language documents.

Student visa requirements

Michigan State University does accept international students. Here are the student visa requirements for applicants:

To obtain the documents needed for a student visa (I-20 or DS-2019), admitted students must demonstrate sufficient financial support. This proof of financial support includes:

• A signed affidavit of support
• A bank statement with the name of the account holder in English, showing funds equal to or greater than the first year's total expenses at MSU

These documents must be uploaded via the "file upload" section of the student's MSU account. It is important to note that paper forms of these documents will delay the processing of the I-20 or DS-2019.

In addition to the financial documents, students are required to submit a scanned copy of their passport photo. This can also be uploaded in the "file upload" section of the student's account.

Once the above documents are approved, the process for obtaining an F-1 or J-1 student visa differs:

• F-1 Visa: The student will receive a direct link to their MSU email account, where they can download the Form I-20. After printing and manually signing the form, students are eligible to apply for an F-1 visa stamp at a U.S. embassy or consulate.
• J-1 Visa: Students will receive an email from Michigan State University's third-party shipping provider, eShip Global, with instructions on how to receive their Form DS-2019 via express mail. After receiving the form, students are eligible to apply for their J-1 visa.

For students transferring to MSU from another U.S. institution, a different process is required, involving the completion of the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) transfer process.

Frequently asked questions