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College Essays

So you've decided to apply to Michigan State University. You've made a great choice—not only is it one of the top public universities in the nation, 94% of undergraduates land jobs or go onto graduate school after graduation ! Additionally, more than 25 of its undergraduate programs are ranked in the top 20 nationally , including the best supply chain management and logistics program in the country. And like most top schools, the MSU application requires you to submit an application essay.

This guide will walk you through everything you need to know about writing and submitting the Michigan State admissions essay, including:

• A discussion of the Michigan State admissions standards,
• Where to find the Michigan State application, and
• Five tips to write a Michigan State admissions essay that will get you in.

So let's get started!

What Is the Michigan State Admissions Essay?

The Michigan State essay is a required (and important!) element of your Michigan State application. The essay is basically a personal statement designed to help admissions counselors get to know you better. Sure, they'll see your transcript and test scores, but Michigan State also wants to know who you are beyond the data, too.

The essay is also important because Michigan State has an acceptance rate of 83% , which means that 83 out of 100 students who apply to MSU are admitted each year. T hat means your essay can make a difference in an admissions counselor's decision-making process. (If you're not familiar with the school's admissions requirements, be sure to check out this comprehensive guide on Michigan State's admittance policies. )

As we mentioned earlier, you'll submit one finished essay as part of your complete Michigan State application packet. As of 2021, Michigan State allows prospective students to submit all their application materials—including the MSU essay—either via their own online application system or via the Common App , which are online platforms that let you fill out one application and submit it to multiple universities.

Luckily for you, Michigan State doesn't require you to fill out an additional application supplement. In other words, the Michigan State admissions essay is the same essay you'll fill out for either the Common App or the Coalition App! But that also means that you only have one chance to help MSU's admissions counselors determine whether you're a good fit for the university.

Now that you have a general idea about what the Michigan State admissions essay is and how to submit it, here are three final, important things to keep in mind:

#1: MSU doesn't favor one application over the other. They treat their application system and the Common App equally in their decision-making process. 

#2: You can only submit one application per academic year. So if you have both applications filled out, send one or the other—not both. Sending two applications can cause errors in the admissions system and lead to your application getting rejected.

#3: The Common App and the Coalition App have different prompts. Each application asks slightly different questions, so it's important to pick the application that allows you to write the strongest essay.

Now it's time to take a closer look at the different Common App and Coalition App prompts and give you some general tips for picking the best MSU essay prompt for you.

The Common App Essay Prompts

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.

For the Common App, you're given seven essay prompts and asked to answer one. The prompts themselves fall into a few general categories:

• Overcoming a challenge
• Solving a problem
• Showing personal growth
• Sharing your interests and personality

This list gives you a general sense for what admissions counselors expect to see in your essay. You will likely only discuss one or two of these in a prompt, so don't worry about having to address every single category in your response.

Having to choose just one prompt can be pretty overwhelming—it's hard to know where to start! Here are some things you can do to make picking a topic easier.

• Read through this guide that explains each prompt . Getting an expert explanation on each prompt can help you pick one that works for you.
• Eliminate the prompts you don't like—or don't understand. Go with your gut...as long as your gut doesn't make you cross every option off your list.
• Consider the categories. Take a look at the general categories we have listed above, and think back to the essays you did well on in school. Is there a category you feel most comfortable writing about? If so, pick a prompt that aligns with that topic.

Keep in mind that no matter the topic you choose, the Common App limits your response to 250 to 650 words. It's harder to write shorter responses, so make sure you plan ahead and give yourself plenty of time to write a great essay.

Image courtesy of Joel Dinda

5 Tips for Writing a Killer Michigan State Admissions Essay

By now you've had a chance to consider—and hopefully choose!—the perfect MSU essay prompt. Here are our top five tips for writing a Michigan State University essay that makes you stand out from the crowd!

• Be authentic. Jim Cotter, the Director of Undergraduate Admissions for Michigan State University, says being authentic is the most important element of a strong Michigan State essay. He explains, "We don't want a student to create something that they're not. We want them to tell us who they are, what their real experiences are, and how they've developed as an individual because of those experiences." In other words, tell the truth...and be yourself!
• Tell a story. To write a stand-out MSU essay examples are key. That's why it's important to use storytelling to help answer the prompt! For example, if you want to talk about a time you gave back to the community, tell a story about a specific event (like shaving your head for charity)!
• Be descriptive. This ties into our "tell a story" tip above. Details are what make a story come alive! If you're writing about a challenging time in your life, do more than just tell the reader what happened. Show them where you were, what you saw, and how you felt by using descriptive language.
• Write long, edit short. Staying within word limits can be hard. That's why we recommend you don't worry about essay length when you write your first draft. Just focus on getting your answer down on paper even if you go hundreds of words over the maximum length. Then you can focus on whittling your essay down until you land in the word count sweet spot.
• Embrace the 3 Rs: re-read, revise, and review. Never, ever submit the first draft of your essay! Even the best writers in the world revise their work multiple times. Also, don't be afraid to ask your parents and teachers to give you feedback on your work. They'll be able to give you a new, fresh perspective on your work!

Your Next Steps

If you're looking to beef up your résumé to make sure you're one of MSU's ideal candidates, try fitting some community service into your schedule. Here's a list of the nine best places to do community service , and here's a discussion of how volunteering benefits both your college application and your life!

One key piece of your application are letters of recommendation, so you need to ask for those as soon as possible. Check out this guide that goes over how—and when!—to ask for letters of recommendation.

Now that you're ready to write your essays, get the skinny on how to write the perfect application essay introduction.

Ashley Sufflé Robinson has a Ph.D. in 19th Century English Literature. As a content writer for PrepScholar, Ashley is passionate about giving college-bound students the in-depth information they need to get into the school of their dreams.

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Your chance of acceptance, your chancing factors, extracurriculars, what's the michigan state essay prompt.

Hey guys, I'm starting to work on my college applications and I was wondering if anyone knows what the current essay prompt is for Michigan State University? Thanks in advance!

For the 2023-2024 application cycle, Michigan State required only the main personal statement from the Common Application. This could change in future years, as sometimes schools change their minds about requiring or not requiring supplements, but this year you're in luck - you won't have to do any extra work for your Michigan State application!

About CollegeVine’s Expert FAQ

CollegeVine’s Q&A seeks to offer informed perspectives on commonly asked admissions questions. Every answer is refined and validated by our team of admissions experts to ensure it resonates with trusted knowledge in the field.

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Your chancing factors

Extracurriculars.

How to Write the Michigan State University Essays 2017-2018

Located in East Lansing, Michigan State University is a large public institution with over 50,000 enrolled students. Michigan State offers an education focused on bettering the common good and everyday life, while also providing research and study-abroad programs in popular fields such as business, agriculture, and engineering.

Outside the classroom, Michigan State boasts of numerous student clubs and organizations, including Greek life. The university’s strong performance in NCAA Division I athletics — especially in football and basketball — makes the high-spirited green-and-white Spartans nationally well-known.

Michigan State accepted around 66% from the applicant pool this past year. For applicants, MSU requires two personal statements, a task that may initially seem challenging. CollegeVine has prepared this guide to help you tackle these prompts with success!

Looking for another essay guide? Search our College Essay Guide Database to find additional essay prompts.

MSU Application Essay Prompts

Prompt #1: difficult situation, describe a difficult or challenging situation you have faced. briefly state the situation, how you responded and why, would you have done anything differently, did you turn to anyone for help, and if so, for advice, consultation, assistance, and/or encouragement (200 words or less).

For those of you also applying to other schools, this question may seem very similar to the second Common Application prompt about overcoming a challenging experience. Essentially, the admissions officer reading your application wants to know how you deal with and grow from difficulty .

To write this essay, first brainstorm moments in your life, specifically challenging ones. Try to aim for experiences that troubled you at first, but you were able to overcome through your own efforts or with the help of others. This will display your capacity to face challenges, no matter how big or small, at Michigan State.

Some examples :

• At the state championship meet, you lost your team’s relay; however, through perseverance, you trained with focus and determination, resulting in a comeback win the following year. This example shows that you are able to redirect a significant failure into a success with a growth mindset, revealing that you are capable of dealing with challenges in the future.
• In your junior year, you failed the first biology test of the year. You feel as if your dreams of becoming a physician are crushed, so you give up. However, you ultimately seek extra help from your teacher in hopes of getting back on the right track. In doing so, not only do your grades slowly rise, but you also gain a newfound friendship. Although academics is a common topic to discuss, this example adds another element of depth by discussing friendships with teachers. This example shows that you use your resources to formulate genuine connections.

While the prompt asks for a statement that could potentially be large, the 200-word limit forces you to be concise and straightforward . Focus on three aspects in the essay: the challenge, the steps you took, and your reflection. Avoid including extra, unnecessary details. Overall, aim to write about a challenge that was significant to you and served as a defining moment for your personal growth.

Prompt #2: Unfair Treatment

Briefly describe a situation where you or someone close to you was not treated fairly. what did you do at the time and why; would you do anything differently; has it impacted or changed who you are today (200 words or less).

Like the first prompt, this question helps to unearth more of your personality; this time, however, the idea is centered around the concept of justice. What do you believe is fair? How do you proceed to maintain it? If something unjust occurs, how significantly does it affect you? These are the questions you should consider when approaching this essay.

Similar to the previous prompt, this moment should have a heavy weight on your defining identity, regardless of how big or small the actual experience was. Essentially, this moment shaped the way you perceive, process, and deal with injustice .

Sample ideas :

• One of your best friends comes out as gay in high school. For the most part, everyone accepts him for who he is; however, a handful of peers harass and bully him. Because it hurts you to see him treated so negatively, you decide to start an LGBTQ+ club, which allows members and allies to meet in a safe and welcoming space. Any experience you have with social-rights inequality work great here. In this specific idea, you are the one witnessing the injustice, and because you feel so moved, you actively decide to make a grand gesture at school.
• At a debate competition, the judge allows the host’s team to unfairly enter the final round, automatically blocking your chances of winning. You know you deserved impartial evaluation, but are infuriated that this opportunity was taken away from you. Instead of letting your emotions commandeer, however, you respect that decision and exemplify good sportsmanship for the duration of the competition. This example works because your frustration towards the situation is evident. Additionally, your response — displaying sportsmanship and respect — shows that you are, first and foremost, a mature person.
• You want to join in on some friendly football with your male friends, but they laugh and say, “But you’re a girl!” It is difficult to receive sexist remarks, especially from friends, but you do not just walk away. Instead, you join in and win with class, educating them that you can play just as well, if not better, as a woman. This example deals with the clash of gender roles, and it succeeds at displaying injustice. Your response illustrates that you do not give in easily to harsh words and that you successfully prove yourself to be a force to reckon with.

The 200-word limit can be difficult to follow, since this prompt is also a hefty topic. As such, be concise and follow this structural format: the unfair treatment, the response, and your reflection. Be critical of the unfairness, but also express a sense of appreciation for the experience, especially if it significantly impacted your identity. Show readers that you have had encounters with injustice and are ready to tackle them at your time at Michigan State University.

In these personal statements, if you’re honest and reflective, then your personality will shine brightest. We wish you good luck on these essays and a successful application process!

Want help on your Michigan State University application or essays? Learn about our College Apps Program and Essay Editing Program .

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Office of Admissions College of Human Medicine

Application process.

The Michigan State University College of Human Medicine has a rolling admissions process. Acceptances are made in stages throughout the cycle, but applicants are given the same consideration no matter when they interviewed. Some applicants will receive notification early in the cycle, and others will not receive a final application status until the end of the cycle.

Priority in the application review process is given to applicants who are residents of Michigan and to those who closely fit the mission of the college. We hope the information provided will help you to better understand our application process. Please note that exact dates and deadlines vary from year to year and by particular school. You may find further information on our Events & Deadlines page.

College of Human Medicine Applicant Portal

You will use the College of Human Medicine Applicant Portal throughout the application process to track the status of your application. You will also be notified by email regarding select status changes.

Please do not call the Office of Admissions to inquire about the status of your application, as the staff does not have access to any information beyond that which is posted on your Application Status page.

Step One: AMCAS Application

All applicants to the College of Human Medicine must begin the application process by submitting a primary application through the American Medical College Application Service (AMCAS), a non-profit, centralized application processing service for incoming applicants.

Step Two: Secondary Application and Preliminary Review

Once we receive your verified application from AMCAS, we will send an email message with instructions on how to access the College of Human Medicine Applicant Portal to pay your secondary application fee, confirm your interview invitation, and check your application status.

The Secondary Application consists of four essay questions. Applicants also have the option to complete essays for the Leadership in Rural Medicine (LRM) programs or the Leadership in Medicine for the Underserved (LMU) program.

When we have received all of your application materials (AMCAS and secondary applications, Letters of Evaluation, MCAT and CASPer scores), the Admissions Review Committee will do a preliminary review , carefully evaluating your entire application . When this detailed evaluation is complete, one of three things will happen:

• You will be invited to interview. If you are invited to interview you will receive an invitation by email. Invitations to interview are extended first to applicants who are residents of Michigan and to those who closely fit the mission of the college.
• Your application will be deemed unsuccessful and will receive no further consideration
• Your application will be placed on Hold for Interview Decision

NOTE: It is very common for applications to be held for an interview decision, for comparison to the larger applicant pool that evolves over the year. This may significantly delay a decision to extend an invitation to interview or reject the application.

We receive newly verified applications from AMCAS through January; therefore, most applications that are held for an interview decision will be reviewed again in January. You will not see a change in your application status until your application is reviewed again and a decision is made.

Please do not call the office if your status has not changed; as soon as a decision is made, your status will be updated. Our staff has no information beyond that listed on your College of Human Medicine Applicant Portal status page and so are unable to project when you will receive the next status update. Your patience is appreciated as we give individual consideration to all applications during this time.

Step Three: Interview with College of Human Medicine

The college conducts interviews through February, and our admissions process is structured so that seats remain available for applicants who are reviewed and interviewed later in the application cycle. Applicants are not negatively affected by the timing of the application review.

If you are invited to interview, you will receive an Interview Day invitation by email and your application status will be updated to INVITED TO INTERVIEW . The College of Human Medicine has decided to hold virtual interviews for the 2023 cycle. View our Interviewing at College of Human Medicine page for more details. The interview process provides you with an opportunity to meet faculty and students, find out more about the college, and learn about important aspects of our mission:

• providing outstanding primary and specialty care
• promoting the dignity and inclusion of all people
• responding to the needs of the medically underserved

You will learn about our mission, the Shared Discovery curriculum, financial aid, our preclinical and clinical campuses, the Leadership in Medicine for the Underserved program (international travel opportunities), and the Rural Physician Program. You will have one multiple mini-interview and one 30 minute interview with a current medical student.

Step Four: Committee Review and Outcomes

The Committee on Admissions strives to make a final decision on each candidate's application in a timely manner. However, the Committee has a substantial number of applications to review at each meeting and it is not always possible to review every applicant's file in the time available.

Files are not reviewed in any particular order. Many factors contribute to the timing of review of a given applicant, so someone who interviewed in November may get a decision before someone who interviewed in October. Please be assured that the application process is specifically designed so that the time an application is reviewed for a final decision is not a factor in the decision. Seats in the entering class remain available through the end of the application cycle.

Decisions made by the Committee on Admissions are final and are not subject to appeal or revision. Once the interview process is complete, the Committee on Admissions will review your entire application, including:

-AMCAS Application -Secondary Application -Grades and GPA trend -MCAT scores -Interview evaluation scores and written comments -Letters of evaluation Once the Committee has completed its review of your application, they will make one of the following decisions:

• Accept you conditionally into the next entering class*
• Place you on the Alternate list**
• Refer you to the Advanced Baccalaureate Learning Experience (ABLE)
• Determine that your application is not competitive for the next entering class

* Accepted applicants will receive a conditional offer of admission pending receipt by the college of a clear Criminal Background Check (CBC). All conditionally accepted applicants will receive notice either confirming or rescinding the offer of admission. ** If you are placed on the Alternate list, your file will remain under consideration for acceptance until we notify you of a change in your status. Alternates may add additional information (i.e., additional grades, new clinical, volunteer, and/or research experiences, additional letters of evaluation, letter of continued interest) to their file at any time. This is the only instance in which additional information will be accepted.

Alternate files are not ranked and are reviewed whenever the number of accepted applicants falls below the entering class size. The number of applicants accepted from the Alternate list varies each year. Alternates have been admitted as late as a few days before the start of Prematriculation and Orientation Week. If you are recommended as a potential candidate to the Advanced Baccalaureate Learning Experience (ABLE), a final decision on your application will be made by the ABLE Review Committee in June. If you are accepted into ABLE and successfully complete all phases of this postbaccalaureate program, you are guaranteed regular admission to the following entering medical school class. If you are not accepted into ABLE, the application process is complete and no further consideration will be given to your application. If you are an unsuccessful applicant to the College of Human Medicine, the application process is complete and no further consideration will be given to your application. Decisions made by the Committee on Admissions are final, and not subject to appeal or revision. However, there are steps you can take to become a more competitive applicant if you intend to reapply to the College of Human Medicine in the future. See Advisory Resources if you intend to reapply and wish to improve your application.

SUBMITTING ADDITIONAL MATERIALS

DO NOT submit additional materials or updates. The college accepts additional information only when an applicant is placed in the alternate pool after interview or by Committee request. We believe that the AMCAS application you initially submitted is representative of your academic abilities and activities.

Unsolicited materials will be discarded.

Step Five: Decision Notification

Use the College of Human Medicine Applicant Portal to check your application status. When a final decision is made on your application, that decision will be posted to your status page in the College of Human Medicine Applicant Portal by 5:00 pm on the following notification date, typically the day following a committee review. If you check your status and there is no change, it means only that the Committee has not yet made a final decision on your application.

Conditionally accepted students who accept an offer of acceptance will be required to submit a deposit to reserve their seat in the next incoming class. Those with multiple acceptances must make a decision by the multiple acceptance deadline per AAMC traffic rules.

Michigan State University

It's not just what we do that makes us Spartans-but also why and how we do it. It's the will to think bigger, work harder, and never give up. It's pushing ourselves to achieve our personal best, while pushing the boundaries of what's possible to make a better world. Michigan State University got its start more than 160 years ago when we pioneered a new kind of higher education that opened doors and expanded opportunities. Believing we are strong as one and extraordinary together. More than half a million strong worldwide, we proudly call ourselves Spartans. Join us.

Academic programs.

• Art & Design
• Communication
• Engineering
• Finance/Accounting
• Government/Political Science
• Health Science
• Liberal Arts
• Performing Arts
• Social Science
• Visual Arts

Student experience

• Co-op/Internship Opportunities
• Disability Services
• Distance/online learning
• Intramural/Club Sports
• LGBTQIA Services
• Military/Veteran Services
• Night Class Offerings
• On-Campus Housing
• ROTC Program
• Study Abroad
• Undergraduate Research
• Veteran Fee Waiver

Application information

Find out about requirements, fees, and deadlines

Apply as a first-year student if you are currently in high school (regardless of total college credits completed while in high school) or you have graduated from high school but haven’t enrolled at a college, university or any other school after high school. This includes early/middle college students who complete a high school diploma at the same time as an associate’s degree.

Apply as a transfer student if you have attended a postsecondary institution after graduating from high school (with the exception of attendance during the summer term immediately following graduation) OR if you have earned a bachelor’s degree at another college or university and are seeking to earn another bachelor’s degree or teaching certificate. Early/middle college or dual-enrolled students are considered first-year students.

Additional Information

We look forward to welcoming you to campus and answering your questions about life as a Spartan. The Office of Admissions offers visit options for prospective and admitted first-year students, as well as special programs for transfer students. Visit admissions.msu.edu/visit for details.

Admissions office

426 Auditorium Road , Room 250 East Lansing , MI 48824-2604 , United States of America

[email protected]

Phone number

(517) 355-8332

For first-year students

Admissions website.

admissions.msu.edu/

Financial aid website

finaid.msu.edu/

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Accepted Admissions Blog

Everything you need to know to get Accepted

August 3, 2022

Michigan State University College of Human Medicine Secondary Application Essay Tips [2022 – 2023]

Michigan State University College of Human Medicine “educates exemplary physicians and seeks to improve health through discovery and responding to the needs of the medically underserved in our communities.” Their research focus is in “groundbreaking” biomedical research about the prevention, control and treatment of disease – and mechanisms underlying human disease. (source: MSU website )

Median MCAT/GPA is 510/3.77. They expect applicants to have long term, in-depth clinical work, paid or volunteer.

MSU CHM’s dean, Aron Sousa, MD, characterizes the curriculum as having robust clinical experience in each year of medical school, and academic content organized by chief complaint rather than organ system or discipline.

Michigan State University College of Human Medicine 2022-2023 application essays

Michigan state university college of human medicine secondary essay #1.

Imagine and reflect upon your life and medical career at the time of retirement. What do you envision being your proudest/most significant accomplishment? ( 500 words )

Your proudest / most significant career accomplishment might relate to MSU CHM’s mission or focus , namely serving the underserved, making an impact in medically underserved communities at home or abroad, or having performed and discovered groundbreaking research that sheds insight into the prevention, control or treatment of disease.

Another approach might be to describe what you would consider to have been a physician’s life well-lived in service to others. What would that service have looked like? Stay humble. Do you define this life of service by its corresponding humanitarianism rather than conceit, clichés or dogma?

Perhaps you think of retirement not as an end but as a transition, like book chapters? How did your career in medicine bring you to this next life adventure? Perhaps you have no intention of retiring? How does your life as a physician change once past your prime or after a significant accomplishment? 

In real life, there is no such thing as a crystal ball. Life will be full of surprises, achievements, disappointments, joy and pain much of which you cannot predict today. So this prompt isn’t really about life plans and details. It’s a narrative about hopes and aspirations – and your imagination.

MSU CHM secondary essay #2

American society may be experiencing a watershed moment as it reckons with various systemic injustices. Use the space below to share your thoughts about this statement. ( 500 words )

A watershed moment is a moment that changes the direction of belief. A watershed moment is a historic epiphany, a moment when looking back one can see the moment when a standing belief changed direction. It is an event or an action that changes the course of normalcy. 9/11 is a watershed moment in US culture. The reversal of Roe vs Wade is a watershed moment in US culture. The electric car is a watershed moment in sustainability and climate change.

“Reckons with” is a pivotal verb phrase suggesting systemic injustice is a force to be reckoned with. Yet, reckon also means to settle, as in reconciling or settling a bank account. How is American Society settling discrimination in its institutions and systems once and for all? 

The American Medical Association has adopted bold guidelines to confront systemic racism with the aim of dismantling racist policies and practices in health care. This prompt infers that right now we are changing the infrastructure and methods of institutions to eliminate inherent bias, inequality, inequity and prejudice. Most medical schools have adopted similar positions in their mission statements. However, this prompt does not limit your answer to addressing systemic injustice solely in healthcare. You may talk about healthcare, but you do not have to.

Where do you see the dismantling of injustice? What does that look like? How is it done? How effective is it? Is there backlash or turmoil? Where have you seen justice in action? How are we never turning back in time regarding injustice?

MSU CHM secondary essay #3

Use the space below to reflect upon your COVID-19 public health crisis experiences, challenges, and/or insights. ( 500 words )

All medical school applicants have had a disruption to their medical school activities, from classes to shadowing to taking the MCAT. Feel free to mention your readjustment to your medical school path briefly. Then, how did you get involved in the pandemic? What did you do to help people through this crisis? How does COVID-19 change healthcare for physicians? For hospitals? For communities? For patients?

MSU CHM secondary essay #4

In the most general sense, create a list of ten (or more) words or phrases you might use to describe or characterize yourself to someone you just met. From this list of words or phrases, are any associated with your decision to pursue medicine as a career? If yes, select up to 3 and explain. If no, explain. ( 500 words )

This prompt is the most “outside the box” prompt yet. Obviously, whatever words or phrases you choose to describe your character paint a self-portrait with words. So, it stands to reason that several entries would correspond with being a physician, whether in your humanitarian values, beliefs, spirituality, love of science, guiding principles (like altruism), or intersectionality (the Venn Diagram of who we are, the circles of our beliefs or the roles we play and their overlap). Just as your activities on the AMCAS application fit a variety of categories, so should your list of characteristics. Be honest, and be yourself. 

Most applicants will likely explain a few characteristics that fit with pursuing medicine. This is a reasonable approach. However, it is possible that an outside the box thinker could be so original in how they explain a “no” that their answer is original and fascinating. For instance, an applicant with a philosophy background might have a wonderful time with this prompt. However, chances are, answering “no” will pose an unnecessary risk. 

MSU CHM secondary essay #5

If you could present yourself to the Admissions Committee, what would you want to make sure they knew about you? ( 500 words )

Some applicants explain a life circumstance, a story, a situation, a challenge they’ve overcome , or a nontraditional path to medicine that sets them apart from the pack or deepens their portrait in the big picture of the application.

Do not answer this question with filler. However, do not overlook an opportunity to enhance the school’s sense of who you are, especially if the secondaries they provide exclude the opportunity to share an important story . Be sure the story ends well and demonstrates what you learned or how you changed for the better with insight and humility.

Do not repeat stories told in other parts of this secondary or in your primary. This essay, like all essays, should add to the reader’s understanding of you.

You’ve worked so hard to get to where you are. Now that you’re ready for your next achievement, make sure you know how to present yourself to maximum advantage in your MSU applications. In a hotly competitive season, you’ll want a member of Team Accepted in your corner, guiding you with expertise tailored specifically for you.  Check out our flexible consulting packages today!

Michigan State University College of Human Medicine 2022-23 application timeline

Source:  MSU website

Related resources:

• The Ultimate Guide to Secondary Essay Questions from Top Med Schools
• Here’s How to Match Your Values to the Medical School Mission Statement
• 5 Dont’s for Your Medical School Personal Statement

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Michigan State University Undergraduate College Application Essays

These Michigan State University college application essays were written by students accepted at Michigan State University. All of our sample college essays include the question prompt and the year written. Please use these sample admission essays responsibly.

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College Application Essays accepted by Michigan State University

Friendship.com anonymous, michigan state university.

The "dot-com revolution" of the mid-to-late 1990s began to take hold just as I was entering my middle school years. I was eager to try new things, including this new Internet technology, because my inner self was also changing and becoming...

Looking to the Future Anonymous

It seems as though every day since elementary school people have been asking me the same daunting question: "So, what do you want to do when you grow up?" While my creative mind continues to come up with a different idea for each day of the week,...

Imported Culture Michelle Salman

“Lower your lids!”

Gilad, my drama instructor, paced back and forth on the stage, arms folded over his belly, Israeli impatience rising in his voice. His eyes narrowed, scanned me through bushy slits, and he barked new commands.

“Let your smile...

“Buenos días, ¿cómo estás?” Anonymous

When my dad first began working in Mexico, I nonchalantly changed my schedule to include seventh grade “Intro to Spanish.” Naturally, I didn’t think twice about what would later prove a crucial decision—few seventh graders realize how such simple...

Two Worlds as One Anonymous

“Τι κάνεις? Στην υγειά μας! Opa!”

“Howdy, partner. What’s in that iron skillet, ma’?”

Those phrases from opposite worlds represent my diverse cultural life growing up with a Greek mother and a father from North Dakota. From my mother I learned to...

New Experiences Samantha Jackson

One of the most significant reasons I want to attend Michigan State University is for the beloved “college experience.” To me, the best part of this experience is meeting people that I would have never met in my small hometown of Memphis,...

Notes From a Nomad Andrew Ronald Voigt

As I sit typing my final paper for eighth grade on a rainy Portland night in May, I hear my mother suddenly call, “Andrew, your father and I need to talk to you”. From her tone I know the subject of the conversation. She used that tone at the end...

The Learning Curve Anonymous

I carefully stepped down the steep gravel hill, making my way to the riverbank for my very first crew practice. The early March air chilled my skin and whipped my hair. I was nervous: each rocky step took me closer to a mass of athletic limbs, all...

Common App Short answer Anonymous

When I first heard the lyrics of the Rolling Stones’ “Paint it Black,” it was from this little red contraption that I bought from a garage sale for ten dollars. I was hooked. That small record player eventually became the two Numark turntables and...

When World Collide Anonymous

2007: “Are y’all comin’?” I yell to the kids on the playground as I run over to the swings. They look at each other and laugh, clearly making fun of the way I speak. I put my head down, embarrassed, and walk to the swings alone. I wish I hadn’t...

Only Time Will Tell Anonymous

I’ll always remember that drive; there was a crisp summer breeze sailing in through my window and the taste of early-morning dew still hung in the air. My heart was beating so fast, I could hardly hear my favorite song, “Sweet Caroline”, blasting...

Devotion Anonymous

My mother’s hands tell the entire world of my life. They were the first to hold me when I was first born and feed me when I cried. It was her hands that have raised me on behalf of my busy dad, patting me when I behaved well and spanking me when I...

Chemistry, Conflict, and the Red Bean Bun Anonymous

So ubiquitously sold in the streets of cold breezes of winter in South Korea, a red bean bun brings deliberate warmth and joy to many people. Sold at a price of only forty cents back in the 90s, the red bean bun was more than just a snack; it was...

Shanghai for a Year Anonymous

The vibrant skyline stood dead. It was 4:30 A.M. and life ceased to exist on the streets of Shanghai. The sunrise peaked through the jungle of buildings across the river and shined onto our faces. I stared at the skyline, thinking how much the...

Acceptance Anonymous

“Sit still!” my mom shouted at me in Igbo, as she continued to press the scalding flat iron to my scalp. I hung my head, watching as the puddle of tears in my lap grew larger, each additional tear rolling off my chubby ten-year-old cheek,...

Heritage Living Victoria Katashev

Live musicians yell into their mics while the crowd jumps and sings along to their music. I’m out of breath, my chest hurts, and I know my voice will be gone, but I’ve accepted it. An older man stands up on one of the picnic tables, dancing and...

Change Michelle Ong

In middle school, my favorite song wasn’t Imagine Dragon’s Radioactive, but Matthew West’s 10,000 Reasons. I didn’t know who celebrities like Brad Pitt or Angelina Jolie were, but I knew who Jeroboam and Rahab were. I didn’t have a phone or iPod,...

Finding Veterinary Medicine through Research Animals Xiang Ji

I initially saw obtaining hearing aids as admitting defeat to a disability. Being Hard of Hearing, I struggled with following conversations for years. Even after learning three foreign languages to communicate better, I realized in college that I...

Building a Considerate City: Advocating for Mental Health and Homeless Solutions in Los Angeles nevaeh gutierrez

The notion of family in my Latino community is one that is extremely fluid, with the expectation that we treat others with respect. Albert, my “neighbor,” has occupied the bush in front of my house for over two years and has become a part of my...

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Michigan State University Secondary Application Essays Prompts (MSU)

• Cracking Med School Admissions Team

Michigan State University College of Human Medicine (MSU CHM) is a great school with strong clinical training. Many students who attend medical school there learn how to treat patients who live in suburban and rural areas. In order to receive an interview invite,  you need to have a strong Michigan State secondary application that shows an abundance of clinical experiences and your personal traits. Read our other Michigan State secondary application tips below .

Our Cracking Med School Admissions team has a track record of helping our mentees receive acceptances to MSU year after year! We suggest you pre-write this soon after you submit your AMCAS. We can help you edit your Michigan secondary application essays with our secondary editing packages . 

Pre-writing Tip:  The MSU secondary has gotten longer and longer throughout the years. There is too much variation year after year, so we DO NOT RECOMMEND medical school applicants to pre-write this secondary.

Other than submitting a strong Michigan secondary, it is also important to ace the Michigan State Multiple Mini Interview .

• Personally Tailored Essays
• Edits by Stanford & Harvard-trained Doctors
• We study your application strengths to see what unique attributes we’ll bring to the medical school

Michigan State Medical School Medical School Secondary Application Essays: 2023-2024

Michigan state secondary application essay prompts:.

• Imagine and reflect upon your life and medical career at the time of retirement. What do you envision being your proudest/most significant accomplishment? (500 words)
• American society may be experiencing a watershed moment as it reckons with various systemic injustices. Use the space below to share your thoughts about this statement. (500 words)
• Use the space below to reflect upon your COVID-19 public health crisis experiences, challenges, and insights. (500 words)
• Modified from Last Cycle – Consider three or four words and/or phrases from your medical school application that you use to describe or characterize yourself. Pick one (or a completely different one) that is underdeveloped to provide additional written narrative to the committee as to why you’ve decided to pursue a career in medicine  (500 words)
• New Essay – Use the space below to reflect upon your COVID-19 public health crisis experiences, challenges, and/or insights.  (500 words)
• If you could present yourself to the Admissions Committee, what would you want to make sure they knew about you? (500 words)

Tips to Answer Michigan State Medical School Secondary Application Essays

Michigan State Pre-writing Tip: The MSU secondary has gotten longer and longer throughout the years. And, this is a state school that sends interview invites earlier. So ideally, you should work on this earlier. However, there is much variation year after year in the essay prompts. Dr. Rizal and Dr. Mediratta only recommend answering the questions that have not changed for the past 2 application cycles.

• Read all our secondary essay tips:  Secondary Essay Guide – Cracking Med School Admissions

Michigan State Medical School Secondaries Tip #1: Be familiar with and discuss how MSU’s Shared Discovery Curriculum will help you become the physician you want to be. Pick specific aspects of the curriculum that relate to your interests and activities. We STRONGLY advise students to not write statements like “I like the early clinical exposure” because almost every medical school has incorporated that into its curriculum – this is no long unique! Instead, discuss specific rotations and classes that appeal to you. Make sure you discuss why that curriculum aspect is important to you. 

Michigan State Medical School Secondaries Tip #2:  For the COVID-19 question, incorporate your personal experiences as well as healthcare current issues you noticed throughout the COVID pandemic. We have an entire healthcare current events blog post here, where you can read more about healthcare disparities and COVID-19. 

Important resources to help you answer the Michigan State secondary application questions:

• Read about COVID-19 and other healthcare current events like healthcare disparities:  Top 10 Healthcare Current Events You Need to Know
• Read all our tips on how to write COVID-19 essays + examples:  COVID Essay Medical School Example & Tips To Stand Out

Michigan State Medical School Secondaries Tip #3: When you list 3 words or phrases to describe yourself, make sure the words discuss different aspects about you. For example, you should probably not write hard-working, studious, AND driven, since there is a lot of overlap among those words. If Dr. Rizal had to answer this question, she might use phrases like “Excellent Connector” and “Community Builder” and “Creative” – note that she could discuss anecdotes from her personal experiences.  

Michigan State Medical School Secondaries Tip #4: The last question on the MSU secondary application is open-ended. ( If you could present yourself to the Admissions Committee, what would you want to make sure they knew about you? ) Treat that like a diversity secondary essay. You can talk about anything, from a challenging family background and how it shaped you to your leadership experiences. Contact us if want to brainstorm your topic for this prompt!

Michigan State Medical School Secondaries Tip #5:   Michigan State University College of Human Medicine has historically given preference to in-staten applicants. Whether you are in-state or out-of-state, make it a priority to discuss your clinical experiences and community service work in Michigan as well as your desire to treat Michigan patients as a medical student. 

Michigan State Medical School Secondaries Tip #6: Get our help with editing your Michigan State secondary essays! Our Cracking Med School Admissions team will make sure your essay is personalized towards your passions and MSU CHM’s values. We’re here to help you stand out! If you have additional questions about how you can stand out, contact us below. 

Your medical school application Coaches, Mentors, & Cheerleaders

We Personally Advise Every Student We Work With

Rachel Rizal, M.D.

Changing the trajectory of people’s lives.

Undergraduate Princeton University, cum laude

Medical School Stanford School of Medicine

Residency Harvard, Emergency Medicine

Awards & Scholarships Fulbright Scholar USA Today Academic First Team Tylenol Scholarship

Rishi Mediratta, M.D., M.Sc., M.A.

Advising students to attend their dream schools.

Undergraduate Johns Hopkins University, Phi Beta Kappa

Residency Stanford, Pediatrics

Awards & Scholarships Marshall Scholar Tylenol Scholarship Global Health Scholar

stand out from other applicants with our secondary essay edit packages

Michigan state medical school medical school secondary application essays: 2022-2023.

• Slightly reworded from last year: Imagine and reflect upon your life and medical career at the time of retirement. What do you envision being your proudest/most significant accomplishment? (500 words)
• New Essay: In the most general sense, create a list of ten (or more) words or phrases you might use to describe or characterize yourself to someone you just met. From this list of words or phrases, are any associated with your decision to pursue medicine as a career? If yes, select up to 3 and explain. (500 words)

Our students successfully receive interviews at their reach schools.

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Your acceptance can be just one essay away…

Michigan State Medical School Medical School Secondary Application Essays: 2021-2022

Michigan state university college of human medicine secondary application essay prompts.

• Describe where you envision yourself and what you’ll be doing in 10 years. What do you realistically hope will be your most significant accomplishment by that time? (500 words)

Michigan State Medical School Medical School Secondary Application Essays: 2020-2021

• The College of Human Medicine offers students an innovative learning environment. What experiences have you had that have prepared you to succeed in our curriculum? How will you approach any challenges you may face?  (500 words)
• Discuss a time when you stepped out of your comfort zone. What were the challenges? What did you learn? (500 words)

Michigan State Secondary Application Essays: 2018 - 2019

• The College of Human Medicine implemented a new curriculum in the fall of 2016. Describe your understanding of this curriculum. Explain which of your attributes/strengths will assist in being successful in this curriculum. Explain how you will address any challenges it might pose. Please limit your response to 250 words or less.
• Discuss a time when you stepped out of your comfort zone. What were the challenges? What did you learn? Please limit your response to 250 words or less.
• If you could present yourself to the Committee on Admissions, what would you want to make sure they knew about you? Please limit your response to 250 words or less.
• Thoroughly review the CHM course  Prerequisite Model Options  as outlined on our website. Which course prerequisite model are you applying to CHM with? (choose between options)

Michigan State Secondary Application Essays: 2017 - 2018

• The Michigan State University College of Human Medicine strives to ensure that its students become respectful physicians who embrace all dimensions of caring for the whole person. Please describe how your personal characteristics or life experiences will contribute to the Michigan State University College of Human Medicine community and bring educational benefits to our student body. (1000 characters)
• Is there any further information that you would like the Committee on Admissions to be aware of when reviewing your file that you were not able to notate in another section of this or the AMCAS Application? (1000 characters)
• Why have you chosen to apply to the Michigan State University College of Human Medicine and how do you think your education at Michigan State University College of Human Medicine will prepare you to become a physician for the future?  (1 page, formatted at your discretion, upload as PDF)

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Common questions, essay questions.

As students consider how they will contribute to the University of Michigan campus community and respond to question and essay prompts, they may wish to highlight things that had an impact on them such as: their involvement in clubs, competing as a student-athlete, studying abroad, going on a mission trip, being engaged in debate, participating in the performing or visual arts, having alumni ties to the institution, making a difference in their community, serving in a leadership capacity, being an entrepreneur, and many others. 

University of Michigan Questions

• Everyone belongs to many different communities and/or groups defined by (among other things) shared geography, religion, ethnicity, income, cuisine, interest, race, ideology, or intellectual heritage. Choose one of the communities to which you belong, and describe that community and your place within it.  (Required for all applicants; minimum 100 words/maximum 300 words)
• Describe the unique qualities that attract you to the specific undergraduate College or School (including preferred admission and dual degree programs) to which you are applying at the University of Michigan. How would that curriculum support your interests? (Required for all applicants; minimum 100 words /maximum 550 words)

The Common Application Personal Essay

The essay demonstrates your ability to write clearly and concisely on a selected topic and helps you distinguish yourself in your own voice. What do you want the readers of your application to know about you apart from courses, grades, and test scores? Choose the option that best helps you answer that question and write an essay of no more than 650 words, using the prompt to inspire and structure your response. Remember: 650 words is your limit, not your goal. Use the full range if you need it, but don't feel obligated to do so. (The application won't accept a response shorter than 250 words.)

• 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.
• 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?
• Reflect on a time when you questioned or challenged a belief or idea. What prompted your thinking? What was the outcome?
• 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?
• Discuss an accomplishment, event, or realization that sparked a period of personal growth and a new understanding of yourself or others.
• 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?
• 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.

Transfer Applicants:   If you are a transfer student, please view the Transfer Essay Questions webpage  for additional required essays.

No. 1 in supply chain

U.S. News & World Report ’s 2024 Best Business Schools ranking places the Broad College at No. 1 for graduate supply chain/logistics programs for eight consecutive years. See the numbers .

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What we’re looking for in an MBA candidate’s application.

Our MBA admissions team takes a holistic approach to consider an MBA applicant for admission to the program.

MBA Application Deadlines

The Full-Time MBA and STEM MBA program accepts applications in different rounds over the course of one cycle. Applications for Fall 2024 are now closed.

Applications for Fall of 2025 will open on August 1st, 2024.

Application Process

Steps to apply.

• Optional: Take the Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT), Graduate Record Examination (GRE), or Executive Assessment (EA). Note: For dual degree applicants the LSAT and MCAT are acceptable forms of standardized tests. GMAT/GRE waivers info  
• Complete and submit the online application and pay the $85 application fee.  
• Schedule a virtual evaluative interview if/when you are selected.  

Online Application

Details on how to apply/application FAQ’s

How to Apply

Application Components

The application includes the following components, which are described in further detail on this page:

Academic Record

GMAT, GRE or EA Test Score (if applicable)

Recommendations / References

English Language Proficiency Test Score (if applicable)

The Broad of College of Business considers each applicant’s undergraduate transcript, with special attention given to the last two years. The average GPA for the final two undergraduate years is 3.4 on a 4.0 scale.  

We require students to have completed a four-year undergraduate degree. Candidates with a three-year undergraduate degree and a master’s degree are also eligible to apply.  

We consider graduate-level work but do not allow transfers from other MBA programs or candidates who already have an MBA or an MBA equivalent from another institution.  

The Full-Time MBA and STEM MBA program will accept uploaded scanned copies of your academic records for admissions purposes. If you are admitted to the Full-Time MBA/STEM MBA program, we will then require all original documents to be sent to the program office.  

Note: Applicants who graduated from a U.S. university can have electronic transcripts sent directly to Michigan State University’s Central Admission Office through a transcript service such as AVOW or eScrip-Safe. 

One copy of a current one-page resume is required and should detail:  

• Professional experience
• Academic credentials and related accomplishments
• Pertinent biographical data

We strongly recommend a minimum of two years’ full-time work experience after a candidate has earned an undergraduate degree. The average admitted student has four years’ work experience. The quality of work experience is closely scrutinized, with an emphasis on:

• Professional career progression
• Leadership experience
• Quantifiable business results

The admissions team occasionally will consider applicants with nontraditional full-time work experience prior to or during their undergraduate program.

Additional accomplishments to be noted in the resume that can enhance an applicant’s chances of success include:

• Work-related or professional awards
• Scholastic awards, accomplishments and publications
• Community service work
• Youth development and mentoring

GMAT or GRE Test Score

The average GMAT score for the most recent incoming class was 665 (with a median of 670). We do not have a required minimum score. Starting in November 2023, GMAT Focus Edition will be accepted. If you are submitting with a GMAT Focus score, leave the Analytical Writing Assessment score blank within the application. We will not have an average GMAT Focus score until next fall. A GMAT or GRE score alone does not guarantee or deny admission to the program.

GMAT Code for Full-Time MBA: QH0-5P-76 MBA (Q-H-ZERO-FIVE-P-SEVEN-SIX)

GRE Code for Michigan State University: 1465

Executive Assessment

Note: The Broad Full-Time MBA program accepts candidates with strong work experience and other admission criteria in lieu of the standardized test score.

GMAT Waiver Information

Two essays are required: a written essay and a video essay. The essays help determine whether a candidate is a good fit for the program’s curricular strengths and team-intensive environment.

Essay Questions (Entering Class Fall 2024)

Essay a – written essay (required).

What are your short-term career goals and how will the Full-Time MBA program at Michigan State University’s Broad College of Business help you achieve them? Please answer in 500 words or less.

Essay C – Written Essay (Optional) 

Discuss how your personal and professional experiences connect to your candidacy for the Broad MBA.  

Please answer this question in 350 words or less if you feel your application for admission does not adequately represent you.  

If you are requesting an English proficiency waiver, please use this essay to explain in 350 words or less why you should receive an English proficiency waiver.  

Video Essay (Required) 

The video essay provides an applicant the ability to demonstrate in their own words who they are and what they bring to the Broad MBA program. In addition, the video essay is an interactive way to complete an essay in a relatively short period of time. Each applicant will complete one short video essay question with two minutes to respond to each question.   

Notes :  

Once the question is asked, there will be a delay to respond. The question will appear on the screen for reference.  

The question response does not need to take the entire two minutes. If you have time remaining once complete, click on the “stop recording” button to end the recording.  

Please be concise with your response. The recording will automatically stop after two minutes.  

If you are not satisfied with your first response, you can elect to have a second question prompt to record a final response for your video essay.

We estimate the video essays will take 5-10 minutes to complete – which includes time for set-up and answering all the questions.  

And finally, remember to dress professionally, sit in a well-lit area, look at the camera, relax, and be yourself.  

We require one reference but recommend two references. We ask for references (preferably supervisors) that can attest to your ability to work within and lead teams, as well as to contribute significantly to a professional business environment. Your reference should be able to provide specific information on your professional and intellectual skills and abilities. Employment-related references are strongly encouraged.  

All candidates are required to fill in the names and contact information of their references on the online application. Please advise your recommender that you will be using them for a recommendation for your Broad MBA application. We will send them a form by email to fill out with their recommendation.

The Full-Time MBA/STEM MBA program office may call your references/recommenders to speak to them during the application cycle. Please inform your references/recommenders to expect a call from the Michigan State University MBA program during the application cycle (not all references will be contacted).

Evaluative Interview

Once past the initial screening process, applicants will be contacted for an evaluative interview by the admissions staff.

During the interview, the candidate will be assessed on:

• Professionalism
• Ability to work well with people
• Perceived fit with the MBA program

You must fill out an  admissions application prior to scheduling an interview. After the school receives your application, we will contact you if you are extended an invitation to proceed to the evaluative interview.  

Interviews are held from September through June and will be conducted via Microsoft Teams or on campus.  

What You Can Expect during the Interview

Broad MBA admissions representatives conduct the interview and will ask you a common set of questions used for all interviewees. Your interpersonal skills and communication skills are at least as important as the specific content of the interview. The tone of the interview is relaxed and conversational, typically lasting around 30 minutes. Within this session, you will have ample time to ask any questions you may have about Broad or the MBA program. While low – key in tone, we expect that you will treat our evaluative interview process as you would a professional interview.  

Interview on Campus

If you prefer to come to campus to interview for the Broad MBA, you are able to do so. Please indicate your preference to interview on campus when you receive your invitation to interview . W e will set up an appointment for you with an admissions officer at our office in the Minskoff Pavilion.  

Interview Online

You will have an interview with an admissions representative via your computer. We will get a better impression of who you are and what you can bring to the program. Virtual interviews are held on Microsoft Teams .  

Professional attire is expected when doing your interview.

Missed Interviews

MBA candidates who notify the Broad MBA program of a scheduling conflict at least 24 hours prior to the scheduled interview will be allowed to reschedule, according to the interview slots that are available — with no penalty.  

MBA candidates who miss their scheduled interview without notifying the Broad MBA program beforehand will be denied if contact is not made with the program staff according to the details below (we will not contact you). If contact is made by the end of the next business day and if the candidate presents an acceptable excuse as determined by the program, another interview will be accommodated; however, the candidate will be relegated to the end of the current interview-scheduling queue. If the candidate’s excuse for missing the interview is deemed unacceptable, the Broad MBA program reserves the right to deny the applicant immediately and summarily.  

English Language Proficiency Test Score

International applicants must meet all of the above requirements. In addition, we ask international applicants to provide a score from any of the following testing agencies:

International Admissions Criteria

Special Admissions

• Military Background Applicants
• International Applicants
• MSU Alumni Applicants
• Reapplicants

We take pride in our veterans and value their contributions to the program’s fabric.

The Broad Full-Time MBA program can help you apply your military experience to a civilian career, maximizing your investment in yourself and preparing you for future challenges.

If you are an international applicant, we have some additional criteria. International applicants to the Broad MBA program must meet particular conditions for academic transcripts and English language proficiency.

You received a world-class degree from a top Big Ten university. We invite you to consider the Broad Full-Time MBA program.

We’re here to help you with the admissions process. As an incentive, we offer all MSU alumni who are applying special benefits.

Individuals who applied unsuccessfully to the Broad Full-Time MBA/STEM MBA program are eligible to reapply.  

All re-applicants are eligible for an application fee waiver. Please contact Beth Thomas at [email protected] for an application fee waiver (which cannot be applied retroactively).    

If you have any questions about the reapplication process, please contact Beth Thomas at (517) 355-6556 or

[email protected] .

Michigan State’s Full-Time MBA and STEM MBA is seeking high-caliber individuals with strong communication and interpersonal skills. The Broad MBA is looking to build an MBA class with diverse experiences, talents, and perspectives. MBA candidates will be considered for admission without a GMAT or GRE score.

The Broad Full-Time MBA/STEM MBA program would like to recognize applicants from certain backgrounds that exemplify community and military service. Applicants from certain organizations and backgrounds identified can apply and have their application fee paid for by the MBA program. We also offer application fee waivers to those who attend any of our admissions events.

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Frequently Asked Questions

The Honors College Admissions Team has compiled a list of  Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)  in an effort to increase transparency around our process and clarify common misconceptions. For additional assistance outside of these questions, please reach out to  [email protected]  at any time.

A: There is no separate application process. All high school students who apply and are admitted to Michigan State University in the fall semester of their senior year are considered for an Honors College invitation, generally between 6-8 weeks after admission to the university. Students who are incoming first-year students or transfer students can be considered separately through our Campus Admissions process after completion of their first fall semester.

We do not have a minimum or specific GPA or test score – our average test scores among students who submitted SAT/ACT scores in 2023 was a 1450 SAT and 32 ACT. Admitted MSU students are reviewed holistically based on the factors outlined within our Invited Student Profile on our High School Admissions page .

A: We recommend applying early in the fall in advance of the November 1 st  priority deadline that MSU uses for full scholarship consideration.

A: Typically, we invite students to the Honors College within 6-8 weeks following admission to Michigan State University. If a student does not hear from us, we recommend reaching out via e-mail to [email protected] for more information. Students who do not hear from us are encouraged to send additional materials for review in their senior year – our deadline for receiving additional materials are typically in mid-Feburary for domestic students and in March for international students. Please visit our High School Admissions page  for details.

A: Yes. All first year students who are not already incoming Honors College students can be reviewed again for an Honors College invitation after the conclusion of their first semester on campus. Please visit our Campus Admissions page  for more details on our process.

A: No. Students that are members of the Honors College at MSU can pursue any of the university’s 200+ undergraduate academic programs, or any combination of those programs. Students may also belong to one of MSU’s three residential colleges: Lyman Briggs College ,  James Madison College , or the  Residential College in the Arts and Humanities (RCAH) .

A: The  Academic Scholars Program (ASP)  is a unique opportunity that provides high-achieving students a pathway towards Honors College membership. While ASP is administered and advised in the Honors College, membership is separate. Most students who complete the ASP program join the Honors College after their first year.

A: No – your response to our Honors College invitation is non-binding and can be declined if you are not interested in Honors College membership. All prospective students admitted to Michigan State University have until May 1 st   of their senior year to make their final college choice, and those invited to the Honors College must also respond to their HC invitation by that date.

A: All invited Honors College students who plan on joining us must accept their Honors College invitation and pay MSU’s Advanced Enrollment Deposit (AED) no later than May 1 st  of their senior year.

A: The Housing sign-up process for incoming students takes place each year during the summer prior to the fall semester as part of New Student Orientation (NSO). Once students have paid their enrollment deposit and signed a housing contract, specific instructions and details will be communicated after May 1 st .

A: No, Honors Housing is optional – each year you can decide whether to live on an Honors floor or not.

A: No. Due to the large volume of incoming students each fall, the spaces on the Honors floors across campus are reserved for HC students first.

A: That’s up to you – students typically will take 1-2  Honors Experiences each semester, for a total of 8 Honors Experiences by time of graduation. These can be any combination of Honors Courses, Honors Options, Honors Research Seminars, or even Graduate-level courses. Some students prefer to take more Honors Experiences in their first few years, while others may take a consistent amount throughout their undergraduate careers.

A: No. All students receiving merit aid scholarships from the Honors College must accept their Honors College invitation by May 1st of their senior year (and remain in good academic standing while at MSU) to receive the awards.

A: Notification of Honors College first-year scholarships may occur at any time throughout the admissions cycle (October – May) during your senior year. Most awards will be reflected in the “Scholarships” tab of your MSU student portal.

A: Yes. Students who are National Merit Finalists who name MSU as their first-choice institution may receive additional scholarships from MSU. Awards are limited. For details, please visit the MSU Office of Admissions website  for more information on eligibility and selection criteria.

A: Incoming students to MSU will meet with their academic advisors, including an Honors College advisor if applicable, during the summer prior to the fall semester as part of New Student Orientation (NSO). Prospective students do not meet with HC advisors during the recruitment process; however, the HC Admissions Team can arrange for you to meet with representatives or faculty from other departments while you are considering MSU.

A:  Come and visit us ! The Honors College welcomes on-campus visitors at any time during your college search. Additionally, we host a variety of in-person and virtual recruitment events over the course of the admissions cycle for prospective and invited Honors College students to attend and learn more about our program as well as connect with current Honors students.

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