What Does It Take to Get Into Michigan State University?

With more than 37,000 applications coming in each year, Michigan State University currently has an acceptance rate of 66%. What can you do to make yours stand out to adcoms?

Love the idea of attending school in the Great Lakes State? Along with the breathtaking scenery that includes beautiful beaches and soaring slopes, Michigan State University is a world-renowned research institution boasts 200 academic programs across 17 different colleges and a plethora of extracurricular activities and opportunities for leadership.

Michigan State is also home to one of the nation’s only environmental journalism organizations, a solar car racing team and a student-run organic farm. Its graduate programs include the highly ranked College of Education and the well-regarded Eli Broad College of Business. And with a ranking of 85 on U.S. News & World Report’s list of the best public universities for 2019, MSU is sure to look great on a resume.

Wondering if MSU can help you achieve your dreams? Find out what it takes to get into this East Lansing school, along with tips for standing out from the pack.

Applying to Michigan State University: A Quick Review

Michigan State University requires aspiring Spartans to submit a robust application package. If you’re set on being a Sparty, start gathering your application materials early so you can submit the following on time:

• Completed MSU application for admission, Coalition Application, or Common Application, including the Michigan State Essay
• Official high school transcript
• ACT or SAT scores (Note that the writing test is recommended but not required.)
• $65 nonrefundable application fee

The Early Action deadline for Michigan State is November 1st, and the deadline for Regular Admission is February 1st. While MSU does offer rolling admissions after February 1st, the school advises students to submit their applications early. Once the available space has been filled, the school will stop accepting candidates, so students are encouraged to apply by November 1st for the best chance at getting in.

Michigan State University Acceptance Rate: How Difficult Is It to Get In?

With more than 37,000 applications coming in each year, Michigan State University currently has an acceptance rate of 66%.

Admissions decisions are based not only on academic performance and test scores, but also on the strength of an applicant’s high school curriculum, class rank, skills, talents, and leadership endeavors. Additionally, MSU takes into account a student’s diversity of experience and looks at any recent trends, either positive or negative, in academic performance. 

So, How Does One Get Into Michigan State University?

MSU favors students who pursue a challenging coursework while still in high school. Ideally, applicants will have completed:

• 4 years of English
• 3 years of math (2 algebra and 1 geometry)
• 3 years of social studies
• 2 years of science
• 2 years of a foreign language

Additionally, Michigan State University puts a strong emphasis on grades and test scores. The average GPA of an incoming freshman at MSU ranged from 3.5 to 3.9 last year. ACTs ranged from 23 to 29, while SATs averaged between 1130 and 1300.

How to Make Your Application Stand Out

Of course, getting accepted at Michigan State University isn’t just about earning high grades. The university is looking for students who challenged themselves before coming to college. If you want to gain a leg up on the competition, think about adding some honors and advanced placement classes to your high school schedule. You could also take IB courses if your school offers them.

Academics are certainly important, but they won’t seal the deal at MSU. To stand out from the pack, devote some extra time and attention to the Michigan essay. A key part of the undergraduate application, this essay allows students to respond to one of seven prompts, including:

“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?”

Essays range from 250 words to 650 words and may boost admissibility in addition to helping students win scholarships. Need help crafting your MSU essay, check out How to Write the Michigan State University Essays 2018-2019. Also, be sure to ask a trusted teacher or college admissions counselor to look over your essay and give you notes for improvement.

What If You Get Rejected?

If you’re just embarking on your college admissions journey, then you might be wondering about the possibility of being rejected from some of your schools. The truth is, admission is incredibly competitive, and top schools regularly reject students they admit are very qualified. After all, colleges can only take on so many students each year, and sometimes great candidates simply don’t make the cut.

The good news is the U.S. is full of exceptional academic institutions. If you’re concerned about getting accepted to Michigan State University, consider applying to some of the other great schools in the Great Lakes State, such as:

• University of Michigan – Ann Arbor
• Grand Valley State University
• Central Michigan University
• Western Michigan University

Other MSU competitors include Bard, Vassar, and Tufts University. Any one of them could be a great place to earn your degree. For help adjusting to a different dream school, read our post, Envisioning a New Future: Preparing for Life at Your Second-Choice (or Third, or Fourth) School.

Curious about your chances of acceptance to your dream school? Our free chancing engine takes into account your GPA, test scores, extracurriculars, and other data to predict your odds of acceptance at over 500 colleges across the U.S. We’ll also let you know how you stack up against other applicants and how you can improve your profile. Sign up for your free CollegeVine account today to get started!

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