Applicant Instructions

Prior to beginning the application, we strongly encourage all applicants to view the program website to view departmental/program application requirements that are not specifically covered in this documentation.

This application is dynamic and displays differently based on several user selections. Your application may appear differently than the examples given below, with one or more sections omitted (for example, employer information, activities, test scores, and more). 

To begin the graduate application process:

1. Go to: https://explore.msu.edu/apply/
2. First time users: Click on Create an Account

3. Enter your email address, first name, last name, and birthdate. Click Continue.

4. A temporary PIN was sent to your email address. Open your personal email address to find an email from Michigan State University, and enter the PIN, and confirm your birthdate.

5. Create your account password.

1. Begin completing your application. Click on Start New Application.

2. Choose the type of application (Graduate or Graduate Certificate) then select Create Application.

3. Next, provide Personal Background information. The fields on the application will change depending on your selections. The images found below may not exactly match what you see.

4. Once all information is completed, select Continue.
5. Complete additional information on the Personal Background – Continued section

6. On the “Other Information” tab, select either the First Semester to Enroll or the Major Preference. These fields are tied together, and changes to the major will affect what semesters are displayed.
   
   Depending on your major selection additional questions will be included, excluded, or modified (including topics like financial aid, communications, and more). 
    

After advancing from the Other Information tab, the remaining tabs will be modified based on the unique requirements of your chosen program. A program-specific Supplemental Questions tab may appear, depending on your identified major, named after the major (see below, based on "Accounting Masters" being the selected major). This tab will contain a link to the program's website that displays additional application requirements.

7. COVID-19: If you would like MSU program staff to know information regarding hardships or your experience during the COVID-19 outbreak.

8. Other: This section contains additional information about the applicant’s background, including whether the applicant is a first-generation college student, previous applications, MSU contacts, employment and employment agreement status, and foreign language proficiency. The first-generation college student question is mandatory, and the applicant must answer either “Yes,” “No,” or “Prefer not to answer.”

9. Complete the required Conduct Questions 

10. Once all information is completed, select Continue.
11. Include all Academic History Information. To begin: click on Add Institution.
    • Note: Anything listed in Academic History will require an official transcript.

12. Next, begin typing in the name of the previously attended university, and it will populate all of the information. Select your institution.

13. Add the Dates Attended and Level of Study, Degree, Major, etc. Then click Save.

14. Test Scores: To add your test scores, begin by selecting Add Test. For detailed test score requirements, please refer to the program’s website.

15. Next, choose the type of test that you’d like to add.
    • Example below: MCAT

16. Enter your Test results and click "Save".

17. Employment: To begin adding your employment history, select Add Employer. 

18. Once all employer information is added, click Save. Continue adding employment information and click Continue to complete employment history.
19. Activities: If your program requires your Résumé/Curriculum Vitae, activities, or experiences prior to applying to graduate school, please include that information by selecting Add Activity.
    
    Note: this tab may or may not appear depending on the requirements of your selected program.

20. Complete the information to add an activity.

21. References: To obtain letters of recommendation, please add your recommender’s information by selecting Add Recommender.

22. Include all contact information for your recommender. MSU graduate programs typically require three letters of recommendation. Make sure to include all recommenders requested by your program. If you do not provide all required recommenders, you will not be able to submit the application. Example below:

23. Once you’ve completed the contact information, selected the waiver decision and typed your full name as a signature, select Send to Recommender. This will generate an email to your recommender with details for their letter submission. 
    
    Note: The recommender should check their Spam inbox if they do not receive the email.
     
24. Provide your signature electronically by typing in your full legal name, then select Confirm.

25. The Review section will provide you with a list of potential errors if a section has not been completed. Please make sure to return to those sections and make the appropriate corrections before submitting the application and payment.

*Important* Once you click “Finalize Application and Pay,” you will not be able to make changes to the information you have provided. Verify that all information is correct prior to submitting. 

1. After you have verified your information, click “Finalize Application and Pay.”
   • You will be able to upload additional items (resume, CV, etc.) after submitting and completing your payment.

3. Once you have submitted your application, you will be asked to complete a payment. Click on Submit Payment. 

4. Review the information and click on Continue.

5. Choose your method of payment (Credit/Debit card or Bank account Information). Enter all information required and click Continue.

6. Confirm and your payment has been submitted.
7. The next time you log in to your application after submitting your payment, you will be taken to your application portal to complete your next steps. These next steps may vary depending on your status and program. 
   
   When accessing your application portal, select "Log In" under the Returning Users section.

8. You will see incomplete steps displayed as red “X” marks. After you complete each step, it will be replaced with a green check mark. Once each step has been completed, the department will begin reviewing your application.

9. Over the next few days and weeks, you can now log in to the student portal (using the Returning Users option) to review your application status updates. You will receive an email when there is a change in your status. Depending on the status change, you may need to take action.

1. After your application is submitted and your fee is paid, you will receive a notice to log into your portal. This portal allows you to see status updates on your application, upload critical supplemental materials, and more.

2. Applicants who are missing some of the items listed above will receive occasional reminders to submit the items. Applicants should be vigilant in gathering and submitting these materials in a timely manner.