Hello from East Lansing! I hope that this newsletter finds you and your family safe and healthy.The world changed in March 2020 and with it came unforeseen challenges to our everyday lives and educational traditions. Michigan State University recognizes the severe impact that the novel coronavirus has had on your graduating students, as well as other students, yourself and your fellow staff members, in altering school life as you know it.
In this newsletter, we explain the changes we’ve made to accommodate your graduating seniors and your rising seniors. MSU’s Office of Admissions is here to provide support for you and the guidance team. Please feel free to reach out to me or our staff if you have any questions.
Stay safe, stay healthy and enjoy your summer!
Go Green!
John Ambrose
Director of Undergraduate Admissions
Incoming students
Final transcript deadlines
For students that will be attending Michigan State University this coming fall, please be reminded that our office needs their final high school transcripts sent directly by your school’s guidance or records office. The transcript must state specifically that the student “graduated” and list a graduation date. We prefer to receive final transcripts by the middle of this coming July. However, due to the unexpected challenges brought about by the novel coronavirus, we will extend our deadline for receipt to the end of September.
Fall 2020 classes
Michigan State University will open for in-person instruction on September 2, 2020. We plan to end all in-person instruction on Wednesday, November 25, with remaining instruction, study sessions and final examinations moving remotely for the remaining three weeks of the semester. Students will have the option of returning to their permanent residences for the Thanksgiving holiday and not returning to campus, or they may choose to remain on campus until the semester ends. This plan is designed to address epidemiologic models that suggest a potential resurgence in COVID-19 cases in December and to also give students the opportunity to return to their permanent residences before peak influenza season if they so choose.
The driving factor behind our decisions will continue to be the health, safety and well-being of students, faculty and staff.
Changes to New Student Orientation
For students admitted for fall 2020, New Student Orientation (NSO) will be a virtual experience. It will be offered as a one-credit course in an asynchronous model through our learning management platform. This orientation course will introduce students to systems commonly used at MSU (such as Zoom, Microsoft Teams, D2L StuInfo), help them connect with advisers for enrollment, and provide them with modules that cover a variety of other important topics. More information about this year’s virtual orientation can be found online.
Residential college waitlists
Our residential colleges combine living and learning to create a uniquely focused learning environment for students. For fall 2020, please note that two of these colleges have waiting lists, due to the demand for their programs.
- Lyman Briggs College (LBC) currently has a wait pool for the incoming fall 2020 class and we are working hard to move students off of the wait pool. Please note that we are continuously evaluating classroom spaces, and students will be notified by August regarding their space within LBC. We thank you for your continued patience.
- For our James Madison College, space will continue to be evaluated throughout the summer in order to continue bringing in students by fall semester, if possible.
- The Residential College in the Arts and Humanities (RCAH) does not have a waiting list for fall 2020.
Deferral and gap year options
- Fall semester arrival — After much planning and careful consideration, the decision has been made that Michigan State University will be open for in-person instruction on September 2, 2020. Check online for novel coronavirus admissions updates.
- Deferring starting semester – for students admitted for fall 2020:
- Defer to spring semester (and start in January 2021): If you would like to begin your studies in the spring 2021 semester, you have the option to defer your fall semester by making this change in your account. You do not need to complete a new application, and any scholarships awarded will be honored beginning in spring 2021. Housing will be flexible with student contracts if you defer your start date to spring term.
- Defer to fall 2021 (and start in August 2021): If you are considering deferring the start of your college career to next fall, we strongly encourage you to contact your admissions counselor to discuss your plans. Students who defer to fall 2021 will not be required to reapply, but availability of scholarships and additional admissions requirements will vary depending on your plan.
Future students
Fall 2021 prospective students
Applications for the fall 2021 semester will open up in early August. For students interested in learning more about Michigan State University before this time, please encourage them to sign up for our virtual Green and White: Uploaded event from July 15 to July 24. Online information is forthcoming. For now, please encourage students to join our mailing list so they may receive updates in the future.
Fall 2021 application and ACT or SAT testing
Application deadlines — Our fall 2021 freshman application will open on August 1, 2020. Also, November 1 is the application deadline to receive full scholarship consideration.
External tests and exams —
- ACT or SAT: Freshman applicants for the fall 2021 semester will have the option to go through the admissions application review without submitting an ACT or SAT score. The following exceptions will apply, but are subject to change:
- Students who would like to receive full consideration for merit-based scholarships will be required to submit a standardized test score.
- Home-schooled students and student athletes subject to NCAA eligibility standards will be required to submit a standardized test score.
- Note: International students are not required to submit an ACT or SAT score, but must still meet English language proficiency requirements.
- IB, AP, A-Level: We will honor the plans set forth by International Baccalaureate (IB), Advanced Placement (AP), GCE A-level examination boards and other institutions for final documentation of a student's examinations and work. MSU will grant credit, where appropriate, based on the scores we receive from these organizations.
- English language tests for international students: Due to cancellations of TOEFL and IELTS tests, MSU will be temporarily accepting the Duolingo English Test from applicants affected by these closures for students applying to begin their studies in summer or fall semester of 2020. In addition, MSU will be expanding the ability for students to receive provisional admission. If students are able to take a test that meets our regular admission standards prior to enrollment, we will update their admission status to regular.
Contact your MSU admissions counselor
Our admissions counselors are dedicated to the relationships they have with you, your students and the families in your area. Don’t hesitate to reach out if you have any questions, concerns or information to share. You can visit the Office of Admissions counselor contact page to connect with the MSU admissions counselor that works with students from your area. We look forward to hearing from you!
GATE
Although Michigan State University will not hold in-person, on-campus youth and pre-college programs this summer, MSU’s Gifted and Talented Education (GATE) program is now offering summer programs online! Grade levels range from third to tenth, and programs cover topics such as mathematics, science, technology and leadership.
Words from an outgoing student
"High school is different for everyone, but one commonality is change. Changing who you are, changing what you want and working towards finalizing what the next stages of your life could be. Navigating this new scene is overwhelming, but with the assistance of my high school counselor, I was able to remain physically, emotionally and financially confident in my plans after high school."
-Claudia Raines (Michigan State University Class of 2020)
Updates to these items will be posted online, if and when new details emerge.
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