For Prospective Students (* open in new window):
            MSU Graduate Student Application
            Recommendation for Admission Form Letter (pdf*)
            Financial Support
            FAQ
            Student Survival Guide (pdf*) | web version


Please do not send paper applications to the MSU Graduate Admissions Office. The 2010–2011 academic year Application for Graduate Study is now on the web. Admission is normally made only for fall semester. The deadline for receipt of applications and materials is January 5, 2010. If you cannot apply online, hard copies of the application materials and instructions can be obtained upon request from the Program Office. Please click here to review the graduate student handbook.

For consideration, submit the materials below:

• the MSU Application for Graduate Study (application form to be used must be for the fall of the year you plan to be admitted.) For admission, MSU is accepting online applications ONLY. (submit online)

• the application fee of $50 for all applicants domestic and international. University policy states that applications will not be processed unless the application fee is paid, without exception. (submit online)

• a personal statement outlining your research interest and goals and how the Neuroscience Program at MSU and our training faculty will help you to achieve your long term career goals. It is also important to describe in your statement how you might contribute to a diverse community here at MSU and any obstacles that you have overcome in gaining your present level of education. Also describe in detail any prior research and/or laboratory experience (including a description of the research question, the methods used, your findings and conclusions). The Neuroscience Program only requires a personal statement - this personal statement should include all aspects of the "academic statement," but the academic statement itself is not required. Include in the statement the names of 2-4 training faculty members whom you might like to work with and be interviewed by. We strongly encourage you to contact our training faculty at any stage in the admissions process, even before you have submitted an application. The identification of these faculty will not limit your choices of labs once you are here, but will help us determine whether there is a good match between your interests and our program. Please limit your personal statement to two pages. (submit online)

• transcripts from ALL institutions attended after high school.
These must be originals in signed and sealed envelopes, no copies accepted. (submit directly to Neuroscience Program)

• official copy of GRE scores for the verbal, quantitative, and writing assessment exams. (Scores for the writing assessment will be from 0 to 6. You can find out more about what the scores mean here.) Please note that the Analytical section of the GRE has been replaced with a writing assessment. It is not required to take a subject exam. For more information on the GRE test, please go to http://testingoffice.msu.edu and click "tests." (submit directly to Neuroscience Program)

• three letters of recommendation. Ideally, each recommender will have some knowledge of your scientific training at present and potential in the future and should address these issues in his/her letter. Each letter must include a copy of MSU's recommendation form (pdf*) . Please note on this form the right to waive access to the recommendation letter. (submit directly to Neuroscience Program)

• attend the Neuroscience Program Interview Weekend. For 2010 admission, Interview Weekend is scheduled on February 26 –28, 2010. Top applicants will be invited for an interview and should plan on attending. If there is a conflict, please contact the office to determine whether other arrangements can be made. During the visit, applicants will interview with selected faculty members and become acquainted with MSU campus, facilities and predoctoral students from the Program.

• international applicants must also include: an official copy of TOEFL scores. (submit directly to Neuroscience Program)