Applications are first seen by an Admissions Evaluator who enters the application into Banner. Each student is required to pay a $38 application fee online ($30 printed) if they are an out-of-state student. If a student is applying from in-state the application fee is not required. We cannot process applications until the application fee is paid, students will receive email communication letting them know that this is a required step in the application process. 

• • • Application fees cannot be waived. While we do not offer fee waivers, a student's application fee may be deferred to their first tuition statement. This is need-based and if students would like to apply for this, they can do so through our Application Fee Deferral Form: (https://webapps.montana.edu/admissions/appfee/). Please note that it is not guaranteed that students will have their application fee deferred and Admissions Evaluators will process these requests as quickly as they can. If a deferral is granted and the student does not attend MSU, they will not owe the fee.

If a student applies to MSU and pays the fee, they can defer admission for up to one year without having to repay the application fee. They can request to do this through their MyMSU checklist or at the following link: https://www.montana.edu/admissions/term-update.html. 

• • • If a student applies to another MSU school (Billings, Great Falls, Havre, etc.) and applies to Bozeman within that same year, they do not have to repay the application fee. 

A freshman applicant to MSU must have attempted fewer than 12 college-level credits (taken after completion of high school or its equivalent). Some applicants may have a significant number of college credits, but if these have been taken before the student graduates from high school (i.e., AP/IB, Running Start, Dual Enrollment, etc.), they are still considered a freshman. 

The application is used to determine the student's admission status by reviewing the college preparatory requirements and the numeric requirements (i.e. grade point average, rank in class and ACT/SAT scores). The High School Self-Report form is a required part of the application for traditional-aged students but not for non-traditional age students (those who graduated from high school three or more years ago). In addition, non-traditional-age students do not need to submit ACT/SAT scores in order to be admitted, they do still need to submit their high school transcript. 

To be accepted as a full-time student, applicants must have completed the college prep requirements (4 years English, 3 years Math, 3 years Social Studies, 2 years lab science, and 2 years of either a foreign language, computer science, visual and performing arts or vocational education) or a similar college prep curriculum in their state. 

• • • In addition to this, students must also meet at least one of the following requirements in order to be admitted: 

      • • 22 on the ACT or 1120 on the SAT *Test score optional for scholarship and admissions consideration.* 

        • 2.5 or higher GPA on a 4.0 scale (Students can apply with a weighted or un-weighted GPA, whichever is higher. 

        • Rank in the top half of their graduating class. 

In addition to the above requirements, a student MUST meet the following:

• • • Math scores of 18 on ACT or 440 on SAT, or four years of rigorous high school Math (Algebra I, Algebra II, Geometry & a course beyond Algebra II,) and three years of science courses with grades of C or better in all courses, or AP math scores of 3 or above on Calculus or Statistics. 

    • Writing Proficiency scores of an equivalent score on the Combined English/Writing section of the Optional Writing Test or a 7 on the Writing Subscore of the ACT; or an equivalent score on the Writing Section or a 7 on the Essay of the SAT; or score of a 3.5 on the Montana University System Writing Assessment; or AP score of 3 or above on the English Language of English Literature Exam. 

    • A final, official high school transcript must be SENT DIRECTLY from the high school, posting the graduation date and all four years of classes/attendance. This is required by every incoming freshman, regardless of age. ACT or SAT scores should come from the official testing services (example: CollegeBoard). Test scores (ACT, SAT, IB/AP), will not be accepted if they are attached to the transcript and have not come from an official testing site. 

Admissions Evaluators review transfer students with greater than 12 attempted college level credits who wish to enter MSU (Attempted credits = any credits that students attempted to take at a University regardless of their grades, withdrawal from the institution, etc.). 

Admissions Requirements:

To be accepted to MSU, transfer students must meet the following requirements: 

• • • 12 attempted college level credits

    • 2.0 cumulative GPA on a 4.0 scale

Transcripts: A transfer student must have the official college transcripts sent DIRECTLY to MSU from ALL institutions previously attended. This can typically be sent through the Registrar's office from the institution but will not be accepted as a PDF or email from the student. 

• • • Transfer students do not need to send in ACT/SAT scores or their high school transcript (Currently, ACT or SAT scores ARE required in order for students to qualify for the Transfer Student Scholarship). 

Transferring Credits: How transfer credits are evaluated is a great concern for transfer students. The best response to this is: 

• • • "All college level credits you have taken will transfer, if they came from an accredited institution and they were not remedial courses. They may come in as elective credits, as a specific MSU Core 2.0 course, or as a specific class in your major. All courses will be evaluated by someone in admissions, who will determine if the credits are elective or Core 2.0 credits. Whether or not the courses you have taken fit into your major is up to your department and you will definitely want to contact them." 

    • Students can also view a transfer course equivalency guide for their specific institution here: https://prodmyinfo.montana.edu/pls/bzagent/hwzkxfer.p_selstate

    • Currently transfer credits will not be evaluated until the student is registered for Orientation and they are processed in the order that they are received. 

Pre-University Studies Full Time Admission: If freshmen applicants do not meet our admission requirements, they can be a provisional full-time admit. These students can enroll for 7 or fewer credits. After completing at least 6 college level credits, while maintaining a C average (2.0 GPA), they can sign up for full-time. 

• • • Students who are admitted provisionally to MSU may take a full course load by supplementing their 7 MSU credits with Gallatin College credits. This is a seamless option which allows students to have full-time status (for financial aid status and other considerations). 

Part-Time Information: 

• • • Housing: Students must generally take 12 or more credits to live in the residence halls. Currently Residence Life is allowing part-time students to live on campus, but a student must request on campus housing by including a request explaining their circumstances with their residence life application. 

    • Financial Aid: Full-time status for undergraduate, second degree and teacher certification students requires 12 or more credits. 9-11 credits is 3/4 time and 6-8 credits is half-time.