Prospective Graduate Students
How to Apply
Applications can be submitted at any time. However, to receive full consideration for assistantships and fellowships, applications should be complete by January 1, for admission for the following fall semester.
Applicants are STRONGLY ENCOURAGED to contact faculty. Our objective is to match the needs of the individual applicants with a faculty member with similar interests. Specific interest areas can be found within our Faculty Directory and Programs Area.
Before being ADMITTED, graduate applicants must have a faculty member who is willing to server as their major professor, have proof of financial support (i.e. personal funds, assistantship, fellowship, etc.), and meet the minimum requirements of Michigan State University and the Department of Horticulture.
View the Admissions Policies and Procedures
Applicants must submit the following:
-
- Completed online MSU Domestic or International Graduate Application via the MSU Graduate School website. No fee is required for the initial application.
- Three letters of recommendation, completed by instructors or supervisors familiar with the applicant's work. Letters of recommendation must be submitted on official stationary with an original signature.
- A written Academic Statement. Include on the application or attach a separate sheet with a concise academic statement of your plans for graduate study, your career goals, and how MSU's graduate program will help you meet your career and educational objectives.
- A written Personal Statement. Include on the application or attach a separate personal statement about how your background and life experiences, including social, economic, cultural, familial, educational, or other opportunities or challenges motivated your decision to pursue a graduate degree.
- One official copy of transcripts from all previous universities attended. Competitive applicants are in the top 10% of their BS class and have at least a 3.0 GPA on a scale of 4.0.
- An official copy of your Graduate Record Examination (GRE) results. (Institution code 1465.)
- An official copy of your TOEFL scores is required from all international applicants. We require a TOEFL score of at least 92 (with no subscore below 22)
- A statement of financial proof may be required. If so, the administrative staff of the Horticulture Department of the University will contact you and request the needed information. In this case, the requested statement must originate from your source of support and must be a certified statement with an original signature. We cannot accept photocopies unless notarized, signed and sealed.
All materials should be sent directly to the following address:
Horticulture Graduate Programs Office
A288 Plant and Soil Sciences
Michigan State University
East Lansing, Ml 48824 USA
Phone: (517) 353-0362
Fax: (517) 353-0890
Email: hrtgrad@msu.edu
Visits and Interviews
Highly qualified applicants who reside in the United States may be invited to visit Michigan State University and meet with members of the Horticulture faculty and graduate students. In such case, the Horticulture Department may cover travel expenses.
Have further questions?
Please give us a call or email using the contact information above.