Please carefully review the information below regarding important dates and deadlines for transfer students. Applications are considered complete when the online application and all required documents have been submitted. Deadlines vary based on which semester you plan to start, so keep this in mind when reviewing the decision timeline.
The fall 2024 transfer application is now open. Prospective transfer students can submit their completed applications up until the application deadlines listed below (deadlines vary by semester). Due to several factors — including space available in the entering class — you may not be able to apply for spring or summer semesters.
Please refer to the table below that corresponds to your planned start term. For more details, see the deadline details.
Note: International transfer students applying for fall have a single application deadline of March 1 and must deposit no later than April 1.
| Application and materials deadline: |
Admissions decision by: |
Submit deposit by: |
| Priority – March 1 Final – May 1 |
8-12 weeks after all documents are submitted |
4 weeks from admission recommended, but No later than June 1 |
The ability to apply for spring semesters is dependent on factors like space available in the entering class — it may not always be possible to apply for spring.
| Application and materials deadline: |
Admissions decision by: |
Submit deposit by: |
| Priority – Oct. 1 Final – Oct. 15 |
8-12 weeks after all documents are submitted |
4 weeks from admission recommended, but No later than Dec. 1 |
The ability to apply for summer semesters is dependent on factors like space available in the entering class — it may not always be possible to apply for summer.
| Application and materials deadline: |
Admissions decision by: |
Submit deposit by: |
| Priority – Feb. 15 Final – March 1 |
8-12 weeks after all documents are submitted |
4 weeks from admission recommended, but No later than April 15 |
MSU must receive your complete application (admission application and all required materials) by 11:59 p.m. ET on the application deadline date.
Priority deadline
Applying by the priority deadline is strongly recommended because it guarantees you will receive an admission decision in time to enroll for your desired start term. It also ensures maximum scholarship consideration for fall and spring applicants. Applying by the priority deadline does not make it easier to gain admission to MSU.
Final deadline
If you miss the priority deadline, you can still apply until the final application deadline. However, we cannot guarantee you will receive an admission decision in time to enroll for your desired start term. This is because MSU uses rolling admissions, meaning we will continue to accept transfer applications as long as space is still available, up until the final application deadline. Please note that application may close prior to the final deadline if the number of applications exceeds the anticipated number of spaces available for any given semester.
Admission decisions for undergraduate transfer applicants are typically made eight to 12 weeks after all application materials are received.
A complete application includes the following:
1. the application for admission
2. any official college or post-secondary transcripts
3. any official credit by exam scores deemed transferrable
An initial admissions decision may be a "withhold" decision. In this case you will be asked to provide additional information to the Office of Admissions. Please send any additional information requested as soon as possible — any delay in receiving this information may affect the timing of your admissions decision.
Final transcripts for any course work completed prior to enrolling at MSU must be sent before the start of the semester. In order to remain eligible for scholarship consideration, your most current transcripts must be received by the deadline noted in the decision timeline section above.
Michigan State recommends submitting your deposit within four weeks of your admission and no later than the deposit deadline listed in the decision timeline above. Deposits made after four weeks from the offer of admission will be accepted through the deposit deadline, although this is dependent on the remaining space available. If you are accepted after the deposit deadline, you must submit your deposit within two weeks. Failure to meet the deadline may result in the cancellation of your admission.
Submitting your deposit holds your place in the incoming class and automatically registers you for the required New Student Orientation (NSO). Visit the orientation website for more information on NSO. If you have any questions about NSO, please contact orientation staff at +1 517-355-8490 or nso@msu.edu.
Note: The deposit for transfer students is nonrefundable.