How to Apply

Students are encouraged to contact prospective faculty advisors before application and after their application file is complete. Our objective is to match the needs of the individual student with a faculty member with similar interests.

Applications can be made either directly to the Horticulture Department or through the MSU Graduate Admissions office. If you apply directly to the Department, the $50 application fee will not be required until you are admitted to the program.

To apply through the Department, send application materials directly to:

Horticulture Grad Programs Office

A159 Plant and Soil Sciences

Michigan State University

East Lansing, Ml 48824 USA

Tel: (517-355-5191 ext 1-324)

Fax: (517-432-3490)

Email: hrtgrad@msu.edu

A complete application consists of the following:

Department of Horticulture Supplemental Application. Please use the Graduate Tracking System to self-report some of your information. This system is also used to provide you with feedback about missing application items, decisions, etc.

MSU Application For Admission to Graduate Study. A paper copy can be downloaded from the Graduate Admissions Office. If you are applying through the Graduate Admissions Office and not through the Horticulture Department, you can fill out an interactive form that will allow you to send all of your information directly to MSU over the internet. This form can be accessed through the Graduate Admissions Office http://grad.msu.edu/apply.htm.
Statement of Purpose. This should be a 1-2 page statement indicating your area(s) of research interest, your long term goals, and any research experience prior to applying to graduate school. The Statement of Purpose is an important element of your application.
Three letters of reference. Request that your referees send these letters by mail or FAX directly to the Horticulture Graduate Programs Office (address above). Alternatively, letters of recommendation may be sent with your application materials if enclosed in a sealed envelope with the referee's signature across the seal. Please provide each referee with a hard copy of the Recommendation for Admission Form to accompany their letter.
Official transcripts from each college/university attended. International transcripts must be translated into English and certified if originals are in another language (include original).
GRE General scores (have originals sent or include a copy) Institution 1465, Departmental Code GRE0109. We are still accepting computer-based test scores.
TOEFL scores (non-US applicants only). The minimum acceptable TOEFL score is 580 (computer score 237) with no subscores below 55.

Deadlines. Applications can be made at any time. However, for full consideration for assistantships and fellowships, applications should be complete by January 15 for admission for the following Fall semester.

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!

Telephone
     517-355-5191 x 1324
FAX
      517-353-0890
Postal address
       Department of Horticulture
       Plant and Soil Sciences Building
       Michigan State University
       East Lansing, MI 48824-1325
Electronic mail
       General Information: hrtgrad@msu.edu