Frequently Asked Questions

Questions Specific to Fall 2020 & Spring 2021 Admission Decisions

• Will Broad use my original grades to calculate my cumulative and/or precore GPAs, even if I selected S for the course?
  • Spring 2020 courses: No
  • Fall 2020 courses: Yes
  • Spring 2021 courses: Yes
• I earned a 0.0 in a Fall 2020 or Spring 2021 class, and it will automatically be changed to NS. Will the original 0.0 grade be used to calculate my GPAs for Broad admission?

  Yes, the 0.0 grade will be included into your GPA calculations for Broad admission decisions.

• I want to choose S for one or more of my Fall 2020 and/or Spring 2021 courses. How will this affect my admission?

  There will be no impact. The Broad College will use original numeric grades from Fall 2020 and Spring 2021 to calculate cumulative and College/Major Precore GPAs in admission decisions.

• I chose S/NS for one or more of my Spring 2020 courses. How will this affect my admission?

  Per the Spring 2020 S/NS policy, original numeric grades cannot be used in GPA calculations; GPAs will be calculated without those grades.

• I transferred in one or more precore courses. How will my precore GPA be calculated?
  • All precore courses in transfer (zero MSU graded precore courses) = transfer precore grades will be used to calculate the precore GPA.
  • One MSU graded precore course = transfer precore grades will be considered when calculating the precore GPA (if it benefits the student).
  • Two or more MSU graded precore courses = only MSU grades used to calculate the precore GPA.
• I earned NS in a course required for admission. Am I eligible for admission this semester?

  No, as NS = no credit in a course. You may repeat the course in a future semester, and reapply in the next semester for which you are eligible.

• Should I submit a Personal Statement about the pandemic?

  While the decision to continue with majority online instruction and the ongoing pandemic applies to all students, we recognize that students have been impacted differently. Any applicant is welcome to submit a Personal Statement through the application system; while the presence of a Personal Statement is not itself a guarantee of admission, the statement will allow the Admission Committee to consider a student’s individual situation when reviewing their overall application profile.

  Students who would like to submit a Personal Statement after the application closes must send the statement to admissions@broad.msu.edu by the last day of the current semester. All statements must be substantiated with accompanying documentation.

• I can see my grades, and have questions about whether or not I should choose S/NS for any of my courses. Who can I talk to about this?

  Broad academic advisors are available to assist you. See http://broad.msu.edu/undergraduate/advising/ for our advising options.

• What will my GPA will be if I choose S/NS for one or more courses?

  You can use this GPA Calculator tool to help you determine how your GPA will be impacted if you choose S/NS for one or more courses (there are two sheets – one for cumulative GPA and one for precore GPA). Remember that numeric Fall 2020 and Spring 2021 grades will be used to calculate cumulative and College/Major Precore GPAs.

  You may also contact a Broad academic advisor for assistance. See http://broad.msu.edu/undergraduate/advising/ for our advising options.

• I have completed all my precore courses at MSU. How will my precore GPA be calculated?

  Only MSU grades (excluding Spring 2020 S/NS courses) will be used to calculate your precore GPA. Spring 2020 courses marked S will not be factored into the precore GPA.

• I am repeating/plan to repeat a course designated as S/NS. How will this affect my GPAs?
  • If you are repeating a course in Fall 2020 that you designated as S or NS from Spring 2020, the numeric grade you earn in Fall 2020 will be used in GPA calculations.
  • If you repeat any courses in Spring 2021 that is designated as S or NS from Spring 2020 or Fall 2020, your Spring 2021 grades will be used to determine your Spring 2021 admission (as will all non-repeated numeric grades earned in Fall 2020 & Spring 2021).
• When will Broad make admission decisions?
  • Fall 2020 decisions will be made and sent to students on January 8 (after 5:00pm) via RO Confidential Message. See http://broad.msu.edu/undergraduate/admissions/ for updated dates & deadlines.
  • Spring 2021 decision date is yet to be determined, pending confirmation of MSU’s Spring 2021 academic calendar.

• How do I apply for admission to the Broad College?

  Visit the Broad admissions page to learn about the Broad College application criteria and process, and to begin an application. Do not begin an application if you are not actually qualified to apply in this particular semester.

• How do I apply for my major?

  Visit the Broad admissions page to learn about the Broad Major application criteria and process, and to begin an application. Do not begin an application if you are not actually qualified to apply in this particular semester.

• I am applying for the second time. Will my previous application content (case study, experiential profile) be used in this semester’s application?

  No. Students must complete and submit a new experiential profile and case study. Scores from previous semesters will not be carried over and used in the current application.

• I started an application, but I am not planning to apply this semester. Can I cancel my application?

  If you have not yet taken the case study and the application is still open for the semester, log into your application and click the red “Cancel Application” button at the top of the screen.

  If you have taken the case study, and/or the application is closed for the semester, please contact the admissions coordinator at admissions@broad.msu.edu to request the cancellation. Cancellations within one week of the posted decision date may not be possible.

  If your application is cancelled, you will not receive any scores for the case study and/or experiential profile.

• Does the application process include:
  • A resume? NO.
  • An interview? NO.
  • Letters of recommendation? NO.
• How many points are assigned to each part of the Broad College application process?
  • Academic Factors: 118 points possible (see Academic Factor Point Chart)
  • Experiential Profile: 30 points possible
  • Case Study: 24 points possible
  • Total: 172 points possible
• What is the admission rate?

  The number and percentage of admitted students varies by semester. Admission numbers/rates are impacted by available seats in the college and the size of the applicant pool; these numbers vary by semester. In most semesters, the majority of applicants are admitted. Over the past three years, 43-62 percent of eligible applicants were admitted.

• If I am denied admission, can I reapply?

  Reapplication is an available option, but you should carefully consider whether this is the best plan for you. Students who are considering reapplying should meet with a Broad academic advisor to discuss their previous application, scores, academic situation and best strategy for a future application. Reapplying is often a sound option, but not always; each student’s situation is unique.

• If I am denied admission, can I appeal the decision?

  Students can appeal an admission decision until the posted deadline. See the Broad admissions page for appeal process information after decisions are sent out for the current application period.

• Can I apply for admission in the summer?

  Students with a business-preference major who will reach junior standing (56 credits) through summer enrollment at MSU and/or another school can apply to the Broad College in the summer.

  Students in other majors (outside the Broad College, Hospitality Business) are not eligible for summer admission.

  There is no “admission to major” process in the summer. Business Admitted majors can apply to a degree-granting major in the fall and spring semesters.

• Can I apply for admission if I am not enrolled in the current semester?

  Students who have matriculated to MSU in a previous semester, but are not enrolled in the current semester, are eligible to apply for admission in the fall or spring (not summer – see question above). Note that all requirements remain in place – the case study is still required.

  Students who have been admitted to MSU but have not yet begun MSU courses are not eligible for Broad College admission via the current student admission process.

• I have already been admitted to a degree-granting Broad major. How do I apply for a competitive admission major (ACC or SCM)?

  Students who wish to apply for a competitive admission major (after already being admitted to a Broad major) must fill out a new application. Log into the application system, then choose the major you wish to become as your first choice. Be sure to choose a second-choice major as well. You do not need to complete an experiential profile or case study.

Academic Factors

• I took both STT 200 and STT 315 (or other approved STT courses). Which course will be used for the College Precore GPA?

  The first chronological non-repeatable grade earned in a precore course will be used in all future applications to calculate the precore GPA (substitute course grades taken later cannot be used).

  • • Example: Spring 2020 grade in STT 315 cannot replace Fall 2019 grade in STT 200
• Can I transfer in CSE 102?

  Per MSU policy, students who have not earned credit in CSE 102 (or received a grade of 0.0, 1.0 or 1.5 at MSU) may earn transfer credit in CSE 102 if a course at another school is approved for transfer as CSE 102. See Transfer MSU for currently approved equivalencies. To request an evaluation of a new course for potential transfer as CSE 102, please contact the Department of Computer Science and Engineering.

• I took a class at another school in a previous semester. How can I make sure it is considered as part of my application?

  Transfer courses from prior semesters must be reflected as “accepted credit” on a student’s MSU academic record by December 28, 2020. Unofficial documentation (such as is accepted for current semester dual-enrolled courses, see next question) will NOT be accepted. Students are responsible for making sure that official transcripts from other schools arrive at MSU and are added to their academic record in the months between the course end date and the current semester deadline.

• I’m taking a class at another school this semester. How can I make sure it is considered as part of my application?

  To make sure your transfer course is considered in this semester’s admission decision, complete the following steps:

  1. Declare this course as part of your Broad application (there is a place in the application for you to disclose this information).
  2. Submit an unofficial transcript or a screenshot of your grade report (must include your name, the course code, name of school and the grade) via email to the Broad undergraduate admissions coordinator, by 8:00 p.m., December 27, 2020. The grade report must be a final grade officially posted by that school (similar to MSU’s STUINFO grade report, not a D2L-type report). Information not submitted by the deadline will not be considered in the Fall 2020 admission decision; you may apply again in the next application period. Late submission of this information will not be considered a valid reason to appeal an admission denial/ineligible decision.
  3. Work with that school to have an official transcript sent to the MSU Office of Admissions as soon as possible (the admissions coordinator will follow up a few weeks into the next semester to make sure all transcripts have been received). Do not have official transcripts sent to any other location, including the Broad College. Official transcripts should be mailed to:

  Office of Admissions
  Michigan State University
  Hannah Administration Building
  426 Auditorium Rd Rm 250
  East Lansing, MI 48824

• I received AP/IB/CLEP credit. How will this be used for admission?

  Credit in College Precore Courses earned via AP/IB/CLEP will translate into GPA equivalencies for the College Precore GPA only (this will not impact the Cumulative GPA or Major Precore GPA). See the conversion chart in the Admission Information Session Presentation Slides for exact score-to-GPA information.

• I took some College Precore courses at another institution, and some at MSU. How will my College Precore GPA be calculated?

  If only one College Precore Course is completed at MSU, transfer grades will be reviewed.

  If two or more College Precore Courses are completed at MSU, only MSU grades are used.

  • Example: If STT 200 and WRA 101 are completed in transfer, and EC 201 and EC 202 are completed at MSU, the EC 201 and 202 grades will constitute the entire College Precore GPA.

   

• I took all my College Precore courses at another institution. How will my College Precore GPA be calculated?

  Transfer equivalent grades are based on the first chronological course completed that resulted in transferable credit (2.0/C grade).

  Example: STT 200 from Macomb Community College was completed twice – Fall 2013 grade: C; Spring 2014 grade: B. Since the Fall 2013 grade allows transferable credit, that is the grade that will be used.

  The original course credit amount is used (example: if a course that transfers as STT 200 – a 3-credit course – to MSU, but is a 4-credit course at that school, the full 4 credits are calculated in the GPA).

  When using transfer grades from institutions that give individual course grades as letter grades (“C” instead of “2.0”), we apply that institution’s grade equivalencies (usually found on the back of the transcript and on that institution’s website).

  Example Transfer College Precore GPA:

  • Writing: ENG 1020 4 credits (Wayne State University) B (3.0 per WSU’s grade conversion)
  • Statistics: STT 210 4 credits (Macomb CC) A- (3.7 per MCC’s grade conversion)
  • Economics: ECON 201 4 credits (Macomb CC) C (2.0 per MCC’s grade conversion)
  • College Precore GPA: 2.9.
• I earned a low grade in a MSU course, and am repeating it this semester. Which grade will be used in my GPA for admission?

  To repeat a course, you must have earned a “repeatable grade” (0.0, 1.0, 1.5) in the original attempt.

  If you are repeating the course at MSU, the grade you earn this semester will be used. Note: the most recent grade is used, whether or not it is the higher grade.

  If you are repeating the course at another institution, the transfer credit will remove the MSU grade from your cumulative (and College Precore, if applicable) GPA calculation. The original grade will not be replaced by the grade earned at the other school in your cumulative GPA calculation. You must earn a 2.0/C grade at the other school for MSU to accept the transfer credit/course.

Experiential Profile

• What is the Experiential Profile?

  See Admission Criteria for an explanation of the non-academic admission factors. Students are encouraged to attend an admission information session during the semester they apply to learn more about the application factors and process.

• Where can I get help with my Experiential Profile?
  • Writing Center
  • English Language Center Lab
  • Admission Information Sessions

  Broad academic advisors cannot provide feedback on individual student experiential profiles. Please use the resources referenced above and in the admission information and Experiential Profile large-group sessions.

Case Study

• What is the Case Study?

  See our Admission Criteria for an explanation of the non-academic admission factors. Students are encouraged to attend an admission information session during the semester they apply to learn more about the application factors and process. See Admissions Information Sessions for current semester sessions.

• I have conflicts with all the Case Study times. Can I request a different time?

  Approval for an alternate Case Study time will be granted if you have an academic course conflict with the regularly scheduled case study, or a varsity or club (not intramural) athletic travel/competition conflict. Requests must be sent to admissions@broad.msu.edu at least 10 days prior to the regularly scheduled Case Study; documentation of the conflict is required. Alternate Case Studies will not be approved if there are open sessions that do not conflict with class/athletic times.

• Can I take the Case Study on a different date?

  Approval for a make-up Case Study will be granted if you have an academic course conflict with the regularly scheduled case study, or a varsity or club (not intramural) athletic travel/competition conflict. Requests for a make-up must be sent to admissions@broad.msu.edu at least 10 days prior to the regularly scheduled Case Study; documentation of the conflict is required. Make-ups will not be available for students who miss the Case Study for any other reason, unless they can produce official documentation of a medical/family emergency.

• I missed my scheduled Case Study. Can I take it on another date?

  If a future time/date session has available seats, students can self-register. If no seats are available, and students have a documented reason (medical/family emergency) for missing the Case Study without prior notification, that documentation must be sent to admissions@broad.msu.edu no later than two business days after the originally scheduled Case Study. Requests for a make-up Case Study will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis, but will not be considered without official documentation (doctor’s note, etc). Forgetting, oversleeping or incorrectly noting the case study date/time in your planner are not reasons that will result in approval of a make-up Case Study.

• I am registered with the Resource Center for Persons with Disabilities (RCPD). How can I request accommodations for the Case Study?

  Start an application for admission; do not register for a Case Study session. Submit a copy of your RCPD VISA to Melanie Wallace, coordinator of Broad undergraduate admissions (admissions@broad.msu.edu) via your MSU email account. This is required, as the VISA details the necessary accommodations. You will be contacted prior to the Case Study date to confirm appropriate arrangements; Case Study registration will be done for you. You must submit your VISA at least 10 days prior to the Case Study date.

• I did not complete the Case Study. Will my application still be considered for admission to the Broad College?

  All parts of the application (precore courses, required credits, Experiential Profile, Case Study) must be completed to be considered for admission. Students who do not complete all required elements will be deemed ineligible for admission and should plan to apply in a future semester.

Personal Statement

• What is the Personal Statement?

  It is an opportunity for a student to share a circumstance beyond his/her control which impacted academic performance. Official supportive documentation of the extenuating circumstance may be requested to corroborate the statement content. Documentation must be sent to admissions@broad.msu.edu.

  Some reasons to write a personal statement: medical illness, family emergency or significant life event.

  The desire to pursue a Broad degree with no other extenuating factors is not a reason for a personal statement; this is assumed based on the act of applying.

• Is a personal statement required?

  No, it is optional.

• What if an extenuating circumstance occurred after the application closed, so I could not complete a personal statement?

  Submit a personal statement via email to the admissions coordinator.