Transfer students at MSU have many opportunities and resources available to them. We encourage you to visit our campus, but some of you will have questions before that time and will find it helpful to "read on" for more information.

The information that follows provides you with some useful tools and guidelines as well as the recommended steps to take in order to complete the process of transferring to MSU.

Also on this page you will find a list of the e-mail addresses of several MSU staff who are willing to advise you (even before you officially enter the doors of our campus!). Please feel free to contact any one of them or the Office of Admissions if you need any assistance!

We look forward to welcoming you as a new transfer student to Montana State University!

INQUIRE
First, it is worthwhile to find out as much as possible about MSU in Bozeman in terms of community information, general university requirements, available programs, specific program requirements, and residential living. You've already initiated this step by checking out our website.

APPLY
Apply for Admission: Obtain and submit an application to MSU Office of Admissions by these recommended priority dates:

• July 1 for any fall term of the year you wish to attend,
• December 1 for spring term, and
• May 1 for summer term

ALL official transcripts must be sent to the Office of Admissions, and if you are currently enrolled in another institution, have final transcripts sent as soon as courses are completed (partial transcripts with a posted GPA are used for admission purposes, but final official transcripts are required to complete a formal credit evaluation).

• A cumulative transferable grade-point average (GPA), as determined by MSU, of 2.0 or C on a four-point scale is required in order to be accepted for admission in good standing.
• If your average GPA is below 2.0, you may be accepted on "Probationary Status" with the provision that you are required to obtain a minimum 2.0 GPA your first term of attendance at MSU in order to continue as a student at this institution.

TRANSCRIPTS
All college level, degree applicable credits recorded on official transcripts from institutions that are regionally accredited at the time of your attendance will transfer. Official transcripts must be requested and sent directly from the institution to: MSU Office of Admissions, 201 Strand Union Building (SUB), P.O. Box 172190, Bozeman, MT 59717-2190. Please note that all faxed out-of-state transcripts are considered unofficial. However, those faxed directly from another Montana University System in-state institution with a macrao-fax stamp are accepted as official.

EVALUATIONS

• An UNOFFICIAL self-evaluation of course work can be accessed through our Transfer Course Equivalency Guide, available online. This information can be printed from the web and is for reference only, but will be a helpful resource when you are being advised. The equivalencies listed are the most current and subject to change. If a course or institution is not listed it does not necessarily mean that the course will not transfer, just that the information is not yet in our database system.

• 2) OFFICIAL evaluations of transfer credits will be processed by your Admissions Evaluator in the Office of Admissions only after ALL FINAL and OFFICIAL transcripts have been received for each applicant. A final transcript is one that posts ALL graded coursework through your final term of attendance at each institution. Your Admissions Evaluator will determine the equivalency of the transfer course work to MSU in Bozeman. The Office of Admissions also determines which courses fulfill University Core requirements. Catalogs are used to determine course level and content. The transfer course description is compared to the MSU course description. Courses generally matching in credit amount, level, and content are considered equivalent. Courses not matching are granted elective credit or elective credit with core.

PLEASE NOTE: An evaluation will not be done for students who have previously earned a U.S. baccalaureate degree. University Core requirements are complete for these students. Please see the following website if you are a second degree or post baccalaureate student: http://www.montana.edu/postbacc/

FOLLOW UP
Contact your department. Departments can REVIEW your work and RECOMMEND a schedule for your first term. It is helpful to bring (or send) a copy of your unofficial coursework to the department for review. Colleges/departments also provide advisors who can review coursework and discuss specific degree requirements and credentials with transfer students. Departments should be prepared for substitution inquiries and follow up appointments. The Office of Admissions determines equivalency of courses; departments may substitute transfer course work for degree requirements. Departments should also instruct students on procedures for course substitutions (including providing any forms necessary).

NOTE: The departments/colleges do not have the discretion to substitute within the following categories of University requirements: University Core, upper division requirements or total credit requirements. If you have questions about departmental substitutions, contact your department or advisor and update your course plan after you receive your official evaluation.

ORIENTATION
As a final step in the process there are two options. You are required to fulfill either a personal orientation by scheduling an individual advising appointment with your department or attend a formal group orientation offered before each term. You need to familiarize yourself with MSU's policies and procedures. Be prepared. Bring the following:

• a copy of your grade transcript
• course syllabi and/or catalogs from previous schools to show your academic advisor what course content you have already completed
• a copy of ACT/SAT scores (only necessary for Math Placement purposes if a student has no previous record of completing some form of college level, non-remedial math)

In addition, the Orientation Office will provide a list of departmental phone number and locations as well as a transfer orientation/registration checklist. The Math department provides assistance with math placement, either through testing or ACT/SAT score interpretation.