College of Agriculture & Natural Resources Department of Entomology

Please read our  Identifying a Major Professor and Funding page before beginning the application process. To be admitted into the Department of Entomology, incoming graduate students are required to have a faculty member agree to be their major professor and provide you with financial support. 

Application questions? Contact Heather Lenartson-Kluge, graduate program assistant, at lenartso@msu.edu.

Required application materials for domestic applicants

Fill out MSU’s online Graduate School Application and pay the required application fee. An application to the Graduate School creates a portal where all application materials are uploaded.

Required application materials are:

1. A recent resume or CV
2. Official transcripts are required for admission. Unofficial transcripts can be uploaded to the application portal to be used for the initial evaluation of the application. Official transcripts must be sent directly from degree granting institution(s) and it is preferred they be uploaded to the application portal. If transcripts are unable to be uploaded electronically, official hard copies should be sent to:

   Heather Lenartson-Kluge, Graduate Program Assistant
   Department of Entomology 
   288 Farm Lane, Room 243 
   East Lansing, MI 48824 

   • • Important! Do not have transcripts sent to either The Graduate School or The Office of Admissions.  
     • Transcripts that are marked "Issued to Student" will not be accepted as official transcripts. 
     • All applicants must hold a Bachelor of Science or a Bachelor of Arts, or have their bachelor’s degree conferred prior to beginning a graduate degree program. 
     • Applicants must have a minimum of 3.0 grade point average (on a 4.0 scale) in the most recent four semesters of their education. Under some circumstances, applicants with lower averages may be admitted on a probationary basis.
3. Academic statement (2 pages maximum). Suggested topics for an academic statement are prior training/experience in entomology or biology, identified lab or professor in our department, areas of interest for research, teaching aspirations, graduate school goals, and career goals.
4. Personal statement (2 pages maximum). Suggested resource for writing a personal statement: Purdue Online Writing Lab.
5. Three letters of recommendation.
   • You will receive a link to provide your references to upload their letters directly to your application.
   • Choose letter writers who know you well academically and/or professionally and can speak to your potential suitability for graduate school. 

Required application materials for international applicants

International applicants are required to supply the information mentioned for domestic applicants, in addition to: 

• Official English language test scores are required (for non-exempt students). These should be sent electronically to MSU (code 1465). Scores are then uploaded to the application portal by the Office of Admissions. English language tests that are currently being accepted by the Graduate School are the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), the International Language Testing System (IELTS) and the Duolingo English Test. Learn more about the Graduate School’s English language competency requirements here.  
• English language tests cannot be more than two years old. 
• Other information can be found on the Graduate School's webpage for international applicants.
• Note to international applicants: Please review the Graduate School’s transcript requirements for international applicants under the “Official Transcripts” section.