Frequently Asked Questions
For frequently asked questions about M.S. in Industrial Mathematics, please refer to the MSIM FAQ.
Applications wishing full consideration (consideration for College and University fellowships) are due Dec. 1 of the previous year. Otherwise the deadline is January 20 of the same year.
No.
No. We accept applications only for the PhD programs in Mathematics, Applied Mathematics and the Masters program in Industrial Math. This Masters program is a two year professional program unrelated to the PhD program.
Current MSU Mathematics PhD students who wish to leave the program usually can earn a Masters Degree, (Meeting the degree requirements for these students is typically not difficult). PhD students at MSU in other programs (for example, Statistics) can apply for admittance to a Masters Degree program.
No. All materials must be submitted electronically. The Graduate School will not accept paper copies.
The following items will be needed:
- Transcript(s). Unofficial copies are accepted for evaluation, official copies will be required if admitted.
- Personal Statement
- Academic Statement
- CV or Resume
- Three letters of recommendation, uploaded by your letter writers.
- GRE General Test Scores. Unofficial copies are accepted for evaluation; official copies will be required if admitted. Scores must not be older than five years.
- GRE Math Subject Test Score. Unofficial copies are accepted for evaluation, official copies will be required if admitted. Score must not be older than five years.
- TOEFL or IELTS Scores. Unofficial copies of English proficiency examinations are required for non-native English language speakers. Official copies will be required if admitted.
- If possible, choose an research area.
Yes. However we strongly recommend taking the GRE math subject exam. US citizens and lawful permanent residents with GRE math subject test score in the top 50 percentile will have the MSU graduate school application fee waived or reimbursed.
Yes. On rare occasions, we have accepted a student without the subject test, when we had sufficient proof of mathematical excellence. If you are applying without the subject test be sure to include copies of any research from a senior thesis, masters thesis or REU experience.
1465 = Michigan State University
Applicants that have submitted by Dec. 1 will be reviewed for University and College fellowships in December. If nominated by the department for such a fellowship the applicant will be accepted usually in January. We will carefully read the files of all applicants not nominated for University and College fellowships in January and February.
We support PhD students only, with a living stipend and tuition waiver. In the first year, our students all have a teaching reduction fellowship; i.e., no teaching duties though there are some tutoring duties in the Math Help Room. Teaching/TA duties are required after the first year.
We admit 15-20 students per year.
Admitted students, residing in the US, will be invited to a campus visit in the Spring. Anyone is welcome to visit the department at their own expense.
Requirements, including descriptions of basic courses and information on qualifying exams can be found in the Handbook for Graduate Students in Mathematics.
See our web page.