Transcript:
Official transcripts are required of all applicants for each previous academic institution. Applicants must arrange for one OFFICIAL transcript to be sent directly to the Department of Community Sustainability from EACH university or college listed on the online graduate application. Colleges and universities attended (even if no degree was granted) must be listed on the online application.
The applicant must contact each institution, pay the required transcript and translation fee(s), if applicable, and request official transcripts be sent to:
CSUS Graduate Admissions
Michigan State University
Department of Community Sustainability
Natural Resources Building
480 Wilson Road, room 131
East Lansing, MI 48824
详情见http://www.canr.msu.edu/csus/graduate/prospective_students/international_applicants
Curriculum Vitae:
A typed resumé is required of all applicants. The resumé must be two pages in length and formatted on 8.5” X 11” white paper. Do not include a photo. Upload your resumé to the applicant portal.
The following content should be included in your resumé:
• Education
• Professional experiences (paid and/or unpaid)
• Other relevant experiences (if any)
• Certifications, honors, awards
• Professional organization memberships and/or involvement
• Publications and professional presentations (as relevant)
Personal Statement:
A typed academic statement is required of all applicants. The academic statement gives the applicant an opportunity to share proposed academic and career goals with the Graduate Admissions Committee. Prospective faculty advisors and other faculty members also read
personal statements during the review and advisor selection process. Upload the statement to the applicant portal. The content below should be addressed in your personal statement, using the format guidelines provided:
CONTENT: PLANS FOR GRADUATE STUDY
• Identify the program option to which you are applying (CSUS or STPAM).
• Identify the degree option for which you are applying (MS-A, MS-B, or PhD).
• Discuss with specificity what you want to study during your degree work.
• Identify faculty members you believe most closely match your interests (review faculty bios from http://www.csus.msu.edu/people/faculty ; click names for links to information).
• Include a summary of discussions you have had with potential faculty advisors.
CONTENT: ACADEMIC INTERESTS, PASSIONS, AND CAREER GOALS
• Discuss why you want to earn the degree specified above.
• Describe what motivates your interest in this program.
• Describe what experiences have led to this choice.
• Explain why this interdisciplinary, systems-based program is a good fit with your goals.
• Explain how the CSUS or STPAM graduate program will help you meet your educational and career goals.
CONTENT: CONTRIBUTIONS
• Discuss what you will contribute to the Department of Community Sustainability graduate program, to Michigan State University, and to fellow students (especially in your cohort).
CONTENT: WEAKNESSES
• If you have apparent weaknesses in your application materials, explain them in your academic statement and describe strategies for addressing them in the future.
FORMAT:
Follow the format guidelines below in preparing your academic statement:
• Essay format
• Single-spaced, using 12-point font
• Maximum length: 750 words
• 8.5” X 11” white paper (use only white paper)
• Use the title Academic Statement at the top of each page.
• Include your first and last names (as they appear on your application) at the top of each page.
• Include the program and degree type to which you are applying (CSUS or STPAM; MS-A, MS-B, or PhD) at the top of each page.
• Include page numbers at the bottom of each page.
• Do not include any of the following anywhere on your academic statement:
- MSU PID
- Phone number, address, email
- Photo
Recommendation Letter:
Three letters of recommendation are required of all applicants. Applicants must request letters from 3 different recommenders via the portal. Be sure to indicate whether or not you waive your right of access to the recommendations.
• MS applicants, at least 1 (preferably 2) of your LORs should be academic; PhD applicants, at least 2 (preferably 3) of your LORs should be academic. Be sure they speak to your match with CSUS programs.
• After the applicant identifies a recommender on the portal, a recommendation request is sent (by email) to the recommender.
• Applicants cannot submit the recommendation materials on behalf of the recommenders.
• Applicants can view their recommendation status in the portal.
• Applicants must follow up with their recommenders to ensure letters of recommendation are submitted before the CSUS application deadline.
Personal Statement:
A typed personal statement is required of all applicants. The personal statement gives the applicant an opportunity to share personal experiences with the Admissions Committee. Prospective faculty advisors and other faculty members also read personal statements during
the review and advisor selection process. Upload the statement to the applicant portal. The content below should be addressed in your personal statement, using format guidelines:
CONTENT: BACKGROUND AND LIFE EXPERIENCES
• How have your background and life experiences (social, economic, cultural, familial, educational, and/or other opportunities or challenges) motivated your decision to pursue a graduate degree from the Department of Community Sustainability?
• Describe how these experiences have prepared you or led you to your proposed degree work. You can choose to focus on a single aspect of your background or write about multiple experiences.
• Applicants who have overcome economic barriers or extreme personal, social, or cultural obstacles to seek a graduate degree are encouraged to include this information in the personal statement.
FORMAT: Follow the format guidelines below in preparing your personal statement:
• Essay format
• Single-spaced, using 12-point font
• Maximum length: 500 words
• 8.5” X 11” white paper (use only white paper)
• Use the title Personal Statement at the top of each page.
• Include your first and last names (as appear on your application) at the top of each page.
• Include the program and degree type to which you are applying (CSUS or STPAM; MS-A, MS-B, or PhD) at the top of each page.
• Include page numbers at the bottom of each page.
• Do not include any of the following anywhere on your personal statement:
- MSU PID
- Phone number, address, email
- Photo