PS Two separate written statements are required and should be submitted, via your student portal, as separate documents. Your Academic Statement should include a moderately detailed explanation of your plans for graduate study, your future professional goals, and how the graduate program in the Department of Plant Biology will help you meet your career and educational objectives. Be sure to indicate your area(s) of research interest and include mention of any research experience you have had prior to applying to graduate school at MSU. Please indicate specific faculty who you may wish to work with in the Department of Plant Biology. The Personal Statement should explain how your background and life experiences, including social, economic, cultural, familial, educational, or other opportunities or challenges motivated your decision to pursue a graduate degree. You may also wish to explain how these factors have motivated you in pursuit of higher education and how they will help shape your contributions to the Plant Biology graduate program. GPA The department does not have a minimum requirement for GPA for applicants. However, successful applicants typically have a GPA of 3.3 or higher with no less than a 3.0 in major. Consideration may be given to students who have a GPA less than 3.0 if an alternative proof of potential academic excellence, such as outstanding letters of reference, exceptional performance on the GREs, extensive research experience, etc., is provided for consideration by the admissions committee. CV Please list each activity that accounts for your time since earning a bachelor's degree (e.g. employment, military service, travel). Be sure to include the type of activity, name of your employer, city/state, and dates.; List the most recent activity first. Fee Pay the $75 nonrefundable application fee (drawn on U.S. funds) using Visa, MasterCard, Discover, American Express or an electronic check. RL Three letters of recommendation must be submitted from professors or others who can assess your promise of success in the graduate program. Applicants should upload letters of reference via the student portal. Transcript Please arrange to have official transcripts from all institutions of higher learning that you have attended sent to the following address. Attn: Graduate Secretary Michigan State University Department of Plant Biology Plant Biology Laboratories 612 Wilson Road, Room 166 East Lansing MI 48824-1312 Applicants pursuing or who have earned degrees from universities in China must submit certified copies (sealed and stamped by institutions) of all university transcripts, graduate certificates and degrees directly to The Department of Plant Biology. MSU requires these documents in the original language (Chinese) as well as an official English translation. If you are admitted: You must also obtain verification of your undergraduate (or equivalent) transcript from the China Academic Degrees and Graduate Education Development Center (CDGDC). Please refer to their website: http://www.chinadegrees.cn/en/. Please note, there is a fee to have your transcripts verified. The Department will reimburse you upon your enrollment at MSU.