High School Checklist | Office of Admissions and Scholarships

High School Checklist

Senior

  •  ACT/SAT test scores are optional for admission, but test scores are encouraged for full scholarship opportunities. See more information about test scores and admission requirements at admissions.msstate.edu/freshmen.
  • Check with your school counselor to ensure you’re meeting high school graduation and college entrance requirements.
  • Submit applications for admission in early fall (August 1 at MSU).
    • Submit $40 application fee or fee waiver
    • Submit official high school transcript (Grades 9-11)
  • Schedule a Campus Visit in the fall.
  • Meet with an Admissions Counselor during their visit to your school, local college fair, or during your visit to the college campus. You can also schedule a virtual “Cowbell Chat” on our website, admissions.msstate.edu/about/meet-your-counselor.
  • Research scholarships, grants, and student loan options.
  • Watch the mail for an admissions decision and next steps.

After being admitted

  • DECEMBER 1ST: Priority date for Competitive Scholarships, including Private & Departmental.
  • APRIL 1ST: Priority deadline for Housing Application & Priority date for Financial Aid.
  • MARCH 1ST: Sign up for Orientation starting on this date. This confirms your enrollment to MSU!
  • Send final high school transcripts.
  • Attend Orientation! You’re a Bulldog!

Junior

  • Talk with your school counselor to confirm that you’re taking the correct courses for college admission.
  • Attend ACT/SAT workshops to strengthen performance on these tests.
  • Take the PSAT – the test used to award National Merit scholarships.
  • Attend college fairs to gather information (virtual or in-person).
  • Update your resume with a list of awards, achievements, paid and volunteer work, and extracurricular activities.
  • Register to take the ACT or SAT.
  • Research and apply for summer academic programs and jobs that build knowledge and experience.
  • Begin thinking about your applications in the summertime; MSU application opens August 1.
  • Start planning campus visits and make sure MSU is on your list!

Sophomore

  • Meet with your high school counselor to ensure that your course schedule is challenging enough to prepare you for college.
  • Continue prepping for the PSAT, SAT, and ACT. Take practice tests to know what to expect.
  • Attend college fairs to gather information (virtual or in-person).
  • Begin researching different types of careers that might interest you.

Freshman

  • Meet with your high school counselor to match class plans with your academic goals.
  • Start prepping for the PSAT, SAT, and ACT. Take practice tests to know what to expect.
  • Begin researching different types of careers that might interest you.
  • Ask your high school counselor about honors or Advanced Placement courses to incorporate in your schedule.
  • Get involved in extracurricular activities. Community service and leadership roles can lead to scholarships.
  • Explore summer opportunities such as a job, internship, or volunteer position that will help you learn about a field of interest.