Montana State to host fair highlighting its Graduate School programs

BOZEMAN - The Graduate School at Montana State University will host an information event the week of Oct. 6 for people considering attending graduate school at MSU or elsewhere in the state.

The event, called "Grad Fair," begins with in-person sessions Monday, Oct. 6, in Inspiration Hall, located in Norm Asbjornson Hall on MSU's Bozeman campus. There will also be online sessions each day for the rest of the week, with Tuesday, Oct. 7, and Friday, Oct. 10, being reserved exclusively for potential international applicants. The Wednesday and Thursday sessions are for individuals who are unable to attend Monday's in-person session to meet with faculty about specific programs. As many as 100 people are expected to attend the Oct. 6 in-person session, and as many as 500 people may attend online throughout the rest of the week.

Organizers said the event is for undergraduate students considering attending graduate school as well as members of the MSU community and the public who might be interested in an advanced degree.

Current and former graduate students spoke to the high caliber of MSU's programs.

"When I came back to MSU as an employee in 2023, I worked with an incredible group of professionals who convinced me that the benefit of the MSU employee tuition waiver and the quality of the graduate programs at MSU were reasons enough for me to jump in," said Rebecca Eberlin, who earned a bachelor's degree in art education from MSU in 2015. She is currently utilizing the university's employee tuition waiver to pursue a master's degree in public administration while working full-time as an Off-Campus Student Life program manager.

"MSU has a strong research community and supports interdisciplinary work, all while being located in a beautiful landscape with great recreational opportunities," said Isaak Thornton, who earned an undergraduate degree and a Ph.D. at MSU in mechanical engineering. He is now a postdoctoral researcher in MSU's Center for Biofilm Engineering.

Organizers recommend attending the Grad Fair in person, if possible.

"It's ideal for people to attend in person since the majority of MSU departments and programs will be represented there," said Danica Lower, admissions coordinator for MSU's Graduate School. "They can have their questions answered about the programs, application requirements, funding and life as a graduate student."

Students attending the in-person event can also talk to other graduate schools from around the state - an option not available for the information sessions held online.

The event schedule is as follows:

Monday, Oct. 6
Day 1 - In-person
The Grad Fair will offer two information sessions from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. with diverse topics. Booths will be open from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Booths will feature an MSU department or program, as well as representatives from other Montana universities. Registration is requested.

Tuesday, Oct. 7
Day 2 - Online for international applicants only.
Through two identical sessions, one at 8 a.m. and one at noon, the Office of International Programs and the Graduate School will provide information on international admissions and the application process. They will address questions related to those topics and life in Bozeman. Registration is required.

Wednesday, Oct. 8
Day 3 - Online for any interested person (domestic and international).
Individuals must register for each program they are interested in learning more about.

Thursday, Oct. 9
Day 4 - Online for any interested person (domestic and international)
Individuals must register for each program they are interested in learning more about.

Friday, Oct. 10
Day 5 - Online for international applicants only.
Through two identical sessions, one at 8 a.m. and one at noon, the Office of International Programs and the Graduate School will provide information on international admissions and the application process. They will address questions related to those topics and life in Bozeman. Registration is required.