Missouri State University Q&A

What was your favorite feature of the campus?

Missouri State has a pretty, 225-acre campus and is only 50 minutes from Branson, a great family entertainment destination. Also, the Ozark Mountain region offers many opportunities for hiking, camping, and hanging out at the lake.

How do you feel the college best follows their mission?

Missouri State has a state-mandated public affairs mission which outlines its commitment to ethical leadership, cultural competence, and community engagement. Each year, the university has Public Affairs Week and hosts a Public Affairs Conference. They also have citizenship and service-learning classes available which allow students to earn college credit for community service related to their courses. Missouri State is also working to improve diversity on campus by reaching out to minority students in area schools, bringing in international students, and sending American students abroad.

On your visit, what was the most surprising thing you learned about the school?

I was surprised to learn that over 2,000 students transfer to Missouri State each year, making up 45% of all new undergraduate enrollment. Also, 35% of first-time freshmen are first-generation students!

Are there any traditions the students practice?

Missouri State has a number of traditions. On opening weekend, they have Bear Bash, a party with games and food attended by over 5,000 students. Before each football game, they have Bear Fest Village, free tailgating just outside the stadium. During finals week, students can get late-night food during the Midnight Breakfast. Missouri State also has Tent Theatre with drama students offering live outdoor performances every summer. They also host Dance Bear-A-Thon, a 12-hour dance marathon to raise money for Children’s Miracle Network hospitals. And after New Student Convocation, faculty and upperclassmen stand along the sidewalk dubbed “Bear Path” to cheer on the new students!

What type of student is the college looking for?

Missouri State is looking to improve the diversity of her student body. Also, Missouri State wants to grow her occupational therapy and pre-physical therapy programs, so students looking to study those subjects are especially welcome.

What do you think would make this university a student’s top choice?

Missouri State is very affordable, so students from the area should check it out! Also, this school has a lot to offer transfer students and first-generation students. MSU has a Scholar 2 Scholar Program which matches underrepresented and lower-income students to faculty mentors for research assistance.

Do you believe the campus visit is important for this college? Why?

Students interested in Missouri State should visit the campus so they can tell whether they like the area and would fit in on campus. Those who cannot visit should check out Missouri State’s YouTube channel to learn more about the campus.

How do the college and its students build a community on and/or off campus?

Missouri State has over 300 clubs and organizations which help students build community. They also have Greek life, Living-Learning Communities, student activities, and community service opportunities.

What do students do outside of the classroom?

There are a lot of activities available for students on campus. They have bubble soccer, free bowling, billiards, bingo, and movie nights. Nerf Wars is just one of the 300 clubs and organizations they have on campus. Students can also hang out at the recreation center and use the rock climbing wall, pool, workout equipment, or take Zumba or yoga classes. Also, the Bear Line buses take students to downtown Springfield where they can check out local restaurants and shops.

What athletics are big at the college?

MSU’s most popular sports are football and basketball, and students can attend on-campus games for free with their Bear Pass! They also have golf, soccer, and women’s field hockey, cross country, and swimming/diving among others.

Is there a housing requirement for freshmen?

Yes, freshmen are required to live on campus and have a meal plan. Missouri State offers ten options for on-campus living, including traditional residence rooms, suite-style rooms, and apartment-style rooms. The great thing is that students can live in any residence hall regardless of class year!

What else about your visit would you want our students to know?

Missouri State has an 85% acceptance rate and offers automatic admission for students who meet the core curriculum and have either a 3.5 cumulative unweighted GPA or rank in the top 25% of their graduating class. Other students can use their sliding scale, which incorporates test scores. Missouri State offers a variety of automatic and competitive scholarships. MSU is also a great option for students who didn’t take foreign language in high school because they don’t have a foreign language requirement.