To schedule your visit and meetings, you are encouraged to call or email at least two weeks in advance of your planned visit. Please contact Brenda Truman, the Campus Visit Coordinator in the Admissions Office at (406) 994-2452, toll free 1-888-MSU-CATS or send e-mail to admissions@montana.edu. You are also more than welcome to just "drop in" and go on a campus tour.
Frequently Asked Questions
Other Visit Information
Information for Travel in Montana
Where is Bozeman, Montana?
Map of Bozeman
Campus Map
Printable campus map (PDF)
Accommodations
Campus Tours
Walking tours of campus are offered twice daily, Monday through Friday (excluding holidays) at 9:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. The campus tour departs promptly from Strand Union (SUB) Room 201. The 45-60 minute student-guided tour encompasses the main areas of campus and includes a narration of the academics, student life and history of MSU. The campus tour also provides an excellent opportunity for you to pick the brain of a current MSU student.
These tours are offered Monday-Friday, rain or shine, so you can feel free to just "show up" for the tour.
This is a walking tour and comfortable shoes are recommended.
Video Presentation
We show a fun and informative video featuring the highlights of MSU and Bozeman 15 minutes prior to the campus tour departure, at 8:45am and 1:45pm. If you come early for the tour you can relax in our conference room and enjoy the film. If not, you can always watch the videos online. If you miss the video presentation, we are happy to play it for you at any time during your visit.
Residence Hall Tours
The Residence Life staff offers tours of the residence halls at 11:00 a.m., Monday through Friday (excluding holidays). These tours are designed to address the individual interests of the participants. Tours may include all ten of the residence hall facilities, or just one depending on group interest. The typical completion time for a tour is one hour.
The tour guides are MSU students who currently live on-campus. They will provide you with information regarding the building facilities and amenities, offer the opportunity to view actual rooms in each residence hall, and articulate the traditional and current events occurring in each residence hall.
For additional information contact the Residence Life Department at (406) 994-2661 or e-mail us at housing@montana.edu
MSU Representative
Wrap-up your visit by meeting with one of our
MSU Representatives
. We look forward to your visit so we can answer all your questions about the admissions process, scholarship opportunities, academic programs, student life, Bozeman life, and everything else that Montana State University has to offer. This is casual visit (not an interview), so families are encouraged to join in on the fun.
Please contact Admissions to make arrangements to meet with a MSU Representative.
Visit with a Faculty Member
If you are interested in a specific academic department (or two), we can help schedule a department meeting with a faculty member from your area of academic interest.
If you are uncertain about a field of study, you may want to visit with a University Studies advisor who can give you a broad overview of the academic opportunities at MSU and/or meet with one of the members of our Faculty Partners in Recruitment program. This is an exciting new program in which undecided students can meet with a faculty member to visit about the value of higher education and the outstanding academic opportunities at MSU in general. These meetings are non-department specific, but provide a great opportunity to meet with a real MSU faculty member and hear about all about MSU from their unique perspective.
Please contact Admissions to make arrangements to meet with a faculty member.
Classroom Visits
When you join us for a campus visit, you will also have the opportunity to observe a class on campus. These are real college classes, taught by real professors who welcome prospective students and their families to observe their classrooms. When you arrive for your campus visit, just ask the Admissions staff for a list of current sample classes - there are always plenty to choose from. You can attend one or more classes that interest you and fit into your schedule for the day. Classroom visits are only available October through April when school is in session.
PE Facility Tour
Our PE Facility recently underwent a $14.8 million renovation and now we want to show it off! We offer a quick 20 minute tour of the state-of-art fitness facility. You don't need to sign up in advance and you can just stop by the Front Desk of the PE Complex at 12noon Monday-Friday. Check it out!
Sample Visit Schedule
Most prospective students will spend a full day on the MSU campus. This gives us plenty of time to schedule all your requested meetings and tours, and for you to really experience all the MSU has to offer. Below is a sample campus visit schedule. Just give us a call (two weeks prior to your visit date) and we can set up something similar for you!
Sample Visit Schedule
8:45 a.m.
Introductory MSU Video Presentation (optional)
9:00 a.m.
Explore MSU on a Campus Tour
10:00 a.m.
Meet with a Faculty Member from Your Area of Academic Interest
11:00 a.m.
Experience On-Campus Housing on the Residence Hall Tour
12:00 p.m.
Check Out our Fitness Center (optional tour)
1:15 p.m.
Visit with Your Admissions Representative
2:00 p.m.
Investigate Your Financial Aid Options
3:10 p.m.
Dive into Academics with a Sample Class
MSU Fridays
Personalized visits aren't the only way to experience MSU. MSU Fridays are also a fun way to check out the campus! MSU Fridays are full day campus preview days complete with campus tours, sample classes, meetings with faculty members, on-campus housing and facility tours, student and parent panels, and much more. You can find the registration form and more information online at http://www.montana.edu/admissions/msufriday.shtml.
Host Programs
The Residence Life office invites you to experience our campus and student life "first hand" as an overnight guest at MSU. Your host will be a residence hall student who will provide you the opportunity to "shadow" them through a typical day as a college student. This may include: attending a college class lecture, participating in an RHA activity, watching one of the Bobcat athletic teams compete on the home court, or simply meeting current MSU students and chatting about their experiences on campus and in the classroom.
The Host Program fee is $50 per night, which includes housing and meals. The program is available from October 1st through April 30th. In order to receive your placement with a host volunteer we request that you call at least two weeks in advance of your planned visit. If you are interested in participating in the Host Program you may call the Residence Life Office at (406) 994-2661 or email housing@montana.edu.
Directions
Bozeman, Montana is located on I-90. Two interstate exits will bring you to the MSU campus in Bozeman.
From the west, take exit 305 onto North 19th Avenue and follow it south to Kagy Boulevard (approximately 3.5 miles). Turn left onto Kagy and continue to South 7th Avenue. Turn left and continue to parking areas on the left side. Please be aware of ongoing construction on North 19th Ave and allow extra time for delays.
From the east, take exit 309 onto Main Street, proceed west to Willson Avenue, turn left, and travel 18 blocks to Kagy Boulevard (Willson will curve slightly here). Turn right and continue to South 7th Avenue, turn right again, and continue to parking areas on the left side.
Please stop by our Parking Information Kiosk (watch for signs directing you to it on South 7th Avenue) for parking information and a campus map. Please park in the Paid Visitor Parking Lot and we will gladly validate your parking. The Admissions Office is located just across the street from the Visit Parking Lot in the Strand Union Building (SUB). Go through the South entrance and up the stairs. The Admissions Office is located right across the hall from the SRO Coffee Shop - first door on your right.
Special Rates
Special air fares, accommodation rates, and rental car opportunities are available for MSU Admissions/Orientation visitors. If you are interested, please call Montana Travel at 1-800-247-3538 for details. Please identify yourself as a MSU Admissions/Orientation visitor (student, parent, or family member) so you will be sure to get the appropriate rates.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I schedule a campus visit?
When is the best time to visit campus?
Can I visit on a weekend?
What if I can't visit campus on weekday and there is no Saturday tour available?
Is there a charge to visit the campus?
What should I expect on the day of my visit?
Do I need to bring anything?
Do we have to make a reservation/plan ahead? Or can we just show up?
Is everything in a big group? Or do we get some one-on-one time?
Who are the tour guides?
Who can we meet with during our campus visit?
Can we schedule meetings with Financial Aid, Disability Services, etc?
Can I meet with a coach?
Can I stay on campus? Do you recommend any local hotels?
What if I need to cancel?
How do I schedule a campus visit?
Just contact the Admissions Office and ask to speak with our Campus Visit Coordinator, Brenda Truman, to schedule your campus visit. You can reach us at 888-MSU-CATS, (406) 994-2452 or admissions@montana.edu. We appreciate two weeks notice to plan your campus visit (when possible). The gives us enough time to make the necessary arrangements to make your campus visit as valuable, insightful and fun as possible!
When is the best time to visit campus?
We want you to get the most out of your campus visit, so the best time to visit is during the regular academic year. It's best to visit campus when classes are in session and students are on campus - that way you can get a feel for what life is like for a real MSU student. The Admissions Office will be closed on all major holidays, please see the calendar or contact our office for this year's holidays.
Can I visit on a weekend?
We offer campus tours on some Saturdays during the academic year. These tours are offered at 10am, by appointment only. Please contact the Admissions Office for the Saturday tour schedule.
Unfortunately, we do not offer a housing tour, admissions representative or faculty meetings on the weekends. It's best to visit on a weekday if at all possible.
What if I can't visit campus on weekday and there is no Saturday tour available?
We would be more than happy to mail (if there's enough time) or leave a packet (on campus) of MSU information for you. The packet will include a self-guided walking tour booklet, campus and Bozeman maps, scholarship information, and other MSU information you would have collected during your visit.
Is there a charge to visit the campus?
No, there is no charge to visit the campus. It is our pleasure to host you as our campus visitors and to share our beautiful campus with you. Hospitality is part of our Montana heritage, so there are no participation fees for any of our visit programs.
What should I expect on the day of my visit?
If you have scheduled your campus visit in advance, plan to check-in at the Admissions Office, in the Strand Union Building Room 201, about 15 minutes prior to your first meeting or tour. If your first visit activity is a campus tour - we show a fun MSU and Bozeman video at 8:45am and 1:45pm, just before the campus tour departs. When you check-in we will give you a copy of your schedule for the day and a packet on general MSU information, including a campus map and coupons for the Strand Union Building restaurants and MSU Bookstore. You'll spend the day following your pre-arranged schedule and taking in the MSU visit experience! Before you leave campus for the day, don't forget to ask the Admissions Staff for parking validation.
Do I need to bring anything?
No, you don't need to bring anything, unless you are a transfer student. Transfer students please bring a copy of your unofficial transcripts with you on the day of your visit.
You may find it helpful to print out your confirmation email, so you have driving and parking instructions and know where to go for your first meeting or tour.
Do we have to make a reservation/plan ahead? Or can we just show up?
No, you do not need to make a reservation or plan ahead for your campus visit. You are welcome to just "drop in" for the campus, housing and/or fitness center tours. However, if you would like to meet with an Admissions Representative and/or faculty member please contact us in advance so we can schedule those meetings.
Is everything in a big group? Or do we get some one-on-one time?
Although the campus and housing tours will be in a group, both the Admissions Representative and faculty meetings will be one-on-one. We want to take the time to get to know you in a private, causal setting.
Who are the tour guides?
Our tour guides are current MSU students and members of the student organization, AdvoCats. They take a year long class to learn how to be the best possible tour guides and ambassadors for MSU.
Who can we meet with during our campus visit?
We are happy to schedule meetings with faculty members, admissions representatives, representatives from Financial Aid and Disability Services, etc. Just let us know what you want to learn about during your visit and we'll help figure out who you should meet with.
Can we schedule meetings with Financial Aid, Disability Services, etc?
Yes, of course! We are happy to arrange those meetings.
Can I meet with a coach?
We are happy to try to schedule a meeting with one of our Bobcat coaches for you, but it may not be possible due to athletic travel schedules and NCAA clearinghouse regulations. It's best if you contact the coach directly to make arrangements to meet during your campus visit. www.msubobcats.com
Can I stay on campus? Do you recommend any local hotels?
Yes, you can stay on campus. Contact the Residence Life Office at (406) 994-2661 or housing@montana.edu for availability and rates. Bozeman has a variety of overnight accommodations for you to choose from. A list is available online at http://www.montana.edu/wwwnss/bozemanaccommodations.pdf Look for the ones that offer a campus visitor discount!
What if I need to cancel?
If you need to cancel or reschedule your campus visit, please give us a call at (406) 994-2452 or (888) MSU-CATS so we can cancel your meetings and tours. We are more than happy to reschedule your visit for a more convenient date.
Choosing a college that best fits you is an important decision and visiting campus is one of the best ways to determine if a college is right for you. A personal visit to the MSU campus will provide an opportunity to meet faculty, staff and students and to explore campus life. Because selecting a college is such an important decision, families are welcome and encouraged to participate. As part of your campus visit, the Admissions Staff can schedule any or all of the following for you: a campus tour, a residence hall tour, an appointment with a MSU Representative, a visit with a faculty member and a classroom visit.
