The topic for the 2026 Essay Contest will be announced in December.
MSU undergraduate or graduate international students maintaining F or J status.
No more than 750 words typed and double-spaced. Include your name and email address in the header on each page.
Times New Roman, 12 pt
Submissions for 2025 are now closed.
By submitting an entry for the International Student Essay Contest, you grant permission to the MSU Office for International Students and Scholars ("OISS") to share all information herein provided with our panel of judges to review and determine the winning entries. You also grant permission to Michigan State University ("MSU"), OISS and other media organizations to publish all or parts of your essay in any presentation format. OISS cannot grant a request for anonymity. Additionally, OISS cannot unpublish your essay if it has already been published.
Three winners will be chosen, each winner will receive a monetary prize, as follows:
Best overall essay: $1000
Best essay by an undergraduate student: $750
Best essay by a graduate or professional student: $750
Prizes will be deposited into your student account. The money will be applied to any balance due on your account. If you do not have a balance due, you will receive the award as a refund less any applicable taxes.
Submissions for 2025 are now closed.
Join us in celebrating our 2025 International Student Essay Contest winners at a special Coffee Hour on Friday, March 21st from 4-6pm in Spartan Rooms B&C located within the International Center Food Court. Our winners will have the opportunity to read their winning essays aloud to the audience.
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