What should I highlight in my Michigan State business major application?

For Michigan State’s business major, you should highlight strong academic preparation, evidence of leadership or initiative, and a clear interest in how business works in practice. If you have AP, IB, honors, or dual-enrollment classes in calculus, statistics, economics, accounting, or similar areas, those are especially useful to emphasize.

In your activities, focus on roles that show leadership, responsibility, teamwork, or real problem-solving. That could be a job, family business help, student government, DECA, FBLA, entrepreneurship, nonprofit work, or even leading a club or project where you had to manage people, money, or outcomes. Experiences where you improved something, organized something, or worked with customers, clients, or teammates will fit better than a long list of general activities.

For essays or any application writing, connect your experiences to specific business interests instead of just saying you “like business.” If you’re interested in marketing, explain what sparked that interest. If you care about finance or supply chain, mention the exact situation that made it matter to you. The strongest applications usually show curiosity, maturity, and a sense of purpose, not just ambition.

If you have room to show fit with MSU itself, mention that Broad offers a large, well-known business school with strong recruiting, career support, and opportunities in areas like supply chain management, which is one of MSU’s standout strengths. But the main thing is still your own record: coursework that proves you can handle the rigor, and activities that show you’ve already started acting like someone who can contribute in a business setting.