We would like to invite you to come see what Montana State University has to offer. A top tier research and community engagement institution, MSU is the number one choice in the state for Montana and out-of-state students alike. We hope you'll accept our invitation to come experience MSU. College is a big decision, and it’s important to make sure MSU is the right place for you.
We're here to help
If you have any questions during your visit, please don't hesitate to stop by our office in the Strand Union Building, Room 201. If you need special accommodations let us know in advance and we will be happy to make any arrangements. Our office hours are 8 a.m.-5 p.m., Monday-Friday.
Three tips to start your campus visit off right
Arrive early
Allow extra time to locate the campus and
to park. We recommend parking in the Visitor Pay Lot; we will waive the parking fee. maps, directions and parking
Get your visitor packet
Stop by the Admissions Office in Strand
Union, Room 201, prior to your first scheduled meeting or tour,
to check-in and pick up your visitor packet.
Watch our introductory video
Join us about 15 minutes prior to your selected campus tour for an introductory MSU video.
Tours: Monday-Friday except holidays
Campus Tours are offered at 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. and depart from the Admissions Office in 201 Strand Union.
Housing Tours are offered at 11 a.m. and depart from the Residence Life Office in the Miller Dining Complex.
Fitness Center Tours are offered at noon.
Outdoor Recreation Center Tours are offered at 12:30 p.m.
Sample Visit Schedule
| 8:45 a.m. | Introductory MSU Video Presentation |
| 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) |
| 12:30 p.m. | Check Out our Outdoor Recreation Facility (optional tour) |
| 1:15 p.m. | Visit with Your Admissions Representative |
| 2:10 p.m. | Dive into Academics with a Sample Class |
Tours and visiting opportunities
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.
To schedule your visit, you are encouraged to call or email at least two weeks in advance of your planned visit. Please contact Renee Douthit, 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.
Video Presentation
A fun and informative video featuring the highlights of MSU and Bozeman 15 minutes prior to the campus tour departure. 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.
Campus Tours
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.
Residence Hall Tours
The Residence Life staff offers tours that 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
Fitness Center Tour
Our Fitness Center recently underwent a $14.8 million renovation! We offer a 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 Fitness Center Complex at 12noon Monday-Friday. The Hosaeus Fitness Center is an impressive 14,000 sq. ft. state-of-the-art facility that serves MSU’s students, faculty and staff. Built to accommodate a wide variety of activity, the facility includes 3 gymnasiums (for basketball, volleyball, indoor soccer and badminton), a 25-yard 8 lane pool, a 20 foot climbing wall, 2 indoor tennis courts, an indoor track, 8 racquetball and 1 squash court, a functional training room, 2 air conditioned group fitness rooms, a martial arts room, over 75 pieces of cardio equipment and an extensive weight lifting area.
Outdoor Recreation Center Tour
MSU recently completed a new building on campus to house the Outdoor Recreation Center. They offer 20 minute walk-on tours of this fantastic new facility. The Outdoor Recreation Center offers students the opportunity to rent outdoor equipment for a very low cost. In addition to the great equipment selection available, they also offer many classes and workshops throughout the year, and planned group outings for MSU students.
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.
Not sure what to ask? Here are some suggestions.
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. These meetings take anywhere from 30 minutes to 1 hour and will provide information about the program and future career options for students within that department.
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.
Please contact Admissions 2 weeks prior to your visit date 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. View the current sample classes online at http://www.montana.edu/admissions/visit/Spring 2013 Sample Class List.pdf.
Feb. 1, 2013
Mar. 22, 2013
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 www.montana.edu/msufriday/.
Self-Guided Walking Tour
If you are unable to take one of our regularly scheduled campus tours, please consider printing our Self-Guided Walking Tour Booklet to help you explore our beautiful campus. The walking tour booklet is easy to follow, full of great historical and fun informational about the MSU campus, and even provides suggestions on how to explore the Bozeman area.
Also, we are 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 the self-guided walking tour booklet, campus and Bozeman maps, scholarship information, and other MSU information. Please contact the Admissions Office to make arrangements.
Maps, directions and parking
Where is Bozeman, Montana?
Visit Montana: Information for Travel in Montana
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 Ave. and follow it south approximately 3.5 miles to Kagy Blvd.
- Turn left onto Kagy Blvd. and continue to South 7th Ave.
- Turn left and continue to parking areas on the left side.
From the east:
- Take exit 309 onto Main Street and proceed west to Willson Ave.
- Turn left on Willson Ave. and travel 18 blocks to Kagy Blvd. (Willson will curve slightly here)
- Turn right on Kagy Blvd. and continue to South 7th Ave.
- Turn right on South 7th Ave. 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.
Many of our visitors prefer to use GoogleMaps or MapQuest to locate campus. Although the Admissions office does not have an actual physical address, you can use the intersection outside of the Strand Union Building to generate good turn instructions. The intersection is: South 7th Ave and West Grant St, Bozeman, MT 59715.
Printable Campus Map
Download and print campus map to take with you while you visit the Montana State University campus.
Online Campus Map
Find your way around campus to locate specific buildings and services through the MSU Campus Map powered by Google.
Campus Visit Guide
Download and print the MSU Campus Visit Guide for full directions to campus and suggestions of things to do while in the area.
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?
- What if I cannot take one of the regularly scheduled campus tours? Can I check out the campus on my own?
We appreciate two weeks notice to plan your campus visit (when possible). That gives us enough time to make the necessary arrangements to make your campus visit as valuable, insightful and fun as possible!
Just contact the Admissions Office and ask to speak with our Campus Visit Coordinator, Renee Douthit, to schedule your campus visit. You can reach us at 888-MSU-CATS or (406)994-2452.
Or use the Schedule a Visit form.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Click Here for some suggested questions to ask your Admissions Representative.
No, you do not need to make a reservation or plan ahead for your campus visit if you are just interested in attending the tours. 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 individual meetings.
Although the campus and housing tours will be in a group, both the Admissions Representative and faculty meetings are usually one-on-one. We want to take the time to get to know you in a private, causal setting.
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. Meet some of our tour guides before you 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.
Yes, of course! We are happy to arrange those meetings.
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
Unfortunately, we do not have an option for prospective students to stay on campus during the school year. A list of local hotels is available online at http://www.montana.edu/accommodations/ Look for the ones that offer a campus visitor discount!
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.
Absolutely! We have an outstanding Self-Guided Walking Tour Booklet that is easy to follow, full of great historical and fun informational about the MSU campus, and even provides suggestions on how to explore the Bozeman area. Also, we are 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 the self-guided walking tour booklet, campus and Bozeman maps, scholarship information, and other MSU information you would have collected during your visit. Please contact the Admissions Office to make arrangements.
Where to stay in Bozeman
List of Bozeman Accommodations
View a list of Bozeman hotels, motels, and bed & breakfasts. Many offer a campus discount.
Special Rates for Admissions/Orientation Visitors
Special air fares, accommodation rates, and rental car opportunities are available for MSU Admissions/Orientation visitors. Call Montana Travel at 1-800-247-3538 for details. Please identify yourself as a MSU Admissions/Orientation visitor (student, parent, or family member) to get the appropriate rates.
Top 10 things to do while you are visiting Bozeman
- Hike the "M"
- Visit the Museum of the Rockies
- Go shopping in downtown Bozeman
- Eat at a local restaurant (there are so many to choose from) La Parrilla, Ale Works, Naked Noodle, Santa Fe Reds...just to name a few. Ask the Admissions Staff for more recommendations.
- Explore Bridger Canyon
- Check out local music happenings
- Explore the "Main Street to the Mountains" hiking trail
- Take a day trip to Yellowstone National Park
- Visit Hyalite Canyon and hike Palisade Falls
- Drive down the Gallatin Canyon to Big Sky
More information is available by calling the Bozeman Chamber of Commerce toll free at (800) 228-4224 or online at www.bozemanchamber.com.
