Academic Year Programs Checklist

**Application deadlines vary by locations and programs. Please see specific program pages for dates.**

Please note: If your student is currently in Year 1 of a program, they do not need to submit another application for Year 2. 

  1. Start an application by Registering an account in the GATEway Online Application System
    1. First, you will Register and complete a Student Profile. Reference the How to Apply page for step-by-step instructions. (If you have already Registered your account previously, login at http://gateway.gifted.msu.edu and go to Step 2 below.)
    2. The Student Profile asks you to fill out contact information, school information, and test scores.
    3. If you have not yet taken your ACT, SAT, or CogAT test, you can still move forward with applying for a program. Simply indicate the date you are scheduled to take the test, so we know when to expect your test results. Or, leave the date blank if you haven't registered yet. You can always login at a later time to update Test Scores and other Student Profile information.
  2. Choose the program you are applying for
    1. Click the student's name under "Current Student Profiles".
    2. Then click "Select a Program to Create an Application" and choose a program from the drop-down menu.
    3. You will see an Overview page with instructions. Click "Save and Continue", then fill out the following information:
      1. Background Questions or Essay: Answer the questions as they pertain to you. Questions vary for each program.
    4. Click "Save and Continue" to move on.
  3. Financial Aid
    1. If you need assistance paying for the program, select the “I wish to be considered for financial aid” and enter the amount of aid you feel is necessary for you to be able to participate.
    2. Download our Financial Aid Form, which you must complete in order to be considered for financial aid.
      1. Please note that you need to save the Financial Aid Form to your computer before filling it out. Once saved, open the PDF file in Adobe Reader or Adobe Acrobat, type in your information, and Save it. (If you type information into the form when it is in your web browser, your typed information will not save!)
      2. When your form is complete, please upload your Financial Aid form to your online application, along with supporting documents requested on the Financial Aid Form. This can be done using the Documents function (this is described in Step 6 below). This form may be uploaded at a later time.
    3. In the online application, click "Save and Continue" to move on.
  4. Teacher Recommendation 
    1. Ask a teacher from the same subject as the program you are applying for (i.e. for CHAMP, a Math teacher; for ISHALL, an English teacher; for LEAF, a French teacher or if you haven't taken any French before, an English/Language Arts teacher or other foreign language teacher) if they are willing to recommend you for the program.
    2. In the online application, enter your teacher’s first name, last name, and e-mail address.
    3. An e-mail and Teacher Recommendation Form will be sent to your teacher after your application is fully submitted and reviewed by GATE staff. This means there may be a few days delay in your teacher receiving the e-mail. If you would like to print out a copy of the Teacher Recommendation Form and give it to your teacher, you may do that. However, the recommendation request must be sent electronically as well, by entering your teacher’s name and e-mail on this portion of the online application.
    4. Parents, choose whether or not you waive your right to view the Teacher Recommendation Form. This choice is yours to make under FERPA law.
    5. Click "Save and Continue" to move on.
  5. Submit Program Application
    1. ​​You will again see an Overview page (with the same instructions you saw at the beginning of the application).
    2. At the bottom of the Overview page, click "Submit Application" - NOTE: After your application is submitted, you cannot edit it.
    3. However, after submitting an application, you will still be able to edit your personal details and test scores on your Student Profile. To do this, login and click "Update" on the Profiles List page.
    4. You will also still be able to upload documents, such as your Grade Report and Test Score results at any time. The following steps describe how to upload documents in the online application system.
  6. Upload Most Recent Grade Report
    1. To upload your grade report, you will first need to scan it and save it as a PDF file.*
    2. Then in the online application, click the “Documents” tab to upload the document you just saved.
    3. Next, in the "Description" field type the name of your document. For example, you can name your document in this format: [Last Name, First Name] - Grade Report [Year]
    4. Then click "Choose File", find your file where you save it and click "Open". Then click "Submit" to upload the document. The document will appear in the Documents list above. 
  7. Upload Standardized Test Scores
    1. Every applicant needs to submit standardized test scores. Acceptable tests are:
      1. ACT (the test typically taken for college admission)
      2. SAT (the test typically taken for college admission)
      3. IQ test – An IQ test (usually called the WISC), can be submitted instead of standardized test scores.
    2. Please note that if you indicate on the test registration form that you want your scores sent to Michigan State University, the GATE office will NOT receive them. Instead, you should wait until you receive your scores, then follow the steps below to upload them to your online application.
    3. To upload your test results, you will first need to scan your score report and save it as a PDF file.*
    4. Then in the online application, click the “Documents” tab to upload the document you just saved.
    5. Next, in the "Description" field type the name of your document. For example, you can name your document in this format: [Last Name, First Name] - [Test Name] [Month Year]
    6. Then click "Choose File", find your file and click Open. Then click "Submit" to upload the document. The document will appear in the Documents list above. 
  8. Is there an Application Fee?
    1. There is a $75, non-refundable application fee for academic year programs. 
  9. Check the Status of your Application
    1. Login and click "View Applications" under Current Student Profiles. 
    2. Beside the program you applied for, click "View Status". Please note that the status will not be updated automatically - a GATE staff member has to review your submitted items first, so there may be a delay of a few days.
    3. It is your responsibility to review your online application status to see what items are missing from your online application.
    4. You can also view your submitted program application information by clicking "Print" next to the program you applied for.

*Please note: If you do not have access to a scanner to scan and upload your documents, you also have the option to mail in a hard copy of your documents, or to fax them. Please visit the Contact page for information.