Student Life

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My First Year

At MSU you don’t have to wait to feel like you belong. You’re part of the Bobcat family from day one. There’s so many ways to connect, whether you’re meeting your new friends at welcome events in your residence hall or posing for the iconic first-year M photo in Bobcat Stadium.

Students laugh and share food during an outdoor social event on a campus patio.

Group of students and a faculty member posing together outdoors in front of a large brick academic building.

University mascot interacts and laughs with three students at an outdoor campus event with informational tents.

Three students smile and pose together outdoors at a campus event on a sunny day.

Students walk on a sunny campus sidewalk holding signs that say Go Cats Go during an outdoor event.

Student and adult push a cart loaded with boxes and bags during move-in day on campus.

Two students in yellow shirts carry a large brown couch inside an elevator.

Students walk and gather on a university campus pathway at sunset near modern academic buildings.

Walking to Class

It's easy to become inspired by our beautiful setting while you stroll through campus on your way to class, the library or your campus job. After all, that's why MSU's tagline is “Mountains & Minds.”

Campus walkway lined with trees and red berries leads to a modern academic building under a clear blue sky.

Students collaborate in a glass-walled study room filled with notes and equations on whiteboards.

Two people study documents at a table under vintage Burger Inn Drive Inn and Food signs in an industrial-style room.

Students walk on a snowy campus path at dusk with a large historic building outlined in lights.

Snow-covered trees stand in front of a modern orange building while a person walks across a snowy campus.

Campus street lined with autumn trees and buildings, a cyclist rides near a stop sign under a clear sky with a hot air balloon.

Autumn leaves cover the ground beneath a large tree with yellow foliage near a historic campus building under a partly cloudy sky.

Students walk along a tree-lined path toward a large brick academic building on a sunny day.

Learning by Doing

At MSU learning is more than lectures and textbooks. Get hands-on experience in 300+ research labs on campus, join one of MSU's student art guilds to let your creativity shine, or pitch your business concept in front of real business leaders and win money to advance your idea.

Two researchers record data near a river with surveying equipment set up on a tripod.

Architecture students and instructor review building plans and design layouts in a studio workspace.

Three culinary students in Gallatin College uniforms carefully prepare food on cutting boards in a commercial kitchen.

Two people examine a small pine tree seedling inside a greenhouse filled with potted plants.

Researchers measure snow depth and collect data in a deep snow pit at a snowy forest site.

Teacher engages three students in a classroom activity at a round table with colorful artwork on the wall.

Two researchers in lab coats discuss data on a computer screen while a senior researcher observes.

Nursing student in scrubs with Montana State University patch talks with a child holding a sticker during community outreach.

Weekend Adventures

With your studies taking place in beautiful Bozeman, Montana, you’ll have access to a vibrant community and an outdoor paradise. Imagine starting your Saturday drinking coffee with friends on Main Street before you hit the slopes, head out for a hike or drive to nearby Yellowstone National Park.

Visitors walk along a boardwalk beside a vibrant geothermal pool with blue, green, yellow, and orange hues.

Person in outdoor gear sits on rocky ridge overlooking expansive mountain range under partly cloudy sky.

Two anglers walk along a dirt path carrying fishing nets and gear on a clear day.

Four people wearing helmets and life jackets paddle a raft through whitewater rapids surrounded by forest.

Three hikers pause on a rocky lakeshore with forested mountains in the background on a clear day.

Three hikers use snowshoes and poles to trek along a snowy trail through a forested mountain landscape.

Three young people walk across a city street on a sunny day with a tall building and trees in the background.

Two skiers descend a groomed snowy slope with mountains and trees in the background under a partly cloudy sky.

Experiencing Tradition

Tradition is part of our DNA. Join generations of Bobcats by painting the M on Mount Baldy or cheering on the 'Cats at the Gold Rush football home opener. For a new tradition, attend our annual Campus Rail Jam to watch skiers and snowboarders show off their moves in a blaze of ice and snow.

Aerial view of a stadium with people forming a large yellow M on the football field.

Cheerleaders perform in a homecoming parade on a city street lined with spectators and historic buildings.

Skier performs a rail slide on a snow-covered rail during a nighttime Rail Jam event.

University equestrian team members ride horses on campus near a Montana State University banner and historic building.

Large illuminated letter M on a hillside under a starry night sky.

Three graduates in caps and gowns hold up Montana State University diplomas and smile during commencement.

Crowd gathers at night in front of a large historic building lit with blue lights during an outdoor event.

Dancers in colorful regalia perform a traditional Native American dance at an indoor powwow event.

Cheering on the Cats

With 13 NCAA teams, NIRA rodeo, and 25+ club sports, you'll never run out of opportunities to cheer on the Bobcats at Montana State. In 1916 the Bobcat was selected as MSU's mascot for their cunning intelligence, athletic prowess and independent spirit.

University sports team celebrates outdoors holding championship signs and flags under a clear blue sky.

Rodeo rider in western attire competes on a galloping palomino horse inside an arena.

University fans in yellow shirts enthusiastically cheer and reach forward during an outdoor evening sports event.

Golfer and coach exchange a high-five during a golf event on a cloudy day.

Volleyball players from the Bobcats team celebrate a point during a match against the University of Nevada.

Cross-country team in a huddle raising fists outdoors with mountains in the background.

Montana State football players celebrate holding a trophy after a game at Washington-Grizzly Stadium.

College football team celebrates winning the National Championship, holding the trophy under blue and gold streamers.

Women's college basketball player in navy blue jumps to shoot while a player in white defends under a basketball hoop.

Skier in racing gear sharply turns around a red gate on a snowy slope during a ski race.

University cheerleaders lead a crowd of fans cheering in a packed outdoor stadium during a sports event.

Crowd of fans in yellow and blue cheer enthusiastically at a sports event in a packed stadium.

We can't wait to meet you!

Come see for yourself why MSU is an unforgettable experience. Take a virtual tour, schedule an in-person visit, or attend one of our MSU Friday events.

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