Multicultural Scholars Program

Application & Admission

Students who are interested in applying for admission should address their application to the Program Director of the area of academic interest. Application guidelines may slightly vary from program to program; however the following are the typical criteria to be submitted.

  • A brief cover letter stating personal background as it pertains to KU-MSP and your academic area of interest
  • A high school or community college transcript (if a newly admitted or transfer student)
  • Two names of references (preferably teachers, instructors, professors) and their contact information
  • A short 2-3 page word-processed essay (specific questions may vary for each program)

Some programs are competitive in their number of applicants; therefore may be limited in the number of students admitted. In some programs, the number of students admitted may also be influenced by the level of scholarship support available.

"The program has helped me meet some awesome people in my major that otherwise I might not be acquainted with. It also helps me stay on-task with my schoolwork." -Zach

Application Deadlines

Application deadlines vary by program and are established by each MSP academic program and the Program Director. Please contact the Program Director for the program you are interested in to learn of specific timelines for applications and specific admission criteria.


students attending communication presentation

Agreement of Acceptance

Scholars in each program will sign an Agreement of Acceptance at the beginning of each semester that outlines the responsibilities of the scholar as a member of the KU-MSP. The Agreement of Acceptance document may vary slightly from program to program but generally the following can be expected.


The University of Kansas prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, ethnicity, religion, sex, national origin, age, ancestry, disability, status as a veteran, sexual orientation, marital status, parental status, gender identity, gender expression and genetic information in the University’s programs and activities. The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding the non-discrimination policies: Director of the Office of Institutional Opportunity and Access, IOA@ku.edu, 1246 W. Campus Road, Room 153A, Lawrence, KS, 66045, (785)864-6414, 711 TTY.