FAQs
Q: What is the Spartan Experience Record?
A: The Spartan Experience Record (SER) is the MSU-verified document a student receives listing all their co-curricular experiences. These are requested through the Registrar’s Office. The SER is also MSU’s co-curricular platform that showcases student learning beyond coursework through experiences, including the collection of all experiences that have been added to the Record.
Q: How do I get started with the Spartan Experience Record?
A: The Spartan Experience Record is new to students as of Fall 2020, and therefore a great place to start is by exploring our website. Login to the Spartan Experience Record platform and take a look around. Under “Spartan Experience Record” this area will display your experiences you have participated in that are either pending verification or are verified. If you are currently participating in an experience that you believe is a fit to be included on your SER and don’t see displayed in this section, the next step would be to suggest it to be added. Additionally, follow us on social media to stay up to date on programs, news, and resources.
Q: I am involved in a co-curricular experience that I would like to have on my Spartan Experience Record. How do I add it?
A: Spartan Experiences must be submitted by an MSU faculty or staff member into the My Spartan Story platform. To start the process of adding the experience, two options are available: 1) connect directly to the advisor or supervisor of your experience to submit it for inclusion (you are welcome to be a part of this process). 2) Suggest your experience through the Spartan Experience Record form HERE and we can reach out to your faculty/staff advisor/supervisor to encourage them to place the position and activity in the platform.
Q: What is the difference between an experience and a role?
A: The experience is the program, RSO, or team that you are a part of. The role is the title or position you play within the experience. It is important to know that experience and role interrelate to each other—both are important information in the Spartan Experience Record. An example would be as follows: Zeke Fan Club (experience), President (role),
Q: What does “verified” mean?
A: “Verified” means that you 1) successfully participated in a co-curricular experience and 2), achieved the learning outcomes established for your experience. An experience MUST be verified by an MSU faculty/staff member for it to display on your Spartan Experience Record. For more information on our terms and definitions, please visit the Spartan Experience Record Glossary section.
Q: What would I use the Spartan Experience Record for?
A: You can find opportunities to get involved at MSU.
You can keep track of all the things you’re doing beyond the classroom.
You can reflect on your learning.
You can suggest experiences to be added to your Spartan Experience Record.
You can publish validated activities to your MSU Spartan Experience Record.
Q: How do I request my Spartan Experience Record?
A: Your Spartan Experience Record can be requested alongside your transcript through the Registrar’s Office. To place a request, please visit the MSU RO website. To review step-by-step instructions, please visit our Student Resources page.
Q: Do I have access to the Spartan Experience Record after graduation?
A: Absolutely. You have direct access to the Spartan Experience Record platform 6 months after graduation, and you can request your Spartan Experience Record (SER) alongside your transcript indefinitely. Please review the Student Resources section to learn how to request your SER.
Q: How is the Spartan Experience Record different from a resume?
A: The Spartan Experience Record is a whole picture of you and your engagement beyond the classroom at MSU. Your resume is something you customize or shorten for certain employers or internships.
The Spartan Experience Record is meant to enhance a resume, or to be used to help you evaluate your experiences in order to build a stronger resume by highlighting the value in these experiences.
Q: Who might want this information?
A: The first audience for this information is you. Learn from it, notice patterns about your engagement. Tell your story.
Other interested parties will be employers and graduate schools, especially as you develop specialized skills and training, you can show your official Spartan Experience Record to support your stories. Faculty/Staff/Supervisors can use it to write stronger letters of recommendation on your behalf. Scholarship applications can use it to show how much you are involved outside of the classroom and how you are growing as a holistic person.
Q: How do I talk about/discuss the experiences I have on the Spartan Experience Record?
A: Learning to tell your stories is one of the most important parts of your learning journey at MSU. Practice telling your story makes you better when you really need it, like in an interview or at a critical pitch moment.