Readmission information

Readmission of students
For the first year after a student in good standing withdraws from SMU, the student’s file remains active, and the student is able to register as though in continuous enrollment at the University. Students who left on probation will return on probation. All holds must be cleared prior to enrollment. Returning students are responsible for meeting all financial aid, housing, and advising deadlines. After nonattendance for two regular (fall, spring) terms, students who formerly attended are required to apply for readmission.

Readmission transcripts
All students who return to SMU after any period of nonenrollment must forward official transcripts from each college or university attended since last enrolled at SMU. If five years have elapsed since the last term of enrollment at SMU, official transcripts from each college or university attended prior to SMU also must be forwarded to the Division of Enrollment Services. 

Transfer courses from another institution

Once students have matriculated at SMU, they are limited to no more than 15 hours for transfer to SMU from accredited colleges and universities. Any course to be transferred must have the prior approval of the chair of the department and dean of the school at SMU that normally offer the course, the adviser, and the student's dean. These approvals must be obtained by students prior to taking any such courses. Permission may be denied for educational reasons.

Petitions to attend another college or university during the summer must be completed and approved in advance to ensure that proper credit is awarded. Petition forms are available in the Undergraduate Offices. Students are responsible for making sure a transcript of all transfer work attempted is sent to the University registrar immediately following completion of the work.

All students who intend to return to SMU, regardless of whether or not they are required to apply for readmission, are encouraged to notify the appropriate University departments as soon as possible to ensure timely processing of enrollment, financial aid, housing, and other documents.

Academic forgiveness
SMU’s academic forgiveness policy permits a student to have academic work taken 10 or more years prior to the term of admission or readmission forgiven and not included in the GPA or hours earned used for actions such as the determination of admission, academic probation, suspension, honors, and graduation. Click here for the Academic Forgiveness form.

Name change

A student who has a change in name after his or her last enrollment at SMU, or a change from the name submitted on his or her application for admission, must provide his or her Social Security card or the form issued by the U.S. Social Security Administration. Enrollment or records services for the student under a name different from the last enrollment cannot be accomplished without the above documents. All grade reports, transcripts, and diplomas are issued only under the person's legal name as recorded by the University registrar.