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FAQs: Transfer Students
Click on a question to jump to the answer:
• What are deadlines for transfer students?
• What are the minimum requirements for transferring
to SMU?
• Is there a foreign language requirement?
• What are the maximum number of units that can
transfer?
• What courses transfer to SMU?
• Is transfer credit given for correspondence courses?
• Who determines what courses will transfer?
• Do I need to submit my high school transcript?
• How is my transferable GPA calculated?
• What scholarship opportunities are available
for transfer students?
• On what should I write my essay, and how long
should it be?
What are deadlines for transfer students?
For fall term: May 15 to be considered for scholarships, June 1 for all
other applicants
For spring term: November 1
For summer: April 1 (transfer applicants not accepted for second summer
session)
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What are the minimum requirements for
transferring to SMU?
Minimum requirements include:
- 30 hours or more of transferable course work
- 2.50 minimum transferable GPA
- College-ready math (college algebra or higher or a high
school
- sequence of algebra I, plane geometry, and algebra II)
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Is there a foreign language requirement?
Foreign
language is not required for admission to the University; however, it
is a requirement for graduation, regardless of major. Students
who have taken two years of the same foreign language in high school or
one year at the college level meet the requirement. (Certain majors may
still require foreign language classes at SMU.) Students who have not
met the requirement upon matriculation at SMU must complete two terms
of a single foreign language in their first year at SMU.
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What are the maximum number of units that can
transfer?
Generally, 62 units.
SMU requires that a student complete 60 hours of their degree at SMU.
Since most degrees require about 122 credits, that would allow 62 hours
of transferable credit to be applied toward the SMU degree. Note: Some
degrees (especially in the arts) require more than 122 credits and, therefore,
would allow more credits to be applied toward the SMU degree.
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What courses transfer to SMU?
The transferability
of a course is determined by the academic department. Once courses have
been evaluated for transferability, then the Admissions Office will determine
admissibility based on the transfer credit evaluation. Generally, if SMU
has a comparable course, you are likely to receive credit for the course.
If you attend Dallas, Tarrant, or Collin county community colleges, transferability
can be easily determined because we have equivalency guides for those
colleges.
For specific guidelines on courses and transferability, see the University
catalog at http://www.smu.edu/catalogs/undergrad/default.asp.
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Is transfer credit given for correspondence
courses?
No.
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Who determines what courses will transfer?
The
individual academic departments for each school determine course transferability.
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Do I need to submit my high school transcript?
Transfer
students are required to submit a high school transcript when their college
transcript does not provide enough information. We use the high school
transcript for several reasons: to verify math readiness (algebra I, geometry,
algebra II) when the college transcript does not show college algebra
or higher; to determine admissibility of a transfer student who has less
than 30 transferable hours; and to verify two years of the same foreign
language.
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How is my transferable GPA calculated?
Your transferable GPA is determined by including all courses that
are considered to be comparable to SMU courses from every college attended.
The number of grade points earned is divided by the number of attempted
hours.
If you receive a D or F in a comparable course, the D or F will be used
in the calculation of your GPA, but you will not actually be awarded transfer
credit for that course since SMU does not award credit for grades lower
than C-. If you receive a D or F in a course that is not comparable then
it will not be counted in the GPA.
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What scholarship opportunities are available
for transfer students?
Full tuition opportunities exist for Dallas County Community College
District, Collin County Community College District, and Tarrant County
college students with 50 transferable hours and a 3.70 GPA. Half tuition
opportunities also exist for transfer students with 50 transferable hours
and a 3.70 GPA. For more information, see “transfer scholarships”
at http://www2.smu.edu/financial_aid/scholar.asp.
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On what should I write my essay, and how long
should it be?
Your transfer application will have essay suggestions,
or you can choose your own topic. The essay provides a chance to move
beyond the numbers and statistics. It's your chance to set yourself apart
from all the other applicants. A thoughtful, well-written essay can positively
influence the admission committee's final decision and is a critical element
in the selection of winners for competitive scholarships. Most essays
are approximately two pages, typed, and double-spaced.
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