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SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING

ADMISSION

For detailed information regarding Southern Methodist University's admission requirements, regulations, and procedures, see the University Admission section of this catalog.

Prospective students interested in undergraduate degrees in engineering apply for undergraduate admission to SMU as first-year or transfer students through the Office of Admission, Southern Methodist University, PO Box 750181, Dallas TX 75275-0181. The application deadline for entry into a fall term by a first-year student is April 1, and for a spring term, December 1. For transfer students, the application deadline is July 1 for a fall term and December 1 for a spring term.

All first-year applicants admitted to SMU initially enter Dedman College. To be considered for admission, a student must have graduated from an accredited secondary school and must submit the following information to the Office of Admission:

  1. An official high-school transcript for grades 9-12, G.P.A., and senior courses.
  2. Results of the SAT or ACT. For foreign students, the result of the TOEFL is required as well.
  3. Counselor recommendation.
  4. Extracurricular activities.

A personal interview with the Office of Admission and the School of Engineering Undergraduate Enrollment Office is highly recommended.

High School Preparation

Because of the high standards of the School of Engineering and the rigorous character of its curricula, it is essential that the entering student be well prepared in basic academic subjects in high school.

The usual high-school preparation for entrance into SMU and study in engineering includes the following courses:

English -- 4 units

Mathematics -- 4-5 units

Physics, Chemistry, Biology -- At least 3 units

Social Studies -- 2 units

Foreign Language -- 2 units

Computer Programming -- 1 unit

However, a minimum of 15 academic units is required for admission. The courses listed above, with the exception of foreign languages, are recommended but are not required.

Most recently, students admitted to SMU with the intention of majoring in engineering were our most competitive applicants. To be successful in our engineering programs, the student should have the following academic strengths:

  1. Enrollment in an appropriate program of study in high school, as outlined above.
  2. Rank in the upper third of his or her graduating high school class.
  3. Have a minimum SAT composite of 1100 with at least a 600 math score. Equivalent ACT scores may also be submitted.

These guidelines should assist students interested in studying engineering at SMU.

Admission to Advanced Standing

Admission from Dedman College and Other Schools Within SMU

After completion of the first year, admission to the School of Engineering is accomplished by an interschool transfer. These transfers are approved by the Assistant Dean of Undergraduate Studies. For admission, a student must have completed 24 credit hours and must demonstrate the ability to achieve academic success in engineering or applied science by attaining a 2.00 or higher G.P.A. For admission into either the computer engineering, electrical engineering, environmental engineering, or mechanical engineering program, a 2.00 or higher G.P.A. is required in the following five courses: ENGL 1301, ENGL 1302 or equivalent, MATH 1337, MATH 1338, and PHYS 1303. If a course is repeated, both grades will be used in computing the G.P.A.

Admission by Transfer from Another Institution

An undergraduate at a junior college, college, or university may apply for admission to the School of Engineering. Admission will be granted provided the prior academic records and reasons for transfer are acceptable to the School of Engineering. Transfer credit will be awarded in courses that have identifiable counterparts in curricula of the School of Engineering, provided they carry grades of C or better. Transfer students will be expected to meet requirements equivalent to students admitted from Dedman College and other schools within SMU.

Transfer credit is awarded only for work completed at institutions that are regionally accredited. Because of SMU's 60-term-hour residency requirement for a Bachelor's degree, there is a limit on the total amount of credit that may be transferred from four-year institutions.