Bachelor of Business Administration

BBA Admission Requirements

In order to be considered for admission into the Cox School of Business, students applying to SMU must indicate a business major as one of the academic interests on their application. Students must be admitted to the business school in order to pursue a business major. Admitted students will qualify as either a BBA Scholar or a Business Direct student. While both groups will be admitted to the business school, BBA Scholars also will receive a supplemental scholarship from the business school. Students will automatically be reviewed for the scholars program provided business is listed as their primary academic interest on their application and do not need to submit a separate application for the scholar program. 

All applications will be processed through the main Admission office. Admission is highly selective, but holistic in nature with an emphasis on a student’s academic performance. Students will be notified if they have received admission into the Cox School of Business upon receipt of their acceptance to the University. If a student is not admitted to Cox, they are still eligible for acceptance to the University if they indicate a non-business academic interest on their application.

In addition to GPA and SAT or ACT scores, the admission committee weighs many factors during the course of the application process, including classroom performance, rigor of high school curriculum, quality of essays and recommendations, and extracurricular activities. *SMU will be test-optional for Fall 2022 first year applicants!

For students graduating high school spring 2019 and earlier, click here for admissions information.

SMU Application Deadlines

External Transfer Process —High School Class of 2020 and after

Students wishing to transfer to SMU and study business will need to apply to SMU first, and then apply for admission to the business school during the spring semester. Only students first admitted by SMU will be reviewed for admission to Cox. The Cox School of Business application can be accessed by contacting the SMU Undergraduate Admission Office or the BBA Admission Office. The business school will only review transfer applications for Cox after the end of each spring semester, and all Cox applications must be submitted by June 1st for external candidates. Final transcripts for external transfer candidates must be sent to the SMU Undergraduate Admission Office in order for Cox to release a decision. Applicants must have 24 post high school graduation credit hours by the end of the spring semester in which they apply, and also a minimum 3.5 all-college GPA at the end of that spring semester. Preference will be given to students who have taken microeconomics, macroeconomics, and calculus. If a student is not admitted following their first application to the business school, they will choose a major from one of the other academic schools at SMU and can pursue a minor in business. 

Internal Transfer Process

Current SMU students who seek to change their major to business or add a business major, will need to apply through the internal transfer admission process facilitated by the BBA Admission office. 

The Cox School of Business Internal Transfer application can be accessed by contacting the BBA Admission Office, and must be submitted by Monday, May 15th. The Cox School of Business only accepts students for Fall entry. 

A committee of Cox faculty members will review students each spring for a select number of spots available in the Cox School of Business. The committee will weigh many factors including current GPA, courses taken, campus involvement, and a student’s initial application to SMU. Applicants must have at least 24 post high school college credit hours* by the end of the spring semester in which they apply, and also a minimum 3.5 all-college GPA at the end of that spring semester. Students must apply during the first spring semester they are a student at SMU. Preference will be given to students who have taken microeconomics, macroeconomics, and calculus. 

If a student is not admitted following their first application to the business school, they are not permitted to apply again and they will pursue a major from one of the other academic schools at SMU and can choose to minor in business. Students must apply during the first Cox internal transfer admission cycle upon completion of 24 post high school college credit hours.

*Students who were admitted as a Spring Entry student and took a gap semester before beginning at SMU can apply with less than 24 post high school credit hours but must have a minimum of 12 post high school credit hours completed at the end of the spring semester.

Students are not eligible for review if they delay submitting their application in order to meet the minimum requirements the following year. Any student who does not meet the requirements for review at the time they should apply will pursue a major from one of the other academic schools at SMU and can choose to minor in business. 

Financing Your BBA

Admission Events

The best way to find out if Cox is the right school for you is to visit us in Dallas. You can schedule an information session and tour through the SMU Undergraduate Admission website— these are scheduled. You also can schedule a virtual information session with the Cox School of Business! In the Fall, we offer our Cox Spotlight event that will give you an in-depth look into our undergraduate program. If you can't make it to Dallas, meet us on the road when we join the SMU Undergraduate Admission Office at programs in various cities. We'd love to meet you! 

Feel free to contact Us in BBA Admission to help you plan your visit.