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Frequently Asked
Questions
Click on a question to jump to the answer:
• 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?
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Do foreign transcripts require additional documentation?
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What are the minimum requirements for
transferring to SMU?
Minimum requirements include:
- 30 hours or more of transferable course work
- 2.70 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?
Students who have not completed a two-year sequence of a single foreign
language in high school nor a one-year sequence of a single foreign
language at the college level, will be required to take two terms of a
single foreign language at an accredited institution to commence no
later than their third regular term after matriculation at SMU,
regardless of intended major. American Sign Language will be used to
satisfy the University's foreign language admission requirement for
those students with a documented language-based learning disability that
prevents learning a foreign language.
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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 (equal in content and level), 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?
Yes, 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; register 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 coming from any college
or university with 50 transferable hours
and a 3.70 GPA. For more information, see “transfer scholarships”
at http://smu.edu/Financial_Aid/TansferScholarships.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.
Do foreign transcripts require
additional documentation?
Yes. Any student who
submits a foreign transcript is responsible for submitting the additional
documentation required for evaluation. Keep in mind that in order for SMU
to convert the courses to US credits we need very specific information
about the term calendar year, grading scale, course descriptions,
length of class, etc. To understand more about the documentation required,
see the links below.
To see instructions for
submitting Foreign Post-Secondary Transcripts, click here.
To
see an example of the information we need regarding your foreign
institution, click here.
Are letters of recommendation
required? No letters are required to apply for admission, however,
if you qualify and wish to be considered for the Dallas-Area Full-Tuition
Scholarship or the PTK Scholarship, then a letter of recommendation is
required. See scholarship
information for details.
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