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MEADOWS SCHOOL OF THE ARTS
ADMISSION

Various divisions in Meadows School of the Arts have special admissions criteria, such as auditions, portfolio reviews and specified course work. Admissions criteria pertinent to each instructional unit are stated in the section of this publication devoted to that unit.

Admission Procedures

Prospective students interested in undergraduate degrees in Meadows School of the Arts apply for undergraduate admission to SMU as first-year students or transfer students through the SMU Office of Enrollment Services, PO Box 750181, Dallas TX 75275-0181. The application deadline for first-year students entering for the fall term is November 1 for early action, January 15 for regular decision and merit scholarships, and November 1 for the spring term. For transfer students, the application deadline is June 1 for the fall term and November 1 for the spring term. (See the University Admission section in the front of this catalog.)

Admission as an SMU Inter-School Transfer Student

First-year pre-major students enter Dedman College and then transfer to Meadows School of the Arts when they complete requirements for the major declaration. A student transferring from Dedman College (or other schools of the University) must secure a Student Change of Degree Program form from the office of the academic dean of the student’s current school to present to the Undergraduate Academic Services office of Meadows School of the Arts.

Students must have completed a minimum of 24 term hours of study with a minimum cumulative G.P.A. of 2.00. Students in various divisions also must receive formal recognition for suitable scholarly or creative ability, and talent in the performing arts. Art students must take introductory course work in the first year. They gain admission through successful work completed in those classes. Art History students are strongly encouraged to contact the chair of the Art History Division for a conference.

Advertising, Cinema/Television, Journalism, and Corporate Communication and Public Affairs (CCPA) students must successfully complete the prerequisite subset of courses with the appropriate G.P.A. to be admitted to their degree programs. Advertising students must additionally complete a written on-site application to the program. CCPA students must also complete a portfolio project; the selection process is competitive and limited to the top 25 students per calendar year.

It should be noted that all students in Dance, Music and Theatre will have auditioned/interviewed prior to entering SMU.

Admission as an External Transfer Student

Transfer students applying for admission to Meadows School of the Arts by transfer from another accredited educational institution should request a transfer application from the Office of Enrollment Services. Transfer applicants who have completed 30 transferable hours with a G.P.A. of 2.70 or better are often successful in gaining admission to the University. Once admitted, a transfer student must be prepared to earn 60 hours of credit in residence at SMU.

Transfer credit is not given for correspondence courses or for work completed at a non-accredited school. Only grades of C- or better in comparable courses are transferable to SMU.

Transfer into Meadows School of the Arts is not automatic. Recognition is also given to creative or scholarly potential for the program to be undertaken and to particular talent in performing areas. Admissions criteria pertinent to each instructional unit also must be satisfied.

Readmission Students

Students should contact the Meadows Undergraduate Academic Services Office regarding readmission. A student who has been readmitted after an absence of more than three years will be expected to meet all current requirements for graduation. Music, dance or theatre students may also be required to re-audition.

Official transcripts from each college or university attended since last enrolled at SMU must also be forwarded to the Division of Enrollment Services. If five years have lapsed since the last term of enrollment at SMU, official transcripts from each college or university attended prior to SMU must also be forwarded to the Division of Enrollment Services. All data is due no later than the last business day prior to the first day of classes of the term of reentry. See “Readmission of Students” in the University Admission section for more details.

Undergraduate Student Financial Aid

For many SMU students, scholarships and other aid make the cost of attending a distinguished university no more, and often less, taxing on their families’ financial resources than attending a public university. More than 75 percent of SMU students receive some type of financial aid. For more information, see the Student Financial Aid section or contact the Division of Enrollment Services – Financial Aid.

SMU has a generous program of merit scholarships, grants, loans and part-time jobs to recognize academic achievement and talent in specific fields and to meet financial need.

Meadows Undergraduate Artistic Scholarships

The divisions and centers comprising Meadows School of the Arts annually award scholarships for outstanding achievement in a particular discipline. Candidacy for scholarship considerations may require an audition, portfolio review and/or interview. No student with ability should hesitate to apply to SMU and Meadows because of financial need.

For information regarding Artistic Scholarships, write to the Associate Dean for Student Affairs, Meadows School of the Arts, Southern Methodist University, PO Box 750356, Dallas TX 75275-0356.

To receive primary consideration for all SMU merit scholarships and other aid, students should comply with the following schedule:

By January 15

By March 1

  • Complete auditions and/or interviews