How will my credits transfer to SMC?
The Offices of Admission and Academic Advising look forward to reviewing your application. To be considered for admission, we like to see a cumulative GPA of 2.7 (on a 4.0 scale) or that you completed your two most recent full-time semesters at a 2.7.
We strive to work with you to bring as many credits in as we can. Academic Advising will evaluate your transcript(s) to determine which courses will transfer to Saint Mary's and how those credits will apply toward your graduation requirements here. You’ll receive a credit evaluation that includes this information, as well as an estimate of how long it will take you to complete your intended major.
Requesting a Preliminary Credit Evaluation
You may request a preliminary evaluation of your college credits prior to applying to Saint Mary’s College. To receive your evaluation, email your college transcript(s) with a note requesting this evaluation to Sarah Pressey (spressey@saintmarys.edu) in Academic Advising or complete this form.
When submitting your request, make sure to include your name, address, phone number, intended major and all colleges you have received credit from. If you have attended multiple institutions, unofficial copies from all institutions are needed to complete the preliminary evaluation.
Please note that this is not an official evaluation and that you will receive the official credit evaluation in your acceptance letter after formally applying and being reviewed.
Transfer Credit Policy
Each academic department determines how to apply courses taken in the major while Academic Advising determines how courses are applied toward general education and elective requirements based on the conditions below:
- A minimum of 128 semester hours are required to graduate from Saint Mary's, and at least 60 of those hours must be completed at the College.
- A maximum of one-half of courses required for your major may be transferred into the College.
- Credit will be granted only for college-level coursework with a grade of C or better. Developmental coursework and technical courses do not transfer.
- No credit will be granted for courses taken again at Saint Mary's College.
Approval of courses is based on the official transcripts and course descriptions that you provide with your application. Any questions regarding the transfer of credits should be directed to the Academic Advising at (574) 284-4594.
We look forward to working with you!
FAQs
+Q. Who is considered a transfer student?
A. If you have earned 12 or more college credits from an accredited institution since graduating from high school, then you are considered a transfer student. If you have not yet graduated from high school, or you've taken fewer than 12 college credits since graduating, then you are considered a first-year student.
+Q. How do I apply for admission to Saint Mary's College as a transfer student?
A. You will need to submit a transfer application through the Common Application or our own Saint Mary's College application. Click here to find out how to apply. The application deadlines are:
Spring Priority Deadline: December 1
Fall Priority Deadline: July 1
+Q. What is Saint Mary's policy regarding credit transfer?
A. As a general rule, college-level courses that were taken at an accredited institution that you received a grade of C or better may be transferable. Once you apply to transfer to Saint Mary's, an official transfer credit evaluation will take place. Click here for more information about our credit transfer policy. You can also request a preliminary credit evaluation of your college credits prior to applying to Saint Mary’s by sending us your college transcript(s).
+Q. What types of courses are recommended for transfer to Saint Mary's College?
A. We encourage you to take courses that will fulfill general education requirements at Saint Mary's. You can fulfill some of our general education requirements through English, foreign language, social sciences and humanities, sciences, religious studies and theology, fine arts and mathematics courses.
- Mathematics: Lower-level, skills-based math courses are not awarded credit. A few college algebra and pre-calculus courses may transfer for elective credit, but only after careful review by our academic advisors.
+Q. When is the best time to transfer to Saint Mary's?
A. Your first or second year of college is the ideal time to transfer, but we'll accept your transfer application at any point in your college career. You can transfer in either the fall or spring semesters. You may find the process of transferring easier if you're in contact with your transfer coordinator early in the process. Due to the highly structured nature of some of our programs (i.e. business administration, elementary education, music, fine arts, biology, chemistry, and nursing), we encourage you to seek advice on course selections at your current school as soon as possible. Connect with our Transfer Coordinator, Sara Woroncow, at 800-551-7621 or email her at sworoncow@saintmarys.edu to talk through your specific situation.
+Q. I have attended Saint Mary's in the past, but withdrew from the College. Do I need to apply as a transfer student to continue my education at Saint Mary's?
A. If you officially withdrew from Saint Mary's, whether earning college credit from another accredited institution or not, then you should email a written request to the Office of Academic Advising (advising@saintmarys.edu) stating the reason you wish to return. You will be notified of your readmission status after your request has been evaluated.
+Q. Will I be able to study abroad as a transfer student?
A. Yes! A hallmark of the Saint Mary’s education is the opportunity to study abroad. SMC offers full year and semester long programs, as well as semester break and summer programs. It’s never been a better time to broaden your horizons and expand your perspective by exploring the world around you.
+Q. Can I transfer into the Nursing program at Saint Mary's?
A. Yes, our undergraduate nursing program is open to transfer students. The program is not direct admit, but the Department of Nursing will evaluate your application as part of the review process and make a recommendation for admission to Saint Mary's. A year of prerequisite courses must be taken at Saint Mary's prior to applying to the Nursing program, so you can expect to spend at least three years completing your degree at Saint Mary's. Click here for the Nursing requirements.
+Q. Is an informational meeting required as part of the transfer admission process?
A. No, it’s not required, but of course we’d love to meet with you! Please bring a copy of your college transcript(s) to the meeting, and come prepared with any questions you have about Saint Mary's. We want to make sure you get all your questions answered! You're also invited to meet with students, faculty, and coaches; attend a class; and tour campus. Your visit to campus should be all about you, so please contact us in advance to tell us how you'd like to spend your time!
To arrange a campus visit, contact our Campus Visit Coordinator at 800-551-7621 or campusvisit@saintmarys.edu.
+Q. Are transfer students considered for scholarships?
A. Yes! You are eligible for the same merit-based scholarships as our first-year students, which you can learn more about here. All accepted students are guaranteed one of these merit scholarships, and will be notified in their acceptance letter from SMC. Transfer students are also eligible for a scholarship through Phi Theta Kappa. This is a renewable $1,500 scholarship if you are a member.
+Q. Does Saint Mary's offer a scholarship to Phi Theta Kappa members?
A. Yes! You will be eligible for a $1,500 scholarship if you're a member of Phi Theta Kappa. These scholarships are renewable each year at Saint Mary's as long as you maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher. Transfer students also receive the same merit-based scholarships as our first-year students, which you can learn more about here. All accepted students are guaranteed one of these merit scholarships and will be notified in their acceptance letter from SMC.
+Q. Is there an orientation program for transfer students?
A. Yes, you'll be invited to some of the same orientation sessions as our first-year students, along with several additional sessions that are geared toward your needs as a transfer student.
+Q. How can I make my transfer application most competitive?
A. The admission committee attaches primary importance on your collegiate academic record, so make sure you're earning solid grades in your classes. We’d love to see a cumulative GPA of at least 2.7 (on a 4.0 scale), or that you at least completed your two most recent full-time semesters at a 2.7. The strength of your course load will also be taken into account, including the number of credits you're taking and the rigor of your classes.
+Q. When will I be notified of my admission decision?
A. You can expect to receive a decision within two to four weeks from the date your application becomes complete.
+Q. Are transfer students required to live on campus?
A. You can expect to live on campus for six semesters at SMC, including any time you've spent living on another college campus or studying abroad. If you're married, at least 23, or you're living with a parent or guardian within 30 miles of campus, then you may be exempt from this requirement.
