Who can Apply as a First Year?
Students who have not yet graduated high school or who have graduated high school, but have not attempted any college credits since graduation are first-year applicants. Students who are dual-enrolled and have not yet been granted their high school diploma will be classified as first-year applicants.
First-year Application Dates & Deadlines
Early
Decision I
Application Deadline
Decision Notification
Deposit Deadline
Early
Action
Application Deadline
Decision Notification
Deposit Deadline
Early
Decision II
Application Deadline
Decision Notification
Deposit Deadline
Regular
decision
Application Deadline
Decision Notification
Deposit Deadline
Application Components
The Application
- Includes the essay (and our supplement) submitted by the applicable deadline
Official High School Transcript
- Including grades from the first marking period of your senior year or work to date, if available
- If applicable, any college work/transcripts must also be submitted
- If you have already graduated from high school, please submit your final, official high school transcript with date of graduation
Recommendations
- Secondary School Report/School Counselor Recommendation
- Additional Recommendation (please see below)
Standardized test scores
- Check out our test-optional policy. SMCM is test-optional for most applicants
- We encourage you to submit your SAT/ACT scores if you believe they will support your application
- You may self-report your scores by submitting a screenshot of your results, or you can have the scores sent from the testing agency using the SMCM school codes: SAT (code 5601) or ACT (code 1736)
Application fee
- Note: The $50 application fee is waived for students with a fee waiver and for first-generation applicants. If you are interested in a fee waiver through the Common Application, you can learn more about how to do this by reviewing the eligibility guidelines on the Common Application.
We Recommend
- An Interview! (in person or virtual) – highly recommended
- One-on-one Counselor Conversation meetings are a great opportunity for you to tell us about yourself
- Campus Visits
- View our Campus Visit options and schedule or call us at 240-895-5000
- We recognize achievement in the arts and encourage you to submit documentation of your work.
- If you would like to submit an art portfolio, the Art Department recommends submitting a portfolio that consists of 10-15 images in the media areas of: drawing, painting, printmaking, photography, mixed media, digital media, graphic design, animation, ceramics, or sculpture. Please include an image list including the title, year, media, and a brief description of each piece.
- You can provide these samples through the Portfolio section of the SMCM Applicant Gateway after you submit your application. Specific file type and size specifications (JPG, PNG, GIF, TIF, or PDF; Max 16MB). Physical media submissions will not be reviewed and cannot be returned.
Academic Course Requirements
As an honors college, it is important that students are well-prepared for our rigorous, yet collaborative, academic experience.
Minimum
- 4 units of english
- 3 units of math
- 3 units of Science in at least two different areas with lab experiences
- 3 units of history or social sciences
- 2 units of foreign (world) language
Recommended
- 4 units of english
- 4 units of math
- 3 units of science in at least 2 different areas with at least two lab experiences
- 3 units of history or social sciences
- 2 units of Foreign Language
- 1 unit of fine or performing arts
Personal Factors
How you might contribute to the SMCM community – in and out of the classroom – is an important consideration in the admission decision. As members of our close-knit campus community, all students commit to following our campus ethos – The St. Mary’s Way – and to work with others to enrich our community. Your application, activity list, recommendation letters, and written work gives us insight into your accomplishments, interests and strengths as well as your contributions to your home, school and community.
Your Recommendations should come from people who know you well and typically include a recommendation from your school counselor and another recommendation from someone who knows you well. Teachers, coaches, faith leaders, or supervisors are great examples of people to ask for letters of recommendation.
The Secondary School Report, which is usually completed by your school counselor, will provide the Admission Committee with information about your school and community, the school’s academic curriculum, and about how your performance compares with that of your peers.
Your responses to the essay and the SMCM short answer question prompts are your opportunity to tell us more about you while we also get a sense of your writing ability and style. Don’t hesitate to be creative with the short answer! We encourage you to ensure that your own creativity, experience, ideas and voice are fully present in your essay and short answer statement.
To learn more about you, the Admission Committee may ask you to participate in an interview as part of the application review process. This will be your time to shine!
Demonstrated interest – such as whether you have visited our beautiful, waterfront campus or met with an SMCM admission counselor – may be considered.
Homeschooled Applicants
- If you’ve been home-schooled, your application materials should include a transcript with the following: course descriptions, books used, methods of evaluation and grades received. Please note that you are expected to meet the same minimum high school course requirements expected of all applicants. Should you enroll, your transcript will also need to include proof of graduation.
- Standardized testing is required; your SAT and/or ACT scores will be strongly considered in the review of your application.
- Please include general information about your home-schooling program or agency and a letter of recommendation from both an academic professional and the home-schooling teacher/parent.
- If you’ve taken college-level courses, you should also include an official college transcript with your application materials.
Early High School Graduate
If you are completing your high school graduation requirements before the fourth or final year in high school, you are an early high school graduate. SMCM welcomes early high school graduates and wants to ensure that they are academically and personally ready to contribute to our campus community.
- Early high school graduates must submit the same materials as a traditional
- Official high school transcript(s)
- Including grades from the mid-year, or later, marking period of your current year
- If applicable, any college work/transcripts must also be submitted
- Letter of support and readiness to graduate and matriculate into a 4-year degree program from a high school official
- An interview is required
English Language Proficiency
- If English is not your native language nor the primary language of instruction at your high school or you have taken English Language Learner coursework in high school. you must demonstrate English language proficiency through standardized testing. Please visit the International Students page to learn more.
Campus Visits Are Highly Recommended
(In Person or Virtual)
You are invited to schedule a one-on-one meeting with an Admission Counselor, Office of Student Financial Assistance or a Current Student.
These conversations are a fantastic option to get your questions answered and learn more about SMCM. We will contact you during your selected time with a phone call or video chat, your choice!
We're Here to Help!
Call: 240-895-5000
Text: 240-219-8995
Email: admissions@smcm.edu