Why transfer to St. Mary’s College of Maryland?
Choosing the right college to complete your degree is a big decision. SMCM offers you a rigorous, relevant and experiential liberal arts education that will prepare you for a 21st century career and a lifetime of success. We are Uncommonly Worth it.
Students who have graduated high school and enrolled at another college or university are considered transfer applicants.
Transfer Application Deadlines and Decision Notification
Spring Priority Decision
Application Deadline
Decision Notification
Spring Decision
Application Deadline
Decision Notification
Fall Priority Decision
Application Deadline
Decision Notification
Fall Regular Decision
Application Deadline
Decision Notification
Benefits of Applying Priority Deadline
We strongly encourage you to apply by the priority deadline to receive priority consideration for admission. Transfer students who apply by the priority deadline will also receive the earlier access to register for their courses at St. Mary’s College of Maryland.
Application Requirements
Standardized test scores
- SMCM is test-optional, so if you have fewer than 24 college-level credits, you can decide whether or not to submit your standardized test scores.
Official Transcript
- Official College Transcripts: Sent directly to the Office of Admission by mail or electronically from all institutions attended (whether or not you earned credit)
- If you have earned fewer than 24 college-level credits, your final high school transcript is required.
- International Students: must meet all International Student requirements in addition to all transfer requirements. Students who attended a college or university outside the United States must submit both a copy of their official transcript and a course-by-course credentials evaluation through an accepted foreign credentials evaluation service such as WES.
Recommendations
- Letter of Recommendation: Submitted by a college professor by mail or emailed to admissions@smcm.edu.
The Application
- You may use the Common Application or the St. Mary’s Application: Both applications are user friendly and there is no preference.
- Your personal statement (essay telling us about you) submitted with either application.
- College Registrar Report: from the most recent college attended
The transfer student will fill out the top half of the report, then send it to their Registrar’s Office at their most recent college/university. The Registrar’s Office will then submit it to Admissions. - $50 Application Fee: Note-Fee can be waived for all first generation applicants, Phi Theta Kappa members, and for students with a fee waiver approval.
“I would say definitely if you’re looking for a close-knit community of people and you’re looking to get assistance and that one-on-one with your professors, overall I just think that St. Mary’s [College] is a great choice.” -Cadey Ryce ’24
Admission Review Process & Factors
For transfer students, the most important factor in the admission committees review is your academic preparation and achievement as shown on your college/university transcript(s). Your transcript gives us insight into your academic performance over time.
Personal factors are important in the admission decision. All members of the campus community commit to following the St. Mary’s Way and to join in work with others to develop the College community. Your experience will likely reflect your engagement as a member of our community and the Admission Committee wants to understand how active and engaged you have been in your school or community or in support of your family given your personal context. Have you been involved in the arts, athletics, student government, religious organizations, or other interests? Have you been a leader or are you one who can always be counted on? Do you have significant work experience? Have you provided support to your family? Your activity list in your application, your letters of recommendation, and your essay give us insight into your interests, strengths and contributions.
The recommendation letter should come from a person who knows you well. Professors, coaches, advisors, or supervisors are great examples of people to ask for letters of recommendation.
Your responses to the essay and 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! This is also an opportunity to share any information about your background or experiences that you feel the admissions committee should know when making their decision.