Freshmen Admissions

Applying is easy, fast, and free. Fill out the online application here. You should receive a decision letter via email and/or mail in one to two weeks.

If accepted, the decision letter will contain a link to your Admitted Student Portal, where you’ll find your login credentials for SMC Wired and your SMC email as well as the status of your FAFSA, transcript, and more.

Placement tests help us determine what classes you should start with.

You may not have to take placement tests if you’ve taken the SAT or ACT in the last ten years, have a good high school GPA, have taken AP or college courses or have taken the Accuplacer placement exam elsewhere. Send us relevant test scores and/or transcripts and then reach out to an advisor to see if you need to take placement tests.

Study materials can be found at accuplacer.collegeboard.org/students/prepare-for-accuplacer/practice.

Learn About Placement Testing

Complete our two-part orientation to meet with an advisor and register for classes, learn about campus resources and how to succeed in your program, meet key staff, and finish up last-minute business. Part 1 is an online module you can complete any time after receiving your decision letter. Part 2 is an on-campus orientation session.

Learn more and sign up for a New Student Orientation session here.

We'll need final, official transcripts from your high school and any colleges you've attended.

Work with your high school counselor and/or college records office to have transcripts sent to SMC. 

High school transcripts should be sent ATTN: Admissions. 

College transcripts should be sent ATTN: Records.

Transcripts for fall semester enrollment are due August 1. 

The final step to securing your place as an SMC student is paying your bill. Failure to pay by the payment deadline may result in losing your spot in housing and being dropped from your classes. 

Learn more about billing and payment here.

Payment Due Dates

Fall Semester, Housing Students: July 15

Fall Semester, Other Students: August 1

Spring Semester: December 1

Summer Semester: May 1

The first step to getting most types of financial aid is to fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, as it determines your financial need, is a major source of federal and state funding, and is required to receive some scholarships. We encourage you to do that early to get a better idea of how much it will cost.

The FAFSA is available at fafsa.gov beginning October 1 of the year before you plan to attend school. Use SMC’s federal code, 002317, when filling out the FAFSA so that we can receive your information.

We also offer hundreds of thousands of dollars in scholarships. Browse and apply for SMC scholarships here.

Learn more about financial aid here. 

Housing fills up fast! We recommend applying for housing early to maximize your chances of getting a room. The housing application opens on October 1 of the year before you plan to attend. Apply for housing here.

If you want to work on campus, browse and apply for student jobs at swmich.peopleadmin.com.

Buy books and course materials at the bookstore on the Dowagiac campus or at shopsouthwestern.com. Books can be shipped to your home for a small fee, or you can pick them up at either campus at no additional cost. Find the list of books and materials you need on SMC Wired under Student Resources > Bookstore or at shopsouthwestern.com. You will need your student ID to access course information and to use financial aid for payment.

All campus announcements and reminders will be sent to your SMC email or posted to Wired, SMC's online student portal. Checking these frequently is the best way to stay up-to-date with SMC events and your financial aid status. As a reminder, your first bill will be sent to your SMC email.

Learn how to check your SMC email here.