Freshmen Admissions

Welcome! 

Whether you’ve already decided to attend SMC or are just exploring, our admissions team is ready to assist!

Below you’ll find opportunities to visit campus, get in touch with us, apply for admissions, and steps on how to complete every phase of our admissions process.

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The Admissions Process At SMC

Everything we do is focused on making education accessible so students like you can achieve their dreams. That’s also why our application process is totally online and totally FREE.

Steps to Becoming an SMC Student

  • Apply for Admission

    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.

  • Take Placement Tests

    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 New Student Orientation

    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.

  • Send Us Your Transcripts

    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. 

     

  • Pay Your Bill

    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

Other Action Items

  • Apply for Financial Aid and Scholarships

    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 December 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. 

  • Apply for Housing

    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.

  • Apply for On-campus Jobs

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

  • Buy Books

    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.

  • Check Your SMC Email and SMC Wired

    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.

Full College Experience

Student events, three levels of athletics, a thriving student center, clubs and more keep campus alive with activity all-year round. 

Learn more about student life.

Student riding a mechanical bull during campus bash

Save Thousands

Tuition at SMC is half the cost of most four-year schools. Start here, save thousands, transfer to your school of choice later. 

Learn more about costs here.

Graduate with his family

On Campus Housing

SMC is proud to boast some of the nicest residence halls in the state. 

Learn more about housing.

Aerial Photo of Residence Halls on the Dowagiac campus

Upcoming Events

Students walking on campus

November 14, 2024

New Student Orientation

Planning to start at SMC in Spring 2025? Don't miss New Student Orientation!

Sign Up For New Student Orientation VIEW FULL CALENDAR
Register for Spring Classes!

October 28, 2024 - January 17, 2025

Register For Spring!

Students walking on campus

November 14, 2024

New Student Orientation

HAPPY THANKSGIVING FROM SOUTHWESTERN MICHIGAN COLLEGE

November 27, 2024 - November 29, 2024

Thanksgiving Break

2024 Holiday Concert on December 7

December 07, 2024

Holiday Band & Choir Concert

Happy Holidays from Southwestern Michigan College

December 13, 2024 - January 02, 2025

Holiday Break

Enjoy your spring break and come back to SMC refreshed and ready to finish the semester!

March 31, 2025 - April 04, 2025

Spring Break

Southwestern Michigan College is closed on Good Friday. Enjoy a blessed Easter with family and friends.

April 18, 2025

Good Friday

Spring Collage concert graphic

May 01, 2025

Spring Collage Concert

Aerial photo of Dowagiac Campus