Admission

Saint Mary’s University adheres to the principle that all persons have equal opportunity and access to admission, employment, facilities, and all programs and activities of the university regardless of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, disability, marital status, sexual orientation or status with regard to public assistance. Prospective applicants should direct requests for information to:

Office of Admission
Saint Mary’s University
700 Terrace Heights #2
Winona, MN 55987-1399
admissions@smumn.edu
(800) 635-5987, Ext. 1700

Admission of First-Year Students

The College processes admission applications throughout the year for fall semester or spring semester entrance. When all materials required for admission have been received, they are reviewed by admissions administration. The applicant is then notified of the decision. Students who have been admitted are asked to confirm their attendance by sending a $300 deposit to the university. This deposit is credited to the student’s account. Accepted fall applicants have until May 1 to confirm admission without loss of admission, housing, scholarship or financial aid priorities or to cancel admission and request a refund of the deposit.

The pattern of high school college prep courses and performance, while not the sole criterion for acceptance, is of primary importance. Rank in class, personal essay, test scores, activities and school recommendations all provide additional data used in the evaluation of a student’s academic potential for university success. In particular cases, the applicant may be required to have an admission interview with appropriate staff.

Generally, Saint Mary’s accepts students on the basis of six semesters of high school work, expecting that the quality of achievement will be consistent throughout the senior year. Some students, however, are asked to submit seventh- and/or eighth-semester transcripts before a final decision is reached. All incoming first-year students must send a final high school transcript certifying their graduation to the office of admission prior to the start of the students’ SMU career.

A student applying for first-year admission is expected to have completed the following units of high school coursework. A unit represents a year’s study of a subject. A well-rounded high school college prep academic program should include the following:

• 4 units of English with an emphasis on composition and literature
• 3 units of mathematics through at least algebra II
• 2 units of social studies
• 3 units of science (including at least 2 lab courses)
• 4 units of academic electives (religion, philosophy, or additional units of mathematics, science, etc.)
• 2 units of language

Application Procedure

Applicants must forward the following items to the office of admission:

1. Saint Mary’s University Application for Undergraduate Admission or Common Application (online free)
2. $25 non-refundable application fee (paper application)
3. Official transcript of high school grades
4. A score report from either the American College Test (ACT) or the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT)
5. Personal essay
6. Letter of recommendation (optional)

Admission of Transfer Students

Candidates from other accredited colleges/universities may be admitted to Saint Mary’s if they present evidence of at least a 2.000 GPA (on 4.000 scale) in all college-level coursework. The transfer applicant must submit the Saint Mary’s University application or the common application which are free, or a paper copy of the Saint Mary’s University application which requires a $25 non-refundable application fee. An official transcript from each college/university attended and an official high school transcript must be forwarded to the admissions office. The transcript from the college most recently attended should give evidence of honorable withdrawal. Upon notification of admission, the transfer student will receive an evaluation of his/her previous college work. This evaluation will include the number of credits accepted in transfer and the extent to which the student has satisfied Saint Mary’s general education program. Saint Mary’s has a residency requirement of 60 semester hours.

The transfer student must submit a $300 non-refundable deposit to confirm attendance at the university. This deposit will be credited to the student’s account.

Admission of Veterans

Veterans of United States military services who are not high school graduates may be considered for admission on the basis of results obtained on the General Educational Development (GED) test, high school level.

Admission of International Students

Candidates for admission from foreign countries must submit the Saint Mary’s University application or the common application. All secondary and post-secondary transcript(s) from institutions that are not based on the United States education system must be submitted to a company for an academic credential evaluation, even if the transcript is in English. This official academic credential evaluation must be submitted to Saint Mary’s University. A bank statement must be submitted to the office of admissions to indicate that sufficient funds are available to cover all the expenses for one academic year. The expenses include tuition, room, board, health insurance and fees. English language proficiency is required and the students from non-English-speaking countries must demonstrate this proficiency by submitting their scores from the Test of English as Foreign Language (TOEFL). Generally, a score of 550/paper-based or higher, or a 213/computer-based or higher is required on the TOEFL to be considered for admission. Students who do not meet the university’s required TOEFL minimum of 550/213 may seek conditional admission.

Upon acceptance to the university, the student will send a deposit in the amount of $1,000 to the school before a SEVIS (Student and Exchange Visitor Information System) Form I-20 (certificate of eligibility for non-immigrant student status) can be issued for obtaining an F-1 student visa. This deposit will be credited toward the student’s tuition. If the student fails to obtain a student visa, the school will refund the $5,000 deposit.

Admission of Special Students

Students who do not intend to proceed toward a degree at the university may be admitted as special students. Candidates for admission as special students must submit the Saint Mary’s University application or the common application which are free, or a paper copy of the Saint Mary’s University application which requires a $25 non-refundable application fee. Academic coursework taken as a special student may, at a later date, be counted toward a degree only if the student makes proper application for degree candidacy and is admitted as a regular full-time student. Special students are subject to the same tuition and fees as regular degree-seeking students.

Readmission of Former Students

Students who have previously attended Saint Mary’s University and have been out of school for at least one semester must submit the application for undergraduate admission as a readmit student. The admissions office will gain approval from appropriate departments before readmission is granted.