Adult Admissions

How to Become a Student

Follow the simple steps below to become an SMC student.

If at any point you’d rather talk to someone, please don’t hesitate to contact us. We’d be happy to help!

• 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.

• Apply for Financial Aid and Scholarships (Optional)

  The first step to getting most types of financial aid is to fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid. We encourage you to do that early to get a better idea of how much it will cost.

  You can also apply for some of our hundreds of thousands of dollars in scholarships.

  Learn more about financial aid here.

• Take Placement Tests (if needed)

  Placement tests help place you in the appropriate classes so that you don’t take classes in subjects you’ve already mastered or that are beyond your current skill level.
  You can come in to take placement tests anytime on either campus.

  Learn more about placement tests here.

• Complete New Student Orientation

  Adult students have two options for completing orientation:

  1. Sign up for New Student Orientation to register for classes and get acquainted with the resources you need to succeed at SMC, OR

  2. Meet directly with an advisor in-person or via phone, email, or video chat to register for classes, then attend an Adult New Student Orientation for a more adult-focused introduction to campus resources and technology. Sessions will be offered August 19 in Dowagiac and August 25 in Niles.

  Whichever option you choose, you should also complete the Part 1: Online Orientation module found 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 or college Records Office to have your transcripts sent to SMC.

  High school transcripts should be sent ATTN: Admissions.

  College transcripts should be sent ATTN: Records

  Learn more about transferring college credit to SMC.

• 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

• 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.