The only similar thing between applying to SMU as a first-yearstudent and applying as a transfer student is the application.Being admitted is a different story.
Because transfer students have been through at least a semesterof college at a different school, they are evaluated on variousthings, primarily, their college GPAs.
Admissions counselors use a 2.7 GPA as a starting point sayingmost students who are admitted have at least that at their previousschool. The average for students who typically enroll, however, isbetween a 3.1 and a 3.2.
“They don’t have to compete against eachother,” said Irma Herrera, director of transfer admissions.”We have something very tangible to look at to see ifthey’ve been successful in their college career, that’stheir GPA.”
The admissions board also considers work experience, andcommunity and campus involvement when reviewing transferapplications.
Because admissions directors can easily tell if students willfit at SMU from previous college experience, they have a prettygood idea who will be admitted.
“On average we only encourage one out of four potentialapplicants to apply after viewing their transcripts,” Herrerasaid.
SMU receives approximately 800-900 transfer applications in thefall, and approximately 300-400 transfer applications in thespring.
Many transfer students come to SMU with a specific major inmind. The admissions board evaluates each candidate based on thegrades they made in the classes that are required to be admitted totheir major of choice.
Herrera names the business school and Dallas natives that missDallas as two more top reasons students transfer to SMU.
Richie Schwab, a junior business major, transferred in the fallof 2002 from the University of Mississippi. He left the schoolbecause he was a track athlete, and he did not want to continue tocompete. He chose SMU for a variety of reasons.
“I wanted to be at a school in a big city,” Schwabsaid. “SMU’s business school has a great reputation andit’s located in the heart of Dallas.”
Transfer students come to SMU for many reasons. Sometimes theirexpectations are met; sometimes they are not.
“SMU has a great academic and social sphere,” Schwabsaid. “I enjoy the fraternity aspect of it. I was mostdisappointed in the football.”
In the past few years, the transfer admissions department hasdecided to create more relevant and available orientation and newstudent programs for students who do not come to SMU asfirst-years.
“We’ve always had a good retention rate of transferstudents just like we have had for first year students,”Herrera said. “But I think it will be even better now withall of the new improved programs.”
Bethany Naser, coordinator of new student programs, was added tothe staff in response to the university’s commitment to aidtransfer students in their transition to SMU.
In addition, there is a volunteer staff of 10 students that makeup the 2003-2004 Orientation Peer Advisors. Veronica Gonzalez andJohn McCarley are the student directors of transfer AARO and lead astaff of 19 students that make up the 2003-2004 OrientationDirectors.
January AARO consists of two one-day conferences. This year theywere held last Wednesday and Thursday. Programs in thoseconferences are similar to those in the summer AARO conferencesthat first years attend. All students must attend before beingadvised or registering for classes.
Also a part of transfer student orientation this year wasWeekend of Welcome 2004. Last Friday, new students attended aDallas Mavericks game against the Indiana Pacers at the AmericanAirlines Center. On Saturday, students were treated to dinner and amovie.
