Transfer Applicants

While many colleges and universities consider transfer applicants only after the first-year class is selected, Smith reserves a number of places especially for transfers because we believe they enrich our community. Each year, more than 50 transfer students enter Smith either in January or September. Like you, every transfer student has their own reasons for leaving one school for another, but you all share common qualities: an interest in academic excellence, strong motivation and self-discipline, and an adventurous spirit.

Ready to Apply to Smith?

Smith uses the Common Application for prospective transfer students. There is no application fee.

Apply Using the Common Application

Eligibility

Transfer students must have completed at least one semester at an accredited institution, including four-year private and public colleges and universities, community and junior colleges, and international institutions. As part of the application process your transcript will be reviewed for eligible transfer credit. If you are accepted, you will receive an evaluation of your transfer credit. The registrar's office website lists complete transfer credit criteria and policies.

Smith College will not consider applications from students seeking a second bachelor's degree or who have completed more than 64 transferable credits.

Women who are 24 or older, or veterans or have a dependent other than a spouse must apply to Smith as Ada Comstock Scholars.

Forms & Deadlines

Required Materials

Item Deadline
Transfer Common Application November 15
College Transcript(s) November 15
High School Transcript or GED Certificate November 15
Transfer Mid-Term Report November 15
Transfer College Report  November 15
Two Academic Recommendations November 15
Course Descriptions November 15
Final Transcript  As soon as grades become available

Additional Materials

Item Deadline
Financial Aid materials (domestic applicants) November 15
Financial Aid materials (international applicants) November 15

Where to Send Forms

You can send your documents to us by email, through the mail or via fax. Please make copies of all documents submitted.

Office of Admission
Smith College
7 College Lane
Northampton, MA 01063

Fax: 413-585-2527
admission@smith.edu

Required Materials

Item Deadline
Transfer Common Application March 1
College Transcript(s) March 1
High School Transcript or GED Certificate March 1
Transfer Mid-Term Report March 1
Transfer College Report  March 1
Two Academic Recommendations March 1
Course Descriptions March 1
Final Transcript  As soon as grades become available

Additional Materials

Item Deadline
Financial Aid materials (domestic applicants) March 10
Financial Aid materials (international applicants) March 10

Where to Send Forms

You can send your documents to us by email, through the mail or via fax. Please make copies of all documents submitted.

Office of Admission
Smith College
7 College Lane
Northampton, MA 01063

Fax: 413-585-2527
admission@smith.edu

Natural Disasters or Community Crisis     If you or your community has recently been impacted by natural disaster or a community crisis, we understand that you may not be able to meet our posted application deadlines. Please know that we are here to work with you during this difficult time. If you anticipate a delay in the submission of your application, please contact us at admission@smith.edu to request an extension.

Required Materials

Smith College uses the Common Application for prospective transfer students. There is no application fee.

  • Transfer Common Application
  • College Transcripts: Smith requires official transcripts sent from all post-secondary institutions attended. To initiate that process, use the "Download Transcript Request Form" located in the "Colleges Attended" section of the "Academic History" quadrant of your Common Application.
  • High School Transcript or GED Certificate: Official high school transcript(s) or GED certificate are required. Please contact your secondary school(s) and ask for official transcripts to be sent directly to the Smith College Office of Admission via mail or email. GED certificates may also be sent to this address.
  • Transfer Mid-Term Report: The Common Application Mid-Term Report is required from those applicants currently enrolled in college courses. Completed forms may be uploaded on the application "Documents" screen or emailed to the Smith College Office of Admission.
  • Transfer College Report: The Common Application College Report is required for all transfer applicants. This form must be filled out by a college official. Completed forms should be mailed or emailed directly to the Smith College Office of Admission.
  • Two Academic Recommendations: Please submit two recommendations from college instructors who have taught you.
  • Course Descriptions: Copies of course descriptions for all college courses completed and in progress should be mailed or emailed to the Smith College Office of Admission.

International Applicants

Additionally, international applicants are required to demonstrate English proficiency and may be required to submit testing. International citizens whose primary language is not English or have not attended a school at which English is the primary language of instruction will be required to submit TOEFL, IELTS, PTE or the Duolingo English Test/DET. Applicants may be exempt from this requirement if they:

  • Identify English as their first language;
  • Have attended a school in which the primary language of instruction is English for the duration of their secondary school career;
  • Have attended a school in the United States and been instructed in English for at least two years;
  • Are enrolled in or have completed the IB Diploma Program or A level curriculum taught in English.

Please note that the test requirement is based on citizenship, not on where a student attends school.

Optional Materials

Applicant Interviews

Interviews are optional for first-year and transfer applicants, and are conducted by Smith admission alum volunteers. Upon submission of your application to Smith, instructions for requesting an interview will be available on your applicant status portal.

Standardized Tests

Smith has a test-optional standardized testing policy. International applicants are required to demonstrate English proficiency and may be required to submit testing.

Smith College has been test-optional since 2009 and remains test-optional today.

Our admission process is holistic.

At Smith we look at the whole applicant and do not rely on a test score to define your potential for academic success. Your academic record, extracurricular activities, essay, recommendation letters, personal accomplishments and characteristics, and engagement in your community are all carefully considered during our review and selection process.

Unsure about whether to submit your scores?

If you are unsure of whether you should submit your test scores, we advise you to base your decision on whether you feel that your standardized test scores accurately reflect your academic ability and potential, or highlight an academic strength. If you choose not to submit test scores, you will in no way be disadvantaged in the admission process.

Does the test optional policy apply to both US Citizens and International citizens?

The submission of SAT or ACT scores is optional for all applicants.

International applicants are required to demonstrate English proficiency and may be required to submit testing. International citizens whose primary language is not English or have not attended a school at which English is the primary language of instruction will be required to submit TOEFL, IELTS, PTE or the Duolingo English Test/DET. Applicants may be exempt from this requirement if they:

  • Identify English as their first language;
  • Have attended a school in which the primary language of instruction is English for the duration of their secondary school career;
  • Have attended a school in the United States and been instructed in English for at least two years;
  • Are enrolled in or have completed the IB Diploma Program or A level curriculum taught in English.

Please note that the test requirement is based on citizenship, not on where a student attends school.

Undocumented and DACA Students: Undocumented and Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) students follow the procedures and requirements for first-year or transfer admission. They are evaluated in the same way as U.S. citizens and U.S. permanent residents; SAT or ACT scores are optional.

Financial Assistance

U.S. Applicants

If you intend to apply for financial aid, you must do so when you apply for admission and by the published deadlines.

U.S. citizens who do not apply for financial aid by the published deadlines will be required to complete 32 credits earned at Smith before they are eligible to apply for institutional financial aid. This means that a student would be eligible to receive only federal, state and outside aid for her first two years at Smith; no Smith grant aid would be available before that period.

Visit Tuition & Financial Aid for financial aid deadlines and information and instructions on applying for financial aid.

International Applicants

If you intend to apply for financial aid, you must do so when you apply for admission and by the published deadlines.

International students who do not apply by the published deadlines prior to admission are ineligible to receive institutional financial aid from the college at any time.

Visit Tuition & Financial Aid for financial aid deadlines and information and instructions on applying for financial aid.

Transgender Applicants     People who identify as women—cis, trans and nonbinary women—are eligible to apply to Smith. For more information see Gender Identity and Expression.

Undocumented Students

Undocumented and Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) students follow the procedures and requirements for first-year or transfer admission. They are evaluated in the same way as U.S. citizens and U.S. permanent residents. Undocumented and DACA students should indicate “Non-citizen” or “Other” in the citizenship field on the Common Application. Because we want to obtain a comprehensive picture of the student’s background and experiences in the context of her school and community, we encourage undocumented and DACA applicants to disclose their citizenship status in the application. Undocumented and DACA students may apply under any admission plan, including January admission.

Smith meets 100 percent of the demonstrated need of all admitted students who apply for financial aid by the published deadlines. Because federal financial aid is not available for undocumented and DACA students, Smith provides institutional, need-based financial aid in its place.

Please be in touch with the admission office if you have further questions.

For more information about resources for undocumented students, visit our Immigration Policy Resources and Responses site.

Additional Information

Admitted students who wish to defer their enrollment should send a letter to Dean of Admission Deanna Dixon, or send an email to the admission office. We must have your request in our office by January 5 (January transfers) or by June 1 (September transfers). Please state the reasons for deferral and explain your plans for the next year. You must pay your enrollment deposit by the published deadline to hold your space in next year's class.

Transfer students may defer their enrollment for a semester or a year.

A maximum of one semester (16 credits) earned through any combination of AP, IB and college credit while in high school may be applied toward your Smith degree. Pre-matriculation credit may be used only:

  1. to make up a shortage of credits incurred through failure
  2. with the approval of the administrative board, to make up a shortage of credit incurred as a result of dropping a course for reasons of health
  3. to undertake an accelerated course program

Credits are recorded for scores of 4 or 5 on most Advanced Placement examinations. The credits allotted are determined by the individual department.

Smith will award up to a semester's worth of credit if you have taken part in an International Baccalaureate program. The exact amount of credit will be determined once an official copy of results has been sent to the registrar's office.

Contact Admission

7 College Lane
Smith College
Northampton, MA 01063

Phone: 413-585-2500 Email: admission@smith.edu

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