Admitted Students FAQs
How do I pay my deposit?
You can submit your payment with a credit card (Visa/MC) via your Applicant Gateway, by personal check sent to the Business Office, or by calling the Admission Office at (240) 895-5000 – we will take your credit card information and submit the payment for you!
How do I pay my deposit in my Applicant Gateway?
While in your Applicant Gateway, you must first “Reply to Offer of Admission”. Once you have accepted your offer of admission, a “Pay Your Deposit” button will appear in your Applicant Gateway. If you need assistance, please reach out to the Admission Office at (240) 895-5000 or admissions@smcm.edu.
Is my enrollment deposit refundable?
Your enrollment deposit is non-refundable, but it is not an extra charge. It will be applied to your first semester’s tuition bill. If you choose not to enroll at St. Mary’s, it will not be refunded.
What if I am unable to pay my enrollment deposit at this time?
Please contact the Admission Office at admissions@smcm.edu, (240) 895-5000 (phone), or text (240)219-8995.
How do I get my decision letters?
You can access your Acceptance and Financial Aid letters via your Applicant Gateway. An Admission Packet including the Admission and Financial Aid Letters will also be mailed to your mailing address on file.
Help, I did not receive a Financial Aid Letter!
You may not have submitted your FASFA on time, did not include your social security number, or several other reasons. Please contact the Office of Student Financial Assistance at (240) 895-3000 or osfa@smcm.edu.
I have questions regarding my Financial Aid Letter – what should I do?
Please contact the Office of Student Financial Assistance at (240) 895-3000 or osfa@smcm.edu. They will be able to answer your questions.
I don’t know how to get into my Applicant Gateway!
When you submitted your application, we sent you an email with instructions on how to set up your Applicant Gateway. If you cannot find the instructions or cannot remember your password, please reach out to the Admission Office at admissions@smcm.edu, (240) 895-5000 (phone), or text (240) 219-8995. We can easily resend the email or send you a password reset.
Are the Applicant Gateway and SMCM Student Portal the same thing?
No. You will use both your Applicant Gateway and SMCM Student Portal until you arrive on campus as a student. Please make sure that you can access both. Once enrolled and on campus, you will only use your SMCM Student Portal.
Will I use the same login information for my SMCM Student Portal and Applicant Gateway?
No, the Applicant Gateway uses your personal email, while the SMCM Student Portal uses your SMCM email.
How do I log in to my SMCM Student Portal?
After you pay the deposit, you will receive two emails to your personal email on file. The first email will have a subject line of “IMPORTANT: Activate your SMCM Student Portal”. This email will have instructions on how to reset your password and activate your SMCM email. The second email will have your temporary pin to login the first time. Log in, then reset your password. Doing this as soon as possible ensures you have uninterrupted access to the SMCM Student Portal until you graduate.
Why is it important to set up my SMCM Student Portal?
You will use your Student Portal to register for classes, access the housing application, choose your meal plan, take placement tests, finalize financial aid, and pay your bill. Once your SMCM email is activated, communication from multiple campus departments will be sent to your SMCM email.
Will I still be receiving emails to my personal email?
Yes, until you arrive on campus and start attending classes, you will be receiving emails to both your SMCM email address and personal email address. Please check them both frequently.
Will anyone be contacting me after I’m accepted?
Yes! As your admission counselor comes back to life post application reading season, they will follow up with you (through emails or texts) to make sure you know how to submit your deposit, and to help you move forward after depositing (thus committing) to SMCM. You will also be contacted by other members of our campus community as we head into the next steps of the enrollment process. You will be contacted concerning housing applications, advising, registration, etc.
Why does SMCM need a copy of my official final high school transcripts?
We are required to receive official final high school transcripts (which have the date of graduation noted on them) for each enrolled student. Contact your high school/counselor and have them email them to admissions@smcm.edu.
Why must I provide official ACT/SAT test scores if SMCM is test optional?
St. Mary’s is test-optional for admission purposes, but as with the official high school transcript, we are required to have official test scores for each student. Contact your high school/counselor and have them email the scores to admissions@smcm.edu. If you did not take an ACT or SAT standardized test, then the requirement does not apply to you.
What is eSOAR? When is it?
eSOAR is a largely self-scheduled program that runs from May 17 – July 2. During eSOAR, you will learn about the St. Mary’s College curriculum by reviewing material posted on Blackboard, hear about campus resources and opportunities, and meet with your summer advisor to plan your fall classes. eSOAR also features ‘Hawk Talks and other information sessions that will help you to get ready for your advising appointment and answer questions you may have about transitioning to SMCM.
When is Orientation? What will I be doing during Orientation?
August 25 – 29 is orientation. You will meet with your academic advisor, get to know other Seahawks and the many campus resources and activities designed to help you maximize your St. Mary’s College experience. At Orientation you will attend sessions designed to assist you in transitioning from high school to college.
When do I sign up for housing?
After you pay your deposit and set up your SMCM email and password, you will receive an email to your personal email account indicating that your housing application is available. Access will also be available in your Student Applicant Gateway checklist. You should log into our Residence system using your SMCM username and password and complete the housing contract. Applications/contracts for Fall 2021 are open from March 22 on and are due June 1.
How do I choose a roommate?
The roommate matching portal, on the Residence system will open on June 1 if you have completed your housing contract. You will be notified in the middle of July of your housing placement and assigned roommate.
When will I select my classes?
If you are a first year student, you will select classes during eSOAR (Electronic, Seahawk, Orientation Advising, & Registration). We will send you information regarding eSOAR to your email during the first week of May. Stay tuned!
When will I meet with my advisor?
If you are a first year student, you will meet with your temporary summer advisor during eSOAR. By the end of July, you will receive your fall course schedule. In August, you’ll be be assigned a faculty advisor. All students work with faculty advisors to plan their coursework and discuss how to reach their academic, social, and professional goals. Once you begin your SMCM coursework you may request a specific faculty advisor.
When is Advising and Registration for incoming Transfer Students?
After your deposit is paid, information regarding advising/registration will be emailed to the email account that you used for your application. You’ll then call the Office of Student Support Services at 240-895-4388 to schedule your advising appointment. For the 2021 Fall Semester, this process will begin May 3 and continue until Aug. 27.
When is Move In Day for Incoming First Year Students?
New students move into residence halls on Wednesday, August 25, starting at 8:00 a.m., Week of Welcome (WOW) begins at 2:30 p.m. Commuter students check in on the Wednesday, August 25 at 1:45 p.m. and will join WOW at 2:30 p.m. Orientation is composed of five days of events to help you from Wednesday, August 25 through Sunday, August 29. Sessions are provided to help you find your way on campus, learn about academic as well as social activities, meet new friends, and prepare for your first days at St. Mary’s College.
When is Move In Day for Incoming Transfer Students?
Incoming Transfer Students will move into the residence halls on Friday, August 27. Orientation will be held August 27 through August 29. Orientation is composed of three days of events provided to assist you in finding your way around campus, learn about academic as well as social activities, meet new friends, and prepare for your first days at St. Mary’s College.
I have paid my deposit – What steps will be next?
- Diversity Online Training
- Fall Bill Payment (Due: July 23)
- Final High School/College Transcript
- Housing Contract (Opens: March 22)
- Language Placement Exam
- My Academic Path (MAP) Survey (Opens: May 3)
- Review and Finalize your Financial Aid
- SMCM Electronic Health Record
- Student Strengths Inventory (Opens: April 1)
- Title IX Online Training