What you'll find here: answers to frequently asked questions about ºù«ÍÞÊÓƵ’s approach to test-optional admissions, self-reporting test scores, and the superscoring process for SAT and ACT.
Undergraduate testing
Have a question?
Not finding the answers you need here? Check out the Undergraduate Admission page or email the Admission office at ugadmission@smu.edu.
Video
Getting In at ºù«ÍÞÊÓƵ
Assistant Director of Admissions Brenda Del Rio and Student Ambassador Korey Vita walk you through what you need to know about applications, deadlines, test scores, and everything else about applying to ºù«ÍÞÊÓƵ.
Should I submit my test scores or not?
ºù«ÍÞÊÓƵ is fully test-optional. Admission and scholarship decisions are based on many factors, including information from applicants’ high school transcript, personal essay, letters of recommendation, and record of personal achievements in addition to SAT or ACT scores.
Under ºù«ÍÞÊÓƵ’s test-optional policy, applicants who choose not to submit ACT or SAT scores will be evaluated on the other factors, including grades, résumé, essays and recommendation letters.
No preference is given to applicants who submit or do not submit test scores.
Does ºù«ÍÞÊÓƵ accept self-reported test scores?
ºù«ÍÞÊÓƵ accepts self-reported ACT and SAT scores with applications. (This excludes the TOEFL and IELTS.)
ºù«ÍÞÊÓƵ will accept test scores from high school transcripts, the testing agency, or an applicant’s high school counselor. ºù«ÍÞÊÓƵ does not accept self-reported transcripts or grades.
Official test scores are required at the time of enrollment.
How can applicants self-report test scores?
Students can enter their test scores on The Common Application and on the MyCoalition Application on the testing page of the application. On the ApplyTexas application, students will not be prompted to enter test scores.
Once the application is submitted, students will be able to self-report scores using the form on the personalized application status page.
If you have submitted an application and would like to submit new self-reported test scores, please do so via your personalized application status page.
Can I report one specific section of my test scores only?
If you are self-reporting scores, you must provide scores for each section of the exam. Partial scores will not be considered.
How does ºù«ÍÞÊÓƵ superscore the SAT and ACT?
ºù«ÍÞÊÓƵ superscores the SAT and the ACT, taking the average of your best scores from each subject from multiple test attempts. (Your superscore is never lower than a single composite score.)
For example, if you take the ACT twice, your superscore will comprise the average of your best score in English, math, reading and science, regardless of test date. (Writing is not included.) Similarly, if you take the SAT twice, your superscore will be the total of your best EBRW score and your best math score, regardless of test date.
At the time of enrollment, students must produce each official sitting that would calculate to the score self-reported. For example, if two different ACT testings together create the superscore, ºù«ÍÞÊÓƵ will need the results from both testing administrations at the time of enrollment.
If you have questions about superscoring, contact your admission counselor.
More frequently asked questions
If you indicate ºù«ÍÞÊÓƵ as one of your schools to receive results when you take the SAT or ACT, the College Board sends us a record of your scores four to six weeks later. (ºù«ÍÞÊÓƵ’s code for the ACT is 4174, and our code for the SAT is 6660.)
We also accept self-reported test scores.
No preference is given to applicants based on whether they submit test results or not.
Yes. The Cox School of Business will review all students who list business as their primary academic interest/major on their application, whether they submit test scores or not.
No. Academic merit scholarships are awarded to almost half of the students in the entering class each fall. These scholarships do not require a separate application; all accepted students automatically are considered whether they submit test scores or not.
Yes. Consideration for the University's honors program will be given regardless of whether students submit test scores or not.
Yes. Additional information for scholarship consideration can be submitted until the scholarship deadline date.
Proof of English proficiency will still be required if your four years of high school education was not in English.
If you decide you would like to take a gap year, you should apply for admission under the current test-optional policy and, if you are admitted, request to take a gap year.