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A Scholars Program application is separate from the Santa Monica College Admissions application. Forms may be obtained from the Scholars Office or in the Transfer/Counseling Office. While International students are welcome to apply to the Program and will receive many of the Program’s benefits, at this time, UCLA does not extend priority consideration for nonresidents.
In order to be considered for the Scholars Program students must have a minimum grade point average of 3.0 and have English 1 eligibility or have completed English 1.The following materials will be required with the application:
One letter of recommendation from an instructor
500 word typed essay (topic: who you were, who you are and who you would like to be)
Copy of transcript (unofficial is acceptable for program review only)
Verification of English 1 eligibility (SMC English Assessment, AP English Exam Score 3, 4 or 5, or previous College English comp course)
Students must also meet the following requirements:
Freshmen:
•Must have a minimum 3.0 High School grade point average
•Must be eligible to take English 1 ( English 1 placement on SMC English Placement test or “3” or higher on the Advanced Placement English composition test).
Continuing College Students
(with at least 12 but less than 30 UC or CSU transferable units):
•Must have a 3.0 or higher overall GPA, and
•Must be eligible for English 1 or have passed Freshman Composition at SMC or another college.
Returning to College Students
•Qualifications will be determined, in part, by an evaluation of activities during time away from school, and by an interview.
SMC students successfully complete the Scholars Program if they:
•Maintain an overall GPA of at least 3.0,
•Take at least 4 or 5 Scholars classes (minimum of 15 units),
•Take at least one Scholars class each semester, and,
•Complete all pre-major and admission requirements set by the transfer university.Application Process
Once an application packet is completed, including an application, transcripts, proof of eligibility for English 1, essay and letter of recommendation, the applicant will be notified that their application is complete. It is the student's responsibility to submit all requirements with the application. The application will then be reviewed and acceptance will be determined. Once a student is accepted into the program, they will receive a letter that indicates the next step in the process. It often takes 3-4 weeks once an application is considered complete for students to receive notification. Please make sure that the address and phone number provided on the application are current and legible, as this is how you will be contacted.Students must turn in AP scores to the Scholars office with their scholars application.
To order AP results, you may contact the college board at 1-888-225-5427 or e-mail apexams@info.collegeboard.org. AP transcripts typically cost $12. Students may use unofficial copies if needed for the scholars program, but official ones need to be turned in to the admissions office to receive IGETC credit. Students should meet with a scholars counselor as soon as possible to determine how the AP credits will be evaluated.Currently, the Scholars Program works with/for the following schools/colleges/majors :
UCLA - All majors in the College of Letters and Science (except the Communications major)
UC Irvine - School of Humanities
UC Santa Cruz - Division of Humanities, Division of Physical and Biological Sciences, Division of Social Sciences
California State University, Northridge - Humanities, Science & Mathematics, Social & Behavioral Sciences
The following majors do not receive priority consideration and will therefore not be admitted to the program: Film, Fine Arts, Music, Computer Science, Engineering, Theater, Nursing, Graphic Design and Architecture.
After reviewing the application, questions regarding the application process should be sent to the Scholars email at: scholars@smc.edu
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