Scholars Program

Program Application

 

Winter/Spring 2025 Applications

The Summer/Fall 2024 application is now closed.  The Winter/Spring 2025 application will open on October 14, 2024 at 8:00a PST.  

Students are encouraged to apply as early as possible and well before the deadline.  Students who are admitted into the program early will have the best selection of Scholars classes and ample time to work with the Scholars Counselors prior to the beginning of the Winter/Spring 2025 sessions.  

Required Items

Submit/upload ALL of the following items along with a completed electronic application (including all required fields*) by the deadline listed. Application submissions missing the required documents/materials will not be processed. (NOTE: A Scholars Program application is separate from the Santa Monica College Admissions application.)

  1. Provide transcripts showing the minimum requirement of a 3.0 GPA. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable.  Note that the Program/contracts may not work for students who have 30+ transferable units. 

     Freshmen Students

    • Freshmen students with no college work (in progress or completed), must submit high school transcripts covering 9th through 12th grade.  This includes students who are still enrolled in final year of high school.
    • Freshman students who have completed college coursework (in progress or completed) by concurrent or dual enrollment, must submit high school and college transcripts.
    • Freshmen students currently enrolled in 11 or fewer college units must submit high school (9th - 12th), college transcripts AND
      Grade Check Forms (or email from faculty indicating your current grade in the course) for courses in progress.
    • New Freshmen students currently enrolled in 12 college units must submit Grade Check Forms for each course (or email from faculty indicating your current grade in the course)
    • Freshmen students who do not have a full high school transcript but have passed the High School Proficiency Examination will need to submit a copy of their equivalency certificate AND a copy of their high school transcripts covering each grade completed.
      International students with foreign academic records must complete 12+ college units at a U.S. institution before applying.
    • Please note: High School Concurrent Enrollment students are specially approved by their high schools to take specific courses at SMC on a case by case basis. Note that this population is not appropriate for the Scholars Program. They cannot be admitted to Scholars, nor enroll in Scholars classes. This policy helps ensure the Scholars Program prioritizes and serves the students its founding purpose and mission guide it to serve.

    • Please note:  Students who are attending or planning to attend a 4-year college/university AND SMC concurrently (at the same time) are not eligible for the Scholars Program and are not appropriate for the UCLA TAP certification program.

    • As a reminder, here are the SMC admission requirements for regular new students:
      • Must be 18 years of age or older; or younger student who has graduated from a regionally accredited high school; or
      • 16 years of age and possessing a "Student Score Report" or passing the California High School Proficiency Examination.

    Continuing Students (completed 12+ college units)

    • Continuing students with less than 12 college units completed must meet high school admission eligibility (see above criteria)
    • Continuing students must submit a copy of their SMC transcripts. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable.
    • Continuing students who have previously attended other colleges or universities must submit transcripts for all colleges attended. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable. (Note: Admissions policies require students to declare all colleges attended. Failure to do so will jeopardize a student's transfer status.)
    • Please note: High School Concurrent Enrollment students are specially approved by their high schools to take specific courses at SMC on a case by case basis. Note that this population is not appropriate for the Scholars Program. They cannot be admitted to Scholars, nor enroll in Scholars classes. This policy helps ensure the Scholars Program prioritizes and serves the students its founding purpose and mission guide it to serve.

    • Please note:  Students who are attending or planning to attend a 4-year college/university AND SMC concurrently (at the same time) are not eligible for the Scholars Program and are not appropriate for the UCLA TAP certification program.

    • International students with foreign academic records must complete 12+ college units, or if units are in progress, submit Grade Check Forms, (or email from faculty indicating your current grade in the course) from a U.S. institution before applying.

  2. Provide proof of English 1 eligibility. Eligibility may be demonstrated with proof of any of the following:

    • SMC Guided Self Placement (English 1 eligibility)  Note: English 1 with 28 will not meet this requirement
    • College transcript (completion of an appropriate English 1 prerequisite)
    • AP Test score of 3 or greater (English Lit/Comp or English Language)
    • Note: If you have already completed English 1 or English 1 with 28, you only need to submit your college transcript indicating your completion of the course.

  3. Scholars Program applicants MUST respond to the following 2 questions. Make sure your writing is clear and concise.  Total word count for each question should not exceed 250 words. (Prepare your answers to these questions on a separate Word document, then copy and paste your completed responses into the fields provided within the application.)  NOTE:  Your educational story is best told in your own words.  This is not a writing assignment.  This is an opportunity to learn more about you, where you have been and where you are going.  

The Scholars Program aims to prepare students, particularly freshmen, first-generation college students, students from underserved schools and communities, and non-traditional students, for transfer to the colleges and universities of their choice through academic preparation and study.  Scholars Program courses provide increased exposure and enhance skills in writing, research, and critical thinking, thus promoting academic excellence at the community college level and beyond.  With this said:

  • What have you been doing in the recently, and how have those experiences and activities impacted your decision to come to SMC?  For example, share any work, high school, college, military experience, and/or personal or family responsibilities that have impacted your decision to come to SMC.
  • The Scholars Program is a transfer program developed specifically for first-time freshmen, first-generation and non-traditional students, and students from underserved populations, with limited or no prior college experience.  Considering this, how do the program's objectives and goals align with your personal and academic experiences?

Important

  • The Scholars Program contract may not benefit students with 30+ transferable units completed. For example, students planning to apply this Fall for the following year are not ideal candidates for the Scholars Program because they will not meet the Scholars certification requirements by the time they must submit their UC application. These students will not be able to enjoy the benefits of the Scholars Program by the time they are applying to transfer.
  • Violation of SMC's Rules for Student Conduct (AR 4410), the Code of Academic Conduct (AR 4411), and/or the Honor Code (AR 4412) will prevent students from being admitted into the program and will be grounds for dismissal of continuing Scholars Program students.
  • All applications must be complete upon submission. The Application Review Committee may request additional information when necessary. All communication between the Scholars Program and the applicant will only go through the applicant's SMC email (so you MUST include this email address in your application).  If you need to submit additional documentation AFTER submission of your application, please email directly to scholarsapplication@smc.edu 
  • Submit/upload completed application materials through the electronic submission process below. As an alternative, unofficial transcripts can also be submitted directly to the Scholars Program office during office hours or emailed to scholarsapplication@smc.edu.
  • Questions regarding the application procedure may be directed to the Scholars Program office at 310-434-4371 or scholars@smc.edu

Instructions for electronic submission will be posted HERE on October 14, 2024 at 8:00a PST