Incoming Students

How Do I Register? 

Our team of faculty and Advising Office advisors will register you for fall classes based on your academic interests as expressed in the Pre-Enrollment Questionnaire (PEQ), prior college-level coursework, placement tests, and program requirements. Don’t hold back when you complete the PEQ! Tell us everything you think will help us understand you as a student. 

When will I receive my schedule? 

You will receive an email around August 1st letting you know that your schedule is ready and some additional steps. The fall schedule you may see on GaelXpress is not finalized until you receive notification that your schedule is ready.

What does a typical first year schedule look like? 

Most first year students will have a schedule that includes a Writing course, First Year Advising Cohort (1 unit), and 3-4 courses in areas of academic interest (leading to potential majors/minors), and/or offering breadth while fulfilling requirements in the Core Curriculum. 

What if I want to make changes to my schedule? 

Once schedules are released there will be an opportunity to request changes through the Advising Office. There will also be an opportunity to request schedule changes on FYAC Friday, the Friday before classes start. On FYAC Friday you will meet with your FYAC advisor.

Who is my academic advisor? 

Once the semester starts your FYAC advisor will be your academic advisor. In the meantime, if you have any advising related questions please contact the Advising Office.

I took some dual enrollment or college courses prior to SMC, what is the process for transferring the credits? 

An official transcript must be sent directly from the college where you took the class to Saint Mary’s College. All transferable courses must have a grade of C- or higher in order to receive Saint Mary’s College transfer credit and if taken at a California Community College, the coursework needs to be UC-transferable. For more information about sending the transcript contact the Advising Office.

How do I receive credit for Advanced Placement (AP) exams or International Baccalaureate courses? 

For AP: You will need to send your official AP score report, you can do this by 1) Log in to your AP account on the College Board website, 2). Click and “Request to send an official AP score report” and choose to send it to Saint Mary’s College of California.

For IB:  Please request that your official IB transcript be sent to Saint Mary’s. To do this: 1) log in to your IB Candidate Account, 2) Select the option to send your official transcript, 3) Choose Saint Mary’s College of California as the receiving institution.

Check the AP & IB Guide for more information about the courses students may receive credit for based on successful results.

How can I get in touch with someone to help me register? How can I schedule a meeting with an advisor? 

After you submit your Pre-Enrollment Questionnaire, you will receive an email from an advisor who will request to schedule an appointment with you. This advisor will review the courses you have taken and help you register for classes. If you submitted your PEQ a while ago and haven’t received an email from your advisor, please contact The Advising Office.

Please be sure to submit your Final Transcripts to the Office of Admissions as soon as they are available.

How do I receive credit for Advanced Placement (AP) exams or International Baccalaureate courses? 

For AP: You will need to send your official AP score report, you can do this by 1) Log in to your AP account on the College Board website, 2). Click and “Request to send an official AP score report” and choose to send it to Saint Mary’s College of California.

For IB:  Please request that your official IB transcript be sent to Saint Mary’s. To do this: 1) log in to your IB Candidate Account, 2) Select the option to send your official transcript, 3) Choose Saint Mary’s College of California as the receiving institution.

Check the AP & IB Guide for more information about the courses students may receive credit for based on successful results.