Admissions
Non-Graduate of High School
Who this includes
Applicants who are 16 years of age or older and who either:
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have been homeschooled and lack a high school equivalency certificate or diploma
OR -
have left elementary or secondary school without completing either a formal high school diploma program or earning a General Equivalency Diploma (GED)
Note: Students who have completed a GED should apply as a full-time student, part-time student, or other type of student.
Requirements
Non-graduates meeting the above criteria may be admitted to the College of Southern Maryland if they demonstrate the ability to advance from instruction, based on placing at the college level in reading, mathematics and English on the CSM Placement Test.
Applicants who do not place at the college level in reading, mathematics and English may be provisionally admitted for one semester. Upon successful completion of that semester's coursework, these students will be admitted to the college under regular Admission Procedures.
Notes about Programs of Study and Financial Aid
Some academic programs require a student to have a high school diploma or a GED. Please see the Program of Study descriptions for degree requirements.
Eligibility for financial aid may be affected by absence of a high school diploma or GED.
Non-Graduate Steps to Enrollment
Step 1: Apply to CSM
Complete an online application. Students are strongly encouraged to apply no later than 2 weeks before the semester begins to allow sufficient time to complete the admissions process.
Students under the age of 18 need to print the last page of the online application for parent or legal guardian signature and submit it to the Admissions office.
Mail it to:
College of Southern Maryland
ATTN: Admissions
P.O. Box 910
La Plata, MD 20646
Or drop it off at the closest campus:
Step 2: Take the CSM Placement Test
Option 1: Schedule a CSM Placement Test with one of the Testing Centers:
- La Plata Campus: 301-934-7657
- Leonardtown Campus: 240-725-5340
- Prince Frederick Campus: 443-550-6040
Students must bring a photo ID to the Testing Center on the test date.
Learn more about the CSM Placement Test at the Testing Center Web site.
OR
Option 2: Provide acceptable SAT or ACT scores to the Admissions office
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SAT: 550 or above in each area (Critical Reading and Math) will waive the CSM's Placement Test.
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ACT: 21 or above in each area (English, Reading and Math) will waive the CSM's Placement Test.
Composite scores are not considered!
It is the responsibility of the student to provide acceptable SAT or ACT scores to the Admissions office.
If the SAT or ACT score in one area is below the acceptable score, the student must take the CSM's placement test in that area and place at the acceptable level to be considered for admission.
If a student would like to take any math courses above the College Mathematics (MTH1100) they must take the Math portion of the CSM's placement test.
Step 3: Receive an Acceptance Letter from CSM
An acceptance letter is mailed to students meeting the eligibility requirements. Applicants who do not meet the eligibility requirements may be provisionally admitted to the College of Southern Maryland for one semester.
Step 4: Attend an Orientation and Registration Session, and Register for Classes
Students must attend an Orientation and Registration Session at the campus of their choice. At this session, students meet with an Enrollment Advisor and complete their registration.
Students will not be allowed to register for classees until the Orientation and Registration Session is complete. Reservations to these sessions are required. Walk-ins are not accepted!
Important Note About Making Changes to Your Class Schedule
Students provisionally admitted for one semester, will need to contact an Enrollment Advisor at the campus of their choice to make any registration changes to their class schedule.