Admission Events and Counseling
Whether you're just beginning your search or preparing to apply, Samuel Merritt University offers several ways to learn about our programs and connect with our admissions team. Attend an information session, join a webinar, or schedule a one-on-one appointment to get the answers you need.
Find the Right Way to Connect
Choose the option that's right for where you are in your school search.
Attend an Information Session or Event
Learn about our academic programs, admissions requirements, and the student experience through information sessions, webinars, campus tours, and special events offered throughout the year.
Join a Virtual Q&A
Admission staff host program-specific virtual Q&A sessions where prospective students can ask general questions about admissions, prerequisites, and the application process. No RSVP is required.
Meet Current Students
Hear directly from current students about coursework, clinical experiences, and life at Samuel Merritt University.
Student panels are currently available for prospective BSN, CRNA, and DNP-FNP students.
Schedule an Admission Counseling Appointment
Meet individually with an admissions counselor by phone or Zoom to review transcripts, discuss admissions requirements, and identify the pathway that's right for you.
Appointments are available Monday through Thursday from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and typically last 20–30 minutes. We recommend attending an information session or webinar before scheduling a counseling appointment.
- College of Nursing Events
- Meet Your Counselor - Nursing
- Meet Your Counselor - Health Sciences
- College of Podiatric Medicine Events
- Meet Your Counselor - Podiatric Medicine
NursingCAS Application Virtual Q&A Drop-In Session
Join SMU admission staff for a NursingCAS application virtual Q&A session. Prospective students are welcome to virtually “drop in” and ask quick, general questions related to the NursingCAS application. This is for Q&A only; there is no formal presentation. Q&A sessions are hosted periodically throughout the year.
Preview and RSVP for the next scheduled session from the full list of admission events in the link below.
Nursing Success! Seminar
Underrepresented students (low-income, first-generation, and underrepresented minority students) who are interested in Samuel Merritt University’s BSN, ABSN, and ELMSN programs are encouraged to attend our three-day Nursing Success! Seminar. Students learn about the admissions process; meet current students, faculty, and staff; and tour the Health Sciences Simulation Center (HSSC) during this semi-annual event.
During the Nursing Success! Seminar, you will:
- Explore the profession of nursing
- Participate in organized lectures covering relevant topics in nursing, such as reducing health disparities, international nursing, and the nursing profession today
- Learn about the SMU admission process, financial aid, and the HESI A2 exam
- Tour SMU’s state-of-the-art Health Sciences Simulation Center
- Meet and speak with SMU nursing students, faculty, and staff
Visit the Nursing Success! Seminar webpage for the next event’s details, dates, and application deadlines.
Questions? Please contact:
Mariana Hernandez
Admission Team Manager | College of Nursing Pre-Licensure Programs
Samuel Merritt University
Applying to SMU in the future?
While attending the SMU Nursing Success! Seminar will not guarantee you admission into the BSN, ABSN, or ELMSN programs, we hope it will ease some of the stress mhernandez@samuelmerritt.edu the application process. There will be some additional benefits to you should you choose to apply to SMU after your participation in the seminar. These will be discussed during the seminar.
| Brenda Guzman-Hernandez bguzmanhernandez@samuelmerritt.edu
| Bachelor of Science in Nursing Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing | Oakland Oakland |
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| Joe Schaffernoth jschaffernoth@samuelmerritt.edu
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Entry Level Master of Science in Nursing - Family Nurse Practitioner Accelerated Bachelor of Science Nursing | Oakland
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| Sandra Pina Juarez |
Master of Science in Nursing – Family Nurse Practitioner Doctor of Nursing Practice - Family Nurse Practitioner
| Online (MSN-FNP, DNP-FNP) |
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| Sandra Pina Juarez | Registered Nurse to Bachelor in Science Nursing Master of Science in Nursing- Psychiatric Mental Heath Nurse Practitioner |
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| Vanesa Sierra | Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing Entry-Level Master of Science in Nursing – Case Management Entry-Level Master of Science in Nursing – Family Nurse Practitioner | Fresno (ABSN) Sacramento (ELMSN) |
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| Ysabella Ballesteros-Barajas | Doctor of Nursing Practice - Family Nurse Practitioner Doctor of Nursing Practice - Post Master's Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Certificate Family Nurse Practitioner Certificate | Online |
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| Brooke Wilson | Admission Team Manager | College of Nursing Post-Licensure Programs
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| Mariana Hernandez
| Doctor of Nurse Anesthesia Admission Team Manager | College of Nursing Pre-Licensure Programs | Oakland Oakland, Sacramento, Fresno, SF Peninsula (ABSN, BSN, ELMSN) |
Brent Dondalski
| Bachelor of Health Sciences Master of Health Administration | |
Hali Loyd | Doctor of Physical Therapy Occupational Therapy | Oakland |
Siena Kutz | Master of Biomedical Sciences Master Physician Assistant | Oakland |
Rosie Vazquez Mares | Master of Family Therapy Master of Social Work |
College of Podiatric Medicine (CPM) Winter Immersion Experience
Date: Friday, November 6, 2026
The College of Podiatric Medicine Summer Immersion Experience is an in-person enrichment program designed for undergraduate and graduate students interested in podiatric medicine and surgery. Held at Samuel Merritt University's Oakland campus, the program provides an immersive introduction to the profession through hands-on clinical skills training, academic exploration, and direct engagement with faculty, staff, and students.
This program is a structured foundation in foot and ankle medicine while strengthening practical, clinical competencies.
General Program Schedule
Students will tour the campus, meet student and faculty instructors, and attend a presentation introducing a career in Podiatric Medicine & Surgery.
Students will receive short lectures and/or workshops on any of the following subjects.
- Lower Extremity Anatomy
- Podiatric Clinical Skills
- Physical Diagnosis
- Medical Imaging
- Biomechanics & Sports Medicine
- Wound Care & Diabetic Foot Exam
- Foot & Ankle Surgery
Participating SMUCPM Faculty (subject to change):
- Charles Starrett, DPM
- Colin Traynor, DPM
- William Stiers, MD
- Stephen Hill, PhD
- Samantha Ralstin, DPM
- Alex Reyzelman, DPM
- Thomas Chang, DPM
- Byron Hutchinson, DPM
- Esther Kwon, DPM
- Christina Pratt, DPM
- Mark Razzante, DPM
FAQ
Will there be out-of-pocket expenses I can expect as part of the program?
Participants will need to arrange for cost of flight and hotel accommodation. The Marriott City Center hotel is next door to SMU. Public transportation via BART is easily accessible from the airport, and the 12th Street stop is one block from the SMU building. Meals will be provided during the day for both breakfast and lunch.
How does one qualify and apply for Summer Enrichment program?
All pre-med and pre-health students are eligible. This immersion experience is designed for undergraduate and graduate students interested in podiatric medicine and surgery. To attend, please register here.
Questions? Please contact:
Edgardo Palomo, M.S.
Assistant Director of Admission
College of Podiatric Medicine
epalomo@samuelmerritt.edu
Or
Ashley Shilling
Admission Counselor
College of Podiatric Medicine
ashilling@samuelmerritt.edu
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| Ashley Shilling | Doctor of Podiatric Medicine Bridge to Podiatric Residency | Oakland |
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| Neena Bryant | Doctor of Podiatric Medicine Bridge to Podiatric Residency | Oakland |
Schedule an Admission Counseling Appointment
College of Nursing
Pre-licensure Nursing Programs
ABSN, BSN, and ELMSN appointments require completion of a Prerequisite Evaluation Request Form. Click here for more details.
Post-licensure Graduate Nursing Programs
*For licensed nurses only - students without a license please select ELMSN.
Doctor of Nurse Anesthesia Practice: One-on-one appointments not available; see note below.
Due to the number of applicants to SMU’s Doctor of Nurse Anesthesia Practice (DNAP) program, it is not possible for us to meet with each prospective student one-on-one. However, we want to make sure you have ample opportunity to learn as much as possible about the program and SMU, and to ask any questions you may have. We offer preview days, virtual Q&A sessions, and webinars for applicants to the DNAP program.
College of Podiatric Medicine
Doctor of Podiatric Medicine
Bridge to Podiatric Residency
College of Health Sciences
Bachelor of Health Science
Master of Health Administration
Occupational Therapy
Master of Family Therapy
Physical Therapy
Master of Social Work
Master of Biomedical Sciences
Master Physician Assistant: One-on-one appointments not available; see note below.
Due to the number of applicants to SMU’s Physician Assistant (PA) program, it is not possible for us to meet with each prospective student one-on-one. However, we want to make sure you have ample opportunity to learn as much as possible about the program and SMU, and to ask any questions you may have. We offer preview days, virtual Q&A sessions, and webinars for applicants to the PA program.
Students with Disabilities
Accommodations may be requested by emailing the Disability Resource Center at drc@samuelmerritt.edu. Please provide as much notice as possible to allow ample time for setup.
Upcoming Events
Visit, Attend, and Explore.
Master of Physician Assistant (MPA) Webinar
- 5:00pm – 6:00pm PT
- Zoom Link
Campus Tour: SMU Oakland
- 12:00pm – 1:00pm PT
Master of Health Administration (MHA) Q & A 9.23
- 12:00pm – 12:30pm PT
- Zoom Link
Bridge to Podiatric Medicine (BPR) Webinar
- 5:00pm – 6:00pm PT
- Zoom Link
SMU Experience
Our nearly 2,800 students range in age from 18 to over 35, come from every ethnic background, and bring different life experiences to their education. One thing they have in common, however, is a dedication to serving local communities and underrepresented populations.
Pleased to Meet You!
Our information sessions, seminars, and campus tours offer you a glimpse into the SMU experience.
Related Links
Contact
Need More Assistance?
Strategic Growth and Marketing
Rudy Torres
- Oakland
- -
- rtorres1@samuelmerritt.edu
Admission
Alejandro Rodriguez
- Sacramento
- -
- arodriguez@samuelmerritt.edu
Admission
Edgardo Palomo
- Sacramento
- -
- epalomo@samuelmerritt.edu
Admission
Mariana Hernandez
- Foster City
- mhernandez@samuelmerritt.edu
Admission
Brooke Wilson
- Oakland
- bwilson@samuelmerritt.edu
