<p>My daughter and I visited SMU in November, and were a bit apprehensive about what we would find as far as student culture. We had read other websites where SMU students had been characterized as rich, preppy, and so forth. Plus, since it was Texas, we were also afraid we'd be seeing lots of big hair, too much makeup, and students wearing fancy clothes to classes. But we were pleasantly surprised when we arrived on campus and saw pretty much the same type of teenagers we see every day in California where we live. They typically wore jeans, t-shirts, and flip-flops, and we did meet and talk to a lot of students. They were pleasant, helpful, and happy. If you're preppy and want to stay that way at SMU, then do it; be yourself; you will find friends. Or if you're a jock, or a film snob, a vegan, or an engineering geek, no problem. You will find friends too. We saw miniskirts and hippie skirts, tight jeans and jeans four sizes too large and hanging down so low you wonder how the person can even walk in them. Whites, Latinos, Blacks, Asians, you name it. You can meet people from all over the world at SMU. If you just go as you are, be yourself, it'll be fine. You won't have to invest in cowboy boots or learn how to say "y'all" or "yee-haw!" My daughter did get to spend a night in the dorm with two sophomore girls in her major (theatre), and that night she got to meet quite a few of the theatre students because they were doing a show that night. She said everyone was so down to earth and very welcoming. And she was just a prospective student at that point. But people reached out and wanted to put her at ease and answer any questions she might have about being a student there. We were very impressed.
So anyway, I just thought there might be people reading about SMU on different websites, who might want to read this post. Lots of colleges are stereotyped, and it's not fair. So no matter who you are, do not be afraid of not fitting in at SMU. There's some of everything there, and I'm confident you will fit in.</p>
<p>Violetsky - Thank you for not perpetuating the stereotype. My daughter has also been accepted by SMU for the class of 2014. Like your daughter, she is interested in the Meadows School (not theater). We have been on campus several times and I couldn’t agree more with your assessment. I am sure that there are some parents and students who “know someone who knows someone” who will disagree. Several graduates from my daughter’s school have attended SMU and all had good things to say regarding their experience. By the way, I will turn 60 next year and have never owned a pair of cowboy boots.</p>
<p>My son and I visited in mid-August and our experience moved SMU to the top of the list. The friendliness seemed truly sincere. The interviewer came out to meet my son prior to his taking the ‘scheduled tour’, noting they would be talking later that day.</p>
<p>The students did a good job of telling the ‘student side.’ Dorms were closed to visitors because they were getting ready for the new school year but I don’t think a dorm would be the determining factor in choosing a school.</p>
<p>Go Mustangs!</p>
<p>My son is a freshman at SMU and is double majoring in Business Management and General Music. He is so incredibly happy. I should note he was a bit apprehensive about going to Texas, but it has turned out to be the best decision he has made. Great academic advisors, professors, classses, and students. He said everyone seems happy at SMU. The school is so detail oriented. You won’t believe the care and attention you will get at the orientation you attend in the summer. Best of luck to everyone.</p>
<p>Our kid was accepted and will be attending in the Fall of 2010. The things that stood out re: SMU are the following:</p>
<ul>
<li>outrageous attention to detail (no other school’s admission staff was even close)</li>
<li>Dallas, Texas – let’s face it. We all want our kids to be employed after school ends. Our sense is that SMU being in the heart of Dallas is an enormous advantage to getting those important first jobs right out of schools (especially with the number of F500 companies in town and the sheer volume of SMU alumni in Dallas).</li>
<li>Renewed sense of leadership – the school is no longer the “anything goes, rich kid party school”. They are clamping down big-time on all that nonsense in light of the last student death from a drug overdose. Perhaps they are going too far, but as parents we all want our kids to be safe and a healthy sense of on campus event “monitoring” is not the worse thing in the world. </li>
<li>Faculty. Let’s face it. The best faculty members usually like to also live in a nice city and Dallas is an easy draw for world class faculty.</li>
<li>Rankings – it is not out of the question for SMU to move into the top 30 or 25 ranked national universities in the next 10-15 years. That is their current trajectory. The business school is now in the top 20 – something no one would have predicted just 15 years ago.</li>
<li>Sports – The 45-10 crushing of Nevada on X-mas eve is a big deal for this school. The next 4 years could be very fun for SMU football and the kids and the alumni will have a blast watching the program rise. Let’s also face the fact that strong SPORTS can help build academic interest. Vanderbilt will tell you that their Apps soared 30+% in the year after they made the Sweet 16 in basketball. Georgetown University was not nearly as strong academically before they built a powerhouse basketball program. </li>
<li>Southern qualities – SMU still retains the campus feel where most strangers will say hello even while walking to class. That impressed us and is entirely different than many other schools we visited.</li>
</ul>
<p>Bottom line – SMU is a program on the rise both academically and in D1 athletics. Its best years are ahead of it and our kid (and hopefully your S/D also!) should enjoy being a part of it these next 4 years.</p>
<p>I visited SMU and my experience was not very good. Perhaps it was because it was cold, cloudy, and I was running a tad late to the tour/orientation/Q&A.</p>
<p>Academics wise, its respected-or so I hear. I applied early decision and am waiting for my reply the last day of December. Since I am going into its engineering department, I was concerned whether it had a good reputation or whether it produced competent students for the work force. What I’ve heard is debatable but I will say its not bad.</p>
<p>It’s outrageously expensive. There… I said it. If it wasn’t for the fact that I wasn’t admitted to Rice University, I wouldn’t be seriously considering my next best alternative-SMU. I believe Rice would have provided me the best education possible and at a bargain price that it would have been like shopping at 50% off at the mall. Additionally, for the sky high cost they charge, you would think its buildings would look decent outside but I saw more than a few that were just awful. The library was plain hideous. For example, the letters were faded out and some were completely not there, only a shadow of where it previously was. Inside the buildings were, of course better, but it just doesn’t cut it with a price almost touching $50,000 a year.</p>
<p>They do have nicer parts though and its location is great. Dallas provides many work opportunities and their constructing When I went, they were making an engineering building so that just shows their updating the campus. Many close restaurants that will provide both cheap bites and a plethora of options.</p>
<p>All in all, I would consider SMU an alternative school, and definitely not a #1 dream school. Its price is too high to be considered a viable option for most, unless you got the cash. Good, solid school but consider your options.</p>
<p>It is funny how different schools just fit certain people. My daughter and I went on a college tour through Florida, Texas, California and Indiana. I was hoping that she would like some and dislike some (to narrow things down). When we got to Texas, I thought I would love Rice and like SMU. My daughter and I both took such a complete dislike (bordering on hate) of Rice. The school looked plastic, the people were arrogant and the admissions lady was downright rude. Then off to SMU where we both fell in love with the school. So while Rice may have a large endowment that keeps the tuition down, it is my understanding that SMU gives lots of financial aid. I hope you find a school that fits your needs, but Rice is not the standard that I would use to judge.</p>
<p>My son is a freshman at SMU. He LOVES it! So does the rest of his family. Other people already mentioned the friendliness, the attention to detail, the faculty, etc. My son has no problem fitting in at all. We are not wealthy by any stretch. He is not preppy at all. He loves his dorm, the people, the Meadows School, the food, the gorgeous campus, the gym. He is very, very happy. Which makes me very, very happy.</p>
<p>Registration is easy; talking to a human when there’s a question is easy; paying bills is easy; ordering books is easy. There seems to be no red tape so far. Amazing.</p>
<p>…the brand new Engineering School coming out of the ground? I noticed that you “forgot” to mention this incredible new resource coming on line in less than a year.</p>
<p>While SMU will never catch Rice in pure Engineering, I would not be surprised if things get much closer in the next 10 years. Again, it is resources and attitude. Did you notice the NAME of the new engineering school? Named for Jerry Junkins – former CEO of Texas Instruments, the school is going to be outrageously awesome. Are there technology companies in Houston on par with TI and the other “heavies” in Dallas? No, there aren’t (Compaq is part of HP now, folks).</p>
<p>So you did not get into Rice. Don’t worry about it. There are other great engineering (A&M, cheap) schools on the rise in Texas.</p>
<p>SMU’s commitment to building a world class engineering school is known throughout Texas and the SW United States. Assuming your numbers are good enough to get some scholarship dollars and lower the $$$$, why not jump on the elevator now and enjoy the ride up?</p>
<p>My bad – I notice now you “mentioned” a new building.
It is far more than that…look again and I think you will see a commitment to an entirely new program in engineering at SMU.</p>
<p>Well, I think the rich, preppy white kid stereotype still holds true. After all, it isnt nicknamed “Southern Millionaires’ University” for nothing. Of course the stereotype doesn’t hold true for everybody, but then again, SMU’s in a very affluent area, and it’s fairly common to see kids driving beamers, mercedes, or whatnot. My dad likes to joke that if I go there, he’ll have to trade-in his car so we wouldn’t stand out. </p>
<p>SMU isn’t the best fit for everybody, but then again nor is Rice, A&M, etc. But does that mean that you can’t be happy there? Definitely not. I think that WHEREVER you will go, you will make friends and find your own form of happiness if you really put your heart into it. </p>
<p>That aside, SMU already has a great reputation in the business world of Dallas, and it’s still rising. I have been already accepted to seven colleges including Notre Dame and A&M who already have significant engineering reputations, but I’m placing my trust on SMU’s developing engineering program. I heard that they give A LOT of merit aid, and they better do! 
Only other reserve I have going there is that my parents are making me live at home… ewwww. It’s quite a long drive from home… especially during rush hour. </p>
<p>@livegreen: Why don’t you just commute rather than live at a dorm? That will definitely bring down costs if you’re that concerned about money.</p>
<p>@OddMonkey - Being a commuter student in Dallas is NOT cheaper than living on campus, not unless you’re living with your parents. It is difficult to find decent, safe apartments in Dallas for less than $900/month.</p>
<p>Anyway, as a senior at SMU, I agree with everyone who thinks the school is on an upward trajectory. I firmly believe that my degree from SMU will just get more and more valuable as time goes on.</p>
<p>My son is a freshman, computer science major at SMU. He has ended up being very happy there. We are from California and he will never become a prepster. He has made so many friends in his dorm and has decided to not go through fraternity rush at this point. He does feel that the Greeks fit that stereotype that he doesn’t want to be a part of. But they are only one aspect of the school. He recommends being in the smaller dorms in the Hilltop Scholars program (if you are invited). The kids all have leadership background and are great.</p>
<p>Can’t agree more about the accessibility of faculty and caring attitude. I had a few concerns, and the parent liaison couldn’t have been more helpful.</p>
<p>Okay, so im a senior right now and i live in dallas already. Im a girl and I was accepted to baylor unt a&m and osu. im waiting to hear back from UT and im majoring in engineering.
my problem is that i’ve heard alot of bad things about SMU and alot of good things. I dont know what to believe but it’s kinda hard to ignore the bad things (like only rich kids go here and smu is like 13th grade so it’s just a continuation of high school)</p>
<p>I’m concerned about whether i should go to smu or not bc im not rich and i feel like i wouldn’t fit it/id be looked down upon. I feel like college should be fun idk if I want to go to smu if im going to be judged constantly. </p>
<p>Alright so questions:
- would I like it at smu? is everyone really judgemental? (btw i planned on rushing at whatever college i go to)
- would they give me alot of scholarship money? for being a girl interested in engineering? can anyone give a slight estimate?</p>
<p>thank you so much for what you’ve posted so far though. that was helpful!</p>
<p>According to the SMU website, deadline for first year applications for FALL, 2010 was Jan. 15, 2010. Have you already applied? If so, since you are in Dallas, why don’t you spend some time on campus and judge for yourself.</p>
<p>Im worried about the same thing! I can’t help you with 1 but for 2 I’m a girl and will be majoring in engineering. I got a departmental scholarship for 7,500 a year, but I’m not sure if its related to being a girl. I think it will be a little longer before most of the scholarships come out.</p>
<p>Hello- I am planning on applying to SMU as a transfer and I was wondering if you guys can give me some feed back considering this being a discussion about SMU. I want to transfer in to SMU’s Business, but with my GPA I don’t think I have a shot of getting in. With this GPA do I have a shot of getting in to SMU at all? I understand Business school might be out of my reach right now, so what other program might be within my reach? </p>
<p>Sophomore at Pace University in NYC
Race: Bengali (Bangladesh, Asia)
GPA: 2.85
Good Essay as well
Have done decent amount of community services
Director of Pace Finance Club (since Freshman year–present)
Pace Law Society (member, since Fall of 2009)
Moctrail Member
and few other extracurricular activity
I Have great recommendation from my professor and my counselor
Multiple job experience </p>
<p>I really wish to transfer out, Pace is a great school, but its not for me.
If you guys have any recommendation (regarding schools) that might be within my reach that would be even better. </p>
<p>Thank you!</p>
<p>rooster1,
Regarding your (1): Naturally, nobody can tell you whether you’d like it at SMU. But there are several threads here in which people discuss the second part of this question … “is it judgemental.” You can check them out. There are also plenty of comments about the “rich” thing. You can see there what others have to say.</p>
<p>Regarding your (2): Without stats, nobody can really tell you whether they’d give you a lot of scholarship money either. Despite what I’ve read on a few different threads about SMU, there are plenty of very qualified candidates applying there. I’ve read some other schools’ threads who claim that “anybody who has the money can go to SMU.” I’m not so sure that’s true! And I AM sure that there are a lot of highly qualified students who do apply. The education there is amazing. And regarding the “girl in engineering” part of your question: As I remember from my other son’s SMU Engineering Info Session, one of their points of pride is that they have so many women students in engineering. So, I have the impression that they’re doing just fine attracting women. They may pay top dollar in scholarships for a female engineering candidate with amazing stats – just as they would a male. But, based on nothing other than what I heard at the info session, I don’t think being female is enough of a lure for scholarship dollars.</p>
<p>Keep reading up on SMU, though. And stop by and visit sometime. It’s a fantastic school. And the engineering program looks like it’s really taking off!</p>
<p>Good luck, rooster!</p>