Is the Cox BBA Scholars program a four year program like SMU’s Honors program or is it just for your first year at SMU? In addition, does anyone know how much they value test scores? I have a strong GPA in the most rigorous classes my school offers, yet I have a SAT score that’s way under what they list (1380 vs 1500 on New SAT)
I’m a first year BBA scholar. I would say that stats are pretty important. I got in with a 31 ACT, but the average is 33. And they aren’t making that number up! I have a couple friends who are BBAs with 35s. Looking back, I think one of my essays was a big reason I got into the program because I talked about my experiences in the stock market. You may want to consider writing a businessy essay for SMU.
Also, the BBA scholars program really isn’t a “program”. The first semester of freshman year, all BBA scholars take a 1 hour class which is P/F. (Everybody passes.) That class is meant to get us freshman acquainted with the business school, its resources, and the business majors and concentrations. There are a couple speakers as well. I’m not really sure if there are BBA exclusive events beyond freshman year. Regardless, the meaning of the BBA scholars program is to better prepare us for the decisions we will will make as upperclassmen. One of the professors mentioned the first day of class that many BBA scholars don’t really understand the true meaning of the program until they are juniors because that is when they realize how it prepared them for the Cox School of Business.
And the obvious main takeaways from being a BBA scholar are direct admission into the business school (which means no 3.5 GPA requirement) and a $5,000 scholarship per year.
@adamfromiowa Thanks so much for the info! Have you found a big difference between the business direct students and the BBA Scholars in terms of career services? I really like the school but I’m a bit worried that if I don’t get into BBA Scholars it will be a tougher time accessing the top recruiters on campus.
I would say that there is no real difference. I’m direct and after freshman year no one cares whether you were a scholar, direct, or got in after completing the pre-req’s.
When and how will admitted students be notified if they are selected as BBA/Business Direct?
@wol2018, I had the same question. Here is what I read on the website. “Students are notified of their selection for the BBA Scholars Program shortly after receiving acceptance to SMU in their senior year of high school.” Wondering what the timeframe for that is. I’m guessing it would be a separate letter from acceptance.
https://app.■■■■■■■■■■■/join_group/27503969/zv361K JOIN SMU GROUPME
I recently spoke to a student accepted to BBA Scholars last year and he received notification one week after decision.
I applied RD and was notified about a week later by email. I’m not sure if it would be diiferent for ED and EA because the three professors who choose the scholars may go on winter break. I bet they select the scholars before break though, so some of you will probably be getting an email soon.