<p>Please, tell me anything (positive, negative, or in between) about your SMU experience so far. I will be choosing between 3 other schools and any insight as to what it is actually like to be a student at SMU would be extremely appeciated!</p>
<p>Hello! </p>
<p>My name is Whitney and I am a sophomore here at SMU! I plan to attend law school after I get my undergraduate Accounting degree. Recently, due to my connections through SMU I got a job as a file clerk in a law firm in North Dallas! It has been such a great experience and I am already getting an insiders view into what life as an attorney is really like. The cool part about it is that it wasn't just luck that got me the job. I have a lot of friends who have gotten internships at major corporations in the Dallas area and all over the country. My older brother who graduated in May had an internship his junior and senior year in the marketing department of American Airlines Center as well as with Adidas. My best friend landed an internship with HUNT OIL! While the whole point of going to college is to get a job when you graduate there are plenty of other perks about SMU along the way!</p>
<p>If you have visited SMU then I'm sure you noticed it's beauty! SMU is ranked top 5 in the most beautiful campus. Some may be skeptical and think "What does this have to do with my education?" The answer is: It has everything to do with your education. SMU's environment makes it easy to WANT to be here. When I go home for breaks I actually miss walking to class, being in class, and being on campus. The campus size is ideal: Not too small, not too big. It is welcoming and easy to get around on. From the southern most point to the northern most point it takes less than 10 minutes to get to class!</p>
<p>I mentioned my job earlier and that's only part of my SMU life. I am also involved in a social sorority, a co-ed business fraternity, Student Foundation, College Republicans, and I am a Hilltop Ambassador in the Admissions Office. I hope executive positions in two of the organizations I am involved in and still maintain a 3.68 GPA. No, not everybody has to be this involved, but I am living proof that you can be as involved as you want to be and still have a noteworthy GPA. There are over 200 organizations on campus and every one of them is waiting for you to join!</p>
<p>SMU's location gives it a major advantage! Being in Dallas, there is ALWAYS something to do. To name a few: several art museums, the Dallas World Aquarium, Dallas Mavericks basketball games, Dallas Stars hockey games, the Dallas Zoo, hundreds of restaurants, great shopping. There is always a concert, art exhibit, or random show going on somewhere in the area.</p>
<p>Hi!
My name is Meleah and I am a sophomore studying Markets and Culture at SMU. I am from around the area, but I am not going to cover all of the opportunities in Dallas because that has previously been done. Like Whitney I am involved in many organizations and activities ranging from religious organizations to student worker positions. On campus there is so much to do. A person would have to intentionally try not to be involved to not be involved in any organization. In addition to Whitney's comments there are some other things about SMU I would like to add. At SMU you have a name and a voice, unlike some other bigger schools where you are just a number. SMU has around 6,000 undergraduates. Most classes are small. We have 12-1 student to faculty ratio which the average class size around 25 students and the first year rhetoric classes are capped at 18 students so that the students and teachers create a good relationship with each other. The biggest class I have been in was an intro class that had at max 50-60 people. Since this class was an intro engineering class, there was a lab component that was capped at about 20. The first day of that lecture the professor took all of our pictures and put it on a postcard to remember our faces. It truly blew my mind that by the end of the semester he knew most of our names, especially because this class was for non-majors. The professors are also easy to access. Many professors have flexible office hours and reply to e-mails quickly. Also if you still do not understand the material, there is the Learning Enhancement Center (LEC) which is a free tutoring service for any student. There are tutors that are either current students or professors at community colleges that are extremely helpful. Within the LEC there is the Writing Center with full time Rhetoric professors to help with any part of the paper writing process. </p>
<p>Like any other campus, SMU has many traditions. Before the first day of fall semester classes The first year class lines up behind the oldest building on campus, Dallas Hall and proceeds through, without stepping on the University Seal in fear of the curse of not graduating in 4 years if they do. Then the first year class is greeted by current students, alum, staff, and faculty on the lawn as they travel to McFarlin Auditorium for Convocation. After graduation the seniors do Rotunda Recessional or walk through Dallas Hall through the front doors and step on the seal then exit through the back doors of Dallas Hall representing leaving their college days behind and entering the ?real world?. During football season, tailgating takes place on the boulevard before home football games. The only way to describe tailgating is pre-partying before home football games. Our largest tailgating is for homecoming where there is a parade around campus show casing different organization?s floats along with several other events. At the football games, the students have a section on the opposing teams side where the Mustang band plays and all of the students cheer. Also, the last week of the fall semester there is a holiday celebration called the Celebration of Lights where there are carolers, hot chocolate and at the end, the Christmas story is read and the Christmas tree is lit. Celebration of Lights is a wonderful experience for people of all religions to celebrate another semester during the holiday season. The last week of the spring semester there is a large end of the year celebration called Mane Event where there are different games, activities and events like battle of the band.</p>
<p>I really hope this information helps you to choose the college that is right for you!</p>
<p>Hello! </p>
<p>I'm a freshman, so I may not know everything about SMU, but I will tell you about my experiences and observations during the first semester. Well, SMU was not my first college choice. For the first semester I carried a bitter attitude towards the school (well mostly because I didn't get into my school of choice, but that's beside the point). I really hated it at SMU. I felt like I didn't belong. But over the past few months, I've made some great friends and that's what counts the most. It all depends on who you're with, not where you are. That's what I learned. </p>
<p>For the most part, the students are friendly and easy to talk to. SMU's got great social and business connections, as Whitney mentioned. There are numerous opportunities in the Dallas area, you just have to look in all the right places. </p>
<p>As far as professors, I agree with Meleah. The small student-teacher ratio is a big plus. Teachers are always available. But unlike highschool, you have to turn your work in on time...that's what ****ed me up in the very beginning of the year. After going to the prof, if you still don't understand the material, go to the LEC! Good stuff! And the Writing Center is a miracle! They will help you from A to Z, whether its actually getting the paper started or editing your grammar and syntax. It's quite helpful. </p>
<p>So after you're finished studying and doing homework, you find you have some time left before another obligation. So, you ask yourself what can I do? Well, there is always something going on at Hughes-Trigg (student center). You'll find certain groups raising money or advertising, so check it out. Or just go to Hughes-Trigg and get a smoothie, ya that's right, a SMOOTHIE! They have the most delicious, fruity tooty smoothies you'll ever have. Go to JAVA city!</p>
<p>Another option is to hit up the magnificent 12 million-dollar Dedman fitness center. (I don't really know if it was 12 million, I just pulled that number outta my ass.) But my OH MY GODFATHER! You just never wanna leave the place! They got a pool, a plethora of treadmills, ellipticals, weights, etc. They have classes, such as power yoga, you can take. These classes are EVERYDAY! They also have a rock-climbing wall. Pretty hardcore! </p>
<p>Overall, I'd say SMU is very resourceful. TONS of resources! Whatever you're looking for, they have it hidden somewhere. You just gotta look for it. My dad once said "If I had the choice, I would have LOVED to come to SMU. It's like staying on a resort!"</p>
<p>However, there is one thing that bothers me about SMU. SMU is a very pretentious school. Many of the students come from wealthy families and we all know the effect that money can have on one's personality. Sometimes, I feel that even the administration is pretentious. For instance, during Parent's Weekend, the cafeteria whipped out food that I had never seen before. Fresh breads, chocolately cakes, fresh, green salads, etc. Even the Giddy-up carts were galloping around the campus during the day. Basically they did this to look good for the parents. But we all know that Giddy-up only rides around in the middle of the night and more often during finals. And we definately do not get chocolately cakes everyday. They say breakfast is 24/7, but it's really not. They close at 1pm. And say you get outta class round 3 or 4pm and you want something to eat, don't expect to find anything in Umphrey Lee (the cafeteria). </p>
<p>Another thing that really bothered me about SMU was their claim that SMU is so diverse. It's really not. I remember receiving letters about minority orientation in the summer. I couldn't understand their intention. Were they trying to segregate the minorities even further? You would never see a "caucasion orientation." At SMU, there still is much racism and ignorance towards people with different backgrounds, religion, sexual orientation, race, etc. The minorities, literally are the minority on campus. It's a shame that people will take interest only in their own lives. I could go on about this forever.</p>
<p>Anyway, one more thing. If you want to meet people, I HIGHLY recommend you stay in one of the freshman dorms. You'll find a great range of different people and you have a better chance of finding people who you really clique with. (This is a hint not to stay in the specialized arts dorms, unless you are an arts major; take it from me.) If you're not an arts major, I recommend any of the dorms in the South Quad (McElvaney, Morrison, etc). They're closer to the gym too! :)</p>
<p>I have told you truthfully what I think about SMU. At first, you either hate it or you love it. If you're like me, you may be think what the hell am I doing here? But it'll grow on you once you find that group of people whom you can really relate to. After meeting people, join groups and clubs or start your own if SMU doesn't have what you're looking for. Get involved and keep good relations with your teachers. Dallas has everything: fine restaurants, hot clubs, bars, superb shopping, beautiful parks, and most importantly excellent business connections. You just gotta look for it.</p>
<p>I hope this helps you. I remember doing the whole applying to college thing. Just pick a place that you'll be happy. You don't want regrets. Good luck!</p>
<p>Thank you to everyone who answered. I am anxiously awaiting any scholarship offer. I applied early decision so the letter should be here any day. Any other insight?</p>