I am an African-American senior from Chicago, and I will be attending one of these two universities. Both fall around the same price for me, so it’s come down to which has the most to offer. I plan to study marketing and have been accepted to both universities’ business schools.
SMU’s Cox School of Business has a great reputation, but I have of course heard of what the stereotypical SMU student is like. As a minority student that doesn’t come from a wealthy family, I’ve been worried about if the adjustment would detract from my experience. I have never been to the campus, but from what I’ve seen in pictures, it looks like a place I could see myself enjoying for the next four years, IF I’m able to adjust. Do the “Southern Millionaire’s University” stereotypes hold true, and would they have a large impact on my experience?
On the other hand, while DePaul doesn’t have the same prestige as SMU, their business school is still excellent from my understanding. I have friends going to this school, and being close to home would also be a pro in some ways (aside from terrible Chicago weather). With DePaul, I’ve just heard a lot about it being a commuter school, and that students transfer out a lot. If the school really has no sense of community, then I may be better off at SMU. Are these judgements about DePaul accurate?
Ultimately, I’m simply seeking any input from anyone with more information or experience than I have. Where would my education be in good hands for the next four years?
SMU looks great. The residential house system for the first two years is a very big plus. I think this will help you quite a bit. About 70 percent of the students receive some type of financial aid. So most are not rich.
The graduation rate is higher. That usually means two things. First, the people around you are studying. Second the school has resources to help you pass your classes, get into the right classes and programs, and not let you fall through the cracks. The teacher to student ratio is 11 to 1, very high.
People often wonder if expensive, elite, private schools are better. They do have a positive impact. The positive impact is even stronger in the case of minority and lower income students. You get all the benefits that rich children get. And you learn what is possible. And you make contacts with families, and people for life.
So usually I am a little squeamish about Texas. I come from a whole family of minorities. But I think in this case it is a great opportunity for you. Downtown Chicago is not exactly heaven for African Americans. I have a kid going to UChicago now. I am not anti Chicago. There may be an occasional social bump in the road. But that is a given anyway. Go get a great education. Talk to your professors. Make lots of contacts. Get rich. And send your kids back to SMU as legacies.
Did you see the movies about the new housing? Holy crap! Go live there.
On the other hand, Depaul business school is solid. Easy access for internships. Hopefully you will be living on campus.
So did you decide yet. I messaged a friend of mine who went to SMU several years ago. I asked him if SMU would be a good place for a black guy from Chicago. He played basketball at SMU and still lives in Dallas. He said SMU would be a great place for everyone. He is a white guy from Nebraska. But in high school he played summer street ball in New York city, he just waited his turn just like everyone else. He is sensitive to racial and class issues. Good luck wherever you go.
Where did you end up? If you are at SMU, you might know my son who is also a freshman and loving it.
He hasn’t been back to CC since May 1st. Since he made a comment about money, he may have found that neither school was affordable.