Do not attend SMU

Colleges and Universities A-Z Southern Methodist University
1

<p>I am the parent of an SMU student. I posted here a few years back when my child went off to SMU with fond hopes.</p>

<p>I can tell you, all the stereotypes you hear about SMU about money, partying, drugs, are true, but worse than you can imagine.</p>

<p>If you are a rich, perfect looking Texas kid, perhaps you should go. You will have access to great drugs and alcohol.</p>

<p>If you are anyone else, you will be ostracized from the social scene, and will always feel left out. </p>

<p>Most of the professors are mediocre.</p>

<p>There is little school spirit as evidenced by poor showing at football games.</p>

<p>PLEASE do not make the same mistake my child did. Go elsewhere.</p>

2

<p>Dear Mustangdad,
As a current junior at SMU I found your post very disheartening and upseting. I’m sorry for your child’s poor experience but I have nothing but positive experiences from SMU. I came into SMU from Florida no knowing a single person and was immediately accepted in the community. I come from a middle class family and actually attend SMU will a full ride schoalrship, much like many of my friends. I can honestly say that the stereotypes surrounding SMU are no different than the things you will find any other university and represent a small minority of our community. There is an amazing social scene that doesn’t include hard drugs and alcohol. </p>

<p>As for the professors- they have been far from medicore. Many of my professors are world class former CEOs and professionals who now wish to share their knowledge and experiences to students. One of my professors is the former Crisis Managment director for Exxon Mobil, another was the part of the team that developed the CNN undecided voter scale that we see at the bottom of our screens during the debate. The small class setting allows students to get to know these amazing professors on a frist anem basis. </p>

<p>As for school spirit, SMU is entering the Big East next fall and has recruited top players and coaches in all sports that have garnered quite the ‘buzz’ within the student body. Tradition is a big part of SMU and we are very proud of where we came from and where we are going. SMU is changing and growing each year in ways that are monumental. Once again, I’m sorry your son had such a negative experience at such a wonderful university.</p>

3

<p>I understand and appreciate that you are positive about SMU, and I think it can be a good school for the right person.</p>

<p>I also think it can be a terrible place for the wrong person. I read posts like mine 4 years ago, and ignored them because of posts like yours, and because of the beauty of the SMU campus. I think those considering SMU should view posts like mine critically.</p>

<p>As an aside, I learned the names of drug dealers on campus and offered to give them to the administration through a lawyer. The administration wanted no part of it! They want to sweep the situation under the rug simply to preserve the school’s reputation. Put simply, they did not want another TCU drug bust situation. That speaks volumes about the school.</p>

4

<p>I totally disagree with the first post above. SMU has the same drug and alcohol issues that are prevalent at almost every college campus today. (or that we had in the 1980’s!) To say that it is the only school with these issues, or that they are not interested in intervening is not true. SMU is a great, fun, social school. The kids who are happy there love to go out, make friends and study, too! She has immersed herself in her classes. She gets amazing guidance and help whenever needed. If your child cannot handle social pressure or frowns upon kids partying, then SMU is indeed not the school for your child. Our daughter loves school and her active social life. I don’t think I have ever seen her any happier. I do wish the dad above all the best for his child. Good luck finding a better place for your child. He/she deserves to be happy and in a place that makes him/her flourish as an individual.</p>

5

<p>smumom:</p>

<p>You state:</p>

<p>“To say that it is the only school with these issues, or that they are not interested in intervening is not true.”</p>

<p>Did you read this part of my post?</p>

<p>“I learned the names of drug dealers on campus and offered to give them to the administration through a lawyer. The administration wanted no part of it!”</p>

6

<p>That is simply because you may have directed it to the wrong place. You should be talking to the Highland Park Police Department. SMU is not the police department. </p>

<p>Also, college is all about FIT. My son is literally having the time of his life at SMU. In addition, my son doesn’t attend parties because he chooses not to drink. There are quite a few students like him too. He is aware there are crazy parties but it doesn’t bother him. College can be a crazy time for students that have been seriously sheltered at home. </p>

<p>Hopefully your son has or is seeking advice, help, or whatever he needs at SMU. SMU’s faculty, staff, other students, etc. are very helpful and readily available. My son’s faculty advisor is his FAVORITE teacher. His grades are the highest ever and it is simply because he is HAPPY. </p>

<p>If your son is not happy, it sounds like SMU may be the wrong FIT or maybe he is hanging around the wrong crowd? Your son has to find his way and sometimes the hard way is a life-long learning experience. </p>

<p>So yes, I agree that your child should visit and research SMU to see if it is the right FIT for them. All schools are not the same! </p>

<p>In short, SMU is really an exceptional school and if you find it a great FIT, you should definitely apply to SMU. :)</p>

7

<p>As a first-year student at SMU, I have to say I’ve had no problems with being seen as “uncool” or as a misfit because of my refusal to drink or do drugs.</p>

<p>And as newjersey17 pointed out, SMU is not the police department.</p>

<p>I’m sorry to burst bubbles, but drugs, alcohol, sex, partying, wealthy, spoiled brats–they exist in EVERY single school in EVERY part of the country. </p>

<p>SMU is no different.</p>

<p>I feel that a lot of the kids who complain about the stereotypes here at SMU are kids who think they’re special snowflakes and everyone around them who doesn’t share their values or interests is below them. Therefore, it’s the schools fault.
These same kids would feel the same way if they went to Cornell, Vanderbilt, USC, UCLA, Oregon State or NYU. They’d find someone or some group of individuals to blame for their not fitting in or dislike the rich kids, hipsters, athletes or whoever.</p>

<p>These problems and issues are not limited to SMU and the SMU administration can only do so much.</p>

<p>You can’t blame the school for your son not fitting in and you really shouldn’t take a jab at rich kids because when you take shots at their wallets, it comes across as nothing but jealously. </p>

<p>There are good and bad apples at every single school.</p>

<p>This is the SMU board, so people interested in SMU should look into SMU if they’re interested.</p>

8

<p>Have your kid try BYU.</p>

9

<p>I agree with Mustangdad: Don’t go to SMU. I can’t speak to the issues he mentioned, but I can tell you from our family’s perspective, the university is not concerned with academics nor does the administration have the students’ best interest at heart.</p>

10

<p>If the university is not concerned with academic, then why do they maintain such a great tutoring center, the A-LEC, for use by the students? </p>

<p>I’m sorry that you’ve had an unfortunate experience, but trust me, you are almost alone in your experiences. </p>

<p>In addition, from a student’s perspective, I have worked with several professors researching, and no matter my class size, each of my professors have had office hours which I have gone to see them on a weekly basis.</p>

11

<p>SMU is a wonderful university that cherishes its students. To say that the faculty at SMU are ‘mediocre’ is to instantly discredit your own post. We have world class professors who make their students their priority. Futhermore, the administration holds its students to high standards - both in and outside of the classroom. </p>

<p>Certainly, there are people who make poor choices who happen to attend SMU. Like anything else in life, you must choose who you will associate with and the choices that you will make. However, I would not even begin to categorize SMU as a school full of the stereotypes that you mentioned. As a senior, I can tell you that in four years at SMU I have never been pressured to drink or do drugs. My choices have always been respected by my peers. I also come from a middle class family and receive scholarship money, and yet I’ve managed to be involved in and hold leadership positions in several organizations, join a sorority and make life long friends here - despite not fitting the description of the kind of SMU student MustangDad referenced.</p>

<p>As he said, consider his opinion critically.</p>

12

<p>Dear MustangDad: As a MustangMom, I take great offense at your post. I’m sorry your child had a bad experience, but to blame a bad fit on a few bad eggs and to slander the teaching staff is unfair. My child can probably name all of the drug dealers on campus, too–as he could at his religious high school! Yes, SMU has drug dealers. So does every college nationwide. My child, who is from the Southwest and is definitely on the poor end of the SMU spectrum, learned quickly to avoid them and find alternate means of recreation. And he’s thriving socially and academically.</p>

<p>His professors have ranged from Rhodes Scholars to Wall Street moguls to published novelists. Sure, he had one that was a little off, but he’ll have bosses and colleagues like that one day, too. You live and you learn.</p>

<p>He has an amazing school-sponsored internship with an alum in his field of study, and he’s a member of several honors and educational associations. And, he’s a member of a fraternity who chooses his own path without an ounce of ostracizing.</p>

<p>As for football, I don’t disagree the stadium is never filled, but if I blamed that on the Death Penalty instituted more than 20 years ago, I’d be doing just what you are–placing blame on the wrong entity.</p>

<p>Colleges are not one size fits all. Every years, thousands of students transfer from one college to another because the fit isn’t right. I wish that your child had done so, because SMU was clearly not the right place for him/her. But to blanketly claim that it’s not right for the other 8,000 students–and to blame it on the school–is unfair and over dramatic. </p>

<p>Of course the University doesn’t want to hear third hand what some father of an adult suspects. There are laws against heresay. I personally know (dormmates of my son) three students who were arrested or expelled last year for alcohol or violence incidents. The school took swift and harsh action in all three cases, which I’m sure are only representative of a few. I also know that at the large and academically challenging University near my home, there have been murders and rapes in the past year, along with armed robberies and yes, drugs and alcohol abuse. Neighboring TCU had an entire drug ring busted last year. So pardon me if I find drug dealing by on and off campus adults to be merely an inconvenience I taught him to avoid. </p>

<p>SMU is not for everyone, including your child. Neither is Harvard (where there are drug dealers and a few poor teachers, too). But please don’t take a sadly difficult life lesson for your child and turn it into a overarching message that most SMU parents and students would disagree with.</p>

13

<p>Hey Osserpusser! I just had a quick question for you- was it ever hard for your son to keep up with his richer friends at SMU? I’m from a normal, middle-class family, and I was just wondering if it was hard to keep up with some of the crazy-rich kids at SMU, like if they frequently engaged in activities that burned a lot of money (like fancy dinners at expensive restaurants, VIP boxes for sports games, etc.)…Or did they mostly stick to normal college activities?</p>

14

<p>I have the same question as sunshine341. Most of my adult friends who went to SMU were from very wealthy families. I like the school and think it meet’s my child’s needs, but I am concerned about “keeping up with the Joneses”. Feeling like the poor relation for 4 years will not make for a happy college experience.</p>

15

<p>My son just finished his first semester at SMU. So far he has not run into any problems about “keeping up with the Jones”. I know a couple of his friends went to a Cowboy game, but it was my understanding that one of the boys was a local boy and they were using a parent’s company tickets. He has not blown through a lot of money - his most expensive purchase was a pair of cowboy boots (which were concerned an early Christmas present). Now he is going through fraternity rush next month, so I am sure that he will probably start spending more money than.</p>

16

<p>I have witnessed first hand the school being actively involved in very serious issues, and know that people have already been asked to leave the school for breaking rules, so I just disagree with your opinion. I am sorry you are so unhappy and I wish you and your child all the best! Happy New Year.</p>

17

<p>To answer the question about “keeping up the the Jones”, in my experience it really depends on where you live and who you affiliate with. I live in the honors community and as a result the majority of my friends and neighbors are on scholarships that cover at least half of their tuition. While the campus certainly has wealthy students, there are plenty of students that don’t fit the stereotypical SMU mold. That being said, most college students are still college students and while we love to shop and try out new restaurants, you won’t catch most SMU students dropping large amounts of cash every weekend.</p>

18

<p>@sunshine341 As a current student at SMU from a middle class background, I can tell you that most students at SMU don’t drop $$$ on expensive dinners and box seats. Some do! It does happen. But most of us are regular college students - we like to eat Jimmy John’s and rent Redbox movies from 7-11. Almost 80% of students at SMU recieve some sort of financial support so don’t be fooled by the stereotypes about SMU. There are lots of normal kids - like me - here at SMU who absolutely love their experience.</p>

19

<p>I have to agree with the posters who have said that SMU is NOT all rich kids. Although you will see plenty of Prada, LV, nice cars, etc, it is not all-consuming (unless one desires to focus on material things, I suppose).</p>

20

<p>My SMU student is very active on campus, joined a Greek organization, and has made great friends from all over the country and from other countries who come from all different socioeconomic and religious backgrounds. Yes my student has met people who are very wealthy and have very well-known parents but also many students who are working to put themselves through SMU and who come from very modest financial backgrounds. That is part of what makes SMU a great experience and why SMU was chosen. Some students like to party a lot and some don’t party at all. It hasn’t been a problem if your student is levelheaded and somewhat mature and is not overly influenced by peer pressure. Yes my student has seen some things that I would prefer he/she had not - and guys and girls making extremely stupid and poor decisions about drinking, sex, etc. but that is college and these things will be done and seen on most if not all college campuses. My student has had several outstanding professors and classes and opportunities and loves SMU. Is SMU for everyone - no; but neither is any college. Do your homework, visit once or twice, and decide what is best for your student and your family - not anyone else’s. Talk to your student often about making good choices and the consequences of very poor choices such as drinking too much, underage drinking, and having sex with random people in random places (especially after drinking too much). Oh - and be sure they know how to be a good roommate and live in a dorm with others (being quiet, learning how to be somewhat neat, helping to vacuum and take out the trash, doing their laundry, not borrowing/eating other people’s food/stuff and not expecting their roommate to be their best friend, study buddy, social planner, etc. They need to learn to be responsible for themselves and their choices and actions. That is part of growing up and will lead to a better college experience.</p>