<p>@beachmama60 Great response!</p>
<p>Yeah not exactly sure how the school isnt focused on academics when they’re one of the top schools in the nation. And honestly why is it so bad to know rich people, yes alot can be stuck up but not all of them are. Not to mention college is where you make connections that last a lifetime so why not make connections with people who will surely find their way after college? And seriously? It’s college. Drugs and alcohol are everywhere. No one is forcing your kid to be apart of it, sounds like they’ve been babied a bit too much by an overprotective parent.</p>
<p>Hi Sunshine341 no, not really. He’s very comfortable on his own shoes, so it hasn’t been a huge issue. The hardest was when we couldn’t afford to send him to the Caribbean with his buddies for spring break, but he found other people to go somewhere local with. If you don’t try to keep up with the Jones’, you’ll be fine.</p>
<p>SMU is what you make it. My son is neither perfect looking or rich but he is from Texas. None of his friends are form Texas. His first semester was tough but eventually he found a great group of friends. He is a 2nd semester sophmore and loves SMU. It took time and effort but it is doable for EVERYONE.</p>
<p>I have to also address the negative “sweeping” comments on SMU. I have two children at SMU and they are totally different human beings. One is a total academic and has had a great 3 + years. Been totally involved in many different groups on SMU’s campus. Does not drink or do drugs. He (through the help of SMU has gotten two GREAT summer internships) One with a Defense Company and the one for this summer with Micro Soft. He is close with professors and they have helped him greatly through his major. HE looked to get involved, HE went and got active. Second child is also a good student but again totally different. He does drink but no drugs. He or anyone he associates with (fraternities included) would not make anyone feel like they are ostracized for not choosing to do either. HE also went out, got involved in what he wanted. (IM sports, Country Western Dancing etc) Many different groups also just different from the older one.</p>
<p>Please realize that our children hold some responsibility in making a way for themselves what ever school they choose. They WILL find the right group of friends it they try and yes sometimes they have to try and be pretty miserable when they first leave home. BUT if they give up that easily they will have a very tough road ahead in life. College is a VERY good time to realize that life is not perfect, it’s not always fun but you have to find your path and embrace it what ever that is. </p>
<p>I Think SMU is a Great school and again can say that my two children who are there couldn’t be ANY more different so that proves it is NOT just for “one” kind of kid.</p>
<p>forgot to add, WE are not rich</p>
<p>jbg:Thank you for your comments! Reassuring! I have to tell you that my son has looked at several schools, different types across the board, and country! We have been able to eliminate them one by one by the way the students, parents of students, and admissions office have acted or treated us. Only one school so far has been first class all the way. That is SMU! They have been very gracious and have shown genuine interest in my son. He has many of the qualities that they are looking for and, in turn, SMU offers many things my son is interested in. I think that SMU would be a good fit for my son. He has been on campus many times and really likes the students, faculty and campus. He has already found groups he is joining. He has never run into the types that Mustangdad is talking about. (Frankly, I would like Mustangdad to give up his call name as he obviously doesn’t FIT with SMU and it is just poor taste to even use that name. Leave it for someone else that would actually FIT with the name).
Also, Is it a sin to be blessed with good looks? (Or manners?) No! People shouldn’t be made to feel bad because they take care of themselves. Actually, very few people are blessed with perfect features. There are many people that really aren’t perfect on the outside but they take care of themselves, know how to dress appropriately, carry themselves well and are polite. Because of that, they become good looking. (Example: Students in the military! I tell you that everyone of them is good looking!) You know what else, you don’t have to have money to have class.
I think that Beachmama was right on it! I think that parents need to prepare their kids for the big wide world out there! We can’t protect them forever but we can try and prepare them. I can only hope that your experience (mustangdad) is an isolated one. Everyone else here seems to love SMU!</p>
<p>@bandmom123 I am here now at SMU visiting my son and I continue to marvel at the great kids that attend SMU. Went out with several of my son’s friends today (most of whom I had never met) and every single one of them was polite, thankful and conversational. They were all worried about getting home to study and talked excitedly about their majors and plans for the future. I doubt my son could choose such a perfect groupif it wasn’t the norm for the kids here. On campus tonight, there was visible campus police presence, showing me they care about the kids and their safety. I am even more convinced now that we made the right decision to send our son here. I’m confident you will feel the same. Best of luck to your son.</p>
<p>Another hazing and assault charge today at Sigma Phi Epsilon (2nd this school year). I am an alumnus (and my dad was a Sig Ep) and very strong supporter of the school, but the frat culture is something to be aware of. I am not meaning to spread bad vibes, but I also think people in other parts of the country don’t get the same news coverage that we do here in Dallas.</p>
<p>@megpmom While hazing is a serious offense and should not be taken lightly, let’s be clear that this was the second severe SIG EP hazing incident this year. I think that says more about the current Sig Ep culture than the SMU culture. The school was swift and harsh on punishing Sig Ep. It should be noted when discussing it tonight at dinner with a group of my son’s friends from 3 other SMU fraternities, they were all dumbfounded that a house would use physical violence towards a pledge.</p>
<p>I totally agree with what Osserpusser said about current Sig Ep Culture. I also have spoken with my child who has said that ALL of the Fraternities are dumbfounded by this latest event and hope that appropriate actions are taken. It will be interesting to see what exactly happens but if SMU does not revoke the chapter then (as a member of the greek system myself) I certainly hope that Sig Ep National takes action and revokes the chapter. A strong message needs to be sent for sure. BUT jumping on the “all greeks are bad news” band wagon is just silly.</p>
<p>I’m not saying all Greeks are bad. My H and I were Greek, my D is currently in a sorority, etc. I’m just saying that every couple years there seems to be a big news event about SMU frats - drug/alcohol deaths, hazing, assaults. Not every frat - and maybe the Dallas Morning News is picking on SMU, but boys pledging frats need to know about hazing, that it is not allowed and set limits for themselves. Frats are great ways to meet people and socialize, but 18 year old boys don’t always have the best judgment (I have one - I know). Again - I love SMU, I love frats, I even love Sig Ep, but the news is what it is and out of state people do not hear about these things.</p>
<p>Sorry megpmom, I didn’t mean to imply that you were saying things against all fraternities I guess I was getting my “guard” because of how this thread started…you know against the “rich, beautiful people” I agree that people need to be aware of what goes on, especially in the Fraternities. I really hope this shakes up all the boys…which I think it has done. I have nothing against Sig Ep as a matter of fact my son feels very sorry for many of the guys who actually were out of town when this happened, BUT somehow this mentality has come through in their house. What is interesting is that particular house is known for NOT hazing their pledges…but they did THIS to another pledge from another house who was “playing a prank”. So again I agree with all you said, sorry for any confusion</p>
<p>To all: can we please let this thread die and start a new thread. I find the title so inappropriate. Thanks!</p>