<p>I kinda want to go there....but I think I have a chance at better schools...
SMU stands for Southern Methodist University just in case someone didn't know :)
Besides its in my hometown..which i gues has it's advantages and disadvantages...any comments?</p>
<p>its not regarded as all that great, but if you will be happy there then you should go there</p>
<p>I can't vouch for the other departments, but anthro/arch is very highly regarded.</p>
<p>thanks well the thing is that I want to become a lawyer... I have a pretty good academic and ec record ... I'm the sal in my school
but my sat grades just aren't that great ..i'm taking da ACT dis saturday...I guess I should retake the SAT again...lol</p>
<p>You will get some contradictory opinions. Here's mine: It's a solid university, an endowment over a billion $, inproving in status, beautiful to look at (you know that because you live in Dallas). Being from Dallas, you are no doubt aware of its rich-kid, somewhat conservative image. I am devastated that the trustees are going against the faculty and accepting the Bush Library on the campus, but your feelings about that depend on your politics. One thing to be aware of, if you're not already -- social life is dominated by the Greek system. For girls especially, getting into the "right" sororities is not an easy thing. Getting into an "in" sorority (or even a not "in" one) is very superficial, not based on you as a person, but on who you know and what influential people can write you letters of recommendation. If you are more independent minded and don't care about the Greek thing, you would be fine. The law school is very good. Law, business, and the arts are SMU's academic strengths. Liberal arts are pretty strong. To sum up -- fairly strong academically, a bit superficial and conservative in the values on campus, and an emphasis on partying, fun, and being good-looking.</p>
<p>Sadly, most of these negative responses come from those students who could not afford SMU or did not have the academic credentials necessary for admission. As a recent grad, I would highly recommend the school for it’s many positives including a beautiful campus, renowned faculty, Top 100 ranking, and excellent connections. In the end, it is what you make of the school. They simply give you the tools you will need to succeed. Good luck!</p>
<p>doesn’t your location say you’re going to Cornell?<br>
You’ll probably just end up saying “this is a friend using this account” in order to avoid people calling you a ■■■■■ or an elitist because you’re asking if SMU is a good school when you know Cornell is better.</p>
<p>The original post is nearly a year old. A lot can happen in a year.</p>
<p>what are people talking about? SMU is a VERY good school…</p>
<p>SMU is a pretty good university for business ( Cox school ), and has great networking opportunities and a beautiful campus. it’s very expensive though, and I think you can go to a better school for less money. If you’re admitted to SMU, you can probably get in UT Austin, for example.</p>
<p>
Ah, nothing like an ad hominem attack to show off that fine SMU education. </p>
<p>Your comment on the income of the posters in this thread reflects poorly on the state of socioeconomic diversity and financial aid at SMU. With good reason…only 32% of SMU students qualify for financial aid (COA $48,414), and a mere 10.4% have their full need met.</p>
<p>As I have posted before, I am not a fan of SMU for undergraduate school. Yes, you will have lots of Dallas connections when you get out, but it is, in large part, an extension of the wealthy high school directly to the south of campus. The Greek scene is huge and kids (girls, usually) have been known to leave campus in shame if they do not get into the right sorority. There are some strong departments, but the social scene is dominated by wealth and status. There are better choices.</p>
<p>Great men’s soccer team</p>
<p>If you plan to stay in Texas, SMU is a good school.</p>
<p>This thread is a year old!!!</p>
<p>OP will be attending Cornell.</p>
<p>Who cares if the thread is a year old? People are still considering SMU. This could be useful in the future. </p>
<p>“Your comment on the income of the posters in this thread reflects poorly on the state of socioeconomic diversity and financial aid at SMU. With good reason…only 32% of SMU students qualify for financial aid (COA $48,414), and a mere 10.4% have their full need met.”</p>
<p>Ha! No … that comment made is 100% valid. Anyone who would consider a top 100 school as “not well regarded” probably can’t afford it or did not get admitted. I agree. Or, like many, they hold a grudge on SMU because of the dumb “rich, white reputation.” And because people are naturally jealous/dumb, and give schools like SMU these ridiculous stereotypes, people will always trash talk SMU. </p>
<p>It’s extremely naive to say that any school with the stats and academics like SMU is poorly regarded. In my opinion, anyone who talks trash about a university that many work hard to get into, and strive to be a part of, just looks ignorant. </p>
<p>Take this quote for example from momofwildchild (the name says it all):
“As I have posted before, I am not a fan of SMU for undergraduate school. Yes, you will have lots of Dallas connections when you get out, but it is, in large part, an extension of the wealthy high school directly to the south of campus. The Greek scene is huge and kids (girls, usually) have been known to leave campus in shame if they do not get into the right sorority. There are some strong departments, but the social scene is dominated by wealth and status. There are better choices.” </p>
<p>Immediately after saying she is not a fan of SMU, she goes on to talk about the wealth on campus. Proves my point. Money envy. While it is important to find a school that fits you right, A WEALTHIER STUDENT BODY DOES NOT MAKE THE SCHOOL LESS CREDIBLE. </p>
<p>SMU is a wonderful school, and I have grown up in Texas my whole life, and people are nothing but impressed when you go to SMU. </p>
<p>For god sake, we know its not Harvard, but give me a break. It’s a wonderful school and its by no means easy to get accepted there.</p>
<p>^Kyle, where exactly do you live where “people are nothing but impressed when you {say you} go to SMU{?}”</p>
<p>I mean I live in one of the wealthiest suburbs in the D/FW metroplex and I have never met anyone, whether it be students, teachers, parents, etc…that is (noticably) impressed when one of my friends says that they go to SMU. I mean SMU is a pretty good school, but it isn’t exactly in the same league as the big boys of Texas (Rice, UT and A&M). In fact, most of the kids I know that are at SMU are there because either they didn’t get into one of the aforementioned big boys or they wanted to be close to home (and daddy’s bank account)</p>
<p>Kyle- Get a grip. I certainly don’t have money-envy. I lived within a few miles of SMU for almost 30 years. It is OK- just OK. Neither of my kids would have considered it for a second. It’s like a big high school in many ways. The really top students who consider it do so because SMU offers tremendous merit money for applicants with high academics.<br>
This is not a school that impresses anyone. In fact, one of the (few) criticisms of Dallas as a business center is that there is not a really stand-out university. UT-Dallas is advancing in the science and math areas, but SMU is just not top tier. It does have some excellent departments and excellent faculty members, of course. One can get a good education there, but it’s not a great university.</p>
<p>It’s a “great” university if it produces successful graduates and SMU certainly does that. SMU grads make more than Michigan, Texas and Berkeley grads from a statistic I read on Payscale.</p>
<p>One could argue that this is a direct result of the fact that all the kids are rich to begin with. However, the ends justify the means. You either become wealthy, join the wealthy or get left hung out to dry.</p>
<p>I don’t know where the bashing of SMU started but I can think of several good schools where the students are either well-off or people who are well-off don’t mix with people who aren’t</p>
<p>Miami University
Fairfield University
University Of New Hampshire
Wake Forest University
Providence College
University Of Richmond
Lehigh University
Gettysburg College</p>