<p>My D is looking at SMU and the school fits her in many ways. However, I am very concerned reading some reviews of SMU being a party school. My D is a very active conservative republican with hopes of going into politics. She is a very outgoing, pretty girl with a strong Christian faith. She will definitely want to join a sorority. She likes to have fun and is non judgmental, but drinking is not her thing. Will she fit in well at SMU?</p>
<p>From what I understand as a student attending smu in the fall every niche is represented not much pressure to drink and university park. The city where the university is located is dry. Give it a chance and I’m sure she’ll love it</p>
<p>S2 had a summer camp there this summer. Other than getting to the campus, it seemed nice. SMU would certainly not be any worse than any other college (except perhaps BYU or Liberty) in terms of partying. Most of that stuff appeals to the people to whom it appeals and others can simply choose not to be involved. Dallas is right there, so those who want to have ‘fun’ can easily get to the rest of the city. </p>
<p>Dry does not really mean anything around here. It is very regional and you can get whatever you want to drink if you have a mind to…</p>
<p>Whats Greek life like at SMU? (Midwest male) </p>
<p>@nsoldan,</p>
<p>Please don’t let the rumors worry you. I am a current (female) student. There is partying that happens, but that happens at all colleges. Your daughter’s experience will depend on the type of people she surrounds herself with. The majority of the students at SMU are conservatives. We have a chapel on campus where she could attend worship services on Sunday, and many students carpool to other churches off campus. There are lots of Christian organizations she could join too, including a Christian Sorority. This could be the perfect thing for your daughter to get involved with, because she would get to experience Big/Little and the other sorority traditions, but I believe most of the girls don’t drink. I also know some of the Panhellenic sororities have formed Bible Studies, and have some girls that like to “go out”, but not drink. I hope that helps a little bit! This school has so much to offer- charities to get involved with , research to do, amazing study abroad programs, leadership opportunities, and more. If you and your daughter haven’t had a chance to come visit campus yet, I highly encourage you to do so!</p>
<p>SMU is not a huge party school. It is a very SOCIAL school, but the fraternities’ houses are owned by the school, so they are supposed to be “dry”. The drinking happens off campus, in clubs or restaurants or upper classmen’s apartments. It is not as restrictive as say, Baylor, but you are never dodging 30 keg parties or marijuana smoke in dorms. To echo Lilly, there are Methodist, Protestant and Catholic services on campus, and many nearby churches that students attend. It’s not a place where you are judged for not drinking all the time. The students are well behaved and serious about their studies and careers, but they do like to have fun.
Go visit on a football game day, and see if she feels comfortable!</p>
<p>Greek life is big there. Preppy and fun. Fraternities can’t have parties in their houses, so they rent out entire restaurants or clubs, then have party buses take people from the house to the party. Uptown Dallas is close and happening, so there are lots of options. Houses are on the edge of campus, near the sororities. Really great connections, successful alums.</p>
<p>@nsoldan It seems like college campuses all offer lots of opportunity to party. It will be up to your daughter. Have you considered TCU across the way? It is very similar but felt a bit more conservative, Christian and down to earth to me. They also have their share of affluence and partying stories though.</p>