<p>I got into SMU a few days ago and was also named as a University Scholar (which gives me $3000 a year.) Anyway, I have some questions:</p>
<li>I’ve heard SMU is very conservative and I’m not conservative at all. Are there any liberals or will I be the only one there if I go?</li>
<li>I’m from New York and I’m wondering how the small minority of northerners fit in at SMU.</li>
</ol>
<p>To be honest, SMU is pretty low on my list right now, but I’m definitely going to school in a warmer climate (well, I only applied to schools in warmer climates so I don’t have a choice ) and am still considering SMU so any info would help. Thanks.</p>
<p>My D is definitely not conservative but is accepted to Theater where there is more of a liberal bent. She has had similar concerns, but is quite secure in her opinions and politics and can debate with the best of them. Ultimitely, the benefits of a top-notch program and the national reputation it holds are by far outweighing the thought of being in the political minority. She will not go the Greek route, but that is not uncommon in the arts. So in short, we aren't too worried that she will find her niche and be at home. I think it will depend on the program you are in and how secure you are in yourself.</p>
<p>My D is a freshman there and very much a liberal...a democrat with mostly liberal leanings. She was concerned about the conservatism as well. In fact, during a scholarship interview there, the subject of liberalism came up and she was quite vocal about her views.</p>
<p>In any case, she does admit that certainly the campus is comprised of far more conservatives than democrats (Young Republican club much bigger membership than Young Democrats, for example). But she has found a comfortable group of kids to hang out with. She's a double major in Dedman (arts and science) and Meadows (performing arts). As one poster pointed out, The Meadows school of the performing arts, is comprised of a more open-attitude crowd.</p>
<p>However, it is definitely a school with lots of Texans who generally tend to the more conserative. Also, it's a wealthy school which is reflected in the student body style of dress and some attitudes as well. </p>
<p>Nonetheless, my middle class D seems to be having a great 1st year. She
originally had not planned to go Greek. However, since they have 2nd semester rush, over the course of the 1st semester, she came to appreciate the sororities and people in them and ended up pledging.</p>
<p>curiouser-when did your D finally get her total financial aid package? Do you feel like she obtained a good amount for the type of student she is?</p>
<p>I'm very, very secure in who I am but I don't want to end up at a school where no one is anything like me. The two posts here did make me more comfortable with the idea of going to SMU although right now I'm leaning towards the University of Arizona (in terms of schools I've already gotten into, I still haven't heard from 3 schools and I'm pretty high on 2 of them.)</p>
<p>If I go to SMU, I'll start out in Dedman and I might switch to Cox for marketing (I'm not sure I want to major in marketing right now, I'll probably fit in better at Dedman.)</p>
<p>txrunnerj,
The reason D ended up choosing SMU is largely because of the package she received. She was named a President's Scholar which is full tuition and lots of other perks. This school was not one of her top choices originally. She had been looking mostly at larger schools.</p>
<p>I made her go for the scholarship interview weekend, but told her if she didn't feel right about it, that no matter how much money she got from them, she didn't have to go there. Well, she did win one and really liked it after all. After spending time there, including an overnight at the campus for the interviews, she found she was much more comfortable there than she expected to be-in part because of the great kids she met. This helped dispel some of the stereotypes she'd heard about a too-rich, too-conservative environment. And the staff/faculty are extremely approachable and warm. </p>
<p>She tells me that lots of people she knows got decent-to-excellent aid packages. Because they seem to have a rather large endowment for the size of the school, my impression is that financial aid is generous.
Hope that helps.</p>
<p>Thanks curiouser....D has received a 30K total merit scholarship from SMU, but is anxious to receive her entire package...she was offered full tuition and fees at another smaller school, but they expect an answer very soon...it is a tough decision...she also received a 3/4 tuition and fees from another school that is very appealing on many levels...I think she is leaning that direction...money isn't everything...but it sure helps!</p>
<p>Also it is VERY important to spend time on campus.I think that has influenced her choices in such a major way. Even though you only see a snapshot of the university, it really opens your eyes to how comfortable you feel and whether that "gut feeling" is present. Each of the schools that my daughter is considering had an overnight except SMU...she didn't make the cut on Presidential or Hunt interviews. It would have helped enormously to have that experience.</p>
<p>Seems like she has an option in the near future for an overnight, but is apprehensive about missing school and activities...it is so busy this time of year...I will encourage her to sign up though.</p>
<p>My D and I were just down at SMU this past week. The Cox school is ranked 9th in the world. She is also liberal in her thoughts. She is looking forward to attending next year.</p>
<p>Lacer00, where did you find the 9th in the world ranking? I have the 2010 US News and World Report and it lists Cox as 38th for undergrad business. I know there are other rankings out there, Newsweek, etc.</p>
) and am still considering SMU so any info would help. Thanks.</p>