Should I go to SMU or Tulane?

Colleges and Universities A-Z Southern Methodist University
1

What’s up guys,

I’m a high school senior who has gotten into both SMU and Tulane. I was pretty surprised that I got into Tulane and it has made my decision much harder because SMU was my top choice before going down and visiting Tulane. Now I keep switching back and forth.

I plan on going into advertising as a career - SMU does have an advertising major, but from what I’ve heard, advertising (copywriting in my case) is more about networking and writing skills than majoring in advertising, and apparently most people in advertising did not study it in college. However, SMU seems to have a stronger alumni network and, being in Dallas, stronger job prospects. If I go to SMU I’ll probably do marketing (maybe advertising) and screenwriting/creative writing and at Tulane I’d do marketing with maybe English or something.

Tulane, on the other hand, probably has more name recognition outside of the region, and I really liked New Orleans. I also am on the fence about SMU’s student body - the rich, white preppy type. Obviously Tulane will have some of that same demographic, but to what extent I am not sure.

Both would cost me about the same which doesn’t make it any easier. Anyone have any experiences or just advice in general regarding picking one of these? My main career is making sure I have a clear path for a successful career.

Thanks in advance.

2

I sent you a PM.

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SMU has hands down an exceptional career placement center. If you decide on SMU they assign you a career advisor the day you begin classes. You can visit as often as you like.

My son attended SMU and he used their services all the time and visited every career fair. His professors even encouraged the students to attend and they went with! My son networked and learned what companies were visiting SMU. He decided early on where he wanted to go and it took several failed interviews to finally get past the initial round. He got a lucrative internship at a tippy top company. Also his wife who graduated from SMU also had a lucrative internship. They both had job offers a YEAR before the graduated. My son was also offered co-ops that he turned down. He had research positions, TA positions, etc. SMU did a fantastic job. Also they aren’t just placing the students locally. The students get employed across the nation.

I wouldn’t worry about career placement at this point. Both universities will help you with finding internships and jobs. The most important thing is to do well in college. If you do well then you’ll have a higher chance of getting a good job. The key to picking the college is fit. So pick the university that makes you the happiest. If you are happy, you’ll be motivated to do well.

As far as SMU being a rich university. If you look at their common data set you’ll see how many students receive aid. There are about 30 percent full pay students. I can tell you that exists at every college. I’m sure Tulane has their fair share of full pay students too. Colleges are a business and I think that’s rather low percentage because my D university is more like 70 percent are full pay.

In summary, you are the only one who knows what you are looking for in your college experience so none of us can suggest what you ought to do. We don’t know what’s important to you. My suggestion is to pick the college that makes you the happiest and that fits you best. They say happy students are successful students!!

Everyone’s needs are different so figure out what’s important to you and then decide.

Good luck with your decision and just listen to your gut. You cannot go wrong with either college. They are very similar in ranking and both really great universities. It’s definitely a nice problem to have.

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Also SMUs business school is ranked 20th. That’s very impressive!!!

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Ok reality check, Tulane is full of White Preppy… I just pulled my son from Tulane. Tulane’s social life revolves around 6 Fraternities, you get in by Parents/alumni, friends from HS or “mandating”. It’s well known that the fraternities have influence on campus, including such college activities as TEMS. Favorite past time is called the trail of tears, kids line up to see 18 year old girls cry as the read the list of those who get a sorority bid after spending all year pledging, it’s posted on campus, really disgusting activity. You really need to explore the Greek life at Tulane and its influence on the university, and any parent reading this considering sending their child to Tulane should look into the house fires, hazing and drug arrests at Tulane. If your child is academically inclined, don’t go here.

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Well, I have to say that is an amusing comment about Tulane being white and preppy. That was by far the bigger knock on SMU for years, especially since the percentage of African-Ameicans at Tulane is 9%, SMU is 4%. Tulane draws 87% of their students from outside of New Orleans and Louisiana, SMU only 60%. People would say that SMU was just an extension for Highland Park kids to keep going to school. I am quite sure that is as unfair as the claims of this new poster.

The enrollment in Greek Life is virtually identical. SMU men 33% Tulane men 30%. SMU women 46% Tulane women 50%. Tulane students are constantly saying that because there is so much to do in NOLA, Geek life doesn’t at all dictate who your friends are and what you do.

Freshman retention rate at SMU is 89%, at Tulane it is 92%. If Tulane is so terrible, why are they retaining freshmen at a higher rate, especially since given the much higher percentage from out of the area (not just the state, Tulane has the highest average distance students travel to attend, about 950 miles) one would normally expect the opposite result, if everything else were equal. Tulane’s 6 year graduation rate is higher as well, at 83% vs. 77%, and Tulane’s is rising while SMU’s has been flat.

All these numbers are from each school’s common data set. I am not knocking SMU at all, I think it is a great school. Do I think Tulane is a bit higher level academically? Yes, but there is not an extraordinary difference. Most students would do very well at either school.

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While I can’t comment on your initial post, I feel compelled to reply to @600122 post above. While everyone has their own personal experiences at college, the one described above is shows Tulane in an incredibly negative light that is hardly truthful. First, Tulane can definitely feel like a northeast school with a huge percentage of the student body coming from Boston, New York, New Jersey, Baltimore, DC area etc and another large chunk coming from California and Chicago. I wouldn’t call the student body preppy, but it does get knocked for its “white affluent” feel sometimes. Second, Greek Life is pretty visible at Tulane, as many join a fraternity or sorority. It is not the end of your social life if you don’t participate in Greek Life. Like all other clubs and organizations, it is a way to meet others with similar interests. Tulane’s Greek life is also very different from the Greek life at the big southern schools. Greek Life organizations don’t have any more influence on campus than any other large campus organization. In all my years of Tulane (and part of Greek life), I have never even heard the term “Trail of Tears” and there is no list read of those who got a sorority bid or not and you do not spend all year pledging - that is all just entirely false. In terms of house fires/hazing/drugs at Tulane, the post is probably referring to a few specific incidents which I can assure you were handled accordingly. These are incidents, while incredibly unfortunate, that can happen and do happen on other college campuses across the country and are not unique to Tulane.

@600122 I am sorry Tulane didn’t work out for your son, but hopefully he finds another school that will prove to be a better fit

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Congratulations to you! Both schools are wonderful, so rest assured, either one is a good decision. Since you asked for experiences, my son had the same choice you do. I thought he would pick Tulane; because I thought SMU was too preppy for him. He’s more California “chill”. I thought Tulane was a little edgier and funkier, while still having a lot of preppy style. (I’m also sad to say that I hear that white preppy stereotype used too often as a negative). Anyway, I think the schools are similar academically, football program that always is hoping to be better next year, fun tailgating regardless, stately buildings, lush lawns, etc. Also, both schools rush in January, which is a great way to meet many friends and get into your studies before the Greek involvement starts.
The more subtle differences; SMU loves their Cox business school, Tulane is so strong in sciences. But, executives and doctors come out of both undergrad programs.
The cities: Dallas is bigger, has hustle and bustle, and there are plenty of native Texans, but also many many newcomers from all other states. New Orleans - so charming, historic, such food and revelry! Dallas is hotter, NOLA more humid.
Activities - Seems Tulane has more focus on community service, SMU has that, but students are maybe more networking/internship driven. The Greek houses at SMU are larger, so more students “live in”. Tulane’s Greek system seemed a little more laid back, while still vital. On visits, I thought Tulane was friendly and smart, SMU organized and smart.
Hopefully, you have a sense of where you felt most comfortable. If not yet, call recruiters at both schools, picture yourself living there, go on the accepted student facebook pages, get a sense of whom you might be living with.
As for the negative posts, there are a few students at every college in the country, that really disliked their choice. I’m sure it won’t be your experience. Best to you!

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Overall, Tulane’s rep is stronger than SMU’s.

But Business is one of SMU’s strengths, so that overall disadvantage (vs. Tulane) would be mitigated somewhat.

I think they are close enough in quality that you should choose based on finances (a wash, in your case), city/culture, social aspects, food/dorms, and weather/environment.

Visit them both – try to gauge which city you prefer and which campus feels more like home.

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Why did your pull your son and did he try for a fraternity and didn’t get in?

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First full disclosure: S is accepted into SMU Cox as a BBA Scholar, so he will be attending there in the fall. NOT studying advertising.

Since most of the academic stuff is covered above, I’ll point out a couple other considerations. First, as a copywriter, if you want to be competitive and work at a top agency, you likely will need to follow your undergrad with post-graduate work at a “portfolio school” – such as VCU BrandCenter, Miami Ad School, Creative Circus, etc. You’ll need a “book” and rarely do 4-year colleges focus on that. Most prominent agencies fish from the ad school pond for newbies. So, the “academic” part of your choice becomes somewhat, well, academic. The last degree will be the one that counts.

Some good news, about 50 years ago, you really had only two or three choices to work in that career – NYC, Chicago, possibly LA or SF. Today there are credible agencies in MANY other markets – Richmond, Austin, Portland, Boulder, Minneapolis. Dallas, too. Chicago, not so much. And definitely not New Orleans.

Dallas (and Texas) has a MUCH more credible advertising industry that New Orleans will ever have. Richards Group being the largest Dallas shop, working on big accounts, but also there’s Temerlin and a host of others. Plus GSD&M in Austin. The largest shop in Louisiana is probably the one handing their tourism account, and it gets pretty thin after that. So, in short, Dallas will give you a much better view of what the advertising biz really looks like. Not to mention, you’ll have better prospects for internships and introductions than in New Orleans.

PS. I began as an agency copywriter in the early 80’s, have worked at famous agencies on both coasts, and currently own my own shop.