SMU was recommended to me in another thread, and it checks a lot of my D22’s boxes. However, the thing that is hard for me to figure out is what the campus culture is like. What kind of students attend SMU? I would appreciate any light that can be shed on the school’s “intangibles.” Thank you!
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My D20 is in a sorority and is active in a Christian and spirit organization.
There are all types of students with about 45% from Texas. Some very wealthy and some Pell Grant but most seem to be a wide range of upper middle class.
SMU has expanded scholarships and grants to reach a broader population. It also recently built new housing to require two years on campus and boost graduation rates to level of its aspirant peers like Duke and Emory.
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Thank you. If you had to choose one sister school for SMU, which school would it be? This is the one school where we are having a very hard time deciphering the vibe.
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https://www.smu.edu/Provost/IR/Resources/PeerUniversities
This list of aspirant, operational and G14 peers can give you a sense of which schools SMU aspires to be, operates like and hangs out with.
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Wake Forest University, USC, Vanderbilt, a bit like Pepperdine, Washington & Lee, & University of Denver = basically lots of rich white kids, but striving for diversity as are several of the other schools in this group.
I like SMU, but just like most other schools, it is not the school for everyone.
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The school used to be known – slightly jokingly – as “Southern Millionaires University.”
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I have a friend on faculty at SMU and another friend whose kid is a student, and I’ve known/worked with lots of alums, but neither I nor my family have attended the school - so feel free to take this with a grain of salt. I think it’s fair to say that traditionally, the predominant vibe has been “old-money rich kids,” with the Greek life and social scene that implies. SMU is located in University Park, one of DFW’s wealthiest and most exclusive enclaves, and it’s long been common for students at the local ultra-high-SES high school to head down the street to SMU for college. (My friend’s kid received a shockingly fancy and expensive “dorm-warming” gift from his new freshman roommate, which I wasn’t aware was even a thing.) That said, I agree with others that SMU is making real efforts to diversify, and that culture may well be changing.
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California family here, chiming in. We just moved our son into SMU after a whirlwind 2020 season of college applications and acceptances. After a lot of thought and a campus visit, he chose SMU and is loving it. I, too, had heard the “stereotypes” but went in with an open mind - also hear other differing opinions from families of kids who are there or have attended. Sterotypes certainly exist at all schools, but so far our experience through this whole process and thus far has been very welcoming, down to earth parents and kids! Strong academics, great sports culture (the football team continues to be on the rise!), neat traditions, and very welcoming faculty and staff. The kids in his dorm could not be nicer - not a pretentious attitude in sight. Sure, a few girls rooms decorated quite nicely but that is a trend everywhere! PONY UP! We are thrilled.
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