SMU Professor and Advisor - AMA!

Colleges and Universities A-Z Southern Methodist University
21

I have a son (HS class of ‘22) who was accepted to SMU. He plans to major in CS. He visited, sat in on a CS class and spent time talking with a CS professor and a senior there specializing in the area my son is interested in specializing in - artificial intelligence. He came away with a very favorable impression and likes the size of SMU and it’s CS program.

I have several questions that I’d love to get your thoughts on:

  1. How would you assess the quality of the undergraduate CS faculty & are most UG CS courses taught by full professors, adjunct professors, or grad student TAs?

  2. How would you assess the over quality of the UG CS program?

  3. What types of opportunities are SMU UG CS students getting for internships and full time positions - local Dallas & other TX companies or big tech and other National companies with TX presence?

  4. Do you think the CS and other Lyle clubs and friendships made through classes & residential life are enough to be socially engaged if a student decides not to go the Greek route? I have a daughter in Cox at SMU who is in a sorority and very social, but I’m not sure from what I’ve seen of the fraternity scene if it would be the best fit for my son with the heavy emphasis on drinking & going clubbing. I do however want to make sure he will be somewhere where he can easily get engaged and be socially connected outside of Greek life. He really enjoys spending time with friends but is a quieter kid.

Thanks so much for any insight you can share.