I am looking at both schools. I have not visited SMU yet, but I have visited NYU (funny, considering I live in Dallas). I am at the top of my class academically (2300 SAT with a 3.9 GPA), and I have about 4 AP scores to dates (2 4’s, 2 5’s; I am taking more this year, as I am only a junior). I am very liberal, and I hope to be very active in LGBTQ/Alliance support/activism on campus. I have heard NYU is very “artsy,” and I’m not sure I am (I’m horrible at creating art and acting/singing, although I am a musical junkie, love watching opera, love going to poetry slams, etc.) I want to major in English and Journalism (would be a CAS applicant at Tisch). I am nonathletic and I would rather drink cyanide than participate in Greek Life. The main reason why my parent want me to go to SMU is my dad works there, so I’d get a free ride. I really liked NYU’s “campus,” btw. I liked the immersion in the city.
Well personally I think you ought to pick SMU. That’s a really nice perk that you can attend for free. There are so many kids that wish to be in your shoes. SMU is an outstanding school. You could always attend NYU for grad school.
The big thing is, my parents are a bit overprotective, and there is a huge chance I could run into my dad on campus. I really want to get away from home for college, as I have lived in Dallas TX my entire life. Frankly, while I have yet to visit SMU’s campus, I absolutely loathe the Highland Park/UP area, so I don’t know how much I’d like it. I am hoping I could possibly get some private scholarship grants to go somewhere else. I am looking at NYU, Columbia, Yale, Berkely, Williams, Brown, and Barnard, maybe Princeton too.
NYU is very tight with aid - you can’t count on much money from them, although with your stats it’s worth applying. They only give really generous aid to the students in the top 5% of their applicant pool.
Out of state for Berkeley is nuts-- just not worth it – so drop it from your list. It’s really a better experience for grad than undergrad anyway.
The other schools on your list give mostly need-based aid – no merit awards at the Ivies, Williams or Barnard – so it kind of depends a lot on your dad’s salary at SMU. (The less he gets, the more aid you might stand to get at a need-based school) Additionally, those schools are all reaches- are you guaranteed admission at SMU because your dad’s on faculty? If so, it’s a great safety – but you definitely should pay attention to finances as you look at other schools.
Does SMU have a tuition exchange with any other colleges whereby you could go free or at a discounted rate? It’s worth looking into. I know a few folks who work for other colleges where this is true. I can understand that SMU is not the best fit for your personality and I do think it is good to get out of the Highland Park bubble. Free tuition is hard to pass up. That’s $ that could be used for grad school, any entrepreneurial ideas, etc.