<p>Can someone tell me what kind of social life is available for freshmen at SMU? </p>
<p>School spirit?
Intramural?
Hang outs? </p>
<p>Hi @Living61,</p>
<p>I’m a current SMU student and there are always tons of things happening on campus, plus downtown Dallas has even more to offer. On any given night on campus there may be a movie showing on the lawn with free food, a game of capture the flag played between members of a residence hall, and an open mic night in the student cetner. In Dallas there is an amazing arts district (student tickets to the symphony!), tons of bars and clubs, major concerts coming into town, and talented pro-sports teams to cheer on. </p>
<p>We have more than 30 different intramural sports that take place over the year; Usually residence halls and sororities/fraternities will form teams, which is a really fun way to get to know people better. Students are proud to call themselves a Mustang, and if you go on a campus tour it’s not uncommon to have random students walking by call out “Come to SMU!” This past season the student body was SUPER spirited when it came to basketball, we were camping out over night to get tickets and selling out almost all of the homegames. SMU also has a unique tradition called Boulevarding (our version of tailgating) that takes place before each home game in football season. It’s an exciting, social experience on campus.</p>
<p>Does that help? I’d be happy to answer any more specific questions you have.</p>
<p>@Lilly119 I am looking at SMU and UGA. I definantly like the job recruitting, beautiful campus and small classes that SMU provides. I like that they “hold your hand” a little bit more than a public state school. I am worried though that I wont get a typical college social expirence like walking to around a college town, always meeting someone knew, going to parties in the frat house, ect. How is the social scene here better than a college town? Is the small size of the university make it “highschooly”? Is the reputation that everyone here is spoiled true? Thanks!!</p>
<p>@khauldi I think one difference you will find between SMU and UGa is school sports and spirit. Georgia clearly is an athletic powerhouse and therefore creates a lot of pride and spirit in its students. SMU struggles in sports, although the basketball program is on the rise. There are many schools that have EVERY quality you are looking for. SMU is a very well networked school with strong alumni support. The personal attention in small classes is amazing! You might have to swap typical college sports/spirit experience for those two qualities.</p>
<p>@khauldi That’s a well thought out question. I feel like we are a college town and more. From campus I can walk to the shops in Snyder Plaza, which has an old time-y feel. Most of those shops are not chains and they proudly display SMU flags outside or give student discounts. There are the traditional SMU waterholes that upperclassmen head to at night (many of which are walking distance from campus too). So the area right around campus feels like a college town. Yet in most college towns that’s all there is, but at SMU we can drive 5-10 min to the heart of downtown Dallas where there is a vibrant Arts District, Klyde Warren Park, major sports teams, stellar businesses and more.</p>
<p>No, I would not say it feels at all “highschooly”, although I suppose it might if you are coming from a high school with 1,500 seniors. I had about 550 in my graduating class, so it’s all relative.</p>
<p>No, that reputation that everyone here is spoiled is false. But with any stereotype there is a grain of truth to it. I personally only know one person studying here without any scholarship/financial aid. Most of us are down-to earth, handworkers that wouldn’t be here without our scholarships (about 80% of the student body receives financial aid of some sort). </p>
<p>My son receives a scholarship, but we can afford tuition. Yes, more than a handful of kids are wealthy beyond thought, but my son really enjoys SMU, is not at all affected by the fancy cars, and the friends he has made are great. The connections, job opportunities are amazing! Profs truly surprise me all the time! Caring, helpful, real office hours! One called my son when he was a freshman to make sure he was ok when he missed one class. He was sooo sick and the Prof wanted to make sure he knew where the health center was and if he needed anything??? You wont get that at UGA!!! He walks to great resturants, shops etc. But it is also a big city which is the best opportunity for internships, jobs, and networking-which is why you attend college! </p>