<p>Hi y'all! I've been creeping around on here for quite awhile but never posted, so - hi! I was accepted to SMU last month with a Founders scholarship and an invite to Hilltop. I'm trying to make a decision regarding if it's really something I want to do. I've heard a lot of positive things and some not so positive and I guess I'm having a bit of trouble muddling through people's opinions, especially those without firsthand or family/friend experiences to base them on. So I would love to hear from those with firm opinions and experiences with Hilltop in regards to both residential and academic views. </p>
<p>I've heard/read:</p>
<p>Perkins and Smith are fairly average dorms/not as nice as others.
Hilltop is overrated.
UHP is better.</p>
<p>I've also heard:</p>
<p>The experience is irreplaceable.
The summer trek is awesome.
The group bonding and Hilltop 'family' feeling are what make it worth it.</p>
<p>A little about me, if it helps:</p>
<p>I would probably prefer a more lowkey, slightly quieter dorm.
I'm probably going to wind up applying for UH.
I do prefer smaller group experiences, overall.
I'll be majoring in either Human Rights, International Studies, or PoliSci.</p>
<p>Other general questions: Should I still send in the Hilltop contract even if I haven't officially decided on SMU/paid my deposit? Also, I'm wondering how basic AP credits would impact the required Hilltop classes.</p>
<p>Thanks in advance, yall! I appreciate any and all advice.</p>
<p>I got invited to do Hilltop Scholars as well. I’m not 100% sure of going to SMU, but maybe 90% sure. I emailed them to see if reserving my spot in Hilltop meant committing to the school and they said no it just holds your spot in HSP if you do decide to go. Since I wasn’t sure about HSP either, I figured what would it hurt to hold the spot to give me more time to ask around and find out about it? Even though the dorm is not one of the newer or fancier dorms, I like the idea of a smaller, quieter community where the students are maybe more academically focused. In other words, I’m kind of in the same boat with you, but that was what I did about it. If you find out anything else, please share.</p>
<p>Personally, I’m part of the UHP program and lived in the honors dorm my freshman year. I can tell you for a fact that the Hilltop dorm and community is much more of an outgoing family-oriented community, one of the closest dorms on campus. Many of my best friends did Hilltop freshmen year and LOVED it- they still talk about it all the time. A few of them even applied to join the UHP sophomore year which you can easily trasnsition from Hilltop to UHP. </p>
<p>If you’re looking for a quiter community that isn’t as welcoming then UHP might be a better fit. Hilltop truly is a family experience, but that doesn’t necessarily mean it’s loud and rowdy. Hilltop is very academically focused as well. </p>
<p>Let me know if this helps or you would like more information.</p>
<p>@flyguy - Yep, I’m in a similar boat. Mostly sure I’ll be at SMU, but have to hear back about financial aid first. But if I do go, I’m unsure about Hilltop…</p>
<p>@gostangs2014 - Thanks for this! I definitely feel a bit more comfortable about it now. </p>
<p>I submitted my contract last week just in case so here’s hoping financial aid goes well!</p>
<p>@kfin89 @flyguy60108 I was Hilltop Scholar and it was a great addition to my college experince. The number one reason students are skeptics about the program, is because they struggle understanding what it is and the dorms are not as nice.</p>
<p>The dorms are older, but they are the largest rooms and the doors say open so your friends can come visit you when ever they want. Honestly, at the end of the day, your dorm experience will be less about how nice it is and more about the quality of people around you. Hilltop is best of both worlds, because all the kids have clear ambitions and generally fun/good kids. This attracts a variety of kids. You have outgoing kids and quieter involved kids, but because everyone is generally movativated. Everyone respects each other and they are more open minded. The dorms are less crazy then the “party dorms,” but believe me, there are Hilltop scholars who how to party, but they won’t bring recklessness back with them like other dorms. </p>
<p>Hilltop scholars get access to:
-the scholars den for studying and free coffee
-hilltop only classes
-get to take classes in the dorms
-hilltop exclusive events
-you can put it on your resume</p>
<p>Basically, you both sound like the mesh ofa Hilltop student. Hilltop is literally the best dorms because you mix of great people. No matter what dorm you choose, your not limited to your dorm to make friends. Most of my friends were in Mac, but I loved Hilltop, because I also had a different set of friends there.</p>
<p>Long story short, if you have been invited you might as well do it. Its a lot of fun and it was one better decisions I made at SMU.</p>
<p>I was also a HSPer and know PerunaTonic - his description was spot on. It’s a great mix of kids and because we are all motivated we respect each other. There is serious family bonding and a feeling of community that I think is stronger with HSPers than in the UHP (although they are also a tight-knit group). Also, you can join the UHP without having to live in the Honors dorm as a first-year. As a Hilltop Scholar, I not only got access to Hilltop classes but also I have been able to take any Honors class that I have been interested in with zero problems. </p>
<p>VS and Hilltop are two separate programs right now. But SMU is moving to a residential commons model (yay!) so the programs will be dispersed throughout the residence halls! Check out the website! </p>
<p>I lived in VS and am UHP, and have most of my closest friends from there. I absolutely loved my experience in VS and would recommend it to anybody. That said, UHP and Hilltop are two separate things, and you can’t live in Smith or Perkins if you’re UHP. </p>
<p>Virginia-Snider = UHP (4 year honors program)
Smith and Perkins Hall = HSP (one year living/learning honors program)</p>
