Hello! I am currently a sophomore in high school who is seriously starting to look at colleges. I am hoping to get out of the state and explore new horizons, but I get free tuition at SMU due to connections, so my parents want me to consider it. I am looking for great academics, specifically in the Journalism/English and Economics programs. I would like to have travel abroad and internship opportunities. I’m a hardcore liberal and an agnostic. I am not lesbian, bisexual, etc., but I do hope to be involved in the LGBTQ community as an alliance. I am not a huge party-goer (I would rather be reading with a hot mug of tea 
), and I would rather drink cyanide than join a sorority. I am a bit concerned because I have heard SMU is somewhat of a party school. I have also heard 97% of the girls there are drop-dead gorgeous, and while I couldn’t care less about my looks, I’m not at all attractive. Do you think I would fit in there?
Also, for those of you that can answer, how does SMU compare to NYU (my other very serious consideration)? I have yet to visit SMU’s campus, but I visited NYU a couple of weeks ago and absolutely fell in love. Which do you think (based on what I’m looking for in terms of academics, community, etc.) would be a better fit for me?
Also, I am probably one of the most unathletic people on the planet, so the intensity of the athletics program is not a huge factor (in fact, it’s not a factor at all on my list).
With your liberal leanings, I think you would be way more comfortable at NYU. The vocal majority of SMU students (if not actual) is very conservative and not as accepting of alternate gender identities as some other liberal arts communities. You will find the SMU JSchool quite good, with plenty of internships at local websites and papers. You’ll likely find more big name internship opportunities–and a lot more people that share your beliefs- in NYC. You would be fine at SMU, but I personally feel you’d have a better connection at NYU. Best of luck to you!
You would not fit in at SMU. It is conservative and the typical female there cares greatly about appearances to the point of rolling hair, applying makeup and jewelry and wearing latest fashions. Just not a good fit culturally. Also if you loved NYU in yhe heart of the largest city in the US, you would really hate SMU because the campus is more isolated and set apart from the nearest city. Stick with NYU and other colleges in NYC. Also consider options in Boston including Emerson College.
SMU is NOT set apart from the city - it is moments away from downtown Dallas.