Thoughts on SMU - s/o from ole miss thread

[Anonymous]

Haven’t seen smu mentioned much here but yes social media is probably why it was mentioned in our house.

However upon research it seems like a really strong/solid and balanced school.

Thoughts?

[Anonymous]

All the alums I know are rich, southern, white frat boy types. I’ve been really underwhelmed by the alums I’ve met, but maybe they’re thee minority?

[Anonymous]

Nah.

[Anonymous]

It's fine. I would be fine with my kids going there but I doubt they would like that scene. It is a scene.

[Anonymous]

It’s a beautiful campus! We used to live down the street and enjoyed being nearby. The student body is like a small, intense version of a school like Alabama. They have some really strong programs in business as well as dance so there’s an interesting mix of students. A BBA from SMU is a straight shot into a solid role at any Texas-based Fortune 500 companies, especially for someone aiming for b-school. They are not the smartest BBAs I’ve encountered- UT picks up the brightest group nearby- but SMU alumni look out for each other. I think it would be easier to be a male undergrad than female because the social expectations there are pretty strong. There is still an old Texas money vibe to the place that would make it hard to penetrate from out of state unless you’re a rich preppy white Methodist or have an activity like marching band, dance, or a sport that will provide a social life.

I agree with solid/balanced as a description. Also, Dallas has changed a lot and would be a fun place to be late teens/early 20s!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It’s a beautiful campus! We used to live down the street and enjoyed being nearby. The student body is like a small, intense version of a school like Alabama. They have some really strong programs in business as well as dance so there’s an interesting mix of students. A BBA from SMU is a straight shot into a solid role at any Texas-based Fortune 500 companies, especially for someone aiming for b-school. They are not the smartest BBAs I’ve encountered- UT picks up the brightest group nearby- but SMU alumni look out for each other. I think it would be easier to be a male undergrad than female because the social expectations there are pretty strong. There is still an old Texas money vibe to the place that would make it hard to penetrate from out of state unless you’re a rich preppy white Methodist or have an activity like marching band, dance, or a sport that will provide a social life.

I agree with solid/balanced as a description. Also, Dallas has changed a lot and would be a fun place to be late teens/early 20s!

Great info.

Your post suggests that SMU is like one big Southern fraternity for life--am I reading that right ?

[Anonymous]

I like SMU, but it is important to understand and to accept that displays of wealth are part of SMU's culture.

[Anonymous]

Applicants to SMU also tend to apply to Vanderbilt, TCU, USC, Wake Forest, U Miami, U Texas at Austin, Baylor, and Tulane.

For OP, if interested in Ole Miss and SMU, then TCU (Texas Christian University) might be of interest. 40/60 imbalance regarding male/female students. TCU is a more down-to-earth version of SMU.

[Anonymous]

Before USC improved its academic reputation, they were considered very similar schools.

[Anonymous]

It's a rich kid party school. Good for networking.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It's a rich kid party school. Good for networking.

Do you work for SMU admissions ?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It's a rich kid party school. Good for networking.

Do you work for SMU admissions ?

The two are not mutually exclusive. I'd even argue SMU has a better networking scene than most elite east coast universities. It's just how the affluent South and Texas operates. Same for the Southern flagships too, although a lot of it also comes down to being in the right frat and sorority too.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It's a rich kid party school. Good for networking.

Do you work for SMU admissions ?

The two are not mutually exclusive. I'd even argue SMU has a better networking scene than most elite east coast universities. It's just how the affluent South and Texas operates. Same for the Southern flagships too, although a lot of it also comes down to being in the right frat and sorority too.

I agree with you 100%.

(My admissions comment was intended to be humorous.)

[Anonymous]

It is definitely a sought after school for dance majors-one of the top programs in the country

[Anonymous]

I'm from Dallas and it was a rich kid party school when I was applying to schools. You can absolutely get a great education there, but displays of wealth and really entrenched Greek scene might be different than what a kid from this area is expecting.

I'm actually not sure how good it would be for networking, unless your DC wants to stay in that part of the country. Lots of 3rd+ generation Texans with money from Texas industries go there to mix and mingle and marry. But since I did not go to SMU, this is all based on classmates who did attend, and the profile of who applied.