It's pretty close. I am a Texas mom with a UMiami kid. SMU is more conservative/southern and maybe more insular. They are both in the best neighborhoods of their respective cities too. (Coral Gables/Highland Park.) Social media influencers abound at both. UMiami is probably a harder admit. Rush is harder at SMU especially for girls. |
I have friends whose kids are seniors now and committed. The parents are disregarding the warnings under the excuse of “there are drugs at every college.” My close friend’s daughter attends and said the pressure to socialize (if in Greek life) is immense. Like, planned to study one night but forced to drink and attend a formal instead. It’s a lot to keep up with. Socializing focuses around clubs, not bars. For non serious students SMU is actually probably a lot easier to navigate now that I think of it. PS Another friend’s son admitted to Cox Business School TO without precalculus math as a high schooler. Strange All in all it sounds like a school for kids who can manage partying pressure and work the connections made there. Which isn’t nothing! |
| High school seniors are already dirty rushing frats and sororities at SMU. Not sure if that happens everywhere or not but first I’ve heard of this. |
| Sounds highly toxic! |
Fraternities at most flagship state schools do this too. The active brothers already know who the incoming Chads are from their high school, and recruiting starts as soon as college decisions are finalized in the spring, then ramps up over the summer. By the time formal rush begins, most of the top houses’ bids have already been handed out under the table. Random chuds never had a chance. |
Oh my…Chads are the popular good looking dudes and chuds are not? Dirty Rush is….illegal rushing?? |
Correct. |
. Normal. |
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My child is at SMU and I have visited a good amount. My child has not had issues with drugs. Definitely a lot of wealth, but they have a lot of friends who are middle or upper middle class. And the merit and financial aid is very generous so it draws other kids with greater need, as well.
My child has had fantastic academic advising and small classes. The personal attention is much greater than the flagship public I went to (that many on here strive for their children to attend). Cox is incredible with kids working on resumes and starting to plan for internships on day one of freshman year. The campus is gorgeous and safe. |
DS is going to a state flagship and he’s already been invited to visit houses, attend parties. One rush chair took him to lunch over the Christmas break and told him he’ll get a bid. |
| We have friends with two kids there. Dad is a uva alum but they don’t live in the VA area (or TX). SMU has become a hot school for many that thought their kids would be legacy shoo ins at uva. Friends are quite wealthy and were surprised how much money their kids spend to be part of the scene in Dallas. But they are super happy. |