Anonymous
Post 03/16/2026 22:15     Subject: SMU?
I have a friend with a son there. They are not wealthy but kid went to private school from K-12 so no stranger to being around people with lots of money. He is in a frat and having a lot of fun. I would probably hesitate to send a kid there if middle class and coming from public school.
Anonymous
Post 03/16/2026 21:58     Subject: SMU?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Actually, that's a very helpful link because it feeds right into the SMU stereotype. Rich kids from conservative families who can't get into the top privates end up there.


Yes, that's pretty much illustrated very clearly in that list.


But honestly how is that any different from USC, Tulane, Miami, and other schools like that?


It’s basically the Texas version of the University of Miami. Some people will love it, some people will hate it. Be prepared to shell out some cash on the kid’s social events if they want to keep up.
Anonymous
Post 03/16/2026 21:50     Subject: SMU?
Anonymous wrote:While SMU is very low ranked in US News most think that its business school and dance school are pretty good. If you get a lot of merit aid it is a good backup plan.


SMU is in the high 80s in US News national universities. How is that “very” low?
Anonymous
Post 03/16/2026 21:47     Subject: Re:SMU?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:St Albans grads from the classes of 21, 22, 23, 24, 25

University of Chicago (35)
Boston College (16)
University of Virginia (14)
Dartmouth College (13)
Yale University (12)
Princeton University (12)
Georgetown University (11)
Southern Methodist University (10)
Cornell University (9)
Harvard University (8)
Bowdoin College (8)
Duke University (7)
Tulane University (7)
Morehouse College (7)
Colgate University (6)
University of North Carolina (6)
Emory University (6)
Amherst College (6)
University of St. Andrews (6)
Columbia University (6)
University of Wisconsin (6)
Wesleyan University (6)


What's even more interesting is how all of the STA kids got rejected at the #1 school on this list during the 25-26 admissions cycle


Chicago? Weird cause I know a 25-26 STA kid who is going there.


Really? An STA parent told me that essentially everyone was rejected this year.


That is so odd. Sidwell has something like 12 going to Chicago this year.
Anonymous
Post 03/16/2026 21:46     Subject: Re:SMU?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:St Albans grads from the classes of 21, 22, 23, 24, 25

University of Chicago (35)
Boston College (16)
University of Virginia (14)
Dartmouth College (13)
Yale University (12)
Princeton University (12)
Georgetown University (11)
Southern Methodist University (10)
Cornell University (9)
Harvard University (8)
Bowdoin College (8)
Duke University (7)
Tulane University (7)
Morehouse College (7)
Colgate University (6)
University of North Carolina (6)
Emory University (6)
Amherst College (6)
University of St. Andrews (6)
Columbia University (6)
University of Wisconsin (6)
Wesleyan University (6)


What's even more interesting is how all of the STA kids got rejected at the #1 school on this list during the 25-26 admissions cycle


Chicago? Weird cause I know a 25-26 STA kid who is going there.


Really? An STA parent told me that essentially everyone was rejected this year.


I don't know anything about the class at large but I know a kid who got in ED1. He didn't announce it right away.
Anonymous
Post 03/16/2026 21:45     Subject: SMU?
Anonymous wrote:While SMU is very low ranked in US News most think that its business school and dance school are pretty good. If you get a lot of merit aid it is a good backup plan.


Yes, I have a friend whose ballet dancer daughter seriously considered it and when they told me it seemed like the strangest pick ever as she is not preppy, wealthy or even white but apparently the dance school is highly rated and fantastic.
Anonymous
Post 03/16/2026 21:43     Subject: Re:SMU?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:St Albans grads from the classes of 21, 22, 23, 24, 25

University of Chicago (35)
Boston College (16)
University of Virginia (14)
Dartmouth College (13)
Yale University (12)
Princeton University (12)
Georgetown University (11)
Southern Methodist University (10)
Cornell University (9)
Harvard University (8)
Bowdoin College (8)
Duke University (7)
Tulane University (7)
Morehouse College (7)
Colgate University (6)
University of North Carolina (6)
Emory University (6)
Amherst College (6)
University of St. Andrews (6)
Columbia University (6)
University of Wisconsin (6)
Wesleyan University (6)


What's even more interesting is how all of the STA kids got rejected at the #1 school on this list during the 25-26 admissions cycle


Chicago? Weird cause I know a 25-26 STA kid who is going there.


Really? An STA parent told me that essentially everyone was rejected this year.
Anonymous
Post 03/16/2026 21:40     Subject: SMU?
While SMU is very low ranked in US News most think that its business school and dance school are pretty good. If you get a lot of merit aid it is a good backup plan.
Anonymous
Post 03/16/2026 21:37     Subject: Re:SMU?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:St Albans grads from the classes of 21, 22, 23, 24, 25

University of Chicago (35)
Boston College (16)
University of Virginia (14)
Dartmouth College (13)
Yale University (12)
Princeton University (12)
Georgetown University (11)
Southern Methodist University (10)
Cornell University (9)
Harvard University (8)
Bowdoin College (8)
Duke University (7)
Tulane University (7)
Morehouse College (7)
Colgate University (6)
University of North Carolina (6)
Emory University (6)
Amherst College (6)
University of St. Andrews (6)
Columbia University (6)
University of Wisconsin (6)
Wesleyan University (6)


What's even more interesting is how all of the STA kids got rejected at the #1 school on this list during the 25-26 admissions cycle


Chicago? Weird cause I know a 25-26 STA kid who is going there.
Anonymous
Post 03/16/2026 21:28     Subject: SMU?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:RD decisions out tonight and DS accepted. Anyone with a current or very recent student there who can comment on culture, academic opportunities and outcomes? Like it or not, Texas is one state that is absolutely booming. It seems like that alone could offer attractive options.


Like what? Staying in Texas? You'd want that for your kid?

Are you from the DMV?


Stop stereotyping.

Texas is vast -- it is not all MAGA and mega churches.



I never said it was. My question was more fundamental: does OP want to send a kid that far away and have them stay there?


OP here. Of course my preference is that all of my kids end up living on the same block, right next door to me, in sort of a family compound.

But failing that- I can think of a lot of worse places than Texas to end up, although it probably wouldn’t be my first choice. I was thinking more about internships and first jobs.


I sure can't.


Then your world is very small.


Actually it’s because my world is very big.
Anonymous
Post 03/16/2026 21:28     Subject: SMU?
Anonymous wrote:Has your student visited the campus? SMU is definitely has a majority white and wealthy campus. It’s also known for a hardcore party culture, with a lot of substance abuse and illicit drug issues (many high profile stories and student deaths over the years). Things may be better but I’d definitely be researching the campus culture closely before sending a student there.

https://smudailycampus.com/114181/opinion/the-daily-campus-evaluates-progress-in-drug-policy-over-four-years/


OP here. My son did a quick visit when in the area last summer but has not taken man official tour. I have never been. Yes, campus culture is very important and that’s exactly what I’m asking for recent comment on. In all fairness, the article that you link here was written in 2011 about events that occurred four years before that. So, not necessarily relevant to present day. I
Anonymous
Post 03/16/2026 21:22     Subject: SMU?
Has your student visited the campus? SMU is definitely has a majority white and wealthy campus. It’s also known for a hardcore party culture, with a lot of substance abuse and illicit drug issues (many high profile stories and student deaths over the years). Things may be better but I’d definitely be researching the campus culture closely before sending a student there.

https://smudailycampus.com/114181/opinion/the-daily-campus-evaluates-progress-in-drug-policy-over-four-years/
Anonymous
Post 03/16/2026 21:21     Subject: SMU?
Anonymous wrote:SMU is one of those schools that Chads love and chuds hate. The social scene is intense and competitive. If you don't have the aura to navigate it, you could be in for a long four years (presuming you don't transfer). But those who manage to snag top tier fraternity and sorority bids and work the connections they make can pretty much write their ticket.


Look, its the old bouse dad talking about "chads" and "chuds" again. Your comments in that old thread were removed for a reason btw
Anonymous
Post 03/16/2026 21:17     Subject: SMU?
SMU is one of those schools that Chads love and chuds hate. The social scene is intense and competitive. If you don't have the aura to navigate it, you could be in for a long four years (presuming you don't transfer). But those who manage to snag top tier fraternity and sorority bids and work the connections they make can pretty much write their ticket.
Anonymous
Post 03/16/2026 21:17     Subject: SMU?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Actually, that's a very helpful link because it feeds right into the SMU stereotype. Rich kids from conservative families who can't get into the top privates end up there.


Yes, that's pretty much illustrated very clearly in that list.


But honestly how is that any different from USC, Tulane, Miami, and other schools like that?