Southern Methodist University

Statistics

Rankings & Lists

Students Say - Academics
Southern Methodist University "is a place with a little bit of something for just about everyone...[preparing] its students for success in the professional world and [offering] a plethora of opportunities for those prudent enough to seek them." SMU's many students studying business and business-related subjects (including advertising, public relations, and corporate communications, all strong programs here) benefit from a faculty of "professionals," who "teach from real-world experience." All undergrads enjoy "internship and networking opportunities out of the wazoo" that facilitate "the education of tomorrow's innovators, leaders, movers, and shakers." SMU also excels in the performing arts, providing "conservatory-style arts training with a liberal arts education" thrown in. One theater student explains, "When I was looking for colleges, I very much wanted to train intensely as an actress, director, and playwright, but I did not want to miss out on a liberal arts education. I believe that being a well-rounded student is essential to being an artist, as science, politics, music, languages, history, literature, etc. are what inform and inspire the art we create. SMU offers both intensity in theater and breadth in outside studies." Students in all disciplines enjoy small class sizes that accommodate "interpersonal connections, whether it be with your professors, peers, or even administration. The opportunities are endless."

Students Say - Campus Life
A lot of campus life is organized around the fraternity/sorority scene at SMU. The Greek organizations "party a lot" and also organize events and philanthropic activities. "Tuesdays and Thursdays are usual party days," one student reports, adding that Greek-organized parties "have to register their party with SMU and provide transportation to the event (i.e., they rent out huge buses to get people there and back)." Greek life offers "a very strong social program...for those interested," but "By no means is everyone at the school in a fraternity or sorority." The school and student organizations present "many events such as movie screenings and dances to help [discourage] underage drinking," and "SMU hosts a ton of lectures throughout the year, so it's great to pop into a lecture and learn something new after class." And then there's hometown Dallas, with its "many things to do...from eating to sports to nightlife." Many here like to "go to Dallas Stars and Rangers games because student tickets are cheap and easy to get," while others enjoy "concerts, clubs, food, shopping, the arts district, [and] Billy Bob's in Fort Worth" (a popular nightspot). In short, "There is always something to do on campus or right off it."

Students Say - Student Body
SMU's "reputation is 'Southern Millionaires University,'" a place where many "are white, preppy, and pretty well-off." The stereotypical SMU girl "wears pearls with her Tory Burch flats" while her male counterpart "wears polos in Easter egg hues." They are involved in Greek life and "are conservative but not political." But while a good portion of the SMU student body fits the stereotype to some degree, many here point out that "there are lots of atypical students" as well. The school "has done a great job of encouraging more diversity" through a "vast diversity of scholarships" that "bring in people from all backgrounds." Students assure us that those outside the mainstream are "able to integrate well with the other students, especially thanks to all the student activities offered." Regardless of economic background, most here "are the type that would have been a leader in high school and has high aspirations for their future." And they are loyal to one another; "Matriculating to SMU is like joining a family. A large family," one undergrad explains.

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