Chance me for SMU Merit/Honors programs

Stella_Graye
Fri, 28 Jan 2022 14:46:14 +0000

Hey! I’ll most likely be applying to SMU Early Action next cycle. I’m from Texas, and SMU looks like a great option, but because tuition is so high, I’d have to earn significant merit such as Hunt or Presidential to go. I was wondering if anyone could share their experiences with these scholarships, and also with admissions to SMU’s various Honors programs. Possibly also the Pre-Law Scholars? I’m coming from a very small but accredited private school. I’m looking to be a polysci major with econ minor, and then go into law.

My (projected) stats:
34 ACT (36E/35W/35S/30M)
3.98 UW GPA: no honors or AP, but my school doesn’t offer any
No class rank
5 sciences and 5 math credits in high school
Projected ECs:
~Self-published a >100 page book on political economy
~Small YouTube channel on the same
~Speaker of the House in Model US
~Co-founder of Model UN
~President of my school’s chapter of our Honor Society, which is oriented around both service and academics (main service EC)
~Recreational tennis
~Work 20-30 hours a week at local grocery store as a checker
~Various low-profile political volunteering
~Various small service ECs
I’m an above average writer, so I think I can write good essays, but my letters will probably be average for a place like SMU. Due to my ECs, I can craft the essays around personal passion for politics and law, which should increase my chances.

Any advice would be appreciated!