SmU- SIBLING WHO GOT INTO SMU

Colleges & Universities Southern Methodist University
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<p>Hi, does anyone know a person who had a older sibling that went to Southern Methodist University (SMU) and that person was accepted to the university with lower grades/test scores usually accepted? </p>

<p>I’m asking because currently I have a sibling at SMU. My grades and SAT’s are somewhat lower than what the school tends to accept:
I got a 550 CR (the schools low is a 560) and a 520 in math (the schools low is a 580). Unfortunately, SMU does not consider writing. </p>

<p>I know the university is pretty far out of my range, however since my parents pay full tuition (no financial aid) and I have a sibling that attends the school maybe it will help my chance of being accepted? </p>

<p>Soo has anyone been in/ heard of a similar situation like mine where the kid got into the schoool???</p>

<p>thankkks!</p>

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<p>You should definitely apply if you want to go to SMU. It is better to try than not. They can always say no but at least you tried. Also, those stats you mentioned are the middle 50% of the range. There are other factors involved that they look at. For example, what you want to study, where you live, how well written your essay is, what classes you are taking now, etc. </p>

<p>Can I ask a question? How much does SMU cost? I mean I see the tuition of $33k and room/board cost average of $12k but the $4k yearly fee is confusing me. Do you have to pay the total fee or can you select? What are these fees for? Also, does your sibling live on or off campus? I heard it is cheaper to live off of campus. Any information you can give would be appreciated. Thank you!</p>

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<p>I don’t know the impact that having a sibling at SMU might have on your admission, but you are correct about your SAT score being low for SMU. As you point out, the 25th percentile is around 1140 (75th percentile is around 1350), and you are at 1070, so you are a good bit below the 25th percentile. (Not sure where newjersey is getting his/her stats.) Based on your name, I’m guessing you are a senior, so not sure if you can take the SAT again to try to raise your score. Good luck though.</p>

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<p>Reading it again, I guess newjersey is just pointing out that 1140 (to 1350) is just the middle 50%, and while, yes, you are below that, the SAT score isn’t the end all – so you should still take a shot. And I agree with that.</p>

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<p>Yeaaah good point newjersey17. I applied so i guess we’ll see what happens. I’m not really expecting to get in to SMU, so if I get denied I won’t be that disappointed. (Hopefully TCU will take me! As far as the reach schools that I applied, I feel that I have the best shot at getting into TCU) </p>

<p>I guess the cost is about $50k including room/board, tuition, and fees. I’m not positive what the fees go towards, or if someone has to pay the total fee. sorrry. </p>

<p>My sibling has lived on campus for the past two years, but he’s going to move into an apartment for his junior/ senior years. According to him, someone can get a pretty nice two bedroom apartment near campus for about $800 a month. (I’m not 100% sure my brother told the truth about the price lol, but I’m assuming it’s somewhere around $800). So if you split the cost with a roommate, I guess it would be quite a big less to live off campus than on campus.</p>

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<p>Thanks for the information on the housing. Do you like TCU or SMU better? Also, which would you recommend if you get accepted to both? My son wants to major in engineering. Thank you.</p>

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<p>Is your son applying there this year or next year? </p>

<p>It’s hard for me to decide if I like TCU or SMU better. However, if I had to pick I would probably choose TCU. </p>

<p>I like the national name recognition (high rankings) location, and regional diversity of the students of SMU, but it worries me that the school is too socially competitive, mostly for those in Greek life. I’ve heard stories of kids leaving SMU because the kids are too bratty and have ridiculous amounts of money. (SMU is like the USC of the south). Someone once told me that their son’s fraternity had went on so many trips at SMU that he ended up leaving the school because it was too much to keep up with. (And this was a boy from a family with a very good amount of money). Also, academically, my brother has been disappointed with most of his professors. I’m not sure why exactly, but thats what he told me. </p>

<p>However, I’ve also heard a lot of positive things about SMU. For example, I’ve heard of a nice girl who loves the school and her sorority. Also, my brother likes the school a lot. He chose not to be in a fraternity, and has made good friends and still has found fun/ social things to do (bars, clubs, parties). Also the school was absolutely beautiful when I visited. The dorms and campus are really nice. Plus, dallas is a great place to go to school (a lot of good restaurants / shops etc.) </p>

<p>As far as TCU, I like the social reputation of the school better than SMU. I haven’t heard as much about TCU in comparison to SMU, but from what I’ve heard people have said that they like and a lot and that the kids tend to be nicer than SMU kids. </p>

<p>The only negative point that a few people have brought up to me it that TCU is SUPER texan, which could be a culture shock for me since i don’t live in Texas. In contrast, SMU has much more out of state kids (a good amount from CA). Also, when I visited TCU i wasn’t super impressed with Fortworth (but I’m from a big town so I guess my expectations might be a little high lol). </p>

<p>Bottom line: I feel like I would be happier at TCU in comparison to SMU. Even though SMU is ranked higher, I don’t think going to TCU would really make a difference for my future in the long. Therefore, the social factors somewhat play a large role in deciding which school I would want to go to. I feel like if I were in a sorority at TCU i wouldn’t have to totally KILL myself. I feel like it could be too overwhelming at SMU, and I’m not sure if I would want to deal with that for 4 years of undergrad.</p>

<p>But…if your’re son isn’t dying to be in a frat he should probably go to SMU if he gets in.</p>

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<p>Wow! That is a lot of information. I would think all the schools have a party edge to them and if you want to get involved then you can, but you don’t have to.</p>

<p>Anyhow, I hope you don’t mind me asking more questions. Would you happen to know what freshman dorm my son should request (for both TCU and SMU). He has been accepted to both schools and has decided they are the top two for now. </p>

<p>Also, what is your brother studying? I mean what is his major? Thanks.</p>

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<p>Haha yeah I didn’t realize i wrote that much…lol.
I don’t mind you asking questions at all, keep asking haha. </p>

<p>I’m not sure what dorms are the most popular at TCU. When I visited I’m pretty sure a few were redone so maybe look into that.
“Shuttles” is the newest dorm at SMU. I’ve seen it before, it’s pretty nice. </p>

<p>My brother hasn’t declared his major yet, but he is probably going to choose either economics or history. (or double major in history and economics)</p>

<p>By the way, why isn’t your son sure about which school he likes more? And just wondering what were his test scores/GPA?</p>

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<p>Oh he is torn because he hasn’t been able to see TCU. We didn’t know about it until after we visited SMU. He said SMU fits. So we are trying to decide if he should head back down to Dallas to visit TCU so he can make a decision. Deciding which college to accept can be difficult especially when you have a merit scholarship on the table. That is his 3rd school. He received a 14K per year merit. Math 660 CR 550 Writing 590. Thanks again for your help!</p>

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<p>It’s worth a trip to see TCU. congrats on the scholarshipppps. Good luck with everything!</p>

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<p>seniorrr11 - Hi! Can you tell me what dorms your brother recommends? Does he recommend Cockrell for engineering? Also, you made a comment that your brother has been disappointed with most of his professors. Can you also elaborate on this? Thank you.</p>

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<p>My son also was accepted to and received merit scholarships from both TCU and SMU. Both schools seem great. SMU is gorgeous and we love Dallas and Highland Park. So cool that Bush’s library is being built there. But he feels TCU offers a more well-rounded traditional college experience. Big sports – Rose Bowl Champs, Big East conference – he can’t wait to watch Villanova, Georgetown, Notre Dame come to TCU to play basketball, greek life, intramurals, freshmen and sophomores are required to live on campus so there is a lot of bonding. He toured both schools and immediately felt a community spirit at TCU. </p>

<p>He did like that SMU had more kids from around the country but TCU is growing in that manner. They took full page ads in December in the LA Times, NY Times and WHO KNOWS where else they advertised. </p>

<p>Son is getting some flack from classmates that SMU is just a rich kids’ school, but there also is a ton of money at TCU as well – it just doesn’t have that reputation in our state. TCU was listed on U.S. News and World Report’s list of Top 20 Up and Coming Schools.</p>

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<p>rice1961 - May I ask what state your son is from? Also, what does he want to study? Thanks.</p>