Can you please help me compare and contrast SMU & TCU? I would love some feedback (outside of stereotypes) on how they differ. Academically? Socially? Is one more conservative or have more conservative professors? Out of state daughter accepted to both and trying to find a good fit. She wants to major in history and minor in political science & communications. Thank you!
Have you visited both ?
Unfortunately I can’t compare, being unfamiliar with TCU.
We live in the northeast, and Texas itself/SMU was quite a different culture for us!
TCU seems to have a bigger program in your area. Both are well known, fine schools.
I really think you need to visit or at least talk to student ambassadors if you can’t.
Read niche reviews.
The top 3 descriptors in niche for SMU are
work hard, play hard;
rich ;
hot smart rich rude work and play hard
For TCU
Wealthy, friendly, intelligent party animals (describes one of my grad school mates but that’s 30 years ago)
Wealthy, usually but not always entitled
All American
It may be the stereotypes u already know and there’s likely truth to them. I think you need to go see. Eat in the dining hall. Stop kids and talk to them.
If you’re going to invest four years, then you can figure out how to do that by May. One may stand out for you.
I do know SMU via the presidential focuses on diversity. In fact I’m pretty sure one girl who went and I know the mom says loves it - chose it over her scholarship at my daughters school. And two days later my daughter, an alternate, got the scholarship. They are lower income and Hispanic. And statistically TCU is more ‘white’ which may or may not matter to you.
I think at most schools, politics are not an issue. Most kids just don’t get involved. But read up on has there been issues with the latest in Israel for example. Both show ‘conservative’ by niche - SMU #7 and TCU #22. But I think part of that is that rich, white people send their kids. My sons school was #20 most conservative and he was like - what politics ? My daughters school is considered liberal and she doesn’t see politics
Both show resources for lgbtq. SMU rates 4.5 of 5 on campus pride. Very high. TCU not rated.
In the end, I hope you visit and most importantly - talk to a student ambassador, stop kids on campus. It’s the best way.
You should go and visit or only listen to people with first hand experience and ignore all the rest including me. You probably already know more than your average google jockey. Good luck.
At least historically, TCU was significantly cheaper and attracted more middle class suburban kids as a result.
Agree.
The stereotypes regarding wealth are pretty accurate.
TCU just increased their tuition in a big way. When adding it all up might be more expensive than SMU.
In direct costs it looks like in 23-24 (not 24-25) that SMU is about $10k more. I’m sure TCU is laser focused on a delta in sticker plus transaction price (after merit).
I do think SMU’s history, brand strength, probably warrants a premium - like a Porsche to Audi, as an example.
Not better but people willing to pay a premium.
FWIW in my area there is some belief that for girls at least, SMU is socially competitive, so it gets less interest than one might otherwise expect.
A year or two ago, at least one other poster shared information about sorority rush at SMU–it is intense & expensive was the gist.
My view is that SMU & TCU attract different folks from a socio-economic perspective.
Personally, I love both schools, but my impression is that not all would feel comfortable at SMU due to the display of wealth.
OP: If possible, your daughter should visit each school while in session.
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