<p>You are definitely a SMU student, I would not take this into account. The best way to find out which one you like better: Go visit, almost 100% sure you’ll pick TCU for undergrad</p>
<p>Actually my son isn’t a student at SMU yet. He has been accepted to both SMU and TCU. He hasn’t seen TCU. However, he has seen eight campuses and SMU was one of the last ones. He said SMU fits perfectly and it was by far the best school for him. He told me he would have applied ED if they offered it. He also said there was no reason to keep looking at schools because SMU was his favorite! So he isn’t going to visit TCU. He said that it would be very difficult for TCU or any other school to beat SMU because he really likes it. They also have a better engineering program. In an interview with a third school, the dean told my son that of the three engineering schools he is looking at, TCU ranks 2nd and SMU is by far the best and that his school was 3rd. That was very nice of him to tell my son that. Every school is different and you are right there are many factors that need to be looked at before deciding which one to go to. A campus visit is a must and your gut says it all. I agree it is definitely a personal choice and it isn’t the same choice for everyone. Good luck!</p>
<p>Tough decision between the two newjersey17. Pros and Cons are so personal… I’m guessing you are in NJ and can’t go visit easily. You could possibly have your son go to the admitted students day at SMU on 4/7,8 and then to TCU’s admitted student day on 4/11. </p>
<p>A few more thoughts:
*I don’t think SMU is much more selective than TCU. I got my stats from College Board that says SMU accepts 53% of the kids who apply and TCU accepts 59%.
*Freshmen and sophomore are required to live on campus at TCU, which adds to the community spirit.
*TCU has a fantastic football program and are joining the Eastern Conference which means some incredible basketball games will be played on campus (Georgetown, Seton Hall, U Conn). This isn’t important to everyone, but if your son likes sports it might be. SMU has a hard time getting fans out for games.
*The schools seem to have very different personalities although both schools are quite affluent.</p>
<p>One last comment – I’ve heard that Greek Life is equally important at both schools. Greek Life = Social Life. Personally I wish it wasn’t so big as my son may or may not join a frat. Does anyone have the Greek involvement numbers at both schools?</p>
<p>I’m not going to get into the SMU/TCU debate as a whole, however I will discuss one thing. A big difference Greek Life-wise between us is that we do deferred recruitment (second semester) at SMU. The great thing about that is that you come in to college, get adjusted, make your friends, figure things out, and then can decide if going Greek is right for you. It also allows those who do go through recruitment to get to the know the chapters better before they join, and creates a less-divided atmosphere. I can speak from personal experience and say that I have friends in every house on campus and tons of friends that are unaffiliated.</p>
<p>September 13, 2010</p>
<p>Lori Stahl
Reporter</p>
<p>SMU’s Board of Trustees approved plans Friday to build five new student dormitories to house sophomores, along with freshman who are already required to live on campus.</p>
<p>The new residence halls will have 1,250 beds and will be configured as a residential commons that includes space for classes, dining, social activities and live-in faculty.</p>
<p>A sophomore residency requirement has been under discussion for some time but was largely moot until more housing is built.</p>
<p>The trustees agreed Friday to spend $134.5 million on the project, using funds from a variety of sources. Construction is expected to begin in 2012 and be completed in 2014. </p>
<p>SMU is two years into the public phase of its Second Century Campaign, which to date has raised $452 million in gifts and pledges toward a goal of $750 million.</p>
<p>School officials said the sophomore residency requirement is consistent with recommendations from several task forces, including one designed to reduce substance abuse. They say the residential commons will stimulate a sense of community and increase student engagement with campus activities.</p>
<p>I love when colleges defer Greek recruitment. I completely agree with that concept!</p>
<p>^I do to. However, I disagree that Greek Life = Social Life. My SMU son has not joined a frat, and he has a very full (and fun) social life! :)</p>
<p>So either way, Greek or not Greek, I think you’re good. :)</p>
<p>My biggest concern is the TCU 140 Million Dollar Football stadium, that is almost 50% of their 300+ Million Capital Campaign. TCU does little if any research. Does anyone else find this frightening?? I wouldn’t mind the cost of the stadium, if they had raised a billion.</p>
<p>I think the values of TCU are in the wrong place.</p>
<p>“My son has had extremely personal experiences with SMU too. He hardly ever used the word “loves” before he went to SMU. Now he praises SMU even more than he did when he decided to attend SMU. He is currently a freshman and loves the small classes, loves the professors, loves the campus, loves his roommates, loves his dorm, etc. He is a very happy kid and he had an incredibly successful first semester at SMU too.” Posted on 12/25/2011 by New Jersey 17</p>
<p>“Actually my son isn’t a student at SMU yet.” New Jersey 17 1/15/2011 </p>
<p>You left both these posts. New Jersey 17. Many parents are looking at this website for upfront, honest insight.</p>
<p>^Huh? What are you talking aout pickyconsumer? If you posted the dates correctly in YOUR post above, I see no contradiction in what newjersey17 had to say.</p>
<p>On 1/15/2011, newjersey17’s son was starting the spring semester of his senior year of high school – so he wasn’t yet a student at SMU.</p>
<p>On 12/25/2011, newjersey17’s son was finishing up the fall semester of his freshman year of college – so she reported that he had an incredibly successful first semester at SMU.</p>
<p>There’s nothing deceptive there. I corresponded with newjersey17 via PM a few times during our sons’ college searches. Nice lady. I found her to be honest and upfront.</p>
<p>Hi Simplelife. That is correct and thank you for your help. </p>
<p>My son just completed his first semester at SMU as a freshman. He started SMU on 8/2011. He is going back soon for his second semester soon and I will miss him! :)</p>