Recent SMU admissions stories?

[tristatecoog]

It's also harder to graduate in four years from a big state school. They aren't as flexible with course offerings.

[DanFreibergerForHeisman]

It's also harder to graduate in four years from a big state school. They aren't as flexible with course offerings.

Really? I would have thought it would be the other way.

[Digetydog]

]

When you look at the cost of private universities, the in-state tuition at UT and TAMU may be the best deal in the US.

You shouldn't look at the sticker price of tuition, but look at the cost after scholarship/financial aid.[/quote]

True. But, if SMU is willing to offer generous scholarship aid, TAMU is often willing to do something. In my case, SMU's generous offer made SMU affordable. TAMU's offer made it free. I talked my parents into letting me go to SMU.

Right now, I have a relative looking at colleges for 2016. He should get into SMU/UT/TAMU/Vandy. He has a legitimate shot at Ivy League schools.
- If it comes down to SMU/Vandy v. TAMU/UT, net cost is going to be a big factor in deciding where he goes.

[gostangs]

if he is that kind of student he would be foolish to throw it away on A&M. The other three are all great schools and there could be reasons to pick any of the three. Vandy seems like it would be the lay down choice - although a high north eastern contingent and almost all private high schools - so that is a certain vibe that he may not like.

[tristatecoog]

It's also harder to graduate in four years from a big state school. They aren't as flexible with course offerings.

Really? I would have thought it would be the other way.

Well, and also to address DigetyDog on why SMU for a bit more than the big state school option, if you aren't getting priority registration like honors colleges (my case at UH or Plan II, etc. at UT) or athletics, you wait in line to get the classes you need. I believe the class needs to have at least ten people to make but usually it won't be listed unless it has demand for more than that. Then, of course, you're getting lots of classes with 100+ people in them and many core classes with 300-500 people. Upper level classes are much smaller but still 60 or so. There can be a few niche classes in niche majors with 20 or so in a class but that was rare. In chemical engineering at UH, we had many core classes that were only offered once a year.

You just have to be much more self-motivated to get the advising, courses and other services you need at Big Public U. Knocking out some core classes at JUCO the summer before or after UT is smart. It's cheaper, the course is easier and the grade doesn't transfer...just the credit. The class that would have 300-500 at UT will have 20-30 at JUCO. The cost benefit of doing this during the summer at SMU is obvious as well.

If one has a shot at an Ivy and is a leader, the full ride President's Endowed scholarship at SMU is a great option. Also, if one can get into the honors components of majors at UT, which is where later success is much more prevalent, that same student would get a lot of aid at SMU. I've specifically seen that bare out in engineering and science disciplines.

[Digetydog]

if he is that kind of student he would be foolish to throw it away on A&M. The other three are all great schools and there could be reasons to pick any of the three. Vandy seems like it would be the lay down choice - although a high north eastern contingent and almost all private high schools - so that is a certain vibe that he may not like.

If he gets into an Ivy, I think his parents will find the money. Otherwise, SMU vs Vamdy TAMU will probably be determined by financial aid.