Opinons on attending SMU

[ts5641]

I realize this isn't a football topic, but this board gets the most traffic.
I wanted to get some honest opinions from some of you regarding SMU.
My son is deciding between attending SMU, UT, or TAMU.
He wants to major in civil engineering and has been accepted to all 3 universities.
He is a middle class kid from Allen. We are not rich in any way. He can get enough scholarship money from SMU to even the tuition out.
My question is this: Is it true a majority of SMU students are rich? Would a middle-class kid have trouble fitting in?
I would love to hear everyone's opinion.

[sportchic]

In reponsed to your questions Ts5641... There are alot of wealthy SMU students ( parents ), but there are alot of SMU students on scholarships too. Scholarship students wheither it is from sports, academic grades, band& etc... Some of them comes from average income families and some below average income. It basically wind down to your child's personality if he / she will fit in. You should not let your income level effect your child's choice of colleges. A degree from SMU is will be HIGHLY REWARDED! Come join the MUSTANGS!!!!! Good luck on your choice! :smart:

[FloridaMustang]

GO TO UT!! Seriously, if your son isn't rich, he's going to feel seriously out of place at SMU. I hated my experience there.. the only kids I liked were kids on different athletic teams.. they just seemed more humble. Plus, if your son isn't planning on going greek, avoid SMU. The school is run by greeks, period. The campus is beautiful and Dallas has a lot to offer, but I would have much rather gone to Austin and enjoyed a more balanced student body that UT could provide.

[ponybutt]

The first thing you need to remeber is that you are looking at apples and oranges. SMU is a PRIVATE University and not a PUBLIC University. SMU does not have that BIG school feel at all. SMU undergrad has about 10,000 students. Texas and A&M have about 50,000 students.

I attended SMU and recieved my undergrad and MBA from SMU. I could of gone to any school in the country. I chose SMU for the simple fact that it was small and felt like a family. You and your son should plan a visit. The campus is astounding!

SMU is friendly. Everyone seems to be on the same page. I played intramurals and knew most everyone on the other teams. Frat or independent, SMU is inclusive.

Finaly, an SMU education is second to NONE!

SHEESH!!! I sound like a rah rah boy...

LET'S GO PONY HOOPS!!! B-HOP!!!!! SIMPSON!!!!!

[Mustangs35SMU]

Dont listen to FloridaStang

If you didnt know Im only 14 (15 in 4 days) And when Im up at SMU I feel like Im just at home! Your son would greatly enjoy SMU Hope to see ya around SMU!! ooo btw does anyone know if the Womens soccer team beat Texas A&M??

[CoxSMU]

If you think SMU is run by greeks, go to Washington and Lee...

Everyone can find their Niche at SMU. While it is probably one of the richest schools in the south, it is a great degree. Connections and a great after-graduation placement program make SMU a good school to go too...I don't know much about the engineering school, other than it is a good school, I think...But you can't go wrong with UT or A&M either...If you have any questions, I would be happy to answer them for you.

<small>[ 11-14-2003, 07:57 PM: Message edited by: CoxSMU ]</small>

[Mustangs35SMU]

Originally posted by ponybutt:
I chose SMU for the simple fact that it was small and felt like a family.

EXCATLY!! You feel like you're right at home up there! Thank god I get to spend all of Thanksgiving up there in Dallas around SMU yay!

[MizterTea]

Originally posted by ts5641:

He wants to major in civil engineering and has been accepted to all 3 universities.
He is a middle class kid from Allen.

HONESTLY, that sucka might want to go to A&M if he is really majoring in engineering and is a middle class kid from a small town

[Spaz]

Ok here's the deal....
I'm a middle class kid who got a full ride here for engineering. If you want to do ENGINEERING and nothing but ENGINEERING, yes, you might consider UT or A&M.
But here's what I consider valueble about the SMU program. I have learned a lot about how engineering works AS A BUSINESS. Also, I'm able to do much more than any engineer around.
Seriously, if you want to consider SMU, email me ([email protected]) and I'll tell you more.
Also, Geoffrey Orsak a good professor/dean to get a hold of. [email protected]
You or your son, please email me and I'll see what I can tell you...


The Spaz

[ponyte]

Your son will love SMU. Son being the key. First, more girls than boys attend SMU. So right off the bat the odds favor him. Next, the girls on SMU campus are as whole the most beautiful women on any campus. So now he has the beautiful women to men ratio in his favor. I looked at Dartmouth when I was checking out schools. My parents were real high on the school, Ivy league and all. But I told my Dad I would never go to Dartmouth because the gals were the ugliest I had ever seen.

All schools have advantages that don't show up on paper. SMU's big advantage is the post graduation connections. All those rich folks own the business and don't simply work at the business. That can help finding a good job.

There are some folks that love to show their money but the majority of folks at SMU just love to have a good time regardless of money. People can find a way to fit in and a crowd to run with and SMU is no different. There are some really fine people at SMU. Really fine people. SMU, as a private school, has a way of avoiding some less than fine people. Money may intimidate but at least it isn’t criminal.

[Charleston Pony]

I was a middle class kid at SMU 30 yrs ago and thoroughly enjoyed my years there. Never bothered me that I seemed to be one of the few who didn't have a car. I got free room & board for acting as a resident advisor in frosh dorms and also joined a fraternity and got free room and board for serving as house mgr. I've never been very materialistic, so it never bothered me that there were many kids at SMU who came from very well-to-do backgrounds. Kids are kids. Much will depend on your son's personality, but I would definitely recommend living on campus to make friends. The real SMU advantage is the small campus compared to UT and A$M, but either way he'll have an opportunity for a good education. Good luck.

P.S. If he's a sports fan, one great thing about SMU is that it's easy to get good seats for our games!

[gostangs]

I also came from middle class suburban background - SMU completely changed the direction of my life - the after school connections are worth the cost difference - especially if your son is wise enough to be paying attention.

If your son is a bit insecure, is looking for the "money" difference all the time and has a chip on his shoulder about it (see FStang above) he will have all the opportunity he wants at SMU -but I found most students to be fun loving and not in your face about it at all.

Both UT and SMU have heavy fraternity influences
A&M not as much so -

SMU has a really special, family feeling - Good luck - all three are good schools - and these days if he got into all three he is obviously a serious student.

[Nacho]

If money is not an issue go to SMU. The classes are much smaller and the Profs, who are mostly excellent, are much more accesible.

[i10pony]

I'm a recent grad (Dec 2003).During my stay at SMU I contemplated transferring. I had my ups and downs (some real downs) but thats to be expected anyway college is what you make it no matter where you are.I didn't major in engineering at SMU but I had friends who did. Two advantages SMU engineering has over UT and A&M are Dallas industry connections and the Co-op program. I had friends who gained valuable work experience and made between 25k and 40k in the Co-op. I also had friends who majored in engineering at UT and A$M they told me they try to weed you out of the huge first year eng. classes. Thats not the case at SMU.
The "rich kid" thing is there at SMU. And being a minority didn't help either.It bugged me my first year but I got over it as I matured. And some of those rich kids became my best friends.I also left the frat scene (but it was good the first year and a half) When I left I broadened my social horizons and met people from different ethnic and socioeconomic backgrounds. SMU's diversity is underated ,could it be better yes, but I am definitely impressed by SMU's commitment to be more diverse.It has become more diverse since my freshman year of 1998. Every college has its pros and cons and ultimately it comes down to the individual's attitude and ability to make the best out of his or hers college experience.

[mclubprez]

Let me add my two cents. I was what you might call a lower middle class kid who attending SMU on a Mustang Band scholarship. I loved everyhing about SMU which is why I have stayed so involved. More to the point, however, my older son attended UT and loved it. I hated it because getting classes, housing, books, etc, was such a damn ordeal. My younger son is in his third year at SMU and is doing great and having a wonderful college experience. Good luck on your search.