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SMU is a great school that I highly recommend at least checking out, but it has some serious pitfalls. The GOOD: First of all, the inherent business culture of the university is apparent in all the schools, particularly in the school of Engineering. The main focus of the Lyle engineering school is to get you a job. From the first day, freshmen will be inundated with Co-op and internship talks and will learn that, generally speaking, you are on a 5 year graduation plan. It is intimidating at first, but that type of drive for success and determination will inspire you to think about the future and really plan for employment. The engineering school has seen the most renovation, innovation, and funding from the university, so all the buildings and resources are brand new. You will definitely feel inspired to apply yourself in employment and in the lab. Secondly, at it's core SMU is a liberal arts institution. You will have to take at least one class from each different school, and each school offers something great. You are encouraged to explore different courses and double major, or if you really want triple major. Third, the campus is beautiful. You won't consider aesthetics a real reason to attend a university until you visit SMU. Fourth, you don't have to be in a frat to have fun. If you don't party, that's fine, you will find a group of friends that do stuff together. Yes, the majority of very rich white kids here, but there is so much more to SMU. Walk around campus and you will here people talking in Pashtun, Hindi, Mandarin, Spanish, French, and other languages. There so many groups to explore that you will not notice or really care aboutthat sick party Kappa Sigma is throwing.unless you are actively seeking it out. The BAD: First, it is ridiculously expensive to attend SMU, and it is only going to get more and more expensive. On top of that, that financial plan you have will expand quite as quick as the cost, and you will end up paying around $1000-$3000 out of pocket every semester after freshmen year, if you don't get new scholarships. In fact, that is part of the reason I had to leave. Second, no doubt about it, the majority of the school is white and wealthy. That isn't necessarily a bad thing, but if you are a minority, you will notice it. When I was there, there were two violent crimes against two different Asian students by the fraternities on campus. After that, I never walked down fraternity row at night ever, even though it's on campus. Third, Greek culture dominates the social life. You can have a blast as a GDI once you find your core group of friends, but be aware that the frats and sororities are the influential people on campus. Many students go to SMU just to rush Phi Delt or Pi Phi, and will transfer out if they don't get picked. I have met many pleasant, intelligent, and chill people who are in those organizations, but if you are looking to party in college, you have to roll with them. There is hazing and you will be doing illegal things. |
