Southern Methodist University

Date: Apr 16 2008
Major: Sociology (This Major's Salary over time)
I agree with the two posts below that one's experience at any university does depend on one's attitude and desire to seek out people the feel they can relate to. Furthermore, I agree that it is ignorant and hypocritical to call students close-minded or snobby without a true basis for those epithets.

However, people do choose schools based in part on how well they feel they will fit in with the student population and whether or not they feel they would be successful in a particular environment. I am going to be honest and say that SMU was not a good fit for me. There are great aspects of SMU, but I would urge anyone considering various schools to look beyond the literature provided by the school and the information given to you during a tour. Take time to seriously evaluate whether or not you want to be in a school where there is a lot of affluence, conspicuous consumption, networking, etc. like there is at SMU. That is great for some people, and others would rather be at a larger university or perhaps a small liberal arts school without a greek system, etc. Again, that is personal preference, and it is up to the individual to decide whether they feel they would thrive in an environment like SMU or whether a different milieu would be a better fit for them.

I went to a christian high school in north dallas, and I have to say that I felt there weren't a lot of influential christian organizations on campus. I really liked Campus Crusade, but at other schools they have hundreds of students going to different ministries through churches and getting involved in Bible studies, etc., and I really did not feel that at SMU. I definitely think that you can get a great education at SMU, but just make sure that you feel comfortable with the environment that typifies SMU. Make sure that you feel comfortable where people do have nice things, participate heavily in Greek life, and truly enjoy socializing and networking with influential people. Even the positive reviews have stated that fact that these things do characterize the culture at SMU. That is not necessarily bad, but ask whether or not YOU would thrive there.

Personally, I transferred to Texas A&M, which has been a lot better for me in terms of church and meeting some more people that I felt comfortable around. US News actually ranks Texas A&M higher than SMU, yet it's less than half the price.

I also know a lot of people who left SMU when they had the opportunity to transfer to UT Austin or Pepperdine.

I will say that while applications to SMU might be increasing along with its prestige, a lot of the people I met there were rejected from the more competitive universities they applied to.

If SMU is a good fit for you, you will know it after really thinking about it. Think long and hard about your choice so you don't have to transfer like I did!