| Location: | Southwest |
| Setting: | Large City Setting |
| Type: | Private |
| Affiliation: | United Methodist |
| Size: | Large (5,000 to 10,000 Undergrad) |
| Mascot: | Mustangs |
| Nickname: | SMU |
Southern Methodist University ("SMU") is a nationally recognized, private, coeducational university in University Park, Texas (an enclave of Dallas). Founded in 1911 by the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, SMU currently operates campuses in Dallas, Plano, and Taos, New Mexico. SMU is owned by the South Central Jurisdiction of the United Methodist Church.
Of the University's current enrollment of 11,000, around 6,000 are undergraduates. 21.5% of entering undergraduates classify themselves as "minorities", and more than half of the student body claims a religious affiliation. Only 25% of new undergraduates claim affiliation with the Methodist church.
The University was chartered by Texas on April 17, 1911 by the five Annual Conferences in Texas (the Methodist equivalent of diocese) of what is now United Methodist Church.
At the 1914 meeting of General Conference (the highest governing body of the Methodist Church), it was designated the connectional institution for all Conferences west of the Mississippi River (in effect the official church college west of the Mississippi).
The establishment was in the wake of a 1914 Tennessee Supreme Court decision stripping the church of authority at Vanderbilt University. The church then decided to establish SMU and dramatically increase the size of Emory University at new location in Dekalb County, Georgia.
Classes began in 1915.
In 1939 it was placed under the South Central Jurisdiction which comprises the states of Arkansas, Kansas, Louisiana, Missouri, Nebraska, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Texas.
The city of Dallas has supported SMU since its beginning, when local citizens pledged $300,000 to secure the University's location. In appreciation, SMU named its first building Dallas Hall, which remains the University's symbol and centerpiece. Designed after the Rotunda at the University of Virginia, Dallas Hall opened its doors in 1915 and housed the entire University as well as a bank and a barbershop. Because Dallas Hall was built on a hill, SMU was nicknamed "The Hilltop".
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Top States for Incoming Freshman
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| Percent of Students International: | 7% |
| On-Campus Housing Available: | Yes |
| Percent of Students Living On-Campus: | 28% |
| Freshman Students Required to Live on Campus: | Yes |
| Member of: | NAA, NCAA |
| Sports Include: |
Football (Conference USA) Basketball (Conference USA) Track (Conference USA) |
| Tuition & Fees (undergraduate) | Expenses | ||
Published Tuition and Fees: |
$ 26,880 | ||
Average Tuition for Full-Time Undergrads: |
$ 23,846 | ||
Required Fees for Full-Time Undergrads: |
$ 3,034 | ||
| Financial Aid | Avg. Amount Received | % of Students Receiving Aid | |
Federal Grants: |
$ 2,262 | 15% | |
State and Local Grants: |
$ 3,531 | 19% | |
Institutional Grants: |
$ 7,040 | 74% | |
Student Loans: |
$ 2,633 | 33% | |
Any Aid: |
79% |
| Acceptance Rate: | 58% (Highly Selective) |
| Test Scores | |
| SAT Scores: | |
| % of Students Submitting SAT Scores: | 86% |
| Bottom 25th Percentile: | Verbal: 560, Math: 570 |
| Top 75th Percentile: | Verbal: 660, Math: 670 |
| ACT Scores: | |
| % of Students Submitting ACT Scores: | 46% |
| Bottom 25th Percentile: | Composite: 23, Verbal: 23, Math: 24 |
| Top 75th Percentile: | Composite: 29, Verbal: 28, Math: 28 |
| Application Fee: | $ 50.00 |
| Formal Demonstration of Competencies: | Recommended |
| High School Diploma or Equivalent: | Required |
| High School GPA: | Required |
| High School Rank: | Recommended |
| High School Record: | Required |
| Recommendations: | Required |
| TOEFL: | Required |
| Test Scores: | Required |
College Advice
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My situation is this: I recently moved to Dallas, TX and am wanting to continue my higher education once I establish residency (I had just finshied my Associates degree before I moved). However, I am not sure which 4-year university would be my best option. The two main schools I am looking at are University of Texas at Arlington and Southern Methodist University. SMU is a much better school as far as rankings and prestige, but UTA is so much more in my price range. I am planning on getting a double major in English and Spanish, and am considering the possibility of teaching after school. (However, I am also considering other career options. I have always wanted to help people through teaching, but I would also like to make a decent salary. That’s another issue entirely.) So, my question is, will it make much of a difference to my future plans if I go to the more affordable school?
16 months ago
Best Answer
I live in Dallas. SMU is well respected in Dallas/Fort Worth, but is relatively unknown elsewhere in the country (or even in Texas). You've already moved States once, what are the chances you will again?
To a certain extent it does not matter where you graduate, so long as you do. I'm not so sure the price difference between UTA and SMU is justified if YOU are paying. If you have a trust fund or rich parents SMU is the way to go - and you'll be in good company there. Otherwise, look into UTA (or better yet UTD or UNT).
BTW even though you have AA, if you go to a Texas State school, you will still have to take Texas History and Texas Government. You can take them at community college.
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Question:
Is it an honor to get accepted in the SMU Hilltop Scholar program? Southern Methodist University?
18 months ago
Best Answer
YES! SMU is considered to be one of the best university's in the country. Plus, a degree from there practically guarantees you a high paying job in the Dallas area immediately following graduation.
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which is a better value? which has better science programs?
20 months ago
Best Answer
SMU by far has better quality and more prestige. baylor has a good med program...thats about it
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