Southern Methodist University Top Questions

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The quality of academics at SMU are somewhat variable, but the dedication is consistent. Even in struggling departments, you can tell that the professors really care and try to improve the situation. I've been very inspired by the passion and encouragement from professors. I've only taken science and humanity classes, so I don't know much about engineering, business, or art school classes. I've enjoyed all my classes so far, and all my professors (except maybe two) know my name. Even though I'm taking all the introductory courses, my largest class has had 80 people in it. People participate frequently in the smaller classes, and professors are extremely willing to meet with students outside of class. The Honors College at SMU has been the best part of my academic experience. Other Honors students are competitive in an inspirational, supportive way, and always have interesting things to talk about. We form study groups and make studying fun, since we have to study so often anyway. The Honors College curriculum complements SMU's requirements, which I find to be very well rounded and focused on learning for its own sake.

Academics at my school are challenging. I'm currently double majoring in Business and English, and minority in Psychology. The business school as I have experienced it has been incredible. The teachers know my name, where I'm from, my academic and life goals, and they show a real concern for students. They not only hold regular office hours, but are willing to schedule appointments with students for one-on-one help, and work with you through the class material. This is just as true in the Dedman School (through which I am working on my English major and psychology minor), and is what I hear about the other schools that my friends are involved in. Also offered are the very helpful career services center, advising offices (each school has their own specialized advising program), and the A.L.E.C. Tutoring center. SMU wants its students to succeed, and provides all the resources a student might need, and then some. The academic requirements are challenging, but all the help offered makes every academic goal achievable. I'm even involved in multiple extracurricular activities, including student senate, finance committee, and kappa kappa gamma, but I am able to manage and balance my academic life with these quite easily.

I have yet to be in a large class; however, i've heard they do exist for economics and some introductory business classes because a lot of the kids here have come here for the amazing business school. Foreign language classes and english classes are never really more than 15 students, and math classes are usually around 40. That's provided for a nice variety of where the teacher knows you so well (to the point where you can't miss a class without them knowing) and where you can just sneak into the back ten minutes late and copy notes from the kid next to you without it being a big deal. I don't really see a whole lot of people studying, but i think that differs depending on if you're in one of the specified honors or "scholars" dorms or if you're in a party dorm, like Boaz. I have found that it's really easy to get to know your professors, and when I wanted to learn more about a major, I met with the head of the department and he talked to me himself, giving me more contacts if I wanted to know about different ways to use the skills I would learn outside of the classroom.

SMU has a very academically focused student body. Most students applied to other elite schools, such as Vanderbilt and Yale, but chose SMU because of its balance between academics and social life. Classes are generally small, and the majority of professors know your name and establish a relationship with individual students. Most professors are very helpful and accommodating during office hours, and professors truly want students to learn. Professors in the Cox School of Business have a great deal of real world experience (my current accounting professor was a partner at Earnst and Young), and they provide students with great professional connections as well as firsthand insight into the business world. Students study very often (I study roughly 3 hours a day), but they maintain a healthy balance between campus involvement, socializing, and academics.

The academics usually are either too easy or very difficult. Well at least in engineering.

All Professors know you by your name and always have plenty of office hours so you can reach them at any time. One of my favorite class was Intro to Environmental Engineering (My major) because it gave you real life examples of how we can protect our environment and make it healthier for people to live in.Students are competitive which is great because it helps SMU increase their standards.You don't have to an A+ student be at SMU, if you have other activities or organizations you are involved in, then you would love SMU.

The academics are rigorous and challenging because the professors really encourage high performance in classes. All of the professors know you by name, even if you don't always make the effort to stand out in the class. I have never had a class I did not enjoy, unless it was due to lack of interest in the subject matter. My philosophy classes have been my most favorite because the class participation makes for interesting conversations. Students are competitive to a degree, but everyone seems to be more competitive with themselves than with each other. The communications department is a little more competitive than the others, but the experience gained is worth all of the work. I have spent time with different professors outside of class, whether for events or advice, because they have all been more than happy to talk with me. I feel like SMU has high standards for academics and both the faculty and the students rise to the occassion.

I really don't know why SMU might not have a good reputation in the sciences. I am a double major in chemistry and mathematics, and I am having the best times of my life! The faculty are just awesome and extremely intelligent. They really want to help the students!