SMU 2010! Forum

[Stryka]

I do not believe that SMU has a "true" rolling admissions policy. Instead, they use a modified version of rolling admissions that they made up on their own.
At a true rolling admissions school, when an application is received it goes into a queue to be reviewed based upon the order of receipt. After the application is reviewed, a decision is reached [admit, deny, waitlist] and then they move on to the next application. I think it's pretty obvious that SMU does not do this.

Here, in my opinion, is SMU's modified version of rolling admissions: SMU looks at an application. If the applicant's numbers are high enough to be an automatic admit [extremely high], they are admitted. If the numbers are low enough to be an automatic deny [extremely low], they are denied. Finally, if the numbers are at or near average/median [most applicants], they delay their decision as long as possible...and you end up hearing something the week of the "deadline" if you're lucky. In short, a very few people are admitted upon review, a very few are denied upon review, and the vast majority wait until SMU makes up their mind. This is not a true rolling admissions policy.

Completely agree....from my friends experiences, they make you wait as long as they can...hence, the week of the deadline...All this waiting with my numbers not being too high could leave me with false hope...Hope not

[da87]

I do not believe that SMU has a "true" rolling admissions policy. Instead, they use a modified version of rolling admissions that they made up on their own.
At a true rolling admissions school, when an application is received it goes into a queue to be reviewed based upon the order of receipt. After the application is reviewed, a decision is reached [admit, deny, waitlist] and then they move on to the next application. I think it's pretty obvious that SMU does not do this.

Here, in my opinion, is SMU's modified version of rolling admissions: SMU looks at an application. If the applicant's numbers are high enough to be an automatic admit [extremely high], they are admitted. If the numbers are low enough to be an automatic deny [extremely low], they are denied. Finally, if the numbers are at or near average/median [most applicants], they delay their decision as long as possible...and you end up hearing something the week of the "deadline" if you're lucky. In short, a very few people are admitted upon review, a very few are denied upon review, and the vast majority wait until SMU makes up their mind. This is not a true rolling admissions policy.

+1

[DavidB]

...Have people gotten decisions that went complete after 2/16?

Yes, I applied PT only, received a decision 4/19 and was marked as complete for the first time on 3/1.

[hutch0417]

Some of you need to get out of the house, go to a bar (preferably one without WiFi) and have a beer or two. You've done all you can do at this point, and it's up to the admissions committee. That way, if you do get a phone call, then you're at the proper place to begin celebrating. If you don't, then you can drink up and contemplate moving forward.

Based upon some of the stats I've seen here, the admissions committee has a difficult job ahead of them. It's the best and brightest competing against each other, and sometimes the decisions go your way, sometimes they don't.

Either way, probably all of you will be quite successful.

I'm one of those non-traditional older law school applicants, and I am currently trying to hire one recent college graduate, and I've had several excellent candidates, so I understand a little about what the committee is going through. I love that I'm going to be able to make someone's day, and get them off and rolling in their chosen career. On the other hand, it's hard when I have to call the other candidates and tell them I've hired someone else. This puts me in the dumps for a while.

How I make my decisions is all things being equal, can I work with this person and can they benefit from working for me and for the company? If I can answer yes, then that's the direction I go. I imagine that's probably how the committee views it, too.

Remember, if you get a rejection, it's not the end of the world. Just take it, maybe ask the admissions department at a later date what they liked, didn't like about your application, and move forward.

Good luck to all.

[Stryka]

Some of you need to get out of the house, go to a bar (preferably one without WiFi) and have a beer or two. You've done all you can do at this point, and it's up to the admissions committee. That way, if you do get a phone call, then you're at the proper place to begin celebrating. If you don't, then you can drink up and contemplate moving forward.

Based upon some of the stats I've seen here, the admissions committee has a difficult job ahead of them. It's the best and brightest competing against each other, and sometimes the decisions go your way, sometimes they don't.

Either way, probably all of you will be quite successful.

I'm one of those non-traditional older law school applicants, and I am currently trying to hire one recent college graduate, and I've had several excellent candidates, so I understand a little about what the committee is going through. I love that I'm going to be able to make someone's day, and get them off and rolling in their chosen career. On the other hand, it's hard when I have to call the other candidates and tell them I've hired someone else. This puts me in the dumps for a while.

How I make my decisions is all things being equal, can I work with this person and can they benefit from working for me and for the company? If I can answer yes, then that's the direction I go. I imagine that's probably how the committee views it, too.

Remember, if you get a rejection, it's not the end of the world. Just take it, maybe ask the admissions department at a later date what they liked, didn't like about your application, and move forward.

Good luck to all.

Same goes with girls

[helpmerhonda]

Easier said than done...it's true we will all survive, but clearly we want to attend SMU and nothing is going to make us feel better until we know the decision. Nobody appreciates being jerked around unless they get the pot at the end of the rainbow of admission!

[fixer]

DR 4/19 FT. No rejection in today's mail in Dallas.

[Ty Webb]

What a tangled web we weave. I went from really wanting my decision to being glad that my decision hasn't come yet. Now I have no idea what to expect, nor what to pull for.

[DavidB]

Acceptance packet received today in Dallas.

I don't know if this is a standard phrase inserted but my acceptance letter says "the Admissions Committee found particular interest in your work experience as" the most recent job title listed on my resume.

[helpmerhonda]

This is very exciting DavidB. Congratulations!
Can you tell us if you were FT or PT or FT/PT
And if you had DR on 4/19 please??????

And also did you receive a telephone call before you received the acceptance packet?

Many thanks!!!!

[Texan09]

.

[ladysixmonkey]

Acceptance packet received today in Dallas.

I don't know if this is a standard phrase inserted but my acceptance letter says "the Admissions Committee found particular interest in your work experience as" the most recent job title listed on my resume.

They did that with mine, actually listing my job title and employer's full name! As nice as that is though, the JD still costs a boatload of $. I'd like to pay as I go and not acquire debt, even if it means cutting down to the bone on other expenses. I guess it's the beans and rice lifestyle for a good long while! Good luck to all those still awaiting a decision. I'm sure we will all celebrate together at ASD soon enough.

[DavidB]

I applied PT only, stats on profile, complete 3/1, complete 4/7, decision rendered 4/19 morning, acceptance phone call 4/19 afternoon.

[fixer]

I applied PT only, stats on profile, complete 3/1, complete 4/7, decision rendered 4/19 morning, acceptance phone call 4/19 afternoon.

So, if acceptance packages were received today (theoretically mailed Monday when posted DR and phone call was made) then if rejections were made/mailed then why no rejection letters in today's mail?

It's a mystery.

[jgrin]

I applied PT only, stats on profile, complete 3/1, complete 4/7, decision rendered 4/19 morning, acceptance phone call 4/19 afternoon.

So, if acceptance packages were received today (theoretically mailed Monday when posted DR and phone call was made) then if rejections were made/mailed then why no rejection letters in today's mail?

It's a mystery.

The mystery that is law school admissions...

[DavidB]

So, if acceptance packages were received today (theoretically mailed Monday when posted DR and phone call was made) then if rejections were made/mailed then why no rejection letters in today's mail?

My packet was mailed priority, maybe other mail is sent regular first-class?

[Bustang]

So once again, PT only.

[ladysixmonkey]

So, if acceptance packages were received today (theoretically mailed Monday when posted DR and phone call was made) then if rejections were made/mailed then why no rejection letters in today's mail?

My packet was mailed priority, maybe other mail is sent regular first-class?

Mine was sent priority mail also.

[Billy Batts]

You can now see your scholarship under the financial aid section of access.smu.edu.

[fathergoose]

You can now see your scholarship under the financial aid section of access.smu.edu.

Thanks.

[tarheel354]

4/22 DR this morning. Checked it about 9:30.

[EBGB]

4/22 DR this morning. Checked it about 9:30.

stats? FT/PT?

[da87]

4/22 DR this morning. Checked it about 9:30.

stats? FT/PT?

+1

[texag08]

FT or PT?

and the creeping suspician returns........

[da87]

still complete...