SMU Dedman applicants c/o 2019 (2015-2016) Forum

[sneijder]

To the SMU current and or grads answering questions:

In texas, I am looking at SMU and UT-Austin. Ive applied to both and gotten in back a few years ago. But I decided to continue working for a few years and then re apply. I imagine I will get in to both again but SMU will most likely be offering better money.

My question finally is: What are SMU students chances when it comes to Clerkships (not just federal but also State)? If SMU offers a good scholarship and UT accepts but with little money I'd probably take the $$ at SMU unless the prospects of me getting an opportunity to Clerk was greatly diminished b/c I attended SMU. From what I have gathered, its tough to get a Federal clerkship when youre out of the t14. Is that true?

Thanks in advance.

[BVest]

Here are some numbers for you.

Texas had 10 people in US COA clerkships in 2015, 28 in US Dist clerkships, 3 with US magistrates, 11 with SSCs, and 5 with Tex. App. courts. (Several people in Dist clerkships will be going onto US COA next year, but I'm not sure if the numbers above are just the graduating class of 2015 or include people for prior classes that have 2015 clerkships). Graduating class of about 350.

SMU class of 2015 has 1 US COA clerkship, 6 people in US Dist Cts, 1 in EOIR immigration court, 1 at SSC, 2 at Tex. App. courts. (At least one of those people not currently at US COA will be next year, and I know that the numbers above are just from the graduating class of 2015). Graduating class of about 205.

Obviously SMU's numbers are a lot lower. To some extent that's a result of being in UT's (and T14's) shadow. But it's also worth noting that SMU didn't, IME, have a real active clerkship program. UT on the other hand, has a very active program and as a result, UT puts up better clerkship numbers than a good number of T14s.

Finally, are you in-state? If so, don't forget that UT doesn't have to offer you a ton to match SMU. $24k from SMU, which unless you're getting a Sumners or Hughes Scholarship is likely to be top end, puts tuition at $25k out of pocket. (There will be a very small handful of people who get over $24k but less than a full ride). $8k from UT would get you the same number (with COL being the same either way).

As I've stated previously in this thread, if the money's right and SMU aligns with your goals, I don't think one would be crazy to pick SMU over UT. If your goals include a federal clerkship, SMU is probably not the place; but if your clerkship goals are more State. App. Ct. level or above, then it's still defensible. Just don't count on SMU to help with clerkship apps in the same systematic way Texas does.

[sneijder]

Here are some numbers for you.

Texas had 10 people in US COA clerkships in 2015, 28 in US Dist clerkships, 3 with US magistrates, 11 with SSCs, and 5 with Tex. App. courts. (Several people in Dist clerkships will be going onto US COA next year, but I'm not sure if the numbers above are just the graduating class of 2015 or include people for prior classes that have 2015 clerkships). Graduating class of about 350.

SMU class of 2015 has 1 US COA clerkship, 6 people in US Dist Cts, 1 in EOIR immigration court, 1 at SSC, 2 at Tex. App. courts. (At least one of those people not currently at US COA will be next year, and I know that the numbers above are just from the graduating class of 2015). Graduating class of about 205.

Obviously SMU's numbers are a lot lower. To some extent that's a result of being in UT's (and T14's) shadow. But it's also worth noting that SMU didn't, IME, have a real active clerkship program. UT on the other hand, has a very active program and as a result, UT puts up better clerkship numbers than a good number of T14s.

Finally, are you in-state? If so, don't forget that UT doesn't have to offer you a ton to match SMU. $24k from SMU, which unless you're getting a Sumners or Hughes Scholarship is likely to be top end, puts tuition at $25k out of pocket. (There will be a very small handful of people who get over $24k but less than a full ride). $8k from UT would get you the same number (with COL being the same either way).

As I've stated previously in this thread, if the money's right and SMU aligns with your goals, I don't think one would be crazy to pick SMU over UT. If your goals include a federal clerkship, SMU is probably not the place; but if your clerkship goals are more State. App. Ct. level or above, then it's still defensible. Just don't count on SMU to help with clerkship apps in the same systematic way Texas does.

Great response! Thanks a lot. Unfortunately I am OUT-OF-STATE (OKIE). So i'll have some thinking to do. Where did you find those numbers? I was kind of looking around for something like that, but im a novice in this area. lol

THANKS AGAIN

[BVest]

SMU

For UT I have an offline source.

[thedoctor]

In today by phone call. I guess the admissions committee is working right up to christmas.

[Echoduck]

In today by phone call. I guess the admissions committee is working right up to christmas.

Congrats! Can you pm me your stats?

[Onematch]

I just got my packet in the mail today. I know that it has been said over and over that SMU does not negotiate scholarship offers, but in the packet there was a form for a one time shot at scholarship reconsideration. Can anyone speak to whether or not this has been included in the past? I guess I'm just wondering if it indicates more flexibility on their previous stance or if it is something that has been thrown in before and only exists to make us feel better. Thanks!

[sneijder]

In today by phone call. I guess the admissions committee is working right up to christmas.

Congrats! Can you pm me your stats?

+1

congrats!

[BVest]

I just got my packet in the mail today. I know that it has been said over and over that SMU does not negotiate scholarship offers, but in the packet there was a form for a one time shot at scholarship reconsideration. Can anyone speak to whether or not this has been included in the past? I guess I'm just wondering if it indicates more flexibility on their previous stance or if it is something that has been thrown in before and only exists to make us feel better. Thanks!

They did it last year, but I don't think they outright offered it, so much as offering it when asked about it. I'm not sure that anyone actually succeeded either. Check that thread.

The only times I know of them actually upping money were after receiving withdrawals. A friend was at orientation elsewhere when they apparently made an offer good enough that he flew to Dallas the day before orientation without an apartment.

[thetravelinglawyer]

Decided today I am accepting my SMU offer! Pretty excited!! Hope to see lots of you there in the fall

[kalvano]

To the SMU current and or grads answering questions:

In texas, I am looking at SMU and UT-Austin. Ive applied to both and gotten in back a few years ago. But I decided to continue working for a few years and then re apply. I imagine I will get in to both again but SMU will most likely be offering better money.

My question finally is: What are SMU students chances when it comes to Clerkships (not just federal but also State)? If SMU offers a good scholarship and UT accepts but with little money I'd probably take the $$ at SMU unless the prospects of me getting an opportunity to Clerk was greatly diminished b/c I attended SMU. From what I have gathered, its tough to get a Federal clerkship when youre out of the t14. Is that true?

Thanks in advance.

I would not pick a school using a temporary position as a deciding metric.

[p1921]

I just got my packet in the mail today. I know that it has been said over and over that SMU does not negotiate scholarship offers, but in the packet there was a form for a one time shot at scholarship reconsideration. Can anyone speak to whether or not this has been included in the past? I guess I'm just wondering if it indicates more flexibility on their previous stance or if it is something that has been thrown in before and only exists to make us feel better. Thanks!

They did it last year, but I don't think they outright offered it, so much as offering it when asked about it. I'm not sure that anyone actually succeeded either. Check that thread.

The only times I know of them actually upping money were after receiving withdrawals. A friend was at orientation elsewhere when they apparently made an offer good enough that he flew to Dallas the day before orientation without an apartment.

They would offer it if you inquired about it, but no one was successful. More of a formality.

[eagle2a]

1L here if anyones got questions.

I enjoyed my first semester. Professors were for the most part pretty decent. Classmates were all nice and willing to help when needed. Can't speak too much about job prospects yet but can report back on this later on in the semester. Don't pay full tuition to come here. Go to UT if you get in.

[LetsGoNow]

Can any current or former student speak to non-Texas SMU graduates' shots at Dallas Biglaw?

I'm well aware that it's a long shot, but is it even realistic? Just wondering if it has similar regional advantages that, say, Fordham and BC/BU have at NYC and Boston Biglaw chances respectively, despite being ranked lower.

[BVest]

Can any current or former student speak to non-Texas SMU graduates' shots at Dallas Biglaw?

I'm well aware that it's a long shot, but is it even realistic? Just wondering if it has similar regional advantages that, say, Fordham and BC/BU have at NYC and Boston Biglaw chances respectively, despite being ranked lower.

It's definitely realistic. Folks I know from SMU who landed Dallas biglaw were those at the top of the class regardless of their state of origin (and most that I can think of off the top of my head actually came from out of state).

[thetravelinglawyer]

Just an 0L here but I have a family member who has worked at four biglaw firms in Dallas, including two V10 firms. She says that SMU lawyers get hired often. In particular at the two V10s, she said she knew a ton of Dedman grads. Of course the vast majority are from UT, but she says SMU has a solid presence and is well-respected by everyone.

[LetsGoNow]

Thank you both for your answers and insights.

[GMasters5]

Just curious, do I have a good shot at admission with a 3.68/159? Has anyone already gotten in with similar numbers?

[p1921]

Can any current or former student speak to non-Texas SMU graduates' shots at Dallas Biglaw?

I'm well aware that it's a long shot, but is it even realistic? Just wondering if it has similar regional advantages that, say, Fordham and BC/BU have at NYC and Boston Biglaw chances respectively, despite being ranked lower.

1L, but haven't seen any kind of prejudice against out-of-staters. I'm from Texas (not Dallas) and have actually fielded more questions about why I want to stay in Dallas as opposed to going back to where I grew up than I have heard of from out-of-staters. Seems like if you have the grades and have a decent reason for wanting to be in Dallas long-term, firms won't have an issue. I've heard attorneys respond positively to anything from "My spouse is from Dallas and we want to be closer to her family" to "Texas doesn't have a state income tax" and "It hardly ever snows here."

[kalvano]

Dallas has so many transplants now that I think it's far less of an issue.

[BigTex]

Just curious, do I have a good shot at admission with a 3.68/159? Has anyone already gotten in with similar numbers?

Ehh I got in with a good amount of money with a 3.2 / 163. So I'd say it's doable.

[thetravelinglawyer]

In case you guys didn't see the email, they changed the ASD from April 8 to April 1. Oddly Gmail sent the email about it to Spam, so I never saw it, but when I RSVPed today they told me about it. In case any of you use Gmail, be sure to add Gina's email to your address book so it doesn't get stuck in there.

[BigTex]

In case you guys didn't see the email, they changed the ASD from April 8 to April 1. Oddly Gmail sent the email about it to Spam, so I never saw it, but when I RSVPed today they told me about it. In case any of you use Gmail, be sure to add Gina's email to your address book so it doesn't get stuck in there.

Mine went to spam as well, thanks for the heads up!

[Echoduck]

"Held for further review"-I applied ED in September. Anyone have any experience with this?

[polinter]

"Held for further review"-I applied ED in September. Anyone have any experience with this?

I was also held today, but I didn't apply ED so I'm not sure what that's about.