SMU c/o 2016 Applicants (2012-2013 cycle) Forum

[swilson215]

alot of kid brought their parents? really? thats...um...embarassing. Is this typcial?

Yeah, it was strange. I was shocked when I walked into the breakfast area alone and I was surrounded by parents. I didn't think this was typical for ASD's, but I guess maybe it is for SMU. Overall, I thought the day was okay, but I had already visited so I didn't get much out of it besides go to SMU if you want to work in Dallas (which most people already knew).

Kind of a broad generalization. It's been a few years, but when I went to the SMU ASD before 1L there were maybe 5 kids with parents. They were definitely the exception to the rule that year...so maybe it's just that class, and not representative of SMU as a whole?

[swilson215]

I don't know why they stick you guys in Contracts. It's so boring. Upper-level classes would be much more interesting.


SMU students, particularly the undergrads, have the reputation of being spoiled, entitled douchebags. There is a bit of that in the law school, but it's nowhere near what you'd find in the undergrad. There's a good chunk of students not from Dallas, so it balances out. Although if you're the kind of person who gets irritable by young people with money, even nice people, SMU will be rough.

I have to agree...the undergrads and their senses of entitlement piss me off a lot more than any other law students have. Most of the more spoiled kids I've met in law school are that way out of habit more than anything else, and almost all of the ones I've met have been really nice people.

[TheJanitor6203]

I don't see why everyone is shocked about parents being there. They're more than likely paying for a large portion if not all of the student's COL or tuition, so they should get to see what they're paying for. Also, they're probably excited their child is going to law school and want to be there before their kid is sent off for another three years.

I see your point. That works for those students going straight from UG to law school but I've been under the impression that a lot of law students don't fall into that catagory. I don't.

[Holynorth]

I don't see why everyone is shocked about parents being there. They're more than likely paying for a large portion if not all of the student's COL or tuition, so they should get to see what they're paying for. Also, they're probably excited their child is going to law school and want to be there before their kid is sent off for another three years.

I see your point. That works for those students going straight from UG to law school but I've been under the impression that a lot of law students don't fall into that catagory. I don't.

I would assume the students who worked for several years after UG are the ones that are without parents being there with them.

[TheJanitor6203]

This actually raises a question for me.

To the current students: What would you say the percentage is of law students straight from UG?

[kalvano]

This actually raises a question for me.

To the current students: What would you say the percentage is of law students straight from UG?

Probably 2/3's or so.

[TheJanitor6203]

This actually raises a question for me.

To the current students: What would you say the percentage is of law students straight from UG?

Probably 2/3's or so.

And are you just speaking for FT? I'd assume PT is probably less.

[kalvano]

This actually raises a question for me.

To the current students: What would you say the percentage is of law students straight from UG?

Probably 2/3's or so.

And are you just speaking for FT? I'd assume PT is probably less.

Yes. It's substantially higher for PT.

[TheRedBlueBerry]

alot of kid brought their parents? really? thats...um...embarassing. Is this typcial?

Yeah, it was strange. I was shocked when I walked into the breakfast area alone and I was surrounded by parents. I didn't think this was typical for ASD's, but I guess maybe it is for SMU. Overall, I thought the day was okay, but I had already visited so I didn't get much out of it besides go to SMU if you want to work in Dallas (which most people already knew).

Kind of a broad generalization. It's been a few years, but when I went to the SMU ASD before 1L there were maybe 5 kids with parents. They were definitely the exception to the rule that year...so maybe it's just that class, and not representative of SMU as a whole?

Very true, it will vary from year to year. I was just under the impression that the majority of time, at any law school ASD, most people do not bring their parents.

[Well_he_did_not]

..on a separate note, just spoke to admissions and they said that we may not hear back from the Hughes scholly committee until after the 1st deposit deadline.

Can't say I'm surprised but , damn.

[JXander]

..on a separate note, just spoke to admissions and they said that we may not hear back from the Hughes scholly committee until after the 1st deposit deadline.

Can't say I'm surprised but , damn.

AFTER? Geez...

[majnana]

I don't see why everyone is shocked about parents being there. They're more than likely paying for a large portion if not all of the student's COL or tuition, so they should get to see what they're paying for. Also, they're probably excited their child is going to law school and want to be there before their kid is sent off for another three years.

I totally agree with this. As a 29-year-old with two deceased parents who is paying her own way through 7+ years of college, I have to say that if I were lucky enough to have parents who wanted to see a school and possibly help pay for it I would have no problem bringing them along to ASD. In fact, I felt rather envious as I looked around at "kids" and their parents. No one hijacked the tours or lectures that I could see, and no one was a "weird" parent in any way.

Actually, during breakfast I was talking with a fellow admit and her mom and enjoyed talking to both of them, so it was pretty cool.

Maybe it is one of those things you don't understand/miss until it's gone.

[jenm12]

I know SMU's known for good job prospects in Dallas, but do grads do fairly well outside of DFW?
I honestly don't know where I want to practice long-term (most likely Texas for family reasons... possibly south), but all the Dallas talk has me a bit nervous about being marketable outside of DFW.

[JXander]

I know SMU's known for good job prospects in Dallas, but do grads do fairly well outside of DFW?

The general consensus among the staff during ASD was a big "no."

[swilson215]

I know SMU's known for good job prospects in Dallas, but do grads do fairly well outside of DFW?

The general consensus among the staff during ASD was a big "no."

You won't do well out of state, but SMU is still well-known in other parts of Texas (as well as some of Oklahoma, if you're so inclined). Yeah, you won't do as well as a UH grad in Houston, or a Tech grad in Amarillo, but you'll be fine in other parts of Texas. Obviously you'll do best (job-wise) in DFW, but that doesn't mean you're stuck there by any means. I have several friends that are working in Houston either for the summer or post-grad.

[majnana]

I know SMU's known for good job prospects in Dallas, but do grads do fairly well outside of DFW?

The general consensus among the staff during ASD was a big "no."

You won't do well out of state, but SMU is still well-known in other parts of Texas (as well as some of Oklahoma, if you're so inclined). Yeah, you won't do as well as a UH grad in Houston, or a Tech grad in Amarillo, but you'll be fine in other parts of Texas. Obviously you'll do best (job-wise) in DFW, but that doesn't mean you're stuck there by any means. I have several friends that are working in Houston either for the summer or post-grad.

It must be possible to lateral out of Dallas after a few years, though, right? Assuming you do well in your career, I mean. I would think that especially if you work for a firm, and they have offices in other cities, you could lateral around the country. Does that hold true to some extent or is that rare?

[kalvano]

I know SMU's known for good job prospects in Dallas, but do grads do fairly well outside of DFW?

The general consensus among the staff during ASD was a big "no."

You won't do well out of state, but SMU is still well-known in other parts of Texas (as well as some of Oklahoma, if you're so inclined). Yeah, you won't do as well as a UH grad in Houston, or a Tech grad in Amarillo, but you'll be fine in other parts of Texas. Obviously you'll do best (job-wise) in DFW, but that doesn't mean you're stuck there by any means. I have several friends that are working in Houston either for the summer or post-grad.

It must be possible to lateral out of Dallas after a few years, though, right? Assuming you do well in your career, I mean. I would think that especially if you work for a firm, and they have offices in other cities, you could lateral around the country. Does that hold true to some extent or is that rare?

After working for a few years, it's more about the quality of work and why you want to move than it is what school you attended. Unless you're trying to lateral way up, then your school will always matter.

[TheJanitor6203]

After working for a few years, it's more about the quality of work and why you want to move than it is what school you attended. Unless you're trying to lateral way up, then your school will always matter.

Anecdotal story: My uncle is a lawyer in Dallas and has been for about 20 years now. He works at a midsize firm and he’s been very successful in his field. He went to school at the University of Oklahoma City. If you haven’t heard of it, it is because I don’t even think it’s ranked. I know that going to law school 20 years ago vs. now are two different animals but I was talking to him about choosing a law school and job prospects. He said that the school you went to only matters for getting that first job. After that it is all about your past performance but more importantly who you know.

[Well_he_did_not]

After working for a few years, it's more about the quality of work and why you want to move than it is what school you attended. Unless you're trying to lateral way up, then your school will always matter.

Anecdotal story: My uncle is a lawyer in Dallas and has been for about 20 years now. He works at a midsize firm and he’s been very successful in his field. He went to school at the University of Oklahoma City. If you haven’t heard of it, it is because I don’t even think it’s ranked. I know that going to law school 20 years ago vs. now are two different animals but I was talking to him about choosing a law school and job prospects. He said that the school you went to only matters for getting that first job. After that it is all about your past performance but more importantly who you know.

I have a similar one. The attorney I work for now graduated from St. Mary's at the bottom half of her class. She said that when she graduated she really wanted to work for Windle Turley here in Dallas but that they would only interview top 10%. She worked for an insurance company for 4 years (and did some awesome work). After those 4 years, Turley offered her a position that was head of the negligence division at his office. She made more than anyone in her department.

[nba101790]

Anyone had success getting SMU to match scholarships? I showed them my Tulane and UH offers and no dice.

[kalvano]

Anyone had success getting SMU to match scholarships? I showed them my Tulane and UH offers and no dice.

They historically do not match at all. They tend to give their best offer first and it's very much take it or leave it. Although, in fairness, they tend to be fairly generous.

[Mj23la]

Status hasn't changed since Jan 14..the wait is killing me!

[TheJanitor6203]

Status hasn't changed since Jan 14..the wait is killing me!

What are your numbers? Just curious.

[GardenGnome]

Status hasn't changed since Jan 14..the wait is killing me!

We should hear today. Decisions went out of 2/22 and 3/8 last year. Decisions went out on 2/22 again this year, so if the pattern continues we should get some decisions today.

[crchildress]

Status hasn't changed since Jan 14..the wait is killing me!

We should hear today. Decisions went out of 2/22 and 3/8 last year. Decisions went out on 2/22 again this year, so if the patern continues we should get some decisions today.

That sure would be nice.