SMU 2012 Forum

[sikemenow]

I'm starting to get impatiant myself. I was convinced that there would be movement this week and I guess its still early but I'm having my doubts. The trend is every 5 or 6 weeks and they've released decisions during spring break before (in 2010). I'm hoping kalvano is wrong there, just because the wait is getting annoying...school admissions is still working, right? But who knows, this whole cycle has been strange. Am I really the only one with any status movement at this point?

[mxmatt137]

I'm starting to get impatiant myself. I was convinced that there would be movement this week and I guess its still early but I'm having my doubts. The trend is every 5 or 6 weeks and they've released decisions during spring break before (in 2010). I'm hoping kalvano is wrong there, just because the wait is getting annoying...school admissions is still working, right? But who knows, this whole cycle has been strange. Am I really the only one with any status movement at this point?

Considering what the trend is with releasing decisions I wouldn't worry so much. As with any school your numbers can make the decision easier/harder. Based on your profile I would guess you don't fall into either catagory (auto admit, auto reject). This could mean a longer wait period as they may have to review your application several times and compare it to other applicants. However, if you really want to go to SMU it's worth the wait. Just my $0.02

[chw123]

I'm starting to get impatiant myself. I was convinced that there would be movement this week and I guess its still early but I'm having my doubts. The trend is every 5 or 6 weeks and they've released decisions during spring break before (in 2010). I'm hoping kalvano is wrong there, just because the wait is getting annoying...school admissions is still working, right? But who knows, this whole cycle has been strange. Am I really the only one with any status movement at this point?

Talked to the admissions office yesterday to see if all of my application materials were in and a woman said that the majority of their regular decision notifications hadn't even gone out yet due to under staffing the last couple of months, but were going to sending them out "very soon"? For whatever that's worth.

[Titleist]

Nice scoop. Once I figure out what SMU does with my application I will know where I'm going.

[swilson215]

Anyone know anything about the Texas Equalization Grant? I went to high school in a different state but have been living in Texas for the past four years for college. Since I am now independent on the FAFSA, am I considered an eligible state resident? Does anyone know how much the grant even is? I know it took a beating in the last round of state budget cuts.

You would qualify, and the amount varies by some metic I don't know about. Expect around $3,000 a year.

Thanks Kalvano! You seem to be quite the expert on all things SMU-related. Any chance you know if all $4,700 of these fees are required? Also (and anyone is more than welcome to chime in) how gay-friendly is SMU?

Do you mean the fees estimated in the total cost of SMU? I believe most of them are. You don't really get the option to pick and choose which programs you want to take part in. The only thing that you can really waive is the student health insurance (if you have your own insurance), which is $759/semester, but I'm not sure if that amount is calculated into the "fees."

As far as gay-friendliness, I have a few friends in my class that are gay. You're not in SF, but you're not in Mississippi either. Dallas is pretty LGBT-friendly, and I've gotten several emails for student and firm-sponsored OUTlaw (the LGBT/allies org on campus) nights or get togethers. Overall I think that there are lots of LGBT opportunities here, and that SMU is pretty gay-friendly.

[Titleist]

I saw Morrissey perform at McFarlin Hall which is right next to the law school.


That is pretty gay-friendly.

[kalvano]

Anyone know anything about the Texas Equalization Grant? I went to high school in a different state but have been living in Texas for the past four years for college. Since I am now independent on the FAFSA, am I considered an eligible state resident? Does anyone know how much the grant even is? I know it took a beating in the last round of state budget cuts.

You would qualify, and the amount varies by some metic I don't know about. Expect around $3,000 a year.

Thanks Kalvano! You seem to be quite the expert on all things SMU-related. Any chance you know if all $4,700 of these fees are required? Also (and anyone is more than welcome to chime in) how gay-friendly is SMU?

1) They aren't going to waive fees. I don't know what the breakdown is, but it probably covers parking, health center access, fitness center access, etc. Tuition is a fixed rate, and everyone pays the same.

2) Dallas is pretty gay-friendly. SMU is near Oak Lawn, which is where a lot of the gay clubs and nightlife are. If that's not your thing, then Dallas as a whole is quite welcoming and seems to rank pretty high on every "gay friendly" list that I've ever seen. I know that no one at school will care much at all.

[unlicensedpotato]

Any advice on trying negotiate a higher scholarship? SMU originally offered me $78,000 over three years but I was recently offered $84,000 from WUSTL. WUSTL is also higher ranked (pretty significantly) and would have a lower cost of living. That being said, Wash U scholarships seem to be kind of an anomaly.

[Titleist]

Apparently SMU does not negotiate.

[swilson215]

Apparently SMU does not negotiate.

TITCR.

[clairecate]

Just got accepted to the PT program with $10k/yr via voicemail.

Already signed a lease in Waco and put down a seat deposit at Baylor because I never even so much as got an e-mail saying they'd received my application and they wait-listed me back in 2010.

wtf SMU?

Anyway, thought you might want to know there's movement, but again it was for PT so don't get too excited yet.

[Titleist]

Did you status tracker change?

[YankeeFan2]

Did you status tracker change?

My status checker never changed and still hasn't -- that's why the rejection letter in the mail today was a surprise.

[sikemenow]

IN!! Got the voicemail today while at work...part-time, 10K per year scholly. Definitely attending, cycle is DONE.

Submitted: 1/5
Complete: 1/12
Status Update to Completed: 3/7

Best of luck to everybody still waiting.

[Titleist]

I guess all of us with 163-160 LSATs who are pending or WL will soon know our fate?

[EMH99]

Apparently SMU does not negotiate.

My attempts at negotiating scholly failed as well, and I thought I was in a good position. Has anyone had any luck getting more $$?

[zanzbar]

I guess all of us with 163-161 LSATs who are pending or WL will soon know our fate?

I guess it doesn't bold well for me with a 160 haha.

[Titleist]

I guess all of us with 163-160 LSATs who are pending or WL will soon know our fate?

I guess it doesn't bold well for me with a 160 haha.

I fixed it for you.

[swilson215]

Apparently SMU does not negotiate.

My attempts at negotiating scholly failed as well, and I thought I was in a good position. Has anyone had any luck getting more $$?

Read the threads from the last few years (or don't, and just accept what I'm telling you): SMU does NOT negotiate.

(I really just wanted to say "with terrorists." and then that made me think of that scene in Air Force One where Harrison Ford says, "Get off my plane!" I must really need sleep.)

[Titleist]

Apparently SMU does not negotiate.

My attempts at negotiating scholly failed as well, and I thought I was in a good position. Has anyone had any luck getting more $$?

Read the threads from the last few years (or don't, and just accept what I'm telling you): SMU does NOT negotiate.

(I really just wanted to say "with terrorists." and then that made me think of that scene in Air Force One where Harrison Ford says, "Get off my plane!" I must really need sleep.)

Great Air Force One reference. Harrison Ford is the best fake president ever. Second would be the president from Independence Day.

[kalvano]

Apparently SMU does not negotiate.

My attempts at negotiating scholly failed as well, and I thought I was in a good position. Has anyone had any luck getting more $$?

Negotiation is for common plebes. Not for the rarefied air that SMU inhabits.

[ClutchCity24]

First SWilson is correct that SMU does not negotiate. Its nice because you know what you get and don't have to mess with the whole negotiating game.

Second best fictional president has to be Jed Bartlett of West Wing. With a close second by David Palmer of 24 (yes the All-State guy).

[unlicensedpotato]

Think I would be able to get an extension on the deposit deadline? I doubt I'll have even heard back from all my applications by April 1st, much less have had time to think about it.

[swilson215]

First SWilson is correct that SMU does not negotiate. Its nice because you know what you get and don't have to mess with the whole negotiating game.

Second best fictional president has to be Jed Bartlett of West Wing. With a close second by David Palmer of 24 (yes the All-State guy).

I do love Jed Bartlett. But I'm going to have to go with Andrew Shephard of The American President.

Although I have to say that, even though he was kind of a shady dude, I'd totally go Monica Lewinsky for Billy Bob Thorton as the president in Love Actually. Le sigh.

[swilson215]

Think I would be able to get an extension on the deposit deadline? I doubt I'll have even heard back from all my applications by April 1st, much less have had time to think about it.

Doesn't hurt to ask. I didn't know anyone who asked, so I have no info for you there. I paid up on the 1st at the ASW. But the staff in the admissions office is really nice, so I'm sure either way no one will bite or make you feel bad...