SMU 2012 Forum

[ClutchCity24]

I also applied after the official early decision date by a week or so. At that point it mostly depends on your numbers. There was the magic LSAT number last year for the first wave of decisions and I happened to fall into that group. That being said the earlier you can apply the better.

[ucbkenn]

3.27/160 and 172. Texas resident. I'm pretty sure I'll get accepted, but does anyone have any idea on what kind of scholarship I might get?

[fathergoose]

3.27/160 and 172. Texas resident. I'm pretty sure I'll get accepted, but does anyone have any idea on what kind of scholarship I might get?

SMU loves them some LSAT scores. I'd say 20k/yr at a minimum but you might get lucky and get...

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[paul34]

.

[HBK]

With a 172, I wouldn't be surprised if you got up to $74k. According to LSN, SMU seems to max out around there. Seems like a lot of people 165-167 got that much, but there really wasn't anything more (that I saw, anyway) past 167. That is, after 167, you don't seem to get any more money for your score.

I would advise you to apply to UT, too. As a Texas resident you have a much better chance. Apply now if you haven't already. The in-state tuition is like a huge scholarship in and of itself (compared to other schools). UT grads get first pick for TX legal jobs.

UT has a GPA floor that's generally above OP's GPA. Good luck w/ UT. At SMU, as of 2010 enrollment, they offered more than $74K. Also, there's always the Sumner's- which is full ride plus stipend.

[NiccoloA]

Between 165-167 you can expect something like 25k


Still a heavy pricetag though.

They estimate costs at 70k, right? I don't know. I just can't believe that's right. You'd have to be spending 25k while in law school, and that seems insane. I might spend $800 a month while on my own during school. Even if a Dallas apartment is $500 above my little midwestern one. That's not 25k a year.

[Stevoman]

^An excellent point.

Can one of the current students there now give a REALISTIC figure of what it cost you (or you estimate it will) per year? That is, tuition, fees, books, apartment, and food. Because their estimated expenses seem just absurd.

[defendthefort]

I can tell you right now from growing up in University Park, where SMU is, that it's extremely expensive to live there. Uptown, another popular place for young people, but you'd have to commute, is also very expensive. Their expense estimates might be a little high, but don't think for a second that just because it's Dallas and in Texas it's cheap. Dallas is probably the most expensive city in Texas.

[ClutchCity24]

Most people aren't going to live in Highland Park which is super expensive. A lot of people live in the Village which will run for a 1 br anywhere between 700-1100 a month. The Village takes 5 minutes to get to the law school so its not an issue. Obviously living with a roommate will bring down that cost. I also know people who are living right on campus at some of the various houses. You can find a place for around 700-800 a month if you take the time to check around the law school. Books will run like 1200-1500 if you buy all new books. Cost of food is going to vary with each person but there are free lunches at least 3 times a week in the law school if you attend the various talks hosted by groups. I think the estimate is definitely high. I will not be spending 70k this year.

[Angrygeopolitically]

I can tell you right now from growing up in University Park, where SMU is, that it's extremely expensive to live there. Uptown, another popular place for young people, but you'd have to commute, is also very expensive. Their expense estimates might be a little high, but don't think for a second that just because it's Dallas and in Texas it's cheap. Dallas is probably the most expensive city in Texas.

There are a load of cheap places to live that are not to far away. And highway 75 makes the commute pretty easy. North Dallas, Richardson, Farmers Branch... etc.

[kalvano]

There are a load of cheap places to live that are not to far away. And highway 75 makes the commute pretty easy. North Dallas, Richardson, Farmers Branch... etc.

Except the four mornings a week it's completely jammed from an accident or construction or whatever.

[Stevoman]

I have family that lives at Hillcrest and 635 that I could probably live with. Is traffic going south on Hillcrest bad in the morning?

[defendthefort]

I have family that lives at Hillcrest and 635 that I could probably live with. Is traffic going south on Hillcrest bad in the morning?

Yes. Dallas traffic sucks.

[Maye]

I have family that lives at Hillcrest and 635 that I could probably live with. Is traffic going south on Hillcrest bad in the morning?

Yes. Dallas traffic sucks.

+1, traffic in the entire metroplex is awful.

[apeopleshistory]

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[Stevoman]

Well I'm in Houston and that's worse than Austin, so if Dallas is better than both then I'm golden. :p

[fathergoose]

Well I'm in Houston and that's worse than Austin, so if Dallas is better than both then I'm golden. :p

Dallas can be as bad if not worse than Houston. In my mind it's worse because at least traffic patterns in Houston are consistent and you know what places to avoid. Dallas will randomly have slow traffic at odd hours for seemingly no reason.

The being said, I've live close to campus both years I've been here and I have found it extremely convenient not to have to deal with traffic, travel time, etc. I highly recommend it.

[Titleist]

Well I'm in Houston and that's worse than Austin, so if Dallas is better than both then I'm golden. :p

Austin is the worst traffic on this planet. I have always thought Dallas was a little less obnoxious when it comes to traffic than Houston. At the end of the day they are all terrible, in re to traffic.

[swilson215]

I have family that lives at Hillcrest and 635 that I could probably live with. Is traffic going south on Hillcrest bad in the morning?

Not bad enough to justify spending rent $$ if you don't have to...it shouldn't be THAT bad, anyway.

The being said, I've live close to campus both years I've been here and I have found it extremely convenient not to have to deal with traffic, travel time, etc. I highly recommend it.

I live pretty much right across the street from campus, which is awesome. I've only had to put gas in my car twice since school started.

[swilson215]

I'm pretty much going to second what ClutchCity said about living expenses. There are some pretty expensive places around SMU and uptown, but there are also some pretty affordable apartments within a few minutes drive. You can find a 1BR within 5 - 10 minutes of campus for between $600 and $1000 (and up). I personally pay $800/mo + utilities, and I live directly across the street from campus. Usually you can get lunch on campus, and other expenses can be kept pretty low.

Remember, that 70K is an estimate...it's just the most that you can take out in loans -- you don't HAVE to take out that amount.

[fathergoose]

One thing to consider about loan money is that it very likely will have to last you for 12 months and not just through the end of the academic year. Be sure to take out enough that you can afford to live through the summer if you end up with a judicial/government internship (like a lot of you will). I did not think about this and things got pretty tight towards the end of the summer.

[annelise88]

I have family that lives at Hillcrest and 635 that I could probably live with. Is traffic going south on Hillcrest bad in the morning?

I drive from Preston and 635 to school everyday, and Preston is generally pretty smooth. It takes me, on average, about 15 min. It's relatively fast on Preston, it's just once you get over to Hillcrest and NW Highway, that it slows down to like 2 mph til campus.

[kalvano]

All of you bitching about traffic can suck it.


635 and Hillcrest to school would be pretty easy.

[lawschoolstudent1]

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[Burgstaller04]

Current 1L here. A bunch of 2L's were really helpful to me last year. I'm here to return the favor. If you have questions, shoot.