SMU 2010! Forum

[bonnieblue]

buying all used from the bookstore i think totaled to around $1500 and getting everything on amazon except a few LRW books i spent less than 900 and all but one have no writing whatsoever

[kalvano]

buying all used from the bookstore i think totaled to around $1500 and getting everything on amazon except a few LRW books i spent less than 900 and all but one have no writing whatsoever

Did the merchant you used on Amazon indicate if they had been written in or not? If so, which merchant?

[bonnieblue]

I used different ones each time, but I onlly bought ones listed as very good

[-Glyn-]

First post, longtime lurker on this thread - I will be in the PT section. I'm a Dallas native, been out of undergrad for about 15 years working in IT. I will be "working" full time while in school though I plan on shutting my office door most days and getting paid to study. We'll see if that comes to fruition.

Stopped by the SMU bookstore this AM to peruse the used textbooks available. If you're looking for mostly unmarked copies I'd hurry over there pronto - there are lots of used books on the shelf but most have extensive highlighting and notes throughout. I had priced each book out ahead of time and in every case the SMU used price was within $5 of the new online price. I signed up for that Amazon student deal and will get free shipping so I went ahead and pulled the trigger there for new copies - $492 for the PT section book list minus legal writing.

Someone else noted that 4 of the 6 legal writing books are available at the bookstore, the other 2 will supposedly be there 8/20. My access.smu account didn't show the book list for legal writing either so I went to the bookstore without online pricing info for these titles. I probably spent too much but I bought the 4 available books which totaled out at $244, the missing two will be an additional $51 total. New copies are the only option for these books at the SMU bookstore.

While I was near campus I decided to stop by the admissions office to make sure everything was all set with my loans. The law school financial aid contact was out today so I was directed to the folks at enrollment services who were very helpful and answered all of my questions. If you are feeling anxious (as I was) due to the lack of contact from financial aid they will do a good job of putting you at ease.

See you all in a few weeks!

[nontradintexas]

While I was near campus I decided to stop by the admissions office to make sure everything was all set with my loans. The law school financial aid contact was out today so I was directed to the folks at enrollment services who were very helpful and answered all of my questions.

lulz

For future reference: today = every day.

[Billy Batts]

First post, longtime lurker on this thread - I will be in the PT section. I'm a Dallas native, been out of undergrad for about 15 years working in IT. I will be "working" full time while in school though I plan on shutting my office door most days and getting paid to study. We'll see if that comes to fruition.

Stopped by the SMU bookstore this AM to peruse the used textbooks available. If you're looking for mostly unmarked copies I'd hurry over there pronto - there are lots of used books on the shelf but most have extensive highlighting and notes throughout. I had priced each book out ahead of time and in every case the SMU used price was within $5 of the new online price. I signed up for that Amazon student deal and will get free shipping so I went ahead and pulled the trigger there for new copies - $492 for the PT section book list minus legal writing.

Someone else noted that 4 of the 6 legal writing books are available at the bookstore, the other 2 will supposedly be there 8/20. My access.smu account didn't show the book list for legal writing either so I went to the bookstore without online pricing info for these titles. I probably spent too much but I bought the 4 available books which totaled out at $244, the missing two will be an additional $51 total. New copies are the only option for these books at the SMU bookstore.

While I was near campus I decided to stop by the admissions office to make sure everything was all set with my loans. The law school financial aid contact was out today so I was directed to the folks at enrollment services who were very helpful and answered all of my questions. If you are feeling anxious (as I was) due to the lack of contact from financial aid they will do a good job of putting you at ease.

See you all in a few weeks!

Did they say when we can expect direct deposits to be made? 8/12ish?

[HBK]

Did any of y'all get the email about registering with college board for need-based aid? It looks like its only for UGs, and wants me to pay $9 on the chance I may get more aid? Is this something any of y'all have done?

Called enrollment services and hung up after being on hold for 10 minutes.

[-Glyn-]

Did they say when we can expect direct deposits to be made? 8/12ish?

The woman said it is typically 10 days before classes begin so yes "8/12ish" would be correct.

[squ1rtle]

Has anyone's GradPLUS loan been certified recently?

[ClemTiger]

Has anyone's GradPLUS loan been certified recently?

I finally did and have a disbursement date of 8/10 for all of my loans. I still am confused on how to set direct deposit so my loans go straight into checking account and then I can pay SMU directly. Anybody have any advice? I looked under my SF Space and still can't figure it out.

[Thirteen]

While I was near campus I decided to stop by the admissions office to make sure everything was all set with my loans. The law school financial aid contact was out today so I was directed to the folks at enrollment services who were very helpful and answered all of my questions.

lulz

For future reference: today = every day.

Tell me about it

[ClemTiger]

Has anyone's GradPLUS loan been certified recently?

I finally did and have a disbursement date of 8/10 for all of my loans. I still am confused on how to set direct deposit so my loans go straight into checking account and then I can pay SMU directly. Anybody have any advice? I looked under my SF Space and still can't figure it out.

Get to my SF eSpace, then click on the "My Profile" Tab at the very top of the page. Scroll down to bank accounts, and put your stuff in. Then I think you have to go to Refund Disbursement and elect Direct Deposit.

Also note, if I remember from last year, the disbursment date listed isn't the day you will actually get your refund. It will be day the process starts. Usually it's like a wednesday, and the money shows up on Friday.

Steve, you are the man. Appreciate the help!

[maxpayne]

Has anyone's GradPLUS loan been certified recently?

My Grad Plus loan was certified at the end of last week.

[Billy Batts]

Looks like LRWA instructors are assigned.

[tinyone]

Has everyone gotten their parking pass? I still haven't gotten mine and I'm afraid there was an issue w/ mail forwarding/moving...

[bcb1986]

buying all used from the bookstore i think totaled to around $1500

That's crazy. I bought all new from the bookstore last year (required by scholarship that reimburses me) and it was just under $1300.

[kalvano]

Did they say when we can expect direct deposits to be made? 8/12ish?

The website says direct deposit refunds should be expected within 2 business days of disbursement (08/10).

[Texasboundanddown]

Are any of you guys going to go with a meal plan? I worked while in UG and limited myself to 50 dollars a week (for food mainly) and that went...ok. There were times when I had to eat cereal or chicken with bread, or terrible sandwiches so since Im a fairly active individual that would mean I was hungry alot. I did end up saving more than 2k but part of me thinks if I had went with a partial meal plan I would have been happier. Any advice?

[kalvano]

It's expensive. There are lots of cheapo places around SMU that are good.

[Thirteen]

It's expensive. There are lots of cheapo places around SMU that are good.

This. Also, I plan to bring sandwiches from home, and leave oatmeal and a jug of protein powder in my locker.

[Billy Batts]

It's expensive. There are lots of cheapo places around SMU that are good.

This. Also, I plan to bring sandwiches from home, and leave oatmeal and a jug of protein powder in my locker.

Sounds delicious.

[Billy Batts]

buying all used from the bookstore i think totaled to around $1500

That's crazy. I bought all new from the bookstore last year (required by scholarship that reimburses me) and it was just under $1300.

Stay away from university-affiliated bookstores as much as possible. Everything they sell is way overpriced, from books to clothes to household items. The same goes for the little convenience stores you find on college campuses. The pens/pencils and highlighters are often three times as much as you'd pay at Wal Mart. I paid $33.98 for the Tort Law, Responsibilities and Redress book on amazon in like-new condition. Used price from the bookstore was $139.75. I saved $60.00 by buying the Contracts & Materials book from Amazon, again in nearly-new condition. That's $160.00 in savings on two textbooks. The only reasons you should use the bookstore are if you can't find a book elsewhere, or if you really need to charge it to your university account. Even in the case of the latter, you are likely getting money on 8/12. Wait until then, and order the stuff on amazon with the two-day shipping. You'll have the book before orientation. The whole textbook industry is bullshit. Don't let the bookstore stick it to you as well.

[Texasboundanddown]

Where do we mail our UG's transcript to? I'd like to fax it to them but I guess they want it sealed...

[fathergoose]

Are any of you guys going to go with a meal plan? I worked while in UG and limited myself to 50 dollars a week (for food mainly) and that went...ok. There were times when I had to eat cereal or chicken with bread, or terrible sandwiches so since Im a fairly active individual that would mean I was hungry alot. I did end up saving more than 2k but part of me thinks if I had went with a partial meal plan I would have been happier. Any advice?

I'm a big person and I'm very active and I never used a meal plan in college. I ate plenty and probably spent a third as much as I would have on a meal plan.

The big thing is you have to cook/prepare food yourself and not mind eating left overs frequently. Eating out kills your budget. You can fix pasta and sauce that will last for 7 or 8 meals for less than 10 bucks in a pinch.

If you don't ever want to cook or leave campus to eat, then maybe a meal plan wouldn't be an awful idea but I think you'd be better off without.

[Iconoclast]

Stinky legal writing diagnostic assignment is stinky!