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SMU - Living the High Life Before You've Even Received a Degree

If you're looking for a university where you can drive around the beautiful campus slowly in your Mercedes, Maserati, or even Aston Martin / Lamborghini (yes, undergrad students do own these - disgusting), then SMU is the place for you. Characterized by an extremely pretentious and flashy atmosphere, SMU provides the ability to thrive and enjoy life to the fullest for the wealthiest students, while those coming from working-class families (those on scholarship, student athletes) feel very out of place and inferior. Most students dress up in designer brand clothing just to go to class. There are more party nights than study nights a week. If you're on a five+ year plan and all you want to do is party four or five or more nights a week, SMU is the place for you. There are usually two or more bus parties a week first semester (busses from the university to clubs and back from 10pm-2am), and second semester is filled with fraternity-sorority mixers. If you want a thriving social life, go Greek. The Greeks run the school, no questions asked. The adminnistration, with overwhelming help from SMU PD, however, are doing everything in their power and more to put an end to Greek life at SMU. Rumor has it this is because the Presidential (Bush) Library to come, but in all honesty, fraternity social events have been the scrutiny of donut-eaters for past years consistently. Not only are we constantly profiled as criminals by SMU PD, but Highland and University Park PDs are both also constantly patrolling campus grounds with access to all dorms and Greek houses with the swipe of a card or entry of master code. Athletics are terrible. Party life is beyond belief. SMU is basically a bubble of America's wealthiest CEOs' and Presidents' kids running around acting like they've already made it, spending money like it grows on trees. Probably because for them, they will have made it / taken over daddy's business upon graduation, and money has never been an issue for them. Students with less money, keep your head down, make grades, and after 4 years you will easily secure a six-figure job post-graduation. SMU's networking is second-to-none.

SMU - Huge Benefactor Fund = Boosted Staff Salaries, With Occasional Financial Aid

SMU claims to give out all sorts of financial aid to large percentages of the student population. Most of this is $1000 scholarships, and acquiring any sort of financial aid is a huge hassle. Not only do you have to file a FAFSA application, but SMU also requires you fill out a CSS Profile as well, for every additional year you wish to receive aid. While continually increasing tuition each and every year, acquiring the necessary aid to finish your education in four years is tricky, but it can be done. Get your applications in as early as possible, make friends with your financial aid advisor, and keep your fingers crossed.