SMU is where your dreams become goals. Whether you have a deep desire to make an impact in your community or feel driven to build a great career studying and pursuing what you love, we’ll help you channel your energy and unique qualities into the things that matter to you.
Plan your visit
At SMU, you’ll find delicious food that you can savor in a variety of food options at both Lee Dining Hall, in Umphrey Lee Center, and Arnold Dining Commons, which are all-you-care-to-eat residential restaurants that accommodate most dietary needs and preferences.
From comforting street food to posh fine dining, Dallas’ diverse food scene represents a multicultural feast that celebrates the cuisines from nearly any spot on the globe. Of course, you can still get our belly-satisfying signature barbecue and tacos with all the trimmings.
Faculty-in-Residence, a member of faculty who live in the Residential Commons, create an atmosphere that allows students to be who they are.
This special place that we call the Hilltop is for you. Feel at home as you look around. This is where you’ll take that life-changing class, have those amazing conversations with your professors, make a late-night dinner run with your friends and cheer on your favorite teams.
Mustang Days give you a 360° view of SMU. Get the inside track on admission, scholarships, financial aid*, and campus life. Throw your toughest questions at our student panel, and let our deans and professors tell you everything you want to know about our academic programs.
Your Residential Commons is your instant community on campus. Because living-and-learning experiences outside class are an important part of the whole SMU experience, incoming first-year students are assigned to one of 11 Residential Commons, each with its own traditions. Led by a faculty member who serves as Faculty-in-Residence, each Commons integrates an academic focus and social opportunities.
The way we welcome new Mustangs, the way we celebrate our most important times of the year and the way we let loose and have a blast – it's all part of what's so great about SMU. We're big on tradition and spirit here on the Hilltop, and we take a lot of pride in our community and the rich, century-long history the University has built.
Think big in SMU and Dallas to launch your successful future. You'll love to work hard on your dreams, with the can-do energy of Dallas fueling your experiences on campus and beyond.
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On a final-exam study break, SMU Mustangs Adam Czarnik ’22 and Jo Lew ’23 hit the Dallas Arts District to enjoy the best-ever grilled cheese sandwiches from Ruthie’s food truck, a spontaneous foosball match at Klyde Warren Park and an art museum trifecta.
From your first days as a new Mustang to graduation and important transition points between, the Office of the Student Experience supports your collegiate experience with a variety of resources.
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Listen in as Alexa May ’23 and Emma White ’23 swap memories about the good times – and the cringey moments – while getting to know each other as first-year roommates.
SMU’s Office of Diversity and Inclusion works with people across the University to develop, coordinate, and advance the organizational vision and strategy to fulfill the University's core values of excellence, integrity, intellectual freedom, open dialogue, diversity and inclusion.
Students do not have to be Methodist to attend SMU. About 16% of the SMU student population is Methodist. Our campus hosts students from other religions including other Protestant denominations, Catholicism, Judaism, Buddhism, Greek Orthodox, and Islam, and many non-religious students.
SMU has “Methodist” in its name. Does that make SMU a religious institution?
What percentage of SMU students are Methodist and what percentage of students are from other faiths?
of the country for liberal arts/sciences/humanities students pursuing a bachelor's degree (College Factual 2024)
College ROI Rank (PayScale 2023)
Nationally recognized undergraduate schools for 100+ majors and 85+ minors
PayScale College Salary Report 2023
At SMU, you have access to everything the university has to offer from your very first semester: research opportunities, outstanding facilities, small class sizes and so much more.
From team sports to personal fitness to active fun, you'll find it all at the Dedman Center for Lifetime Sports.
Sport Clubs provide a broad-based program of recreational, competitive and instructional sport opportunities. The program is designed to promote participation in a wide variety of sport activities—complimenting the university's intramural, intercollegiate and wellness programs.
Dallas’ size, diversity, world-class museums – including SMU’s own Meadows Museum – and awe-inspiring performance venues create exceptional opportunities for the bold, curious and imaginative.
Whether you care deeply about making an impact in your community or want to build a great career studying and pursuing what you love, we’re with you to help you channel your energy and unique qualities into the things that matter to you.
Starting the day you arrive on the Hilltop, you will spend your next four years developing relationships with world changers like you – problem-solvers, influencers and leaders who will make an impact around the globe.
Applying to SMU is the first step in making your college experience one that defines your future success. We carefully consider each application with the goal of adding dimension to our diverse and dynamic community of scholars.
The college application process can be overwhelming, but we’re here to help! Check out our tips for different steps along the way, from writing your essay to choosing a major.
Operating within the Office of the Provost (SMU's chief academic officer), Student Academic Engagement and Success represents the University's commitment to offering academic opportunities and support systems to help our students learn well and achieve success inside and outside the classroom.
Seun Suberu ’23 co-founded the CollegePlus app to help students take control of their future. Now it’s setting his direction, too. Over the past three years, Suberu has earned more than $85,000 in funding through multiple SMU competitions to fuel his startup.
You’re bright and hardworking. We want you here. That’s why we are passionate about matching our rigorous academics, powerful opportunities and incredible classroom-to-career experiences with access to outstanding financial resources – so that you can become who you want to be, regardless of your financial need.
Be among the SMU students who take advantage of a variety of internships at Dallas-area businesses and beyond.