Dallas is a pretty nice city to spend four years, and Southern Methodist University is as good a reason as any to be in Dallas. But how to get into SMU? We’re going to answer that for you! But, before we do, let’s learn a bit more about what sets Southern Methodist University apart. 

About Southern Methodist University

Don’t let the name fool you: Though SMU was founded by the United Methodist Church in 1911 and still has a formal affiliation with the Methodist Church, religion is not central to campus life for most students. In practical terms, this means that students are free to make spirituality a staple of their education if they’d like (SMU’s Perkins School of Theology is a force to be reckoned with), but will otherwise experience SMU’s campus as a top-notch private university like any other. 

SMU students run the gamut. The Cox School of Business is a big draw for applicants, but so is the  Meadows School of the Arts. Finance bros share the dining hall with future Basquiats. What unites these students is a vested connection to Dallas, which offers internship, research, and employment opportunities in every industry imaginable. 

Southern Methodist University’s acceptance rate is around 63%, meaning it’s not what we at Ivy Coach classify as a competitive school to get into. Still, with around 7,000 students, a beautiful campus connected to a big city, and a research institution’s vast resources, it’s an enviable place to attend college. 

Southern Methodist University Admissions Requirements 

We want to make one thing clear right off the bat: there’s no readymade template for a successful application to SMU, or to any school for that matter. Each applicant to SMU is considered within context. An example of what this means: a student who took 2 AP classes at a school that only offered 2 AP classes is not necessarily less impressive than a student who took 4 AP classes at a school that offered a dozen such courses. If college admissions were just crunching numbers, our jobs would be so much easier. 

To try to simplify an incredibly fluid and dynamic landscape, we’ll tell you that great grades, high test scores, and remarkable extracurricular achievements are the bread and butter (and jelly) of successful applications. So, even though the students at SMU are each in possession of their own idiosyncratic accomplishments and talents, let’s look at the features that unite them. 

What Kind of GPA Is Necessary To Get Into Southern Methodist University?

The following is the GPA breakdown of the members of SMU’s Class of 2029: 

GPA	Percentage of Southern Methodist University Class of 2029
4.0	24.30%
3.75-3.99	30.20%
3.5-3.74	22.20%
3.25-3.49	12.0%
3.0-3.24	7.10%
2.5-2.99	4.0%
2.0-2.49	0.2%
1.0-1.99	0%

Obviously, having great grades will only help your odds of admission. But, despite what these numbers may appear to indicate, we suspect that SMU does turn away students with perfect grades and test scores each year. And why? Because there are plenty of other factors that go into a competitive college application. And any admissions officer will tell you that the academic high achiever isn’t always the most interesting or compelling applicant!

What Kind of SAT or ACT Scores Are Needed To Get Into SMU?  

The average SAT score for the Southern Methodist Class of 2028 was 1410, and the average ACT score was 33. Though SMU is test-optional, we at Ivy Coach believe that not submitting test scores can only ever hurt an applicant’s chances, even to supposedly test-optional schools. 

What Classes Do Students Need to Take to Get Into Southern Methodist University?

SMU lists the following academic preparation as a recommended baseline for successful applicants:

• 4 units of English
• 3 units of math (algebra I and II, geometry)
• 3 units of social science
• 3 units of science, including 2 lab science units
• 2 consecutive units of foreign language

We at Ivy Coach know that highly selective colleges like SMU want to see students excelling in each core subject (English, history, math, science, and foreign language) all four years of high school. In fact, they expect to see five years for foreign language since most students begin their first level of foreign language in eighth grade.

What Kinds of Extracurriculars Does Southern Methodist University Like To See?

Depth over breadth! Say it with us: Depth over breadth! 

There’s a common misunderstanding that colleges want “well-rounded students.” No, no, and no. They want well-rounded student bodies. These student bodies are comprised of singularly talented kids, each flourishing within their own idiosyncratic area of excellence and contributing their own unique accomplishment. 

So, rather than shuttling your kid from soccer practice to Russian Math lessons to cello lessons to West Side Story rehearsal to robotics club, maybe decide to save on all that gas money and encourage your child to zero in on their own unique talents. Maybe they’re a thespian: have them write a play, work with their school’s drama department to put it on, and then use the funds from ticket sales to support arts education in underfunded areas of the United States. Maybe they’re a Classist: have them found a Latin Club at their school, translate niche texts beyond The Aeneid and Caesar, and contribute original research to a scholarly journal on Roman Studies. You get the gist. 

SMU Application Requirements 

Southern Methodist accepts The Common App. They ask for a counselor recommendation and a teacher recommendation. They ask the following two supplemental questions: 

• SMU appeals to students for a variety of reasons. Briefly describe why you are interested in attending SMU and what specific factors have led you to apply. (250-word limit)
• SMU is a diverse and welcoming learning environment shaped by the convergence of ideas and cultures. How will your unique experiences enhance the University, and how will you benefit from this community? (250-word limit)

Who Should Students Ask For Letters of Recommendation For Southern Methodist University? 

Southern Methodist University applicants should ask two junior year teachers in core subjects. Obviously, the applicant should have a good relationship with the teacher or at least have performed well in their class. In addition, at least one of the recommender’s subject area should be related to the student’s hook: if a student’s singular hook is studying fruit fly DNA, it wouldn’t make sense if their recommenders were their History and English teachers. 

Does SMU Require an Interview? 

Southern Methodist University does not require an interview, and, in fact, they don’t even offer one!

What Are Southern Methodist University’s Application Deadlines? 

Early Action and Early Decision I applications to Southern Methodist are due November 10. Regular Decision and Early Decision II applications are due January 23.  

How Ivy Coach Helps Students Get Into SMU

If you’re interested in discerning if your child has a shot of getting into Southern Methodist University, we recommend setting up Ivy Coach’s Strategy Session. Not only will you find out if your child has a chance of getting into Southern Methodist University, but you’ll receive a game plan of how your child can optimize their admission to the best school possible.