Southern Methodist University is somewhat selective in its admission process. The acceptance rate of Southern Methodist University (SMU) is 52.25%. This means that 52 out of every 100 applicants get admitted.
How Competitive are Southern Methodist University Admissions?
- Competitive: Applicants need good academics and extracurriculars.
- GPA, SAT/ACT, and AP/IB courses significantly impact admission chances.
- A holistic review considers essays, recommendations, and leadership roles.
To secure admission, you must convince the admission staff that you are both mentally and physically fit for the course of study. More importantly, your GPA, class performance, SAT/ACT scores, and IB or AP courses can help your application stand out. Additionally, if you do not perform well in one area, you can showcase your strengths in other areas, as the SMU is not very strict in its admission process, so improving other areas will help you secure admission.
As the acceptance rate is above 50%, you still have a chance if your GPA is not excellent. You can make up for a lower GPA by scoring high on the SAT, and ACT, and taking IB or AP courses.
Additionally, a well-written letter of recommendation, your participation in co-curricular and extracurricular activities, and your interpersonal communication skills can enhance your admission chances.
Southern Methodist University Admission Requirements
SMU GPA Requirement
The average GPA of the admitted students at SMU is 3.68. SMU is highly selective.
Mostly A’s with a few B’s will keep you competitive. Taking AP/IB courses related to your field will improve your chances.
If your GPA is between 3.38 and 3.68, a strong SAT or ACT score is recommended. You need at least a 3.28 GPA to secure admission.
Can I Get Into SMU Without SAT Or ACT?: Southern Methodist University considers admission test scores (SAT/ACT) during the application process but does not require them. Although it is not strictly a requirement, the test scores are considered for admission decisions. Hence, it is advisable to prepare well for the test and submit the best scores. Normally, students may appear in the test 4 to 5 times to improve their scores. Hence you are required to plan early and appear in upcoming SAT / ACT tests. Check the schedule of the test and plan accordingly. It is advisable to appear multiple times in the test unless you score well above the average SAT / ACT score of the admitted students, as given below.
Southern Methodist University (SMU) SAT Requirements
Each school has different requirements for SAT and ACT testing. Only a few schools require the SAT or ACT, but many consider your scores if you choose to submit them. The test score policy is already mentioned.
Southern Methodist University Average SAT Score: 1444
The average SAT score of the admitted students at Southern Methodist University is 1444 on the 1600 SAT scale.
Southern Methodist University SAT Competitiveness
This score makes it very Competitive for SAT test scores. You need to do very well to score 1444 on the SAT.
Key Insight:Aim for the 75th percentile (1510 SAT or 34 ACT) to stand out. If your scores are below average, consider retaking the test. Southern Methodist University allows Score Choice for the SAT and Superscoring for the ACT, giving you flexibility to submit your best scores.
If your score is below 1370, you must retake the SAT to improve your chances of admission to SMU. It is not strange to appear multiple times for the SAT to improve scores. Colleges don’t mind if you have appeared multiple times, but not more than 5 times.
Southern Methodist University SAT Scores Breakdown by Sections
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| SAT Math | 730 | 690 | 770 |
| SAT Reading | 710 | 680 | 740 |
| SAT Composite | 1444 | 1370 | 1510 |
It means that if you have scored less than 1370 then you are below most of the admitted students at SMU and your chances of admission are very few. But if you have scored 1510 or more, your chances of admission are higher. 25th percentile means that only 25% of the admitted students have fewer scores than this score. 75th percentile marks the score of the upper 25% of the students. View list of all colleges with average SAT score of 1450
Can I get into Southern Methodist University (SMU) with a 1500 SAT?
With a 1500 SAT Score, your chances of admission at Southern Methodist University (SMU) are good but the admission staff at SMU tests your all-around personality and your academics. Your GPA, Class performance, SAT/ACT/Test scores, and AP or IB Courses can help your application stand out. Co-curricular and extra-curricular activities and interpersonal communication skills are very important. Additionally, if you cannot perform well in one area, you have a chance to showcase your strengths and abilities in other areas, improving other areas will help you secure admission. You need to show better performance in all areas. An equally high GPA, taking IB or AP Courses and your role in leadership activities will increase your chances of admission. However, if you equally compete well in all other areas, your chances of admission are high.
Southern Methodist University (SMU) ACT Requirements
The average ACT Score at SMU is 33.
Southern Methodist University ACT Competitiveness
This score makes Southern Methodist University very Competitive for ACT scores. You need to do very well to score 33 on the ACT.
Southern Methodist University ACT Scores Breakdown by Sections
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| ACT Math | 31 | 28 | 33 |
| ACT English | 33 | 31 | 35 |
| ACT Composite | 33 | 31 | 34 |
Can I get into Southern Methodist University with a 34 ACT?
With a 34 ACT Score, your chances of admission at Southern Methodist University are good but the admission staff does not check your ACT Score only. The College Admission process tests your all-around personality and academics. Your GPA, Class performance, SAT/ACT/Test scores, and AP or IB Courses can help your application stand out. Co-curricular and extra-curricular activities and interpersonal communication skills are very important. Additionally, if you cannot perform well in one area, you have a chance to showcase your strengths and abilities in other areas, improving other areas will help you secure admission.
SAT Vs ACT: Which score to send
You can compare your scores in SAT and ACT to the average SAT and ACT Scores of the admitted students at Southern Methodist University. More importantly, comparing your scores with the 25th and 75th percentiles of SAT and ACT scores will give you a better understanding of where you stand. If your score on the SAT is near the 75th percentile SAT score, then you must send your SAT score. If your ACT score is near the 75th percentile, then you must send your ACT Score.
But there is more, if both of your scores are in the same range, then it is better to send an ACT Score, as in the case of ACT, you can control which score to send as opposed to SAT.
Here is how: When sending the ACT Score, you can decide which score you want to send to the colleges. You could take 8 ACT tests, and only send your highest one. This is not the case with the SAT, where your score report mentions all of your attempts.
View a list of all colleges with an average ACT score of 33.SMU Profile
Name: Southern Methodist University (SMU)
City: Dallas
URL: https://www.smu.edu/
State: Texas
Type: Non-Profit Private
Zip: 75275-0221
Campus: Main
Accredited by: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCC)
How much does a degree from SMU Cost?
The average annual cost of the degree at Southern Methodist University is USD: 79885. As most of the students receive Pell Grants and Federal Grants the average annual net price a student has to pay at Southern Methodist University is much less than this.
How can I get a scholarship?
11.58% of the students are receiving Pell Grant and 21.73 percent are receiving Federal Grants. So it is a better choice to go to SMU and apply for PELL or federal loan grants.
At Southern Methodist University, you will have no problem receiving any scholarship from the federal government. Fill in the FAFSA application form at the earliest and enlist SMU as your choice in the form.
How much a SMU Graduate make?
The average annual salary of the SMU graduate after 4-6 years of graduation is USD 78354. An average SMU graduate makes this much after 10 years of enrollment (4-6 years after graduation).
The average annual income of a graduate in the United States is USD: 40595
Less Competitive Schools
These schools have lower average SAT or ACT scores than Southern Methodist University. If your SAT or ACT score is slightly lower than the requirements of Southern Methodist University, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Occidental College | Occidental College, CA | 1434 | 33 |
| Pepperdine University | Pepperdine University, CA | 1399 | 30 |
| Colorado College | Colorado College, CO | 1402 | 31 |
| Colorado School of Mines | Colorado School of Mines, CO | 1403 | 32 |
| United States Air Force Academy | United States Air Force Academy, CO | 1401 | 31 |
| Connecticut College | Connecticut College, CT | 1427 | 32 |
| Wesleyan University | Wesleyan University, CT | 1426 | 33 |
| George Washington University | George Washington University, DC | 1420 | 33 |
| University of Florida | University of Florida, FL | 1397 | 31 |
| University of Miami | University of Miami, FL | 1409 | 32 |
Equally Competitive Schools
These schools have the same range of average SAT or ACT scores as Southern Methodist University. If your SAT or ACT score are competitive for Southern Methodist University, you'll be competitive for these schools also.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Occidental College | Occidental College, CA | 1434 | 33 |
| University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign | University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, IL | 1440 | 32 |
| Tulane University of Louisiana | Tulane University of Louisiana, LA | 1443 | 32 |
| Babson College | Babson College, MA | 1434 | 32 |
| Boston University | Boston University, MA | 1454 | 33 |
More Competitive Schools
These schools have higher average SAT or ACT scores than Southern Methodist University. If you improve your SAT or ACT score, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Claremont McKenna College | Claremont McKenna College, CA | 1514 | 34 |
| Pomona College | Pomona College, CA | 1520 | 34 |
| University of Southern California | University of Southern California, CA | 1520 | 34 |
| Georgetown University | Georgetown University, DC | 1507 | 34 |
| Emory University | Emory University, GA | 1493 | 33 |
Degree Programs
Bachelor Degree Programs
- Accounting and Related Services
- Anthropology
- Area Studies
- Arts, Entertainment,and Media Management
- Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology
- Biology, General
- Business Administration, Management and Operations
- Business/Commerce, General
- Chemistry
- Civil Engineering
Full list of All degree programs offered by Southern Methodist University.
Data on this page is sourced from IPEDS, College Scorecard's latest data as provided in 2024, US Department of Education's latest 2024 statistics, Institute's official websites and printed material as well as additional publicly available sources.