smu vs. ut
by: QuestionMany kids from prestigious and well connected families go to SMU, but some also go to UT. What makes them choose UT over SMU? Dallas had elite "mens clubs" and "womens clubs" like Calyx, Idlewild and Slipper, so why do they come down to Austin?
Commentby: Dallas kidsAug 9, 2013 4:43:08 PM
A lot do get into UT but their families have gone to SMU for generations. The business connections that they make are much more valuable if they want to live in Dallas. SMU alums hire SMU grads and then they all live in Highland Park or the lesser, University Park. There's much more diversity in the UT sororities than at SMU. There are many more middle class smart girls in UT sororities than at SMU. You're more of a big fish in a small, exclusive, members-only pond at SMU.
- 3
- 3
by: OhAug 9, 2013 4:56:33 PM
I don't know about that. Maybe 30 years ago. Today companies know that UT delivers the best --- not SMU. Good try though.
- 7
- 5
by: YesAug 9, 2013 4:58:16 PM
Even A&M graduates are sought after much more than SMU grads in Dallas because of the quality of the students. Hard work ethic also.
- 7
- 6
by: Dallas kidsAug 9, 2013 5:00:03 PM
SMU alums hire SMU grads. It's not about the value of the degree, it's about the connections. Your dad was a frat brother with them at SMU and they're going to hire you over someone who went to UT.
- 3
- 3
by: It's greatAug 9, 2013 5:12:16 PM
if you want to spend your life in the Dallas cult (and it's not like UT doesn't have these networks), then SMU is great. Otherwise, you'd be better served going to UT and at least equally if not better served by A&M.
- 4
- 3
by: bevotAug 9, 2013 10:17:42 PM
actually smu has been closing the gap on us in the last few years - we are ranking pretty close together. UT cost about half, so that is one big factor. i heard SMU's incoming SAT is higher than ours this last year, and ranking is neck and neck - so the academics and student quality is pretty similar. Greek life is great at both.
- 5
- 5
by: Not quiteAug 10, 2013 8:48:49 AM
SMU is ranked closer to Georgia or A&M than UT. They aren't that far from us in a lot of national rankings, but as far as international recognition we're pretty well ahead. Plus we get real football. Nothing wrong with SMU, good school, great Greek school, but I don't know why anyone would be confused over choosing UT over SMU. Look at Laura Bush.
- 2
- 4
by: bevotAug 10, 2013 9:50:47 AM
Actually a&M is well behind SMU in academics - and Georgia is not even on the list. Only the Aggie cult thinks otherwise and then they have no facts to prove it. also SMU is just as hard to get into - didn't use to be the case but now it is. Their incoming SAT average is the same average as ours. Compare USNWR and Forbes lists - they are right behind us. Laura Bush went to SMU so not so sure what that comment means. I love UT, but we aren't the only great school in the state. Greek scene at A&M is dull dull dull.
- 7
- 4
by: ^Aug 10, 2013 2:29:03 PM
by: ^Aug 10, 2013 2:29:07 PM
by: ^Aug 11, 2013 9:39:46 AM
how about you check out a list? Try U.S. news and world report college rankings - that is the one the provost and deans use to rank themselves.
- 1
- 0
by: UhhAug 11, 2013 9:01:09 PM
US News and World Report: Georgia 56, SMU 58, A&M 65. Unless you're agreeing with me that they're all pretty similarly ranked, then you accidentally proved my point. Also @SMU troll meant to say Jenna Bush, though Laura got her master's degree at UT as well. My point was that the president's kid who was a legacy for SMU choose UT over it, just wrote the wrong name. The only list SMU outranks Georgia, which you referred to as completely unmentionable with SMU, was on Forbes (who's list is bizarre). It was 9 higher on Forbes than Georgia, 170ish lower on Washington Monthly (who had A&M at 2) and 2 lower on US News which is basically the authority. SMU didn't even get ranked on all the international ones like the other two.
- 1
- 0
#3 by: actually
The only difference between SMU and UT is that with SMU, it's all about connections. Most of the kids there only mingle with people from their circles and socioeconomic classes. Few have to actually worry about trying to be hired by a big company because they'll get a good job because of who daddy knows.
they don't have work ethic because they have everything freaking handed to them
At UT you can be much more independent and earn your way through life.
by: Tcu studentAug 9, 2013 6:57:35 PM
Yep that's true. SMU is more tight knit and more about who you know. Very snobby also
- 0
- 0
#4 by: Original Poster
Lots of great information, thanks. So the "top tier" fraternity and sorority chapters at UT comparable with those at SMU? Which one provides better connections and "prestige"?
I'm coming from a pretty good social standing in Houston and know Dallas has some insane "exclusive" clubs that basically give you an "in" with some of the top business people, and they all live in Highland Park, University Park and Preston Hollow.
So would an SMU grad hire the SAE from SMU over, let's say, the Fiji/SAE/SigEp from UT?
by: HonestlyAug 9, 2013 9:50:36 PM
Companies don't think like that. They look for a person that excelled in school no matter what group they were in. You sound very shallow to me.
- 3
- 0
by: HaHaAug 9, 2013 9:52:36 PM
Did you say Fiji/SAE/SigEP from UT? SigEps are losing their luster. Do you even go here?
- 0
- 2
by: smu Aug 9, 2013 10:31:57 PM
SMU alums will hire SMU grads over an UT grad 9 times out of 10, unless the UT grad is dating his daughter or son and needs a leg up. It's a close knit ol' boys club, much more so than UT.
- 0
- 0
by: OKAug 9, 2013 11:18:02 PM
by: lolAug 10, 2013 3:06:26 AM
Sigep isn't losing their "luster" at UT. Sounds like you go to SMU where Sigep literally lost their luster there.
- 1
- 0
by: GuyAug 10, 2013 8:55:17 AM
Sig Ep and Kappa Sig at UT are still superior to the top chapters at SMU probably.
- 1
- 0
by: HahahaAug 10, 2013 8:54:03 AM
If you're smart enough to get into UT and have decent test scores chances are you can get a big scholarship to SMU. Not to mention Greeks tend to be among the wealthier people at UT, so it's not just about money.
- 1
- 0
#6 by: Wow
Hahahaha this whole post is a joke. Fiji/sae sh.it on smu. You can keep trying to justify smu but at the end of the day it is second rate to UT. Talk about connections? UT has more connections than smu. Dallas is a HUGE UT city and ill say smu can hold their weight there but Houston, Chicago, NY are filled with UT grads. Plus if you're a SAE/Fiji or in silver spurs network you have $$ connections. No kid turns down UT for smu
by: ^Aug 10, 2013 3:09:29 AM
You say UT has more connections than SMU, yet mostly all the people in the elite social clubs in Dallas and the country clubs are SMU alums. "The Good Ol' Boys" Network runs deep with SMU alums.
- 3
- 2
by: OkayAug 10, 2013 8:58:41 AM
Maybe SMU beats UT if you're living in Dallas the rest of your life, otherwise not so much.
- 3
- 0
by: bevotAug 10, 2013 1:42:23 PM
come on....hundreds of kids turn down UT for SMU every year, just as hundreds turn down SMU for UT. Its the only private texas school that is both a good school and fun. Don't be so myopic. Their Greek is as good as ours, and they are right with us in academics. Its really apples and oranges - great huge university or medium university. also SMU is about 60% out of state - so not really the same thing as UT with 90% in state.
- 1
- 2
#8 by: shocked
Really? I am from Dallas I applied to UT, A&M and SMU I got accepted to all of them and yes my parents have money but that didnt make me want to go to SMU theres people from those 3 schools everywhere in Dallas and I chose UT because it simpliy is the best! check every ranking in the country or in the world for everything and UT is always ahead of SMU and A&M
by: WellAug 14, 2013 11:11:57 AM
This guy is right. Check the rankings and report even ONE where SMU is higher. It doesn't exist.
- 1
- 0
#10 by: Hahaha
Whoever wrote UT had one if the strongest Greek systems in the country hasn't got a clue. UT is not a strong Greek school. Check your facts. Check your schools statistics too- it's not your fault but the top 8% thing brings some horrible students your way. UT has a great business school but the rest of the school is really sub par to others across the nation. Get out there and see the universities and you will learn I'm correct.
I'm not from SMU but they do have more money and prestige there- sorry
Football programs don't matter a while lot- good thing for UT because the longhorns haven't been good for a very long time, at least SMU has the excuse that they were given the death penalty and don't usually get top recruits. Texas doesn't have any excuses and they still suck at football. If I went to UT I'd leave football out of it!
by: HahaAug 21, 2013 11:01:59 AM
You're a complete idiot, UT has always been considered among the premier Greek systems in the country, and you are obviously the one confused. To say we aren't even a strong Greek school is a complete laugh seeing as how only a handful of Greek systems in the country are actually better. I'm really curious to know where you go, because there's a 95% chance your school has an inferior Greek system, and unless you go to somewhere like Bama, Georgia, or Ole Miss you have no room to talk. Oh and our football programs been underperforming since about 2010, that's a really long stretch of mediocrity. Get out of here SMU.
- 2
- 1
by: HahaAug 21, 2013 11:04:54 AM
Oh as for academics, most of our natural science and engineering departments are in the top 20 nationally at least, that isn't sub-par. Judging by your complete lack of knowledge of everything UT, mixed with your intense desire to bad mouth us on here anyway, you aren't bright at all.
- 1
- 1
Post Reply
Before you type: Remember, do not post names, initials, or any derogatory content.
YOU MAY ALSO LIKE
Didn't find your school?Request for your school to be featured on GreekRank.
by: Hey old personApr 2, 2023 11:51:59 AM
Who cares about a post from 2013?
- 4
- 0
Report