UNIVERSITY · CDS 2023-2024
Southern Methodist University (SMU)
Dallas, TX 7,554 undergrad Updated 2026-04-22
Top 75TexasCox Business
Accept
53.0%
Yield
24.0%
Test
Optional
Academic Profile · CDS C9 / C11
The numbers a parent will ask about first.
SAT Total (mid 50%, computed)
1360–1530
SAT EBRW (mid 50%)
680–750
SAT Math (mid 50%)
680–780
ACT Composite (mid 50%)
31–34
GPA
Not reported
GPA NOTEAverage GPA not reported; 40% in top tenth of high school graduating class, 71% in top quarter, and 91% in top half.
METHODTotal SAT range is computed by summing the reported EBRW and Math mid-50% ranges from the school’s CDS (Section C9). Use as an approximation — a student’s actual total places them within, not at, the summed endpoints.
Decision Plans · CDS C1 / C21
When and how the school reads applicants.
| Plan | Deadline | Accept rate | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Plan details not yet recorded. | |||
Cost & Aid · CDS H Series
What it costs and what families actually pay.
Tuition
$63,736
Total COA
$96,388
Avg need-based aid
$58,545
Avg merit award
$29,414
Net price after avg need aid
$37,843
SMU meets 0.8752% of demonstrated need on average.
Named merit programs
President's Scholarship
$71,816 – $71,816 / yr (renewable)
Nancy Ann and Ray L. Hunt Leadership Scholarship
$53,862 – $53,862 / yr (renewable)
Provost Scholarship, SMU Distinguished Scholarship, Second Century Scholarship, and the University Scholarship
$63,736 / yr (renewable)
International Baccalaureate (IB) Scholarship
$7,500 – $7,500 / yr (renewable)
AP Impact Calculator
What the student's APs are actually worth here.
SMU's AP Policy
SMU grants credit for AP scores of 4 or 5 on most exams. Credit is not considered resident credit and does not count towards the resident hours required for an SMU degree. Students cannot receive credit for both an AP exam and a college course covering the same subject.
Min score
4
Credit cap
32 credits
Mode
Credit + placement
Per-score grid
Exam-level
Add the student's APs
No APs selected. Click Add AP exam to start, or use the sample profile to see what a strong student might recover.
What They Value · CDS C7
Every CDS factor, weighted exactly as the admissions office files it.
- Rigor of secondary school recordVery Important
- Class rankConsidered
- Academic GPAImportant
- Standardized test scoresImportant
- Application EssayImportant
- Recommendation(s)Important
Mission & Narrative
What this school says it is — in their own words.
Southern Methodist University will create, expand, and impart knowledge through teaching, research, and service, shaping world changers who contribute to their communities and excel in their professions in a global society.
Distilled Themes
Knowledge creation and disseminationShaping world changersCommunity contributionProfessional excellenceGlobal society engagement
The Coach's Read
What 'what they value' actually means at the table.
- 01SMU is looking for students who are not just academically strong, but also have a demonstrated commitment to their communities and a desire to make a positive impact.
- 02They value students with an entrepreneurial spirit and a global perspective.
- 03A strong application will highlight leadership, initiative, and a clear sense of purpose.
Application Targets
What a strong application here should signal.
- 01Demonstrate a strong academic record, particularly in a rigorous curriculum.
- 02Showcase your extracurricular involvement and leadership roles.
- 03Write a compelling essay that reflects your character and aspirations.
Quiet Disqualifiers
Things that hurt applicants here, even when they look fine on paper.
- A lack of demonstrated interest in SMU can be a red flag
- A generic application that doesn't speak to SMU's specific values and programs
- A purely academic focus without evidence of engagement outside the classroom
Signature Programs
Where this school is genuinely best-in-class.
Cox School of Business; Dedman School of Law; Meadows School of the Arts; Lyle School of Engineering; The Guildhall (video game development program)
Application calendar
Every date the family needs to know.
Deadlines & Decision Dates · 2025-2026
Family deadline matrix
Plan
Deadline
Decision release
Early Decision I
Binding
Nov 10, 2025
Early Decision II
Binding
Jan 23, 2026
Early Action
Non-binding
Nov 10, 2025
Regular Decision
Non-binding
Jan 23, 2026
Restrictive Early Action
Not offered
—
Rolling Admission
Not offered
—
See every school side-by-side on the Deadline Tracker →
CDS C7 · Level of applicant's interest
Does effort toward this school move the needle?
Demonstrated Interest·CDS C7 (2024-2025)
TrackedWeight: Considered
SMU considers applicant interest, and applying Early Action is one way to demonstrate it.
What they watch
- Applying EA
Coach action
Apply Early Action to demonstrate interest in SMU.
Provenance