Southern Methodist University
What Southern Methodist University's own numbers say, from its Common Data Set 2025-26.
See your odds at Southern Methodist University →All 4 insights at Southern Methodist University PRO
InternationalSouthern Methodist University
International applicants face 1.9× tougher odds at Southern Methodist University.
25% of international applicants are admitted, against 48% overall.
Overall48%
International25%
Source: Southern Methodist University's Common Data Set 2025-26
Who says yesSouthern Methodist University
85% of students admitted to Southern Methodist University go elsewhere.
Only 15% of admits enroll, so Southern Methodist University admits far more students than it has seats.
Enroll15%
Go elsewhere85%
Source: Southern Methodist University's Common Data Set 2025-26
Test scoresSouthern Methodist University
At most 18% of Southern Methodist University's first-years sent an SAT or ACT.
9% sent an SAT and 9% an ACT (some sent both), so most enrolled without a score. SAT middle 50% among those who sent: 1360–1470.
Sent an SAT9%
Sent an ACT9%
Source: Southern Methodist University's Common Data Set 2025-26
ApplicationsSouthern Methodist University
Applications to Southern Methodist University are up 72%.
From 13,959 in 2019-20 to 24,053 in 2025-26.
2019-2013,959
2025-2624,053
Source: Southern Methodist University's Common Data Set 2025-26
6 more things the data says PRO
- Early Decision filled about 25% of the 2025-26 first-year class, less than most similar colleges.
- Only 9% of enrolled first-years sent an SAT score, so its SAT range describes a minority of the class.
- ED applicants were admitted at 80%, against 46.9% for everyone else: 1.7 times the rate.
- After ED, 1,291 of 1,715 seats were left for 23,525 other applicants: about one seat for every 18.
- Applications rose 72% from 2019-20 to 2025-26 (13,959 to 24,053), faster than 82% of colleges here.
- 1,074 students stayed on the waitlist and 243 were admitted from it (22.6%).
What students say PRO
From students' own posts on Reddit and admissions forums: self-reported, unverified, never used in your odds.
- Most admits who named a round applied Early Action (13 of 14); only one said Regular Decision.
- Many business-minded admits ran their own ventures, such as reselling, tutoring or lead-generation businesses, or led a business club.
- Admits often held captain, president or founder roles, in sports, Model UN, robotics, debate or new school clubs.
- Internships were common, such as law, congressional, finance, marketing or medical school roles, alongside tutoring and volunteering.
- Many admits reported SATs of about 1450 to 1580 with GPAs near 3.7 to 4.0, though some had lower numbers.
- Students report merit scholarships come with the admit letter, but department awards are decided later and smaller, and applying late can cost merit aid.
- Students report net cost can match a state school once merit aid is included, though others found offers too small to be affordable.
- Students report business school (Cox) and arts school (Meadows) admission are separate steps, so a university admit does not guarantee a place in them.
- Students report early rounds are large, with about 7,600 EA applicants and most admitted, so an early rejection or deferral surprises people.
Every number, year by year: Southern Methodist University on Open College Data. Something wrong? Suggest a correction.