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#3 Best Colleges in Texas

SMU Admission Requirements

Dallas, Texas

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Chances of getting into Southern Methodist University

Acceptance Rate

Admitted 
53%
Admission Difficulty for Southern Methodist University
Measure Difficulty
Admission Standards Exceptional 
Applicant Competition Average 
How hard is it to get into SMU and can I get accepted?

The acceptance rate at SMU is 53%.  It ranks #10 in Texas for lowest rate of acceptance. SMU is a more competitive school to get into with a good chance of acceptance for qualifying applicants. Last year, 8,333 out of 15,685 applicants were admitted.

The school has extremely high admission requirements, generally admitting students who can score in the top 7 percent on standardized admission tests. Southern Methodist University typically accepts and attracts "B+" average high school students with an average GPA around 3.68. Most incoming freshmen graduate in the top ten percent of their high school class. 19% of those admitted chose to enroll in the school.

Test Optional

Submission of SAT or ACT scores is not required for admission to Southern Methodist University. If you submit test scores, they will be considered with your application, but they are not mandatory. 16% of students submitted SAT scores and 23% submitted ACT scores for admission for the 2021/2022 academic year..

SMU SAT Scores

SAT Requirements & Average SAT Score

SAT Range 
1340-1510
Applicants Submitting SAT 
16%
SAT Scores for Southern Methodist University
SAT Test 25th Percentile Score
SAT Reading 25th 660
SAT Math 25th 680
SAT Composite 25th 1340
SAT Scores for Southern Methodist University
SAT Test 25th Percentile Score
SAT Reading 75th 740
SAT Math 75th 770
SAT Composite 75th 1510
Average SAT Score 1430

SAT Scores you need to get in

What are the SAT requirements for students to be admitted to Southern Methodist University?

Southern Methodist University is a test optional school meaning applicants are not required to submit SAT scores with their application. The position on SAT scores from the school is "considered but not required".

Students who get into Southern Methodist University score in the top 9 percent of all SAT test takers.. The SAT composite score range for the middle 50% of students is 1340-1510.

Find other colleges with similar SAT score requirements

Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2021 starting class

Estimated Chance of Acceptance by SAT Score

Southern Methodist University admission chances by SAT score
SAT Score (1600 scale) Competitiveness  Admission Chances 
1510 and Above Good >68%
1425 to 1510 Avg + 53%-68%
1340 to 1425 Avg - 37%-53%
1255 to 1340 Reach 24%-37%
Less than 1255 Low <24%
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SMU ACT Scores

ACT Requirements & Average ACT Score

ACT Range 
31-34 
Applicants Submitting ACT 
23%
ACT Scores for Southern Methodist University
ACT Test 25th Percentile Score
ACT Reading 25th 32
ACT Math 25th 28
ACT Composite 25th 31
ACT Scores for Southern Methodist University
ACT Test 75th Percentile Score
ACT Reading 75th 35
ACT Math 75th 33
ACT Composite 75th 34
Average ACT Score 32

ACT Scores needed to get accepted

What are the ACT requirements for prospective students to get into SMU?

Southern Methodist University is test optional. Students are not required to submit ACT scores with their application. The policy on ACT scores is "considered but not required".

SMU regularly accepts students who score 31 and above on the ACT. These students typically score in the top 5 percent nationally. The ACT composite score range for the middle 50% of students is 31-34.

Find other colleges with similar ACT score requirements

Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2021 starting class

Estimated Chance of Acceptance by ACT Score

Southern Methodist University admission chances by ACT score
ACT Score Competitiveness  Admission Chances 
34 and Above Good >73%
32 to 34 Avg + 53%-73%
31 to 32 Avg - 42%-53%
30 to 31 Reach 32%-42%
Less than 30 Low <32%
Calculate My Chances 

SMU GPA

Estimated GPA Requirements & Average GPA

Avg. High School GPA 
3.68
Typical High School Grades 
B+

What GPA do you need to get into Southern Methodist University?

Applicants require very good grades in high school to get into SMU. The average high school GPA of the admitted freshman class at Southern Methodist University was 3.68 on the 4.0 scale indicating that primarily B+ students are accepted and ultimately attend. The school ranks #12 in Texas for highest average GPA. If your high school GPA meets these requirements, there is a good chance you will be accepted as SMU accepts 53% of students who apply.

 What do these ratings mean?

Explore more colleges with similar GPA requirements

High School GPA's for admitted Southern Methodist University students
High School GPA Freshmen Within Range Competitiveness 
4.0 20.93% Good
3.75 to 3.99 31.93% Avg
3.50 to 3.74 21.76% Avg -
3.25 to 3.49 13.93% Reach
3.00 to 3.24 7.82% Reach
2.50 to 2.99 3.5% Reach
2.00 to 2.49 0.13% Low
1.00 to 1.99 0% Low
less than 1.00 0% Low

GPA Data Source, Peterson's Data 2022

High School Class Rank

52% of Southern Methodist University freshman were in the top ten percent of their high school graduating class.

High School Class Rank for admitted Southern Methodist University students
High School Class Rank Freshmen Within Range
Top 10% of class 52%
Top 25% of class 81%
Top 50% of class 94%
Data Source, Peterson's Data

Applying

Admission Statistics

Southern Methodist University admission statistics
Women Men Total
Applied 8,360 7,325 15,685
Accepted 4,638 3,695 8,333
Acceptance Rate 55% 50% 53%
Enrolled 831 741 1,572
Percent of Admitted Who Enrolled (Admission Yield) 18% 20% 19%
Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2021 starting class

Application Fee

The cost for prospective students to apply to Southern Methodist University is $60.

Application Requirements

What are the requirements for admission to Southern Methodist University and what student information is used for admission decisions?

Southern Methodist University Application Requirements
Test Scores Considered but not required
High School GPA Required
High School Class Rank Recommended
Completion of College Preparatory Program Required
Recommendations Required
Demonstration of Competencies Recommended

Credits Accepted

High School Credits Accepted at Southern Methodist University
AP Credit Yes
Dual Credit Yes
Credit for Life Experiences No
Other Colleges to Consider 

Primary data source, U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=228246 IPEDS survey data for Southern Methodist University.

FAQs

Does Southern Methodist University prefer SAT or ACT?

16% of students submit their SAT scores to SMU. 23% of applicants send their ACT scores when applying.

What is my chance of getting into Southern Methodist University?

53% of those who apply are granted admission to SMU. Admission competition is low and the college has exceptional admission standards. See if your grades and scores are good enough for admission.

What SAT score is required for Southern Methodist University?

The middle 50% of addmitted applicants have SAT scores between 1340 and 1510. 16% of students submit SAT scores when applying. See if your SAT score is good enough for admission.

What ACT score is required for Southern Methodist University?

The middle 50% of addmitted applicants have ACT scores between 31 and 34. 23% of students submit ACT scores when applying. See if your ACT score is good enough for admission.