Year I Joined the Office of Admission: 2006
Favorite thing about SMU: My favorite thing about SMU is the unique relationship we have with the city of Dallas. Dallas doesn’t exist because of SMU, and SMU doesn’t exist because of Dallas. We have a great symbiotic relationship that opens students up to all the benefits of being in a big city, but you’re not going to class right in the middle of downtown. As an SMU student, you get the benefits of living on a residential campus in residential area, but the hustle and bustle of downtown is only minutes away. Between job and internship opportunities, entertainment venues, and opportunities to serve the community, this relationship allows our students to experience the best of both worlds in terms of campus location.
Favorite place on campus: Moody Coliseum, without a doubt. When Moody was renovated in 2014, it reopened to a packed house of fans and a landslide Mustang victory of the U-Conn Huskies. I am a huge basketball fan, and the level of detail involved in the interior of Moody is awesome. It’s a great place to watch a basketball game: there’s not a bad seat in the house, it gets really loud really quickly, and the energy during games is unmatched. I try not to miss a single game!
Favorite place in Dallas: The AT&T Performing Arts Center is among my favorite places in Dallas. Between the national tours that come to the Winspear Opera House to Meadows at the Meyerson (where our talented SMU Meadows student perform in the Meyerson Symphony Center), there are so many incredible performances that take place in this top-notch collection of performing arts venues. You’ll find yourself on the north end of the Dallas arts district and right in the midst of some incredible restaurant options, too.
Favorite restaurant near campus: Definitely Campisi’s on Mockingbird. Campisi’s is a Dallas staple that’s been around since 1946. They have an awesome menu of Italian food, but their pizza is my favorite. Instead of traditional mozzarella, Campisi’s uses smoked provolone as their cheese of choice on their pizzas. You will 100% smell like pizza when you leave, but it’s absolutely worth it. (When in doubt, go for the Italian sausage and salami for your pizza toppings!)
What I recommend you do during your stay in Dallas: In one word, explore! One of the best things about Dallas is that there are a ton of different neighborhoods with a ton of different things to do and see. I would encourage you to check out the Bishop Arts District, Deep Ellum, Knox/Henderson, White Rock Lake… do it all! There’s truly something for everyone in Dallas, whether you’re into music, shopping, local venues, or national names.