1. What is the Hilltop Scholars Program?
The Hilltop Scholars Program combines the academic and residential parts of the first-year college experience for a select number of entering first-year students. Hilltop Scholars live together in Hilltop Scholars residence halls (Perkins Hall and Smith Hall) and take two of their classes each semester of their first-year with other Hilltop Scholars. Additionally, the Hilltop Scholars Program offers increased interaction with SMU faculty and allows participants to become not only a part of their residence hall community, but also a part of the larger SMU community.
2. How do I become a Hilltop Scholar?
After reviewing students’ admissions files, SMU’s Admissions Committee nominates a select number of incoming first-year students to be considered for the program. Hilltop Scholars are chosen from the group of nominated students. Students chosen to be Hilltop Scholars receive an invitation letter and a Hilltop Scholars Contract. If you receive a letter of invitation, you must then complete the enclosed Hilltop Scholars Contract and return it to the Hilltop Scholars office. Because space in the program is limited, we fill the program based on the date we receive your completed Hilltop Scholars Contract.
3. Does it cost anything to join the Hilltop Scholars Program?
No, it does not cost anything to join the Hilltop Scholars Program.
4. I am a Hilltop Scholar. Does this mean that I will receive scholarship money?
No, though it is an honor to be invited to join the Hilltop Scholars Program, the program does not provide any scholarship funds.
5. If I am invited to become a Hilltop Scholar, why should I accept the invitation?
Not only do Hilltop Scholars quickly bond with each other through social and academic events, they also have the opportunity to bond with Hilltop Scholars professors at regularly scheduled social events. From the time you step on the SMU campus, you are part of a group of students just like you — students who excelled in high school academically and were also leaders in their classes. You will be living and taking classes with some of the most motivated, active and involved students at SMU.
6. Can I live off-campus and still be a Hilltop Scholar?
No. The Hilltop Scholars Program is residence-based. You must live on campus in a Hilltop Scholars residence hall to participate in the program.
7. I received an invitation to join the Hilltop Scholars Program. Does this mean that I am automatically a Hilltop Scholar?
No. Because the program is residence-based, space is limited. If you wish to accept the invitation to join the program, you must return the Hilltop Scholars Contract to the Hilltop Scholars office and return your housing application and deposit to SMU postmarked no later than May 1. If more students accept the invitation to join the Hilltop Scholars Program than we can accommodate, students will be placed on a waitlist based on the date we receive your Hilltop Scholars Contract. Additionally, even if you send in your Hilltop Scholars Contract, if SMU does not receive your housing application and deposit postmarked by May 1, you will be removed from the Hilltop Scholars list.