The Meadows Scholars program, begun in fall 2008, is a new initiative at the Meadows School of the Arts to enable SMU and Dallas to compete for the most talented and highest academic achieving students in the arts and communications fields.

The program is targeted to applicants who are accepted to Meadows and who meet stringent academic and leadership criteria, including minimum SAT scores of 1350 (math and verbal) and a minimum high school GPA of 3.5. While such high achievers often receive SMU scholarship awards that cover partial tuition, many of them are still unable to afford the full amount. The Meadows Scholars program offers an additional $7500 in scholarship funds annually, plus a $5000 travel/research stipend that can be used anytime during their years at SMU, providing a significant incentive for them to choose Meadows.

Meadows Scholars also enjoy other advantages, including guaranteed admission to the degree program of their choice as first-year students, specialized academic advising, faculty mentoring, enrollment in an interdisciplinary seminar class taught by guest lecturers and Dean Bowen, opportunities to attend special events and programs, and recognition as a top scholar in their chosen discipline.

Supporters who pledge $7500 a year for four years, or who provide a permanent endowment of $150,000 (which may also be pledged over a period of up to five years), will be able to "name" a Meadows Scholar. Donors and corporate sponsors can support a Meadows scholar within any of the Meadows disciplines and will have an opportunity to correspond with their student and to meet him or her personally at an annual reception at SMU President Gerald Turner's home.