The Learning Advantage:  Academics

The Hilltop Scholars Program eases the transition from high school to college by providing a strong academic community, conducive to individual success.  Hilltop students have reserved spaces in some essential first-year courses at SMU, and they have the advantage of living with other students who are taking some of the same courses.  The cohesiveness of the living environment and the in-house classroom create ample opportunity for group study and other beneficial student-to-student exchanges in and out of class.

All classes in the Hilltop Scholars Program satisfy general education requirements for graduation.  The classes offered through HSP are like those taught for other first-year students, and typically include first-year writing, philosophy, information technology, history, biology, and political science.

The HSP difference begins with the convenient, in-hall location of some classes, smaller class size, and the continued learning that happens in the residence hall after class has ended.