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International students

Dallas – affectionately called the gateway to the world – is the fourth most diverse city in the United States (WalletHub 2021). SMU students come from all 50 states in the U.S., and nearly 100 countries. SMU’s international students thrive in our culturally rich environment by interacting with cultures from around the world and celebrating their own.

Who is an international student?

At SMU, an international student is any student who is required to have a visa to live and study in the United States, including non-immigrant visas such as L2, H2 or E2 visas. Your SMU admission process and SMU admission counselor are determined by your current high school or university.

Please note: Students with DACA, or other undocumented status, are not considered international students, and will follow the standard admission process.

  • U.S. citizens attending high school or university outside the U.S. should follow the international admission process.
  • International students attending high school or university in the U.S. should follow the standard admission process.

To connect with the admission counselor responsible for your school, click here.

Discover a thriving global city

SMU and Dallas: Our welcoming campus is located near the heart of one of the United States’ economic and cultural powerhouses. Inspiration, exploration and recreation can be found just minutes away.

Learn more

  • Top 20%

    SMU is among the top national universities ranked by U.S. News & World Report.

  • Best for jobs

    Dallas-Fort Worth area is among the Best Cities for Jobs (WalletHub 2022).

  • 200+

    Companies from 34 countries have their U.S. headquarters or substantial operations in the Dallas region.

  • Top 20%

    SMU ranks among the top 20% of schools nationwide in Forbes’ Americas’ Top Colleges 2021.

  • 134,500+

    Alumni worldwide.

  • Internships

    Internships at 20+ DALLAS-AREA FORTUNE 500 COMPANIES

  • 65,500+

    Alumni in DFW.

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We invest in the best and the brightest

All students who apply to SMU, regardless of citizenship, are automatically considered for SMU’s generous academic merit scholarships.* There is no separate application process. Most scholarships are stackable and may be combined, but cannot exceed the cost of tuition and fees. Don’t lose out. Apply to SMU today. smu.edu/apply

*Need-based financial aid is available only for U.S. citizens or permanent U.S. residents.

Learn more about ACADEMIC SCHOOL-SPECIFIC SCHOLARSHIPS.

Undergraduate majors

SMU’s Common Curriculum is so flexible, it allows 1 in 4 students to double major across our five undergraduate schools.

Visit SMU

This special place that we call the Hilltop is for you. Feel at home as you look around. This is where you’ll take that life-changing class, have those amazing conversations with your professors, make a late-night dinner run with your friends and cheer on your favorite teams. We’re happy you’re here.

Learn More
  • Physical address

    Laura Lee Blanton Building
    6185 Airline Road
    Dallas TX 75205

  • Mailing address

    SMU Undergraduate Admission
    PO Box 750181
    Dallas TX 75275

  • Phone, fax and email

    P: 214-768-2058
    F: 214-768-1083
    E: ugadmission@smu.edu

  • Office hours

    8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. CST