SMU is a part of the STARS College Network, a group of 32 universities committed to connecting small town and rural students with resources to find the right college for them.
SMU is a part of the STARS College Network, a group of 32 universities committed to connecting small town and rural students with resources to find the right college for them.
800+ Students
Admitted from rural and small-town backgrounds*
*2025 admissions cycle
Over $5 Million
Total amount of financial aid awarded to rural students who committed*
*2025 admissions cycle
2 out of 3
First-year students receive scholarships and/or grants
(2024–25)
FINDING YOUR FIT
There are so many exciting ways SMU can help you achieve your goals.
Your college search should be about discovering what makes a school right for you. Leave the logistics of the hunt to us.
JUNIOR FLY-IN AND SENIOR FLY-IN
Twice a year, SMU hosts STARS-eligible students for special undergraduate admission events. Junior Fly-In gives prospective students an opportunity to learn more about SMU. Senior Fly-In is for admitted students who have not yet had an opportunity to visit campus. Fly-In visits include:
- Transportation and housing accommodations
- Sessions on financial aid, college application processes and academics
- Panels featuring SMU STARS students and alumni sharing their experiences
- Tours of campus with a focus on areas of interest, such as engineering, business, agriculture and the arts
Both the Junior and Senior Fly-In events require an application. Spots are limited, so apply early.
“I can’t imagine growing up anyplace else – the people and nature are truly unique. After a few months [at SMU], it felt like I was back in my tight-knit community, where everyone knows everyone.”
Payton Deichler ’26
Hometown: Utopia, Texas (population: 228)
Majors: International relations, world languages, business
SMU2YOU
SMU meets you where you are. Through this initiative, traveling admissions teams visit rural high schools and bring the SMU experience with them.
- Meet-and-greets with admission officers, financial aid advisors, faculty and student ambassadors
- Workshops on essay writing, scholarship applications, study skills and financial literacy
- Information sessions about college life in Dallas, a hub of entertainment and professional opportunities
- Personalized counseling sessions to help you navigate the application process
“At SMU, you’ll find your people. Other rural folks, big city folks, international folks – they are all here. Our welcoming community is a part of who we are. SMU has the honor to focus on rural students and care for them in a way that they can change their worlds and their communities.”
Elena D. Hicks
Assistant Vice Provost and Dean of Admission
Hometown: Corsicana, Texas (population: 25,566)
RURAL COUNSELOR WEEKEND
An annual weekend for invited high school counselors representing rural communities, where they learn more about the benefits of an SMU education.
- Housing and travel accommodations provided for 25–30 counselors
- Beyond the weekend, counselors serve as advisors to our admission staff as part of SMU’s ongoing STARS programming, providing insight into the current needs of rural students and how to better serve and represent them.
COUNSELOR INTEREST FORM
Fill out our high school counselor interest form to hear more about our STARS programming. We are here to help your students discover SMU.
STARS ON CAMPUS
SMU’s culture of community values and spirit traditions will make the Hilltop feel like home in no time.
STUDENT COMMUNITY
At SMU, STARS students have a built-in network from day one. Our student support initiative is empowered by upper-division students and faculty advisors, aiding students in their community-building at SMU. Students have access to:
- Workshops during and after orientation, paving the way for a smooth transition into a more urban lifestyle
- Advising and mentorship to bolster support within SMU’s academically rigorous environment
- Career services for internships and job information, networking and training
Savannah Hunsucker ’26
Hometown: Walton, Kansas (population: 218)
Major: Business
Savannah grew up in a town so small it didn’t have a high school. When she arrived at SMU, she had no idea what to expect. The immediate kindness she felt from student orientation leaders eased her nerves. Now, Hannah works with admissions to not only recruit students from rural areas, but to make them feel welcome once they get here.
“The combination of factors SMU offered (location, reputation and finances) made me feel confident transitioning to college out of state and in a large city while also handling the University’s rigorous academics. I wanted a place with opportunities both during and after college, and Dallas met those needs perfectly.”
Supported by scholars
Ashley Stone
Clinical Associate Professor and Program Director of M.Ed. in Higher Education
Hometown: Winnsboro, Texas (population: 3,562)
Ashley Stone, a professor and scholar in SMU’s Department of Education Policy and Leadership, conducts research focused on the experience of rural students in higher education.
Stone is a faculty advocate for STARS, and her research has provided guiding principles for the program at SMU. As a native of a small town, she understands the challenges unique to rural students.
“While rural students may face unique challenges in navigating the larger more crowded spaces of many university campuses or establishing new social networks on campus, they often come to campus with a strong support network and work ethic that can sustain them.”
Admission team members from rural backgrounds
Many of our counselors understand the small-town experience.
Reach out to the admission team with any questions about SMU or the college application process in general. We are here to help.
ugadmission@smu.edu | 214-768-2058 | Instagram: @smuadmission
Elena D. Hicks
Assistant Vice Provost and Dean of Admission
Abbi Pfister-Soria
Director of Recruitment
Kim Herman
Director of Transfer Admission
Joe Francisco
Regional Director of Admission (Houston)
Jacob DeLuca
Regional Director of Admission (Florida, Georgia, Alabama)
For more information about the STARS program, Assistant Director of Admission Brenda Del Rio is ready to provide answers and guidance.
Brenda Del Rio
Assistant Director of Admission
214-768-2058
bdelrio@smu.edu
FAQS
For more information on first-year and transfer application requirements, visit our undergraduate admissions page. Our admissions counselors are here to support you and answer any questions you may have about the application process.
Yes, SMU offers both need-based aid and merit scholarships. Average gift aid for first-year students is $38,598, and 73% of undergrads graduate without debt. For more information, explore our financial aid resources.
SMU evaluates every application holistically. Our admissions team understands that every community offers different opportunities, and what a student has access to is not always within their control. As long as a student meets our admissions requirements, they are eligible for admission; we encourage you to apply to SMU and share your story with us.
SMU offers a number of academic, professional and well-being support services. Students have access to the Hegi Career Center for career and internship advising; the Dr. Bob Smith Health Center for medical, dental and mental health needs; and multiple tutoring centers to help support their coursework.
SMU’s student-to-teacher ratio is 11:1.