Application Information

The President’s Scholarship will cover tuition and fees for eight (8) consecutive fall and spring academic semesters or graduation, whichever comes first.

If a student takes graduate level courses through the Four plus One (4+1) program at SMU, scholars can request for their President's Scholarship to cover graduate school classes as long as they are within their eight (8) semesters.  Permission must be granted in advance. The President’s Scholarship cannot be extended to a fifth year. General Fees do not include special fees that are included with some course work. The President’s Scholarship does not pay for books, computers, mandatory health insurance, or parking.

For more financial benefits click here 

 

To become a President's Scholar candidate, a student should have:  

  • A minimum of 20 high school academic units in a challenging curriculum, including AP/IB and honors courses, two years of a single foreign language, and advanced coursework in math and science.
  • A high school rank in the top 10 percent of the graduating class.*
  • A demonstrated commitment to engagement in school and/or community activities.
  • An SAT or ACT test score submission is required.
  • To be considered, students must submit the SMU application by November 1st and the President's Scholars Program Application Essay, by November 15th of the senior year. The selection committee will have access to your full application for admission, including letters of recommendation.
  • Students invited to interview usually exhibit a high degree of intellectual curiosity while pursuing the most rigorous high school coursework available and possess a record of exceptional school and/or community involvement. The median student invited to interview in recent years earned an academic un-weighted GPA of 4.0 (on a 4.0 scale).

*If the school does not rank students, then the expectation is a strong academic record.

Submit your SMU Application by November 1st

Submit your President’s Scholars Application Essay by
November 15, 11:59 P.M. (CST)

February

  • SMU faculty committees select finalists to be interviewed. Finalists will be notified via email.

March

  • All finalists are invited to campus for personal interviews.Interviews are required for consideration for the President's Scholar award. Interview day for finalists will be the last Friday of February.
  • SMU covers all expenses for meals and lodging during the campus interview process.
  • In addition to meeting SMU President Jay Hartzell at a reception and banquet, finalists meet with current President's Scholars, President's Scholars alumni, professors who teach in their area of academic interest, and others in the SMU community.
  • Recipients of President's Scholar awards are notified March during the month of March

To be considered, students must submit the application form, including the President's Scholars Program Application Essay (topic below), by January 15th 11:59PM (CST), of their senior year. The selection committee will have access to your full application for admission, including letters of recommendation.

President's Scholars Program Essay
Your essay may not exceed three (3) double-spaced pages. Essays should be written by yourself and reflect your personal intentions about your time at 91ΧΤΕΔ (SMU). Essay Prompt:  Your essay may not exceed three (3) double-spaced pages. Essays should be written by yourself without the use of AI and reflect your original thoughts and ideas. Essay Prompt:  Intellectual curiosity is about more than academic performance, it’s about a genuine desire to learn, experience, and better understand the world. Tell us about an academic subject, a specific question, or a complex issue that completely captivates you. How will SMU help you deepen that interest?

To apply, visit the within the SMU Admissions student portal. You will need to be signed in to access the application. For more information concerning admission, other merit scholarships and financial aid, or for an application, contact:

SMU Division of Enrollment Services
PO Box 750181
Dallas, TX  75275-0181

214-768-3417
enrol_serv@mail.smu.edu