Southern Methodist University

1. Background, identity, interest, or talent: Some students have a background, identity, interest, or talent that is so meaningful they believe their application would be incomplete without it. If this sounds like you, then please share your story.
2. Facing adversity: The lessons we take from obstacles we encounter can be fundamental to later success. Recount a time when you faced a challenge, setback, or failure. How did it affect you, and what did you learn from the experience?
3. Challenging an idea: Reflect on a time when you questioned or challenged a belief or idea. What prompted your thinking? What was the outcome?
4. Gratitude: Reflect on something that someone has done for you that has made you happy or thankful in a surprising way. How has this gratitude affected or motivated you?
5. Personal growth: Discuss an accomplishment, event, or realization that sparked a period of personal growth and a new understanding of yourself or others.
6. Intellectual curiosity: Describe a topic, idea, or concept you find so engaging that it makes you lose all track of time. Why does it captivate you? What or who do you turn to when you want to learn more?
7. Topic of your choice: Share an essay on any topic of your choice. It can be one you've already written, one that responds to a different prompt, or one of your own design.

The Common App enforces the length inside the application. For Common App applicants.

1. A story from your life: Tell a story from your life, describing an experience that either demonstrates your character or helped to shape it.
2. What interests or excites you: What interests or excites you? How does it shape who you are now or who you might become in the future?
3. A positive impact on others: Describe a time when you had a positive impact on others. What were the challenges? What were the rewards?
4. An idea or belief questioned: Has there been a time when an idea or belief of yours was questioned? How did you respond? What did you learn?
5. A success or obstacle: What success have you achieved or obstacle have you faced? What advice would you give a sibling or friend going through a similar experience?
6. Topic of your choice: Submit an essay on a topic of your choice.

The Coalition asks for an essay of about 500-650 words. For Coalition applicants.

The school shows this prompt only after you sign in to SMU Online Application.

Each application — The Common Application, ApplyTexas, the SMU Online Application, and the MyCoalition application — has its own set of essay prompts with varying length requirements, but essays are generally 250 – 650 words in length. Applicants who apply with the SMU Online Application. Common App, ApplyTexas and Coalition applicants answer their own application's essay prompts instead.

1. SMU appeals to students for a variety of reasons. Briefly describe why you are interested in attending SMU and what specific factors have led you to apply. (250-word limit)
2. SMU is a diverse and welcoming learning environment shaped by the convergence of ideas and cultures. How will your unique experiences enhance the University, and how will you benefit from this community? (250-word limit)

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 a complex issue, a specific question, or an academic subject that completely captivates you. How will SMU help you deepen that interest?

Double-spaced. Only if you apply for the President's Scholars Program. The essay should be written by yourself without the use of AI and reflect your original thoughts and ideas.

1. Please expand upon the following statement: “leadership is a lifestyle.”
2. How would you use the word “leadership” as a verb?
3. How would you apply your own leadership skills as a student at SMU?

Double-spaced. Only if you apply for the Hunt Leadership Scholars Program (domestic first-year students only). Upload as a Word document or PDF.