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Students Say
Academic complaints often revolve around the legal writing program, which 鈥渘eeds a massive overhaul鈥 and, 鈥渨hile informational, [can] feel more like fifth grade English in the way [it is] approached.鈥 Fortunately, the 鈥渧ery distinguished鈥 yet 鈥渆asily approachable鈥 professors 鈥渁re very receptive to students and concerned with [their] learning鈥 and 鈥渕ake an effort to be available.鈥 They are 鈥渄emanding of their students,鈥 but 鈥渋nteresting and entertaining in the classroom.鈥
Professors 鈥渕ake the classroom experience fun,鈥 gushes one student. 鈥淢y civil procedure exam was one of the funniest things I have ever read, with witty undercurrents and subtle political satire.鈥 Opinions of the administration vary considerably. Some students say the deans seem 鈥渄istant at times, but whenever you need them, they鈥檙e available and helpful.鈥 Others tell us that the administration 鈥渄oes not care about the students鈥 and gripe about 鈥渂ureaucratic inefficiencies.鈥
Job prospects are very promising for SMU grads. Career Services is 鈥渁ctually concerned with helping you find a job.鈥 鈥淒allas is a wonderful market that pays salaries on par with New York, but the quality of life is so much better,鈥 according to students. 鈥淚f you want to stay and practice in Dallas, you could not go to a better school.鈥 SMU鈥檚 鈥渆xceptionally strong relationship with the Dallas legal market鈥 provides an 鈥渆xtensive network of attorneys鈥 鈥渋n every field imaginable.鈥 鈥淭he alums are very supportive and willing to help out.鈥 鈥淎 lot of doors are opened by attending the SMU Dedman School of Law, regardless of your class rank.鈥 鈥淚 was able to secure a six-figure job without being on law review or moot court,鈥 says a 3L. 鈥淭here is definitely a huge hurdle鈥 for students to face who do not want to practice in Texas, though.
The 鈥済orgeous鈥 campus is full of 鈥渧ery pretty, collegiate-looking brick buildings鈥 and 鈥渘estled in one of the nicest, most affluent neighborhoods in the Dallas area.鈥 鈥淭he law school itself is further cloistered away from the rest of the university and, once inside, it is easy to forget you are sitting in the middle of a bustling metropolis.鈥 鈥淟arge oak trees provide shady walkways, and outdoor study places are ample.鈥 鈥淭he majority of classrooms are 鈥渧ery comfortable and accommodating,鈥 and the 鈥渘early flawless鈥 wireless signal is 鈥渟trong in every corner of the law school.鈥 The library is 鈥渁mazing,鈥 鈥渂oth with regard to holdings and ease of use.鈥
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Regarding social events on campus, students say, 鈥淭here鈥檚 a club for everyone, whether you鈥檙e a gun-toting Second Amendment crusader or a die-hard liberal.鈥 鈥淭he students put together a lot of fun activities,鈥 ranging from happy hours to baseball games to tailgating events. 鈥淭he highlight of everyone鈥檚 week is Bar Review where the Student Bar Association gets drink specials at a different local bar every Friday.鈥 There鈥檚 also 鈥渁 picnic/sports spectacular every semester.鈥 SMU鈥檚 ritzy location is 鈥済reat鈥 in terms of safety but 鈥渃an make finding student housing right next to school virtually impossible.鈥 Beyond the neighborhood surrounding campus, 鈥淏ig D鈥 is one of the liveliest cities in the South and 鈥渁 fun place to live.鈥 鈥淵ou get a great all-around legal education and have the resources of the Dallas鈥揊ort Worth Metroplex right at your doorstep.鈥
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Assistant Dean for Admissions
Dallas, TX 75275-0110