More than 1,800 first year students moved into dorms at SMU this weekend. SMU says this is the university's largest incoming class ever.
The university says freshman applications increased 60% from two years ago, "indicating growing interest in SMU following its move to the ACC and the University’s continued momentum." Students were moving into 11 dormitories on campus.
"Logistics as far as moving in, this is a well-oiled machine," one dad from Louisville said as he helped his daughter unload their car. "They've definitely got this down to a science."
Volunteers helped students move things into dorms, provided carts and handed out bottled water.
"It's exciting," his daughter said. "I'm the oldest in my family. It's different, just being in Texas is different. It's warmer for sure."
University leadership was among those helping students move in.
"This is one of the best days of the year," says K.C. Mmeje, SMU's senior vice president for student affairs. "We get to welcome our newest Mustangs to campus. There's so much energy and excitement they're bringing to campus as they start their collegiate journey, so many new possibilities. It's just great to be part of the team that welcomes them to campus and affirm they made the right choice choosing SMU."
SMU says the class of 2030 has students from 960 high schools in 44 states, Washington D.C. and 38 countries.
"We hope for our students they show up as their authentic selves," says Provost Rachel Mersey. "How do they fit in here with who they are? That's part of our story is to welcome them."
SMU's opening convocation is Monday; the first day of class is Monday, August 24. Mersey says the additional time for new students can give them a chance to learn about campus, make friends and learn about the Metroplex.
"One of the beautiful things about a campus this size is there's a variety of activities, but they're accessible enough that you get to participate," she says.
Mmeje says SMU works to maintain the excitement freshmen feel saying they might feel nervous, but they have a chance to meet people who might stay part of their lives long-term.
"I met my wife freshman year, eight a.m. chemistry course on a Friday morning," he says. "You never know who you're going to meet."
"When we ask people who work with us now about their move-in, they remember it," Mersey says. "This is a really important part of their lives, and we're proud to be part of it."
Students say they look forward to seeing the area around campus and the Metroplex.
"I'm thinking how I'm going to explore," one student from Washington D.C. said. "There are going to be some changes. D.C. is a heavy-bus, heavy-metro system, but my roommate has a car. He's also from the Dallas area. I'm looking forward to getting a pair boots. That's something I have circled."
He will be attending the Cox Business School and says SMU can help him connect with business leaders around Dallas but can also help him if he decides to move back to Washington D.C.
"I want to do investment banking," he said. "In the Dallas area, I hear they recruit a lot at SMU, and they can match us on campus into jobs."
He is an only child, and his parents said he has been getting ready for the move for months, but they are getting used to becoming "empty nesters."
"I think it'll hit us when we're headed to the airport right after we leave him here," his mom said. "Mentally, we've been preparing for this. We're planning to come down to visit. We've already penciled in Family Weekend, so we'll be back then."
