Class
of 2017
MBA Survival Guide
SMU
Cox School
of Business
1
Table of Contents (hold the CTRL key and click on any topic to jump directly to that information)
Frequently Asked Questions ...............................................................................................................4
Tuition and Billing ................................................................................................................................. 4
Classroom Issues ................................................................................................................................... 4
Administrative Issues. ........................................................................................................................... 5
Computing Services .............................................................................................................................. 6
Cox MBA Resources ...........................................................................................................................9
Cox MBA Academics......................................................................................................................... 10
Core Course Descriptions.................................................................................................................... 10
Transfer Credits and Course Waivers ................................................................................................. 10
MBA Concentrations ........................................................................................................................... 10
American Airlines Global Leadership Program ................................................................................. 100
Beyond the Classroom ..................................................................................................................... 12
Cox Associate Board Executive Mentor Program ............................................................................. 122
Business Leadership Center .............................................................................................................. 133
Student Ambassador & Mentor Contact Information ...................................................................... 144
Student Organizations ...................................................................................................................... 144
MBA Career Management Center ..................................................................................................... 15
Career Management Center Resources.............................................................................................. 16
Career Management Center Events ................................................................................................... 16
Cox MBA Hiring Companies ................................................................................................................ 17
International Students ............................................................................................................................... 17
International Student Financial Aid .................................................................................................... 18
Relocation Information ....................................................................................................................... 19
Advice from Current International Students ...................................................................................... 19
Dallas ............................................................................................................................................ 190
Climate/Weather .............................................................................................................................. 190
Facts and Figures .............................................................................................................................. 190
Things to Do ...................................................................................................................................... 201
Housing ............................................................................................................................................. 212
Getting Settled .................................................................................................................................... 23
Resource Guide .................................................................................................................................. 23
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Southern Methodist University ........................................................................................................ 25
Student Health Insurance ................................................................................................................... 25
Bookstore ............................................................................................................................................ 25
Business Cards .................................................................................................................................... 25
Printing Services.................................................................................................................................. 25
Parking ................................................................................................................................................ 26
SMU ID Card........................................................................................................................................ 26
Dedman Center for Lifetime Sports .................................................................................................... 26
SMU Athletics ..................................................................................................................................... 26
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Frequently Asked Questions
Following is a short list of the most common questions the Admissions Office receives throughout the
year. If you don’t find the answer here or in the remainder of the Survival Guide, please let us know so
we can not only answer you but share information with your future classmates.
Tuition and Billing
For the latest information about tuition and fees, visit http://www.cox.smu.edu/web/full-timemba/tuition-and-budget.
When and how do I pay tuition?
In early August, you will receive your billing statement after you are enrolled in Fall 2015 semester
classes. You will receive information about enrollment in an e-mail along with specific deadline dates
from the Student Services team—do NOT register for classes yourself. Tuition and fees are typically due
before orientation. Visit these sites for more details:
http://www.smu.edu/EnrollmentServices/Bursar/DueDates
http://www.smu.edu/EnrollmentServices/Bursar/Payments/MakePaymentSMUpay
How can I apply for Federal student loans (for US citizens and Permanent Residents only)?
 Once you have completed your 2014 Federal Income Tax return, go to www.fafsa.ed.gov and
submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid.
 The FAFSA should be filed as soon as possible. FAFSA information received after July 1, 2015 is
subject to a delay in the awarding process.
 For questions related to non-scholarship forms of funding or financial aid, including federal and
private loans and tuition payment options, please contact Gina Kelbert at gkelbert@smu.edu or
214-768-2371.
Are scholarships available throughout my 2 years at Cox?
Students are awarded scholarships upon admission. If this information was not indicated in your
admission packet, you did not receive a scholarship award. Scholarships are only offered during the
admissions process.
Classroom Issues
When am I registered for classes?
You will receive an e-mail from the MBA Student Services team in July which lets you know which class
section you have been assigned. You should not attempt to register for classes until you receive this
information.
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When will I know which books to purchase?
Watch the Admitted Students website for information about books for your Module A classes in Fall
2015. Over the summer, the Student Services team will also e-mail you to provide details about your
upcoming classes. You will want to buy your Module A books before classes begin.
What do I wear to class/on campus?
We encourage business casual attire because you never really know who you might run into on
campus.....we have corporate visitors on campus frequently and you always want to make a good
impression. You’ll start to understand the approved attire once you start taking classes.
Networking
Class
Interviews
Suits preferred
Business Casual preferred
Suits required
Business Casual
acceptable
Suits are not required
Appropriate accessories and
shoes
Administrative Issues
When and where do I get my SMU student ID?
The “Park ‘n Pony” office issues student ID cards. Details can be found here:
http://www.smu.edu/parknpony
Can I use campus facilities now?
You cannot use any campus facilities until the start of classes, after you have paid tuition. You are
welcome to buy a summer pass to use the gym. To learn more about the Dedman Center, visit their
website: http://smu.edu/recsports/dedman/index.html
How can I access my SMU campus e-mail?
Go to http://smu.edu/activate to create your e-mail account. For help with your e-mail account or other
technology resources, visit http://www.smu.edu/BusinessFinance/OIT.
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Computing Services
Laptop Computing Requirements
All Cox graduate students are required to use a laptop computer in their courses.
Recommended:
 802.11 g/n wireless device
 2GHz Intel-based processor or greater
 2GB of memory or greater
 100GB hard drive or greater
 Microsoft Windows 7
Windows Office 2013/365 (Mac: Microsoft Office 2011*)
Office 365 is coming soon for students. Please click this link to learn more,
http://www.smu.edu/BusinessFinance/OIT/Projects/Office365.
Our professors teach the latest version of Microsoft Office (Office 2013/365). If you want to follow
instruction step by step in the class room, we recommend using the PC version of Office 2013/365.
Cox Technology makes every effort to support the diverse range of computing platforms used by
students. Students who encounter a difficulty with a particular version of software should be aware
that the Business Information Center has dual-boot iMacs (Windows + Apple operating systems) with a
broad range of software installed in order to bridge any gaps.
Anti-Virus Software Requirements for the Cox Network
In order to use the Cox Wireless Network:
1. You MUST have anti-virus software installed, enabled and updated on your computer.
a. If you do not have anti-virus software, you can purchase it at a discount from Computer
Corner.
b. We recommend Microsoft Security Essentials which can be downloaded at no charge
from http://www.microsoft.com/security_essentials/
2. You must have CURRENT virus definition updates (they should be no older than 5 days at any time).
3. You must have ALL “Critical” Updates from Microsoft Windows Update applied.
4. We strongly recommend that you have all necessary driver updates applied to your computer.
Computers which do not meet these requirements may be removed from the network. If you think you
have been removed from the network, please visit the Cox Technology Support Help Desk for assistance.
Requirements 1-3 do not apply to operating systems other than Microsoft.
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Cox Wireless Network Information
The Cox School of Business has deployed a standard 802.11g/n network for use by faculty, staff and
students. The network is accessible from all areas in the School of Business.
This network is unsecured (unencrypted) and should be treated the same way as other public networks.
Users should recognize that just as with other public networks (those in coffee shops, airports and
hotels), wireless traffic is subject to “sniffing” and other electronic snooping. VPN use is strongly
encouraged (and in many cases required) for anything other than casual web browsing.
Important Note Regarding Acceptable Use:
Use of the Cox wireless network is subject to the University's Acceptable Use Policy. Because of this, we
monitor activity and usage on all of our networks. Your use of the Cox wireless network means that you
consent to such monitoring.
Peer-to-peer file sharing (such as Kazaa and Limewire) is prohibited on the Cox network. Network
equipment actively monitors for such use and disables network access for users found engaging in peerto-peer file sharing. Thank you for helping keep our network traffic focused toward academic use.
Support Information:
When you get to the main campus and would like assistance configuring your wireless device so that it
will work with the Cox wireless network, please stop by our offices. We’re in the basement of the
Maguire Building, Room 170, just across the hall from the entrance to the Business Information Center
(BIC). Our hours of operation are from 7:30 a.m.-8:30 p.m. Monday-Thursday, 7:30 a.m.-5:00 p.m. on
Friday, and 7:30 a.m.-3:00p.m. on Saturday.
Call us at the Cox Tech Support Help Desk: 214.768.4100 or email us at support@cox.smu.edu to open
a support request. (If you have questions pertaining to Access.SMU or your SMU student account,
please contact SMU-OIT at 214-768-4357 or http://www.smu.edu/oit.)
Guidelines for in-class use of laptops and mobile
communication equipment
All graduate students are expected to have access to a laptop computer for use in the classroom. The
instructor has the right and responsibility to set the policy for the specific class, which should be
included the course syllabus. Students are bound by the class policy regardless of what other instructors
or courses may accept and/or require. This policy may include (but is not restricted to) the following
alternatives:
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 The use of laptop computers is limited to one of the following levels.
o Laptop use is restricted to course-related (and possibly session-related) content and applications
only.
o If there is no course-related content that students can reasonably be expected to need during class
sessions, laptop use can be restricted to note-taking use only.
o If in-class tests are provided in electronic form, students may be allowed to take the exam on their
laptops.
o If none of the above uses is desired, the use of laptops can be prohibited during class sessions.
 Use of chat services during class sessions is prohibited.
 Unless there are course-related applications of mobile phones, PDAs and smart-phones, the use of
such equipment during class sessions is prohibited. Mobile phones are required to be shut off or set to
silent mode during class sessions, and answering telephone calls and text messages during class is
prohibited.
 Use of cameras and video cameras on mobile phones and laptops during class sessions may be
prohibited or allowed. For example, students may be allowed to take photos of the whiteboard and/or
projected materials in the session.
The Cox School does not prescribe any specific brand or configuration of laptop hardware for student
laptops. Rather, it is expected that student laptops will be able to reasonably execute all application
programs that are site licensed by SMU for student use in business-related programs. Information about
relevant application programs as well as suggested minimum functionality for laptop systems will be
made available to incoming students prior to the beginning of their program and can be obtained from
the Cox Computer Support staff by e-mailing support@cox.smu.edu.
How do I keep track of my various logins and passwords?
There will be multiple logins and passwords that you will need to remember.
1. My.SMU and SMU Webmail –
o Use your 8-digit SMU ID number to log-in
o Temporary password mailed to you from SMU IT Office
2. MBA Admitted Students website: go to http://www.cox.smu.edu/web/full-time-mba and
click on “Admitted Students” in the list on the left-hand side
o Log in – coxftmba@cox.smu.edu
o Password- dallas
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Cox MBA Resources List
Admissions - Full Time MBA
125 Fincher
Admission, scholarship awards, pre-orientation
requirements, visa questions and other general
inquiries:
J.R. McGrath
Director of Admissions
jmcgrath@cox.smu.edu
214-768-3001
MBA Student Services
125 Fincher
Transferring credit or waiving a class; only 8 credit
hours are allowed:
Julie Maass
MBA Registrar
jmaass@cox.smu.edu
214-768-3537
Registering for courses:
Shanna Davis
Associate Director of Admissions
sddavis@cox.smu.edu
214-768-4648
To Be Determined…
Associate Director of Student Services, FTMBA
214-768-3156
Kimberly McKissick
Assistant Director of Admissions
kmckissick@cox.smu.edu
214-768-3009
Student Financial Services
Suite 1096, Expressway Tower Building
Loans, tuition payment plan options and nonscholarship related financial questions for needbased loan:
Gina Kelbert
Financial Aid Advisor
gkelbert@smu.edu
214-768-2371
MBA Cox Career Center
146 Fincher
Pre-orientation requirements and general career
management issues:
careers@cox.smu.edu
214-768-6227
Business Leadership Center (BLC)
359 Maguire
For interested students, who have accepted their
Cox offer of admission, seminars are available
beginning in summer 2015. For further information,
contact:
214-768-4164
http://www.cox.smu.edu/web/blc/blc
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Cox MBA Academics
One of the primary attractions for many of our students has been the overall balance a Cox School of
Business education provides. With a flexible approach to teaching, you can customize your education
based upon your professional goals, focusing your course selection to become an expert in a specific
field or choosing a variety of disciplines for a more general management perspective.
Further details regarding curriculum, academic scheduling, and faculty can be found:
http://www.cox.smu.edu/web/full-time-mba/curriculum-and-faculty
Core Course Descriptions
Course descriptions from the Cox School of Business Graduate Catalog can be found at
http://smu.edu/catalogs. The new 2015-2016 catalog will be distributed to you once you arrive in
August.
Transfer Credits and Course Waivers
In certain cases, and at entrance only, the Cox School may grant an incoming student with transfer credit
(up to 8 credit hours from an AACSB-accredited university) and/or a waiver of core courses (due to
professional certification, etc). Contact Julie Maass, the MBA Registrar, with questions –
jmaass@smu.edu. NOTE: You must still take the required 63 hours of course credit, and there will be no
reduction in your tuition.
MBA Concentrations
The Cox MBA Program allows full-time students to choose up to two academic concentrations or
specializations. All MBA students are initially enrolled in the General Business concentration until they
submit their concentration declaration form. Go to http://www.cox.smu.edu/web/full-timemba/concentrations1 for full details about concentrations.
American Airlines Global Leadership Program
In 2000, the Cox School of Business launched the American Airlines® Global Leadership Program, a
global immersion experience for students, partnering with over 100 leading businesses and government
organizations throughout Asia, Europe, and South America. Unique to the Cox School, all full-time MBAs
participate – travel/accommodations are provided. Itineraries change from year to year; here is a list of
the trips taking place in 2014:
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2014 AA GLP Itineraries
EAST ASIA 1
LATIN AMERICA
Tokyo
Santiago
Shanghai
Sao Paulo
EUROPE
London
Bratislava
EAST ASIA 2
Seoul
Shanghai
Preparing for your Trip
In the fall of the first year you will be asked to submit
your choice of available regions in order of
preference. Working with students who also selected
your region, you begin a comprehensive study of the
culture, politics, and business’ of the various countries in the region. To supplement your studies, local
executives and experts share their experiences and insights about each region.
Traveling to your Region of Choice
At the end of the second semester and prior to your summer internship, your AAGLP group will travel to
the region for a 10-day immersion into global commerce and culture.
Meet face-to-face with
top-level executives from
international companies to
discuss policies and best
practices
Visit with government
officials and historical sites
that have contributed to the
very essence of each
country's culture.
Learn about doing
business in that region and
expand your perspectives
on the global economy.
Sharing the Experience
Upon returning, your team will develop and share comprehensive presentations focused on the unique
business challenges and opportunities in each of the countries you visited. Attended by a broad
spectrum of Dallas-based international business executives as well as Cox students, faculty, and staff,
the AALGP Symposium is open to the public. The AAGLP is mandatory and a critical capstone to the MBA
curriculum. Further information can be found at:
http://www.cox.smu.edu/web/full-time-mba/global-leadership-program
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Beyond the Classroom
Cox Associate Board Executive Mentor
Program
The opportunity to participate in the Cox Associate Board, an
executive mentoring program, is a unique advantage the Cox School
of Business offers its MBA students. Cited as one of the most
effective mentoring programs of its kind in the country by Business
Week, the Cox Associate Board program provides students “real
world” perspectives in the fast-paced and highly competitive
business marketplace.
The Board was conceptualized and founded in 1970 and has become
one of our most important corporate outreach initiatives. It
provides a select group of corporate and community leaders the
opportunity to participate in the continued development of the
school and its students. Mentors provide valuable advice, counsel,
direction and assistance through their close business network. The
membership of the Cox Associate Board is extremely diverse.
More than 275 executive mentors currently participate in the
program, representing national and global corporations as well as
entrepreneurial ventures from every major industry.
Over the first few weeks of the fall semester, students and mentors
come together to meet and discuss mutual interests at a series of
receptions known as “Meet & Greets.” Once the series of receptions
is complete, students may choose or “match” themselves with a
mentor for the academic year. The selection process is quick and
easy and is determined on a “first come, first served” basis.
Cox students are encouraged to make the most of these relationship
building and networking possibilities. The executives involved in the
program truly enjoy the satisfaction of helping to shape the careers
of tomorrow’s business leaders.
Sample Listing of
Mentor Companies:
Accenture
American Airlines
7-Eleven
American Heart Association
AT&T
Bank of America
Bank of Texas
Blackrock Private Investors
Booz Allen Hamilton
Brinker International
Cadbury Schweppes
Capital One Bank
Comerica Bank – Texas
Deloitte Consulting
EDS
Five States Energy Company
Frito-Lay
Goldman Sachs
Hotels.com
IBM
JP Morgan
Match.com
Mercer Consulting
Merrill Lynch
Procter & Gamble
Sabre Holdings
Sara Lee
The Dallas Center for
Performing Arts
TXU
Yum Brands, Inc
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Business Leadership Center
The Edwin L. Cox Business Leadership Center (BLC) helps students develop strong leadership skills and
practical applications that are fundamental in the world of business. While management education
traditionally focuses on classroom teachings, textbooks, and case studies, the BLC is designed to meet
today’s challenges by offering exceptional leadership development programs for MBA students.
Through the BLC, Cox MBA students learn important fundamentals that complement the curriculum at
the Cox School of Business. In the past year, MBA Students have the opportunity to enroll in seminars
that cover a wide range of topics such as:
Accelerated
Learning and Risk
Taking
Brand Concepts &
Strategies
Coaching Skills
Communications as
a Strategic Business
Tool
Consulting
Fundamentals
Creating &
Sustaining a
Service Culture
Effectively
Negotiating M&A
Transactions
Entrepreneurial
Leadership
Heart-Centered
Leadership
Influence Strategies
Memory and Mind
Mapping
Milestone
Principles: the
Psychology of
Excellence
Principles in
Delivering
Customer Service
Loyalty
For many students, the BLC is a deciding factor in choosing the SMU Cox School of Business over other
programs since the BLC is unique among MBA programs. Historically, over 80% of Cox MBA students
actively participate in the BLC elective programs.
For a more complete listing of BLC courses offered in the past, please visit
http://www.cox.smu.edu/web/blc/blc
Programs offered through the BLC are developed and taught by leading industry professionals. They
represent highly advanced expertise from companies such as:
Accenture
Brinker
International
Capital Alliance
EDS
Imc2
Grant Thornton
Monarch Health
Sciences
Nortel Networks
Personnel
Decisions
7-Eleven
SBC
Communications
Texas Instruments
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Student Ambassador & Mentor Contact Information
The Cox Ambassador Board is a group of student volunteers who work with the Admissions Office to
share their experiences with those interested in the program. You can view photos and biographies of
our Ambassadors at http://www.cox.smu.edu/web/full-time-mba/cox-ambassadors.
Student Organizations
Cox MBA student clubs and organizations offer you numerous opportunities to refine your leadership
skills while pursuing special interests. Clubs have networking events, speakers, trips and opportunities
to interact with others who are interested in similar topics as you. Go to
http://www.cox.smu.edu/web/full-time-mba/student-clubs for a complete list!
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MBA Cox Career Center
The MBA Cox Career Center at the Cox School of Business congratulates you on your admission to the
Cox MBA Program. The decision to seek an MBA is a career driven decision. We look forward to
working with you to help you attain your ideal career path.
Pre-Orientation Requirements
Starting in June, each incoming student will receive information regarding requirements to be
completed for the Career Center before the start of orientation. These requirements include several
online self-assessments as well as a sample resume. If you have further questions about these
assignments once you receive the information, please contact the Career Center directly at
careers@cox.smu.edu.
Your Career Path
Each event and resource that the CMC provides for you is created with the below plan in mind. The
actual timing of each stage will vary for each student.
Career
Planning




Preparing
Marketing
Materials
Job
Searching
Networking
Interviewing
Offer
Evaluation
Your partner in creating and executing your career search process
Pre-MBA
o Begin working with the CMC to get a jump-start on defining your goals
First-Year
o Career Teams provide personal attention to help you focus your goals
o Managing Your Career course and other on-campus resources such as student clubs aid
in the discovery process
o On-campus Career Fair held so you can interact with companies
Second Year
o Ongoing refinement to work toward post-MBA goals and create a strong professional
development foundation for the rest of your career
Contact Information
Location: Fincher Building Room 146
Phone: 214-768-6227
Email: careers@cox.smu.edu
Web: www.cmc.cox.smu.edu
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Career Management Center Resources

Career Management Class: In your first and second year, you will cover a full range of career
management topics such as job search strategies, effective writing, interviewing skills,
researching companies and industries, salary negotiations and others.

CareerLeader™ Self-Assessment: Developed at the Harvard Business School, this assessment is
designed for people who are interested in a career in business. You can map your results to
over 27 unique business careers, comparing your profile with those of happy and satisfied
professionals in each respective field.

Career Counseling: Career coaches are available to meet with you individually to discuss your
career objectives, job search strategies, and resources available to you.

Resume Critiques: You will be required to write a resume that effectively communicates your
skills and experiences. Writing your resume is a critical element of your job search and you will
find that it is a process of continuous refinement and improvement.
Career Management Center Events

Industry Roundtables: This is a series of networking events which connect students with
employers from various industries and/or functions such as finance, marketing, real estate,
consulting, international student connections, healthcare, private equity/venture capital,
entrepreneurial connections, and more.

Company Mock Interviews: Several of our strongest company relationships and Cox MBA
Alumni volunteer their time and interviewing expertise each year to evaluate the thoroughness
of Cox MBAs’ interview preparation and interviewing skills.

National MBA Career Fairs and Consortium Events: Cox is a participating member of MBA
Women International, National Society of Hispanic MBAs (NSHMBA), the National Black MBA
Association (NBMBAA), and the Reaching Out LGBT Organization.

Company Information Sessions: Many companies conduct general information sessions prior to
on-campus interviews. These are typically held in the early evenings and can provide you with
valuable information about companies’ cultures and values.

On-Campus Recruiting: On-campus recruiting offers a convenient means for companies to
select and interview students on-site at the Cox School. Companies will provide job
opportunities that will be posted on the Career Center's recruiting software system. Students
interested in specific jobs will submit their resume for consideration. The companies will then
pre-select students who they want to interview, and schedule interviews using the interview
suite located adjacent to the Career Center.
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International Students
International Student Checklist
□
□
□
□
□
□
□
□
□
Submit $1000 non-refundable tuition deposit and
confirmation form by the deadline listed on your
admissions letter.
Submit all documents needed to process I-20 request for
student visa to the MBA Office. You will contacted by
Kimberly McKissick with instructions in February.
Request visa interview appointment
Check with your Embassy office regarding specific
immunizations needed to obtain your visa
After receiving I-20, go to visa interview appointment.
Secure housing in Dallas area.
Secure transportation to/from SMU.
Arrive in the U.S. by August 1, 2015.
Attend International Orientation at SMU (early August)
International Student Financial Aid
International students are eligible for private loans only and must
have a credit-worthy co-signer who is a U.S. citizen. International
students, please note that you are required to certify funding for
one year only. However, we strongly recommend you have
financially planned to support (tuition, books and supplies, living
expenses, etc.) yourself (and dependents as applicable) for the two
years you are enrolled in the program. Additional funding in the
form of loans or scholarships is not available during the school
year.
Relocation Information
International Students
Office
214-768-4475
Website:
http://smu.edu/international
SMU’s International Student
and Scholar Services office
assists and advises international
students on matters concerning
regulations of the United States
Citizenship and Immigration
Service (USCIS) and the U.S.
Department of State. The
Office provides necessary visa
documents for accepted
students and monitors
student’s visa status once these
individuals are at SMU. This
office is in charge of the
signature of your I-20 every 6
months.
Student Health Center
214-768-2141
Website:
http://smu.edu/healthcenter
The SMU Health Center
provides cost effective and
convenient ambulatory
healthcare and health
education services to full-time
students. They also offer health
insurance and immunization
shots which are required as a
student at SMU.
When planning to relocate to Dallas, one of the first things to
consider is where to live.
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Thousands of reasonably priced apartments are located within a few miles of campus; however, some
students rent houses, duplexes or even purchase condominiums or homes. Graduate students who
wish to live on-campus may request a graduate housing application and contract by contacting the SMU
housing office at 214-768-2407 (www.smu.edu/housing). Housing for graduate students is limited.
Furniture can be purchased online and delivered straight to your door. You can also purchase furniture
at many stores located throughout the area. Household necessities are found at grocery stores or
Target/Wal-Mart. If you do not have internet set up at your apartment, you are able to come to SMU
and use the wireless internet located throughout campus.
Advice from Current International Students
We try our best to match all incoming international students with current international students. Based
on their experiences, some of our international students offer you the following pieces of advice:

The Village Apartments are highly recommended for housing. It is a private apartment complex
close to the SMU campus and the campus shuttle has many stops in and near the complex. You can
find contact information for the Village and other apartment complexes in the Dallas section of the
Survival Guide or at www.thevillageapts.com

The Uptown section of Dallas is a nice place to live. There are multiple apartment complexes, such
as the Gables, Post, etc.

Be sure to bring at least one nice business suit from your home country. You may find that both
prices and sizing of clothing in the US are different. To avoid possible problems finding an
appropriate suit, make sure to have one when you come to Dallas. If you have questions about
what is appropriate, please contact the Admissions Team.
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Dallas
Climate/Weather
The city of Dallas has a humid subtropical climate, though it is located in a region that also tends to
receive warm, dry winds from the north and west in the summer, bringing temperatures well over
100 °F (38 °C) at times.
Winters are mild overall, although every winter has a few days with temperatures below freezing.
Snowfall is usually seen 2–3 days out of the year for an annual average of 2 inches (5 cm).
Facts and Figures
Population
• City of Dallas - 1,241,162
• Dallas County - 2,383,300
• DFW Metroplex - 6,700,991
City Statistics...
• 9th largest in US
• 3rd largest in Texas
Travel distance
• 30 miles East of Fort Worth
• 240 miles North/Northwest of Houston
• 300 miles North of Gulf of Mexico
Dallas Arts District
• Largest urban district in US
• Includes: Dallas Museum of Art, Nasher Sculpture Center, Crow Collection of Asian Art,
Morton H Meyerson Symphony Center, and AT&T Performing Arts Center
Fortune 500
• 18 headquarters in the DFW area (June 2014)
• Ranked 4th among metropolitan areas for Fortune 500 companies
For sources and more Dallas Facts and Figures visit: www.visitdallas.com
For information on the Fortune 500 companies located in DFW visit: http://fortune.com/fortune500/
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Things to Do
Beyond SMU, there are lots of other things to do in the DFW metroplex. From art to outdoors, civic
associations, professional sports and more! Here is a partial listing of websites and phone numbers to
find out more:
GENERAL INFO
Dallas City Hall
Dallas Visitors Bureau
Guide Live
Dallas Observer
D Magazine
www.dallascityhall.com
www.dallascvb.com/visitors/
www.guidelive.com
www.dallasobserver.com
www.dmagazine.com
EVENTS
American Airlines Center
Dallas Theater Center
Texas State Fair
Morton Meyerson Symphony Center
www.americanairlinescenter.com
www.dallastheatercenter.org
www.bigtex.com
www.meyersonsymphonycenter.com
MUSEUMS
Museum of Nature & Science
Dallas Museum of Art
JFK-The Sixth Floor Museum
http://www.natureandscience.org/
www.dm-art.org
www.jfk.org
PARKS & OUTDOORS
Dallas Arboretum & Botanical
Dallas Zoo
White Rock Lake
Dallas World Aquarium
www.dallasarboretum.org
http://www.dallaszoo.com/
www.whiterocklake.org/
www.dwazoo.com
SPORTS
Dallas Cowboys (NFL)
Dallas Mavericks (NBA)
Dallas Stars (NHL)
Texas Rangers (MLB)
FC Dallas (MLS)
www.dallascowboys.com
http://www.mavs.com/
www.dallasstars.com
www.texasrangers.com
www.fcdallas.com/
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Housing
The majority of Cox MBA students live within 5 miles of campus. The most common areas for students
to live are the following: Devonshire, “M” Streets, North Uptown, Oaklawn Area, The Village and
Uptown. This map shows the location and a brief description of these areas.
If you are looking for an apartment, try some of the following links to start getting help:
Apartment Name
AMLI Apartments
Amesbury Parc
Post Properties
Shelby Apartments
The Gables
The Village Apartments
Lincoln on University
Location
Multiple in Dallas
1 mile from SMU
Multiple in Dallas
½ mile from SMU
Multiple in Dallas
2 miles from SMU
1 mile from SMU
Useful websites
Website
www.amli.com
www.amesburyparc.com
www.postproperties.com
www.theshelbydallas.com
www.gables.com
www.thevillageapts.com
www.lincolnuniversityapartments.com
Free Locator Services
dallas.craigslist.org
U Move Free
www.umovefree.com
www.rent.com
Apartment Locators
www.apartmentlocators.com
www.apartments.com
Ace Apartment Locators
www.aceaptlocators.com
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Getting Settled - Once You Have Found A Place
If you’re moving to Dallas, you will need to hook-up your various utilities. While your landlord or
apartment complex should provide you with the most detailed and pertinent information about this,
here is a partial listing of various utility company phone numbers by function:
Phone/Cable/Internet (Bundled Package):
AT&T U-Verse
Comcast
Time Warner
Verizon
www.att.com/U-verse
www.comcast.com
www.timewarnercable.com
www.verizon.com
Cable & Satellite Only:
Time Warner Cable
DIRECTV
Dish Network
www.timewarnercable.com
http://www.directv.com/
http://www.dish.com/
Internet Only:
Time Warner Cable
AT&T U-Verse
www.timewarnercable.com
www.att.com/U-verse
Cell Phones:
AT&T Wireless
Sprint
Verizon
Metro PCS
www.wireless.att.com
www.sprint.com
www.verizonwireless.com
www.metropcs.com
Electricity/Gas:
In Texas, you have your choice of energy company, so you can shop around for the best price and have
that company turn on your electricity.
TXU Electric/Gas
www.txu.com
Texas Electric Choice
www.powertochoose.com
Atmos Energy
www.atmosenergy.com
Reliant Energy
www.reliantenergy.com
Green Mountain Energy
www.greenmountain.com
Driver’s License:
http://www.txdps.state.tx.us/driverlicense/
International students interested in acquiring a driver’s license or a Texas state identification card
should view the information listed on the International Office website located here.
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Resource Guide
Banks near campus: View a Google map with locations here.
Chase Bank
Bank of Texas
Park Cities Bank
Bank Of America*
Legacy Bank of Texas
BBVA Compass Bank
Wells Fargo*
6517 Hillcrest Ave
6215 Hillcrest Ave
6829 Hillcrest Ave
6901 Hillcrest Ave
7031 Snider Plaza
6501 Hillcrest Ave
6403 Hillcrest Ave
214-360-3170
214-525-5000
214-378-3011
214-987-3658
972-461-4870
214-346-6141
800-869-3557
*Bank of America and Wells Fargo do not require a Social Security Number to open an account.
Churches:
For listing of places of worship near SMU visit http://www.smu.edu/StudentAffairs/chaplain.
Dry Cleaners: View a Google map with more locations here.
Avon Cleaners-Hillcrest
Johnson Cleaners
Swiss Cleaners & Laundry
6301 Hillcrest Ave
3407 McFarlin Blvd
3030 Mockingbird Lane
214-521-9927
214-521-2500
214-987-0665
Hughes-Trigg Student Center
Hughes-Trigg Student Center
Hughes-Trigg Student Center
Hughes-Trigg Student Center
Umphrey-Lee Center
Cox School of Business
Lower Level
Lower Level
Main Level
Main Level
Lower Level
Atrium
Food - Places to eat at SMU:
Subway
Chick-fil-A
The Market (including Montague’s Deli)
Java City
Umphrey-Lee Dining Hall
Einstein’s Bagels
Food - Places to eat near SMU: View a Google map with more locations here.
La Madeleine French Bakery
Digg’s Tacos
Cafe Express
Peggy Sue BBQ
Bubba’s Cooks Country
Jimmy John’s
Pizza Hut
3072 Mockingbird Lane
6309 Hillcrest Ave
5307 E Mockingbird Lane # 150
3404 Rankin St
6617 Hillcrest Ave
6411 Hillcrest Ave
6409 Hillcrest Ave
214-696-0800
214-520-0155
214-841-9444
214-987-9188
214-373-6527
214-526-4782
214-520-1515
5665 East Mockingbird Lane
5809 E. Lovers Lane
8190 Park Lane #351
5750 E. Lovers Lane
214-826-2901
214-750-3200
214-342-4850
214-234-7000
Grocery Stores:
Kroger Food Stores
Tom Thumb
Whole Foods Market
Central Market
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Hospitals:
Presbyterian Hospital of Dallas
Baylor University Medical Center
Parkland Memorial Hospital
8200 Walnut Hill Lane
3500 Gaston Avenue
5201 Harry Hines Boulevard
214-345-6789
214-820-0111
214-590-8000
6000 Airline
5500 Greenville Ave #100
5706 East Mockingbird Lane
214-768-3374
214-530-0966
214-827-8700
5321 East Mockingbird Lane
11170 N. Central Expressway
8687 N. Central Expressway
214-841-4700
214-828-6000
214-265-7138
SMU Campus
3001 Lovers Lane
3821 University Boulevard
3412 Binkley Avenue
214-768-2278
214-363-2242
214-525-6500
214-521-5514
5342 E. Mockingbird
4114 N. Central Expressway
2320 N. Central Expressway
214-828-9542
214-823-8584
214-828-1260
7700 West Northwest Hwy
2417 N Haskell Ave
6419 Skillman St
13739 N Central Expressway
8687 N Central Expressway
6185 Retail Road
LBJ (635) and Dallas Pkwy
214-373-3131
214-826-0331
214-348-0240
972-437-9146
214-363-7441
214-382-2297
972-702-7100
Hughes-Trigg Student Center
6929 Snider Plaza
4516 Lovers Lane
Main Level
214-373-4105
214-739-2300
Health Clubs:
Dedman Center for Lifetime Sports
LA Fitness
24 Hour Fitness
Movie Theatres:
Angelika Film Center & Café
Studio Movie Grill – Dallas/Royal
AMC Northpark
Schools:
SMU Child Day Care & Preschool
Christ Lutheran Child Development
Highland Park Presbyterian Church
The Community School
Storage:
Public Storage
Storage USA
Private Mini Storage
Super Stores & Shopping Malls:
Container Store
Target – City Place
Super Target
Wal-Mart
North Park Center
Sam’s Club (Membership Required)
Galleria
Shipping and Post Offices:
US Postal Service
Park Cities Postal Center
Mail Express
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Southern Methodist University
Student Health Insurance
SMU has implemented a mandatory health insurance
requirement that affects:
· Domestic students enrolled in 9+ credit hours
· International students enrolled in 1+ credit hours
This means that all full-time MBA students, including dualdegree students, are required to have health insurance.
Students are required to provide documentation of
insurance coverage or to enroll in the Student Health
Insurance Plan.
You need to complete the waiver request process or the student health
insurance will be automatically requested and your student account will be
billed.
Detailed information regarding Health Insurance and waiving out can be found
at the Student Health Center
http://smu.edu/healthcenter/medical/med_insurance.asp or by calling 214-7682141.
Bookstore
The SMU Bookstore/Barnes & Noble is located on Mockingbird Lane. Bring your
course schedule with you because books are organized according to the class
and section number (labels will denote whether the book is required or
recommended). We also suggest you shop around; books can be purchased at
other bookstores. Another cheaper option is to order textbooks online (i.e.
www.amazon.com). Finally, second-year students are often willing to sell their
used books cheaper than the bookstores.
Business Cards
It’s important to have business cards for networking events! Order yours at
https://www.online-stationery-store.com/smuentry.html.
Printing Services
The Business Library located in the Cox School has a copy and fax machine for
student use. They also have printing capabilities. You must pay for these
services using Pony Cash that you add to your Pony Express (ID) card or by
purchasing a copy card at the Business Library.
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Parking
The SMU Park ‘n Pony office provides the SMU Community with an array of parking services. The office
issues parking permits, which are required for parking on campus, and processes all parking citation
appeals. The office is located in the main lobby of the Expressway Tower, suite 101. You can view the
SMU parking map here.
SMU ID Card
Your ID card is used for things such as dining on campus, SMU sports tickets, checking out books from
the library, and for getting access into the Dedman Center for a workout. You can learn more about the
card at http://ponyexpress.smu.edu.
Dedman Center for Lifetime Sports
Students have access to one of the premier fitness facilities in Dallas. Recreational facilities include a
state-of-the-art weight room/fitness facility; racquetball, basketball, badminton, volleyball and sand
volleyball courts; exercise studios; indoor soccer area; 25 meter indoor pool; outdoor fountain pool;
indoor jogging track; and climbing center with rock-climbing wall. Students who wish to use the
Dedman Center prior to the start of classes can do so by visiting the center and paying a subsidized
summer fee. Visit their website here: http://smu.edu/recsports/dedman/default.asp
SMU Athletics
Full-time students have the option to purchase a sports package and if so, can receive admission to all
sports events for free the day of the game. The Cox School of Business hosts a tailgate before each
home football game on Bishop Boulevard with food/drink sponsored for students.
http://www.smumustangs.com
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