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Southern Methodist University's Dallas campus is anchored by Dallas Hall, the university's original 1915 building modeled after Thomas Jefferson's Rotunda at UVA, whose size and hilltop location gave SMU its own "The Hilltop" nickname, with first-year students required to live on campus, assigned to one of 11 Residential Commons communities.
Enrollment
7,500
Total Students
Freshman Class
1,875
Approx.
Move-In Dates
Aug 14-15, 2026
Fall 2026 (completed)
Acceptance Rate
55%
Most recent cycle
Move-In
Fall 2026 Move-In Details
In mid-June, all first-year students who have signed their housing contract receive a building and roommate assignment welcome email from their Residential Community Director, which includes instructions for signing up for a specific move-in time on the SMU Housing Portal. Bring your SMU ID or a photo of it, since it won't be available at check-in otherwise. Returning residents and fraternity members move in on a separate, later weekend (Aug. 21-22). Beginning Fall 2025, SMU dropped its second-year on-campus housing requirement, though first-year students are still required to live on campus.
Check your assignment in the housing portal for your specific date and time.
Move-in day logistics
- Arrival window
- New Residents move in Friday, August 14 through Saturday, August 15, 2026. Returning residents and fraternity members move in the following weekend, August 21-22.
- Check-in location
- Check in at your zone's designated move-in tent: Southeast Area (Armstrong, Crum, Kathy Crow, Loyd, Ware Commons) outside Loyd Commons; Central Area (Cockrell-McIntosh, McElvaney, Morrison-McGinnis Commons) outside Mac's Place; North Area (Boaz, Mary Hay, Peyton, Shuttles, Virginia-Snider Commons) at Boulevard B. Fraternity residents check in at a dedicated tent on Dyer Street.
- Parking
- Park in the designated lot for your residence hall zone (including the Mustang and Binkley Parking Centers), then relocate your vehicle promptly after unloading - avoid fire lanes, accessible spaces without authorization, and other reserved areas.
- What you'll receive
- Room keys and student ID cards are issued at check-in - submit your ID photo by July 15 so it's ready when you arrive.
- Vehicle restrictions
- SMU specifically advises against bringing a U-Haul given limited parking and storage space on campus.
Move-in day tips
- Arrive during your assigned move-in window - arriving early may mean waiting until your time slot.
- Bring a rolling cart or hand truck - campus carts can run out quickly during busy move-in periods.
- Have a parking backup plan - spaces near residence halls can fill up quickly, so know where you can unload if your preferred area is full.
- Watch the loading-zone time limit - many campuses require you to move your vehicle to longer-term parking after unloading.
Housing & Dorms
Residence halls (13)
Open to undergraduates (first-year students may be able to live here)
Armstrong Commons
Boaz Commons
Cockrell-McIntosh Commons
Crum Commons
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Kathy Crow Commons
Loyd Commons
Mary Hay-Peyton-Shuttles Commons (MHPS)
McElvaney Commons
Morrison-McGinnis Commons (MoMac)
Smith-Perkins Hall
SMUSH (Service House)
Virginia-Snider Commons
Ware Commons
Apartments (7)
Apartment-style housing, usually for upperclass students
Fourplex
Apartment · Coed
Hillcrest Manor
Apartment · Coed
Hilltop Heights
Apartment · Coed
Martin Hall
Apartment · Coed
Show 3 moreShow fewer
Moore Hall
Apartment · Coed
Red Door
Apartment · Coed
Thomas House
Apartment · Coed
Housing Links
Who can live where
- Residence halls:
- Not marked first-year only, so they may also house returning students. Assignment follows the school's housing process.
- Apartments:
- Apartment-style housing, often for sophomores and up. Confirm eligibility with the housing office.
Eligibility rules vary and can change. Check with the housing office.
Orientation
New Student Orientation (required)
All new students are required to attend one orientation session.
August 21 - August 24, 2026
Orientation tips
- Register as early as your class allows - popular session dates fill up first.
- Bring a parent/guardian if separate family programming is offered.
- Check whether placement testing or advising sign-ups happen the same day.
Costs
Room & Board
$17,000
Estimated / Year
Nearby Essentials
- H-E-B1 miles
- Target1.9 miles
- Walmart2.1 miles
- Walgreens2.6 miles
- CVS Pharmacy3.1 miles
More Links
Checklists
Get the Ultimate College Move-In Checklist
A free, printable packing checklist covering everything from bedding to important documents - built for any freshman, including yours at Southern Methodist University.
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Send this page to a roommate, a parent, or anyone else helping plan the move.
Dates last checked September 2026.