When Myles Boateng was a high school senior in Carrollton, he wanted to study psychology in the best college in Texas that would give him the highest-quality education in the field. But he had no blueprint for how to make the college experience work.
As a first-generation student, Boateng had not initially considered going to SMU. “I hadn’t heard of SMU until I was looking for colleges,” he said. “Because my family didn’t have much experience with college, we had to figure out the process as I went along.” Boateng applied to SMU and to other Texas institutions. He received multiple acceptances and ultimately chose SMU.
Boateng graduated from SMU in December 2022 and is pursuing a master’s degree in counseling from the SMU Simmons School of Education and Human Development. “My parents always tell me, ‘Aim as high as you can.’ In terms of what I was looking for in a college, I wanted more than good academics — because I knew I would have that part covered. The atmosphere mattered. And SMU had the vibe I wanted.”
But Boateng and his family didn’t know if they could make it work until they assessed the cost.
Through a combination of federal aid and SMU institutional support based on Boateng’s outstanding academic credentials and his family’s financial circumstances, they were able to cover almost 90% of the cost of attending SMU.
On the Hilltop, Boateng discovered a tight-knit community and friends in his Residential Commons and in the Mustang Band, where he played saxophone. “I made my greatest friends in the band and in Boaz Commons, where I was involved as a senior. My former Faculty-in-Residence and his family are like my second family. And with the band, no matter how tired I was, when we lined up for the parade before the football game and everyone was losing their minds, I’d think, ‘Wow! This is the atmosphere. This is the interconnectedness that I’d heard about at SMU.’”
During the 2022-2023 school year, Boateng was among the SMU students benefitting from Access SMU. The University launched the financial award in April 2022 to help cover the previously unmet cost of college for high-achieving Texas students who receive Federal Pell Grants and SMU merit scholarships. In the first year of Access SMU, 216 first-year and returning students qualified for financial support, helping them to overcome barriers to college entry and graduation.
“We want every student with great academic talent to be able to attend SMU regardless of their family’s financial resources. Access SMU is helping make that possible,” said Wes Waggoner, vice provost for enrollment management.
SMU expects to expand the program in future years to help more students, thanks in part to donors to the SMU Ignited fundraising campaign. One of the campaign’s major goals is to empower outstanding students to attend SMU and succeed, regardless of financial means.
According to Elizabeth Loboa, provost and vice president for academic affairs, “This is another bold step in SMU’s commitment to students and Texas. We want all outstanding students to learn more about SMU and to imagine themselves as a Mustang.”
Recent SMU graduate Amber Bormann had not considered the university when she was first applying to colleges. “I applied to SMU on a whim. I hadn’t visited before applying,” she recalled. The Boerne, Texas, resident was accepted to eight colleges and visited SMU after being admitted. When it was time to make a college decision, Bormann concluded that SMU and Dallas would be the best choice for her interests and educational goals. While she was praying about making the right decision, the ding of a text from SMU gave her the confirmation she was seeking.
Bormann earned her BBA in marketing through the SMU Cox School of Business, as well as her B.A. in advertising with a specialization in digital media strategies — plus minors in songwriting and music industry practices — through the SMU Meadows School of the Arts. She received a combination of federal aid and SMU institutional aid that included Access SMU.
In addition to her academics, she served as vice president of the SMU Honor Council, captain of the country-western stunt dance team Mustang Mavericks and resident assistant in Crum Commons, her on-campus home. In the fall, she will complete the accelerated M.A. program in advertising at SMU Meadows School of the Arts.
Bormann encourages high school students grappling with college applications and paying for college to bring persistence and determination into the process. She advises students to take the time when they get to college to understand the resources available and be purposeful with time management. Even on days when she’s juggling academic assignments, dance performances and other activities, Bormann blocks time to nurture her relationships.
Carrollton resident and recent SMU graduate Julie Tran said she “never intended to stay in Dallas. I applied to SMU super last-minute. My mom and I decided to tour campus, and we fell in love. I saw the opportunities here and applied. I feel lucky to have received the kind of support I did.”
First-year students admitted to SMU are automatically considered for all available university scholarships for which they qualify. Once admitted, students are notified of the combination of financial aid available for them. Tran received a combination of federal and SMU institutional aid as an incoming student. As a senior, she also learned she qualified for Access SMU support.
As a first-generation student, she earned B.S. degrees in biological sciences and in health and society, plus a minor in psychology. Tran participated in faculty-mentored research as an undergraduate researcher within the Health and Society department. She also investigated health disparities, the use of integrative medicine, and resilience and health management in infrastructure deserts in the D-FW area.
“Research starts with a connection. You discover you have a similar interest with your professor. Because class sizes are smaller — the biggest class I had was 80 — it’s easier to get to know professors on a personal level, and it’s a gateway to other opportunities,” noted Tran.
As someone who initially expected to leave Dallas for college, Tran loves her choice to stay. “Being in Dallas makes it easier to socialize. I’m from the area and I was able to take my friends around. Dallas has everything you need. If you want to spend time outdoors, we have the Katy Trail, White Rock Lake and more. If you’re looking for sports, we have professional sports — hockey, football — you can find anything without having to go far.”
Tran hopes other students will discover the possibilities to build their futures. “SMU showed me that anything is possible. What’s meant for you will find you.”
Students who want to discover how to get past financial barriers to college and high school counselors who want to learn more can visit smu.edu/AccessSMU.