BACHELORS OF BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION (BBA)
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20 Questions for Business Scholars
We gave three Business Scholars some of the most frequently asked questions we get from students just like you. Lindsey (LJ) Perkins, Hans Mantor, and Robin Austin answer your questions about the Business Scholars Program, campus life, and just about everything else below. If you find yourself with other questions, we always welcome them at bbaadmission@cox.smu.edu.
Q1: Why did you come to SMU?
Q2: What was the most surprising thing about coming to college?
Q3: What is your favorite non-Cox class this semester?
Q4: What advice do you have for high school seniors?
Q5: What do you do for fun at SMU & in Dallas?
Q6: What type of relationship do you have with your professors?
Q7: What is the one thing you wish you’d brough with you to campus? What was the one thing you wish you had left behind?
Q8: What is your favorite aspect of the Business Scholars Program?
Q9: How are college classes different from high school?
Q10: What interesting people have you met?
Q11: What is your favorite SMU activity or tradition?
Q12: What do you think of your residence hall?
Q13: What is the food like in the cafeteria?
Q14: What types of SMU organizations do you belong to?
Q15: How flexible is the curriculum at SMU?
Q16: What do you think of the Business School facilities?
Q17: How much interaction with the corporate community have you had?
Q18: What services are offered through the business school?
Q19: How does the university honors program fit into your curriculum?
Q20: What is the funniest thing that has happened to you since you entered SMU?
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Lindsey Perkins
BBA '09
Marketing major
Plano, Texas
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Hans Mantor
BBA, BA '08
Business & Political Science
Houston, Texas
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Robin Austin
BBA '09
Marketing major
Elgin, Texas
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Why did you come to SMU?
A1: LINDSEY: I came to SMU because I thought it was the perfect size for me—big enough to provide many opportunities and small enough for me to find my niche. I also knew that I wanted to major in business, and Cox has an excellent reputation. Now that I’m here, I’m especially thankful that I came to SMU because the class sizes are great! They’re small enough so that I get to know my professors easily.
HANS: I came to SMU for many reasons. It was actually my least expensive choice which made it favorable to my Dad, but I really fell in love with the campus. It seemed like a place that I would want to spend 4 years of my life, and I was right.
ROBIN: Many things attracted me to SMU but I would have to say that the quality and reputation of the business school were the number one attractions for me.
What was the most surprising thing about coming to college?
A2: LINDSEY: You have so much free time compared to high school because you’re only in class 15-18 hours a week!
ROBIN: The most surprising thing about coming to college was the amount of freedom I was given, especially in academics. I wasn't constantly monitored by the professor or required to do trivial homework or assignments. It was quite refreshing!
What is your favorite non-Cox class this semester?
A3: LINDSEY: Dr. Doyle’s Honors U.S. History class. It was very challenging and rewarding. He really made me look at the big picture and how one thing affected everything.
HANS: American Political Theory with Dr. Kobylka.
ROBIN: This semester my favorite class is honors rhetoric, Human Responsibility. It's a very thought-provoking class. We did a unit on the Holocaust that was so interesting.
What advice do you have for high school seniors?
A4: LINDSEY: Be open to new things and new experiences. Don’t skip class because once you do it, it gets easier and easier to do. Don’t go overboard with your newfound freedom—it can get you in trouble quickly. Enjoy your time in college because you can’t go back and re-live your undergraduate experience. Get involved in clubs and activities on campus and manage your time well.
HANS: The cafeteria here is great, but never take your home cooked meals for granted!
ROBIN: Some advice I wish I had gotten before coming to college is not to worry so much. College is very different but adjustment is really not that difficult.
What do you do for fun at SMU and in Dallas?
A5: LINDSEY: The question is what don’t I do? Dallas offers so much, from concerts to sporting events to museums. One of my favorite things to do on campus is watch the Thursday night movie. Most of the time the movies haven’t come out in theaters yet, and it’s free! Also at SMU, I especially loved the CodeRed Concert in April because last year they brought in Jason Mraz, my favorite artist.
HANS: At SMU its always fun to go to the Dedman Center and play sand volleyball, rock climb, or do any of the activities they offer there. Dallas is an awesome college town and offers so much to our age group. I know of few cities that offer Pro football, baseball, basketball, hockey, and even Nascar.
ROBIN: Our workout center is so awesome that I spend a lot of time doing fitness classes, lounging by the pool, and playing volleyball with friends. Sometimes it's fun to take the shuttle to Mockingbird Station and see a movie or shop. Really I have the most fun hanging out with my friends in our dorm rooms.
What kind of relationship do you have with your professors?
A6: LINDSEY: I have great relationships with my professors. Dr. Doyle, the Honors Program Director, insists on having a meeting with each student in his class at the beginning of the semester so he gets to know each student. We even went to lunch because that was the only time I was available to meet.
HANS: I was surprised at how personal my relationship with my professors was. It’s like they are your friends, only a lot smarter.
ROBIN: At first I was nervous to visit my professors during office hours, but by the end of the fall semester I had regular meeting times with each one of my professors. It’s so incredibly helpful to have a relationship with your professors. I noticed improvements in my classes right away.
What is the one thing you'd brought with you to campus? What was the one thing you wish you'd left behind?
A7: HANS: I wish I had brought a towel rack. My dorm room didn’t have a towel rack so I was forced to be creative. I wish I had left those filing cabinets my mother made me bring. I threw everything in a pile on my floor in high school and it worked wonders. I don’t know why she thought I needed to change my organizational technique.
ROBIN: I brought too many pictures of my friends from home. You have to constantly make room on your walls for your new friends! I wish I had brought paint and craft stuff for making SMU spirit clothes and signs for football games.
What is your favorite aspect of the Business Scholars Program?
A8: LINDSEY: The fact that I know I’m in the business school so I don’t have to worry about it. I also have access to all the resources in Cox the moment I step on campus and start meeting other freshman business students from day one.
HANS: Meeting the C.E.O.s of major corporations is something that my friends don’t even believe when I tell them.
ROBIN: My favorite aspect of the program is getting to know other BBA scholars. It is extremely helpful when it comes to making friends that are also in many honors classes and in the honors dorm. From the very beginning you have friends that will study with you and go with you to BBA events.
How are college classes different from high school?
A9: LINDSEY: Two big things: college classes take up less classroom time than high school classes, and students are fully responsible for their success or failure in college. There is no babying in college; the professors treat you as an adult.
ROBIN: For me, college classes are a great improvement from high school classes. With college classes, there is an accelerated pace with an emphasis on independence.
What interesting people have you met?
A10: LINDSEY: Besides awesome speakers such as Ross Perot, Jr., Isabel Allende, and Collin Powell, SMU is full of interesting people. There are numerous opportunities to talk with the deans and professors, and I also had a chance to have coffee with the Provost last year. Meeting students with such different backgrounds is also very cool.
HANS: I had some friends in the art department who are pretty interesting. One of my friends carries a light-saber to class.
ROBIN: At SMU, I have met people from all over the world, people that are very different from me and people that are exactly like me. You don't even know how great of a friend you can truly have before coming to college.
What is your favorite SMU activity or tradition?
A11: LINDSEY: I really like Celebration of Lights in December and Mane Event at the end of spring-semester. For Celebration of Lights, the campus gathers one night by candlelight and sings carols. It really is a great experience. Mane Event is like the state fair, but everything’s FREE! It has caricature artists, tarot card readings, food, sand volleyball tournament, bands, and more! It’s definitely a nice way to end the year.
HANS: There’s nothing like the experience of tailgating on the Boulevard on game day. Seeing these thousands of people come together to cheer on the Mustangs is simply amazing.
What do you think of your residence hall?
A12: LINDSEY: I think I’m a little spoiled when it comes to my residence hall because it’s not the traditional dorm room like you hear about. I have a very spacious suite in Virginia-Snider that has a great location on campus. I especially love the residence hall because I love having your friends living right next door.
ROBIN: Living in the honors dorm was good for me because it was very quiet and I met lots of people that were in my classes. I would definitely recommend it for any honors student. The honors dorm was nice inside because it was fairly newly renovated, but I can't wait to get into my new one next fall which will be old and vintage with lots of character!
What is the food like in the cafeteria?
A13: HANS: Everyone loves the food in the cafeteria at first, but even college students need a change from time to time. That’s why I love all the different food options on campus.
ROBIN: I think SMU has some of the best food for a college campus. I visited many friends during the year at other colleges who had really, really bad food.
What types of SMU organizations do you belong to?
A14: LINDSEY: I’m a member of Cox Ambassadors, Marketing Manager for the Rotunda yearbook and Staff Photographer for The Daily Campus, Publicity Chair for Relay for Life, and a tour guide. There are so many clubs to join, and if there’s not a club you like, then you can start your own!
HANS: I am involved in the Christian Fraternity on Campus (BYX). I am also involved in an organization called Crossroads which is a weekend retreat for incoming first years to learn about the Christian community on campus.
ROBIN: I am in the Cox Ambassadors which helps with giving tours and making phone calls to newly admitted BBA scholars. I also help with tours and newly admitted students as a Peruna Pals, and I do all kinds of things for SMU in Student Foundation.
How flexible is the curriculum at SMU?
A15: LINDSEY: Very flexible. SMU is awesome because you can double-major or have a major/double minor in totally opposite fields. Everyone encourages students to be well-rounded and pursue what they love.
HANS: The curriculum is fairly flexible and makes it easy to fit in double majors, study abroad, and still have room for classes for fun.
ROBIN: So far I see the curriculum being very flexible at SMU. I plan to get a major in both marketing and Spanish, plus a minor in advertising. I'll also be traveling to Spain next Spring and it all fits!
What do you think of the business school facilities?
A16: LINDSEY: They’re great. We have four buildings on campus with our own career counselors, advisers, and library.
HANS: They are state of the art. I love taking business classes because the classrooms have the most comfortable chairs.
ROBIN: I love the Business School facilities. It's a great environment for studying and is very impressive looking when people come to visit. I love to show it off.
How much interaction with the corporate community have you had?
A17: LINDSEY: There are luncheons periodically that business students are invited to. The one I went to featured Eddie Gossage, President of the Texas Motor Speedway. Bernie Goldberg spoke to business and journalism students one time. In addition to the normal speakers that SMU brings in for the Tate Lecture Series and the Presidential Leadership Summit, Cox brings in several others throughout year.
RA: It was very exciting the day I got to meet the real Mr. Cox!
What services are offered throught the business school?
A18: LINDSEY: Cox has its own career center with three awesome counselors that will give mock interviews, revise your resume, and help you find a job that’s right for you. Cox also has its own advisers that know all the business school requirements and will make four-year plans with you. In addition to that, there is a mentoring program that juniors and seniors can use to learn from people already in the industry that they are interested in.
HANS: The best service offered through the business school is the opportunity to meet many major business leaders in America such as the CEO of Kimberly Clark, The CEO of Travelocity, and many more. It is definitely an honor to have the opportunity to shake the hands of such leaders.
ROBIN: Business students are given their own advisors, which is very nice. We also have our own library and study rooms. Probably one of the most important services is access to business exclusive career counselors who help with your resume, interview skills, and internship and job searching.
How does the University Honors Program fit into your curriculum?
A19: LINDSEY: The University Honors Program fits well into my curriculum and Dr. Doyle, the UHP Director, is very flexible and willing to work anyone if there’s a problem.
ROBIN: The university honors program fit very easily into my curriculum. My favorite and most interesting classes have been honors classes. I really would have missed out had I not been in the honors program.
What is the funniest thing that has happened to you since you entered SMU?
A20: LINDSEY: At the beginning of my first year, Stephanie Dupaul (BBA Director of Admissions) wanted to call me Jessica for some reason, and now everyone in the BBA Admissions office calls me LJ, short for Lindsey Jessica.
ROBIN: At Relay for Life they have a Mr. Relay contest where a guy from each team dresses up as a girl and participates in a beauty pageant. I still laugh thinking about it.
