Texas Christian University and Southern Methodist University are top institutions in the US. Both universities have been widely acclaimed for their academic records, bolstered by their state-of-the-art facilities. The Texas Christian University was founded by the Clark brothers in the Fort Worth area of Texas in 1873. It is hugely and deeply connected with the Christian church. It is imperative to note that the university is only affiliated with the Christian church but not governed by it. Its history will be covered in depth eventually. Lets’ start with Texas Christian University Or Southern Methodist University.
The university has approximately eight constituent colleges, and a curriculum touted as being liberal in the arts. On the other hand, Southern Methodist University was brought to life by the Methodist Episcopal Church in 1911. It is located in the state of Texas. It might be affiliated with the Christian religious wing, but it admits students from every religious persuasion. It has a single satellite campus in the state of New Mexico.
The said institutions have requirements that one ought to meet to gain admission. The steps are:
Step 1
Fulfilling academic and extracurricular requirements
Both universities recognize academics as the main anchor of their existence, and, informed by this fact, they require prospective candidates to meet high standards of academia. Texas Christian University, however, admits students who also excel in extracurricular activities, which is quite a contrast with the Southern Methodist University, which puts extreme emphasis on academia.
Step 2
The high school recommended credits.
According to the TCU website, the university does not have a minimum GPA requirement for one to gain admission; this is in contrast with SMU. However, this is likely to change after 2024, when new standards will take effect. For SMU, you ought to have scored a GPA of 3.64, based on a scale of 4.0.
History
Both universities have long and checkered histories. The Texas Christian University, as initially indicated, was founded by the Clark brothers, namely Addison and Randolph. Originally, it was called Add-Ran Male and Female College. The two brothers were excruciatingly pious, and their dedication to the Christian faith was unmatched.
This dedication explains the glaring fact that the university is affiliated with the Christian church, whose alias is the Disciples of Christ. Their father, Joseph Clark, is reportedly said to have played a vital role in establishing the university.
The institution has been shifted from one area to the next for several reasons, including; an increase in population, fear of worldly influence on an institution founded on Christian values, disasters such as the razing down of its administration block by an inferno, etc. From Fort Worth to Thorp Springs to Waco and finally to its birthplace of Fort Worth, the institution has had quite a vacation.
The Southern Methodist University, as initially posited, was brought into existence by the methodists. Initially, the architects wanted to establish it in Fort Worth. Still, after extensive lobbying by the all-autonomous Dallas Chamber of Commerce, it finally settled on Dallas as its best location.
Comparison
This subsection will dissect both universities in every aspect, ranging from academia to population to constituting colleges, among other things, to paint an accurate picture.
Academia
It is no secret that both institutes are iconic and towering hubs of knowledge. Both are classified as R2 doctoral universities due to their high research activities. They have state-of-the-art facilities to conduct sophisticated research activities geared towards finding solutions that will solve problems bedeviling humanity. Coincidentally, both have eight colleges offering a wide range of courses.
Population
According to Wikipedia, an online open-source website, Southern Methodist, by the fall of 2021, had enrolled 12373 students, which dwarfed that of Texas Christian University, which stood at 11938 in the same period. This clearly showed that students preferred the latter over the former.
This disparity can only be attributed to facilities; as both have technologically advanced facilities, the Dallas-based institution has the upper hand. The institution even has parks dedicated to the newest trends in the world of technology, artificial intelligence and virtual reality.
The institution receives a significant amount of endowment to carry out its daily activities compared to Texas Christian University.
Life on campus
Both institutions have adequate housing for their students. The accommodation has some of the best amenities, giving students an easy time while on campus. Texas Christian University sits on a larger piece of land as compared to Southern Methodist University.
Students from both institutions have extremely vibrant student organizations that air their grievances without fear. Suffice to say, they have media outlets run by students without interference from the administration, which enables freedom of speech to thrive—an extension of the larger USA’s founding values.
Management
Christian organizations might have found them, but their management is done by an independent board that, on the surface, is not influenced by the views of the church. However, this was not always the case with Southern Methodist University. Hitherto
2019, the Methodists had a substantial say in the management of the universities. The views of the church were to be followed by all.
The university decided to separate itself from the control of the church, citing fundamental issues over the controversial LGBTQ issue, which continues to elicit a wide range of views. Free speech championing agents lauded this move, which attracted much ire from the largely conservative church.
Conclusion
In conclusion, these institutions are the quintessential hubs of knowledge that would suit the needs of any upcoming scholar who wants to leave a mark on the global footprint.the facilities and their well versed tutors send the most glaring statement that these are institutions geared towards impacting students, communities, the nation and the globe at large positively. They are also institutions anchored on the traditional Christian values that would shape one positively. Values that will see an individual develop in every sphere of life against the backdrop of an ever evolving and secular world Both universities are, in a nutshell, the places to be.
