<p>The CP profile of Trinity is overall very complimentary but it characterizes the guys as jocks who pride themselves on their ability to crush beer cans on their foreheads or total nerds who still like to party. The girls are described as fitting into two groups: those who care about their looks and partying and those that don't really care about their looks but still like to party. Is TU really that much of a party school?</p>
<p>in answer to your question, I didn't get that "party" impression. each student we talked with said that parties are there, but with fraternities only representing 30% with no houses to live in, they were somewhat muted. each student said they had to study 2-4 hours nightly/daily depending on majors. here is a review I gave to another site:</p>
<p>College visit 10-18-07, with overnight visit for S
wow! I had read up on the reviews. They are correct about: the great dorm rooms (come with a fridge & micro wave, were 30% larger than my son's dorm at WashU StL). The campus is pretty. their HUGE endowment shows in the tuition rate, buildings (amazing library for size and comfort). soccer field grass, and supposedly with the faculty (no first hand expertise on this one but the students overall liked the professors), merit money. There is a large retail/restaurant area called the Quarry just 5 minutes from campus. Restaurants include a very good Canyon Cafe and Stoneworks, plus chains of Chilis, Jonathan _____(?), PF Chang, and a couple of others that I cannot recall, shops varying from Mattress Firm, OfficeMax, Bed Bath & Beyond, Ann Taylor and many more, movie complex with 10 screens! And, 2-minutes away is the Quarry Golf Course- very nice and the back nine is designed around a real rock quarry. Downtown with Riverwalk is about 15 minutes away. No metro or subway but that not Trinity's fault . . . food received great reviews. While strolling around campus, you had no idea that the airport was a mere 10 minutes away or that the 6th largest metro area was 12- 20 minutes away. Quiet. I asked the proverbial question, what would you change at Trinity to 3 boys- they paused for a minute or 2 before agreeing, "life was good". Most students take 5 classes a semester, graduate in 4 years, and say that studying 2-4+ hours nightly during the week based on your major was necessary. Overseas options are huge; they use any program in the US. If you want to study in Prague, with English given classes, they'll hook you up. Party atmosphere supported by the very local fraternities, about 30% join. Otherwise, seemed moderate as a party place. Sports a bit more student attended for a D3 (especially soccer) as they have several nationally ranked teams. Student body looked fairly diverse, and normal. Yes, 66% come from the huge state of Texas, but you wouldnt know/feel that from walking around campus. (FYI, they are serious about attracting more students from outside of Texas as well as internationals!)
The Career placement office has a new director. Seems enthusiastic. Like many LACs, they depend on alumni networking. Biggest challenge is the usual challenge to get the kids interested in leaving their bubble to begin focusing on life after college and USE their resources. San Antonio does have some built in advantages for internships. (Warning: summers are rather warm/hot.)
As a first time traveler to Texas, no less San Antonio, I was pleasantly surprised! No obvious Country music, southern drawl, big belt buckles, cowboy boots etc. Met lots of nice folks on and off campus. San Antonio has a spread out mid sized city feel to it. So does the airport. For the students and locals, the city is a nice resource. You venture into it for specific events. The campus and city seemed as if it could have been located in Indiana, Ohio or Illinois except for the warmer weather-year-round!
Overall, very impressive for anyone looking for an LAC and/or south of the Mason-Dixon line. Like a lot of schools (incl. the aforementioned WashU), Trinity University does not have a huge name brand recognition. But, I wouldnt let that from discouraging your interest. Its a wonderful college. I can see why many students that apply to WashU also apply to Trinity University.</p>
<p>I have plagiarized this review for your benefit. the reviewer wouldn't mind:</p>
<p>S and I attended a Trinity in Focus Saturday, followed by an overnight on
campus for him and a class on Monday.</p>
<p>TIF was great and included a faculty fair with booths for each major,
breakout groups going into depth about various programs, and of course
general info, financial info, and a tour. We really enjoyed it.</p>
<p>Trinity, at aprox 2500 students, is the largest school we have visited. It
considers itself basically an LAC, but it has a large business program with
a 5th yr masters and an ed program with a 5th yr masters. I think these
along with the engineering program give it more of a career orientation than typical for LACs.</p>
<p>Despite its size , the school prides itself on small classes and close
teacher-student interactions. Bio and chem have first year classes of
80-100 (and smaller labs) but after that the classes quickly shrink to 7-20.
Trinity is very research oriented and kids can get into original research as
soon as they are sufficiently motivated. The profs said they have excellent
success rates of assisting students into grad schools and med school.</p>
<p>Their engineering program is an interdisciplinary, ABET certified program
focusing on design, with some specialization in years 3-4. What really
impressed me is that their first semester intro class is 2 sections of 30
students each and is totally hands on. Engineering is the one major here
that needs to be started at the beginning of freshman year.</p>
<p>The dorms on the outside and in the halls look pretty utilitarian, but the
rooms are amazing. All suites. No singles at all. 2 roomates per room and 2 rooms sharing a large bath and often a balcony. Huge built in dressers and walk-in closets. Carpets. Maid service!</p>
<p>San Antonio is not at all like the south. It is an interesting city, with
of course a strong Hispanic population. Trinity has at about 29% non- white students and 10% international, some economic diversity because of generous aid, and much more political diversity than most LACs......making it by far the most diverse campus we have visited. They have lots of well attended multicultural events. The dean told me that a Sikh student held a class on turban winding and 100 students came!</p>
<p>And it just doesn't feel southern or Texan. None of the professors we
encountered and few of the students even have Texas accents. I'm surprised at what a cosmopolitan feel the campus has. The students are not at all preppy, though pretty middle-of-the road in dress. And they have a healthy look.</p>
<p>I went to a play on campus that was good and very well attended. I was even more interested in the audience. I can hardly believe how over-all gorgeous these kids are, with a very west coast feel to them. After the play, I asked a couple where I could find a phone to call a cab, and they ended up driving me to my hotel. So sweet. Everyone I talked to was really nice.</p>
<p>The price tag, including tuituion, R &B, and fees, is $34,000. Merit runs
from $4-10,000. They also have a no interest 10-12 month payment plan and a few other ways for non "need" students to find $$. It sounded like if they want you they really help you find $$.</p>
<p>September in San Antonio is still very hot. However, the air on the campus
seemed fresh and they say there is usually a breeze. There is lots of grass
and shady vegetation, especially Live Oak trees, which are lovely. The
campus is 50's modern, all brick outside and lots inside too. Not all all
the NE Ivy look. We liked it...........it is clean, uncluttered, lots of
open space.</p>
<p>I can see how people really get to like it in SA. It is like LA plus more
trees and minus smog. The downtown is very unusual. Although it is a city
of 1.5 million, there are no skyscrapers at all, which gives it a homey
feel. The Riverwalk area is really hopping. I highly recommend the Contessa Hotel. Trinity parents get a discount, and the suites are great.</p>
<p>Wow!! Thanks so much to both of you. I hesitate to put too much stock in the CP guide, but when I read this part it gave me cause for concern. In its defense the CP guide also talked about alcohol-free activities in the coffee house and it did say that students studied hard for the challenging academics offered at TU. This is probably one we will not visit unless/until one or both of my girls are accepted. Right now they are still both very interested so I do appreciate the fantastic feedback!!</p>
<p>On a somewhat related note did any of you see that the Tigers Football team earned the play of the year nod at last night's football Nat Championship game. The kids' reaction was priceless!</p>
<p>Hey I was just wondering what is CP ?</p>
<p>CP stands for College P r 0 w 1 e r. It's a website that gives student review of many campuses. It doesn't hold much water with reality but is an interesting read. I wouldn't believe everything you read there but if the entire report throws up multiple red flags and they check out with other sources of info it can help narrow down a list.</p>
<p>That's what happened with us. We spent the 40.00 to sign up and in the end it saved us the cost of airfare because we canceled a visit one college campus. So that made it worth it to us.</p>