<p>My D has narrowed her college choices to Rollins College and Trinity University in San Antonio. She visited Rollins back in September, and at the time she felt that she could easily see herself there, but now that decision time is here, she is not sure what the best choice for her is. My D studies hard but also likes to have a good social life. She's worried that Rollins might be too much good social life (!) and too little academic seriousness--or that the kids who like to have a good time don't like to challenge themselves academically, and vice versa. She has also heard that there's lots of cocaine use on campus, and is worried that the campus, though beautiful, is just too small.</p>
<p>If anyone can shed some light on the academic and social life aspects of Rollins (or Trinity), and what the typical (if there is one) student is like, that would be great. You can probably guess that her top factors in college selection were warm weather and location near a larger city.</p>
<p>I was concerned to until I spent an overnight and went to class with a few guys. The admissions counselor pointed out how the average gpa and SAT's of the newly admitted classes have been steadily rising, which indicates that incoming students are indeed serious students. I saw that from the classes I went to and I definitely felt I'd be academically challenged (and I'm a pretty good student, accepted at U. of Richmon, U. of Delaware, etc.). I like the small and friendly campus, the professors who seemed really engaged with the students and could see myself there. Like any college there is a social life there but I don't think it's more so than any other college. I have a sister at Stanford and I can assure you there's plenty of partying there, too. As far as drugs, I asked about that. I did go to a party on a Saturday night and saw no drug use. I was told that if you're looking for drugs, you can find them, but that's also true almost anywhere. If you're looking for drugs at high school, you can find them. Otherwise, the guys I stayed with think that was maybe an "old knock" on Rollins but doesn't apply anymore.</p>
<p>I feel that Rollins is largely a group of students who aren't too serious about school. They get their work done when they need to, but they just get by. A lot of them do well and a lot of the abuse study drugs. The rest of the time they're just partying. The honors program houses most of the really serious academic students. If your daughter wants to challenge and stretch herself, there will be people to help her, faculty and students. If she's not in honors, she will have to take a lot more initiative to make it what she wants it to be.</p>
<p>Also, they are not the norm, but you will encounter several kids who are absolutely clueless about everthing, party all the time, and are just here because their parents are multi-millionaires and can do whatever they want. There is a TON of money at Rollins. I went from being one of the most well off kids at my HS (upper middle class) to the bottom half at Rollins. We have kids who have parents who are CEO's of HUGE companies (polaroid... the guy who invented Bagel Bites). But most of them are completely down to earth and don't flaunt their wealth. My roommate's house is in a neighborhood that has a runway and his dad has a few jets and a yacht. He didn't consider himself close to the richest at Rollins.</p>
<p>For the most part though, everyone is very easy to get along with and your daughter will be able to find however much serious academics she's willing to look for, but it will be an active effort on her part.</p>