Is there a "typical" Trinity student?

Colleges and Universities A-Z Trinity University (Texas)
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<p>My D just returned from Trinity 360 last weekend and it was not a good experience. It seems that almost all of the current students cleared out when they heard that a slew of prospective students would be descending on campus, so she didn't get a sense of the student body at all. Her overnight was equally disappointing--her hosts were as unlike her as possible. So, she's wondering what a typical Trinity undergrad is like? She's wondering if she'll fit in.</p>

<p>Any help would be appreciated! My D wants to like Trinity--but her visit didn't help at all.</p>

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<p>I sent you a PM</p>

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<p>I don't think there is a typical Trinity student per se. Unless you want to say that they are pretty much all smart and they all have to make academics a priority to last.</p>

<p>This is the description I excerpted from princetonreview.com.</p>

<p>*"You know that kid who makes the rather intelligent off-hand comments in your government and English classes?" queries one Trinity undergrad. "Well, they all go to Trinity. That isn't to say we're all loudmouths, but we're all pretty academic minded." Indeed, "Everyone was one of the 'smart kids' in high school. Even the football players at Trinity are smart, and even the 'cool people' here are just a little nerdy. Everyone studies." While "Most here are from a Southern, somewhat elite background, not all students are like that, and you can definitely find students of all types." *</p>

<p>I suggest that your D contact a few of the student bloggers and explain her experience and her concerns. STUDENT</a> BLOGS at TRINITY UNIVERSITY They should be able to answer her questions. I don't know where you live, but can she go to another overnight in the next week? It may help her get a real feel. Best of Luck!</p>

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<p>We live in the midwest and it would be much too expensive to get another plane ticket for another visit! There are also no direct flights so it takes awhile to get there.</p>

<p>The Princeton Review excerpt is exactly what worries my D. She is not "nerdy" and doesn't gel with "nerds." She studies hard but also likes to have a good time, and explained to me that without having plenty of good times (I'm not talking drugs/alcohol) she won't want to study! We live in a college town and she has friends in the dorms. When she goes to visit everyone's door is open and everyone is having a great time hanging out. That didn't happen at Trinity, since very few people were around. All the doors were closed and no one was out and about.</p>

<p>Somehow she'll have to make a decision. I suggested she contact the bloggers--we'll see.</p>

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<p>check out annak's report on her time at Trinity 360. She seemed to have a very different experience than your D. Maybe they could correspond. I am going to PM you another review I found that kind of has a different take.</p>

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<p>Thanks historymom! I sent a PM to Annak and hopefully I'll get her insights about Trinity.</p>

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<p>Your question is common but stereotypically problematic/flawed. Even in a school half that size, there is really no such thing as typical students, or typical girls, or boys, etc. for probably any college or University. Have you ever known a group of 20 teenagers, no less hundreds or thousands, to all think and act in unison? And remember,these "kids" will grow and change in their college years -just like you and I did. And that's a good thing!-especially considering the scars/pitfalls of most high schools. I would find it hard to believe that your D couldn't find lifelong friends at just about any college. I understand that the visit didn't go perfectly and she got a jaded vibe . . . However, I would focus on the 4-6 key categories that your D is looking for and if TU has them, come on down! </p>

<p>Have you also checked out the college visit section? Select "T" and find TU. My middle son is attending TU next fall- from Indiana. The student body seemed to be one of the many fine things about TU. I chatted with several students. I would go to TU if I was just 30 years younger. They loved the university. TU has 10% internationals. And, amazing diversity for a smaller LAC. Honestly, it reminded me of walking around my older sons' university, WashU in St Louis. Hope this helps. Good Luck!</p>

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<p>sdavis,</p>

<p>I did read your TU visit post, and all of your posts relating to TU (which I shared with my D). I was actually wondering whether your son decided to go there. My H went with our D and he was very impressed with the campus. We have assured our D over and over again that with a student body of 2500 she would definitely find her niche. I think she had very high hopes for her visit, which didn't come to fruition. She has stayed in the dorm with her brother at his school, and it was very social, which she loved. We live in a college town and she visits friends in the dorms here, and loves it. She was hoping to find the same vibe at TU and was disappointed.</p>

<p>At this point she is still undecided, but as of last night was leaning towards TU. She actually wore the t-shirt she got last weekend for about an hour, even though it was much too big for her!</p>

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<p>sdavis,</p>

<p>Our son is finishing his freshman year at Wash U--we just might have kids at the same 2 schools!</p>

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<p>wow, small world after all. and we live in a small college town to add to the coincidences . . . DePauw University. </p>

<p>more thoughts for your D and all of us . . . the college visit can be influenced by so many factors, even the weather . . . .and first year is greatly influenced by the roommate and not the students she stayed with, etc.</p>

<p>may the 'force' be with your family . . .</p>

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<p>small world continues...sdavis...I spent about a month living in Greencastle when I was touring with a performance group in the 1980s. Lived on Campus in a sorority house for about a week then we stayed with our sponsor...he owned an LP gas company and had Dobermans. :0) I was in contact with the Presbyterian minister there for awhile...Scott something...</p>

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<p>sdavis and martharap- I have been interested in this thread of typical Trinity student. My daughter has finally decided on Trinity for the fall. Her brother also goes to Wash U. What a coincidence! More families with kids at the same schools.</p>

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<p>Small world indeed!</p>

<p>The next question involves logistics! Freshmen show up at Trinity for move in on August 22. Upperclassmen move into Wash U on Aug 23-24. My H is a university Prof and the first day of classes is Aug. 25. We are 7 hours from Wash U and 16 hours from Trinity!! My head is spinning...</p>

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<p>YIKES!!! Good Luck with that! Let us know what you decide. Twin Ds are applying in 4 or 5 states and it could come down to splitting up the drop off/move in between DH and me.</p>

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<p>personally, I think the Princeton Review description is a bit exxagerated. I have about 10 people from my school who are going and they're not the "elite" type of student as the description described. I know about 4 or 5 of them personally and while they're smart, they're not the elite ones. The elite ones in our school are heading off to MIT, Harvard, or Stanford.</p>

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<p>^^^I don't know PR claimed TU was elite. I think the overwhelming impression given by all sources my DDs and I have found is that Trinity is full of a variety smart kids who work hard. It has a reputation for solid academics and excellent professional preparation. It isn't a school necessarily on the radar of the kid with a 4.5 and 2400 but that isn't such a bad thing. My daughters like many other students are looking for more than elitism and prestige and Trinity offers that.</p>

<p>I'm not bashing MIT Harvard or Stanford, I am just saying that there are plenty of other wonderful schools full of wonderful smart kids.</p>

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<p>According to college board:
Students who viewed the profile for Trinity University on collegeboard.com also looked at these schools. We've listed the 20 most "also viewed" in descending order of overlap popularity.</p>

<p>University of Texas at Austin
Austin, Texas</p>

<p>Rice University
Houston, Texas</p>

<p>Baylor University
Waco, Texas</p>

<p>Texas A&M University
College Station, Texas</p>

<p>Cornell University
Ithaca, New York</p>

<p>Boston University
Boston, Massachusetts</p>

<p>Emory University
Atlanta, Georgia</p>

<p>Texas Christian University
Fort Worth, Texas</p>

<p>New York University
New York, New York</p>

<p>Southwestern University
Georgetown, Texas</p>

<p>University of Texas at San Antonio
San Antonio, Texas</p>

<p>Duke University
Durham, North Carolina</p>

<p>Harvard College
Cambridge, Massachusetts</p>

<p>Texas State University: San Marcos
San Marcos, Texas</p>

<p>University of Southern California
Los Angeles, California</p>

<p>So, the people looking at Harvard see TU as a safety. However the guy looking at Texas State, view TU as a reach. However, what would be a comparable institution in academics to TU ? Would it be a say 30-60 best LACs according to U.S. News ?</p>

<p>I've also heard that in Texas, Trinity is considered by some as good as Rice, but in smaller size.</p>

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<p>I am often surprised by the list of schools that appear on the "also viewed" lists, as they strike me as quite different -- not so much from an academic standpoint, because I would expect a range there (from safeties to stretches) -- but more from a "campus culture" standpoint (covering the spectrum from conservative to progressive). I recognize that most schools offer a mix of students from all parts of the spectrum -- but at many schools there is a clear leaning in one direction or another. Where does Trinity fall along the spectrum -- in terms of students, faculty, and administration? Are most students religious (the name Trinity has a religious sound to it)? From a political standpoint, does the campus lean left, or right? Which is more common, preppy or bohemian? Who runs most activities (e.g, the newspaper) on campus, the students, or the administration? The academic reputation and description of campus are very appealing, but it's difficult to get the pulse of the campus from the website. Thanks in advance for your feedback.</p>

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<p>I actually have a few friends going to Trinity in the fall. All of them are kind of from the same mold, not a bad way, just so happens they are all bright, but not in top of the class(in lower part of the top 10%), work hard, but not extremely hard. For the most part, they are all pretty mellow kids who are all intimidated by the larger universities and their class sizes. They all applied to smaller schools(SMU, TCU, Baylor, etc.). You probably would not notice them if you went to a big party, they aren't overly extroverted, but they are solid friends and I am really glad to be friends with them.</p>