Southwestern v. Trinity v. U. Houston (HELP)

College Search & Selection
1

<p>I'm a TX student who's been accepted to Southwestern and Trinity so far, as well as U of H. I know Southwestern University & Trinity University are very similar schools, and I've visited them both. My sister goes to U of H, so I've been to the campus countless times since it's about 30 minutes away from my house.</p>

<p>Southwestern is offering me a pretty nice scholarship, but it's still expensive, and I need to get my aid package from them. Trinity hasn't given me my financial aid package yet, but it's pretty expensive, too. I didn't apply for aid at U of H, but it's still the cheapest school on my list. I've been accepted to the U of H Honors College, so I feel like I'd be getting a liberal arts education while still at a large state school.</p>

<p>I could study abroad while at U of H, and they'd accept all of my AP credits, so I'd save even more money and perhaps have room for another major. SU and Trinity would accept some AP credits (but not at many as U of H) and have study abroad programs, too. U of H is well-recognized in the Houston area, but I don't know the kind of job I would get after college graduating from SU or Trinity. If I were to go to graduate school, I think I would be better prepared academically coming from a liberal arts school. Frankly, I want to get out of Texas and live in another city/state/country.</p>

<p>Also, SU and Trinity are far away from home enough that my parents won't expect me to be home every weekend, but not too far away that I can't come home when I want to or need to. SU is in a small town, but it's close to Austin. U of H is basically where most people from my high school go, and it's in a really bad neighborhood. Plus, the campus is ugly and the academics are so-so. Trinity is also in a bad neighborhood, but the campus is really nice.</p>

<p>The problem is, I really, really love the LACs that I've already been accepted to, but U of H is a really good deal financially. I could room with a friend in an apartment or live with my sister, if I went to U of H, but I just don't want to go there, frankly. But it would be easy to transfer from U of H to another school (UT) if I went there.</p>

<p>Also, my OOS schools & UT haven't given me their decisions yet, and I doubt that an LAC or university outside TX would be cheaper than staying in TX for school.</p>

<p>Thoughts?</p>

2

<p>I think Trinity is a better school than the other 2, but only you and your family know what makes sense financially.</p>

3

<p>It’s interesting that you say that, since I attended a few classes and ate in the dining hall at Trinity during my visit. I felt that the material and lectures were OK, but nothing particularly special or challenging. However, the professors were wonderful and really knew their material, plus the students seemed pretty engaged & willing to learn. </p>

<p>My visit at Southwestern was targeted towards juniors (I visited during my junior year), and I loved it. The campus/town was gorgeous, and the admissions office has been nothing but wonderful to me, both before and after I was admitted. However, I’d like to see some classes, tour the campus again, and maybe do an overnight.</p>

<p>Maybe I should visit Trinity again, visit another class, and stay overnight there as well.</p>

4

<p>Here is my breakdown and analysis of the schools based on brief research and minimal prior knowledge.</p>

<p>Southwestern
Pros: Scholarship; LAC (something you seem to like)
Cons: unbalance of men and women; least diverse; D3</p>

<p>Trinity
Pros: most selective and i understand what blackeyedsudan meant; LAC
Cons: D3; expensive</p>

<p>U of H
Pros: Location(I’m from Texas and I love Houston); D1 athletics; well-recognized in the area; pretty diverse; Honors College
Cons: Location(its so close to home for you); size; its not really a new experience since your sister goes</p>

<p>If you plan to transfer out then I think you should go with what’s best financially, but where you will also be happy. Because you never know you might never transfer. Also we don’t really know what you like. What’s important? Really try to decide what you want, then go from there.</p>

<p>Good Luck!</p>