<p>I would appreciate some honest answers. My D liked Trinity but we were both concerned with the surrounding area and the fact that it is an open campus about Security</p>
<p>Also she would probably do pre-med so would want to volunteer and have internships at Hartford Hospital ( would take a school shuttle but still pretty scary)</p>
<p>Also , Greek life seems to be a big thing there - to a parent that says "drinking parties"
Is there much to do on the weekends that are clean fun on campus.... ?</p>
<p>Please answer honestly, my daughter has not been exposed to urban life.</p>
<p>Hi there. My daughter is a first year student at Trinity.</p>
<p>As far as the surrounding environment is concerned, we’ve been on campus several times - multiple visits, advising days, move in/convocation, and visiting her after school had started. I was a little nervous about the surrounding area at the outset because my daughter didn’t have much exposure to urban environments and doesn’t seem to be ‘street smart’ in my mind (frankly, there was no reason for that in the town where she grew up). However, those concerns have been tempered quite a bit as I’ve gotten used to the situation on campus (security seems to do a very good job) and off campus. The neighborhood certainly has its issues but one of the things that attracted my daughter to the school was the opportunity to constructively engage a community that needs help - she’s now tutoring Spanish speaking kids in the neighborhood through a program the college runs.</p>
<p>I can’t really say how much the fraternity system influences the social life. There are parties - every Thursday and Saturday from what I hear - but this is college after all. I think if the fraternities didn’t exist the parties would just take place elsewhere (and they do as I believe there are other houses on campus not part of the Greek system). I graduated college in 1985 and that wasn’t so long ago that I can’t remember what it was like. I’ve spoken to her about navigating her way through that aspect of college life and I feel pretty good that she will act responsibly. She was a very good student in HS and to my knowledge did not go out and party as she was far too busy for that and it didn’t seem to interest her. However, she is out of my control now and she will have to make her own decisions.</p>
<p>As far as non-alcohol related social activities are concerned, she has become involved with the group responsible for bringing performers onto campus, she’s joined a dance class, as well as an athletic club. I think she has found plenty to do in addition to keeping up with her coursework. The school also has its own movie theater (a beautiful old theater), the dorm has its own activities, and there are lots of clubs and groups for most any interest. There is also a substance free dorm choice that your daughter can make if you’re concerned with connecting with other like minded students. My guess is that this is all standard fare for any of the liberal arts colleges and universities as most schools are tuned into the need to provide an environment where students have social opportunities outside of the party culture.</p>
<p>I hope this helps some with what I know is a very difficult process. Good luck.</p>
<p>Lots of good schools are physically located in, or border sketchy neighborhoods… and practically every school whose general student body works hard during the week, will let loose and party on the weekend. If your daughter is confident in who she is and what she likes or would be willing to try …she will assuredly find like-minded peers on campus to hang with - no matter where she lands for the next four years. </p>
<p>My son is a FY at Trinity and I have no concerns for his safety on campus. We have asked him to never travel alone and to be aware of his surroundings whenever he leaves campus, but he would get the same advice if he was venturing into downtown Boston after a Bruins, Celtics or Red Sox game.</p>
<p>If you have concerns with security and safety surrounding your daughter living away from home in general, call or email each of the schools on your daughter’s radar and ask the same list of questions regarding incidence of theft, assault, rape and other violent crimes on campus during the last 3-5 years. Get the facts - don’t let naive or biased impressions deter what might otherwise be a great academic and social match for your daughter.</p>
<p>I’m a freshman male at trinity and in the time that I have been here I have not felt at all threatened by the surrounding area and its inhabitants. The campus security team does a fantastic job patrolling and stationing themselves (24/7) throughout trinity’s campus. There is also a campus shuttle that runs 24/7 and can carry students anywhere on campus they wish. At night it is advised to stay on the lighted paths and to not venture out by yourself, walking to the library is one thing but to walk across campus is another. Looking past the surrounding area, only 10 minutes away is wealthy West Hartford, which has numerous fantastic restaurants and shops. Academically and athletically, Trinity is a prestigious and demanding school. I have found all of my classes to be extremely interesting and engaging with top-notch professors who make an effort to know each and every person in their class. For the class of 2015, I know that admissions was very tough and competitive as Trinity experienced a 48 percent increase in applications from the year before and the acceptance rate dropped to 26 percent. Trinity students show a lot of pride in their school and so do I, therefore I believe that your daughter should apply and consider the school as a great choice.</p>
<p>In response to your questions, I have a D who is a junior at Trinity. She has not had any issues with safety. The neighborhood has actually improvesd somewhat over the past several years. As noted, West Hartford which is quite nice is only a 10 minute car drive away and there is now an hourly shuttle to WH and to West Farms mall on Saturday.
As to the frat question, there are alternatives to frat parties, such as campus wide events like 80’s Night, movies at Cinestudio,and Friday night alcohol free Fred events.</p>
I think if the fraternities didn’t exist the parties would just take place elsewhere (and they do as I believe there are other houses on campus not part of the Greek system). I graduated college in 1985 and that wasn’t so long ago that I can’t remember what it was like. I’ve spoken to her about navigating her way through that aspect of college life and I feel pretty good that she will act responsibly. She was a very good student in HS and to my knowledge did not go out and party as she was far too busy for that and it didn’t seem to interest her. However, she is out of my control now and she will have to make her own decisions.</p>