Trinity College (CT) College Social & Academic life - PLEASE HELP

Hello! I was recently accepted to Trinity College in Hartford, CT. I have read many concerning reviews speaking to the school’s exclusive east coast community and the party/drinking/drug culture. Being from the Midwest, I am concerned I will not fit in. I am somewhat preppy but not from the East Coast.

Academically, I am focused on studying and working hard. I would also like to join a sorority.

Trin offers so many opportunities for me in Poly-Sci but I don’t want to set myself up for a bad college experience where I don’t have friends.

Any insight is appreciated.

I know students who have graduated from this school. Based on your post, you understand.

What are your other options ?

@Publisher - Trinity is the best school I have been accepted to I think. Other top options include Providence, TCU, and Penn State. What are your thoughts? What did your friends who graduated say about the school?

Most of the students whom I have helped are Hispanic / Latino & from elite prep boarding schools. A couple were matches for a full ride scholarship program. Their reviews were quite negative about the social scene, the kids & the surrounding area.

The engineering students needed 5 years to complete their degree requirements.

Is there a significant cost difference among your schools ?

P.S. I know dozens who have attended & graduated from Penn State. All loved it, but there is a lot of drinking. Penn State fraternity / sorority experience is quite different from students who do not join Greek organizations. Truthfully, I have never met a Penn State graduate who didn’t love their college experience.

as a student highly considering attending, I would like you to elaborate if possible. what did they say? @Publisher

I am having trouble justifying attending a state school as oppose to a highly selective liberal arts school. @Publisher

I prefer not to elaborate beyond either you fit in or you don’t.

P.S. For more detailed reviews there are other college websites which encourage frank discussion of experiences & impressions.

It seems that you are intent on attending Trinity College. You have read the reviews so you know what to expect.

If you like it, then great, if not you should have other options (for example, lots of students transfer into Penn State for their last two years of college).

@Publisher While I wish you could further elaborate, I appreciate your comments. Please contact me with a personal message if you have anything else to share. I am fairly desperate for info.

I’m inclined to suggest Trinity for you, particularly since your indicated interests align so well with Trinity’s academic strengths (notably, the overlapping fields of history, economics and political science). Also, Long Walk is cool.

In terms of overall campus atmosphere, it’s probably the case that Trinity – which is selective, but maybe not “highly selective” – is not as generally intellectual as some other NESCACs. However, this represents a relative assessment to which all schools might be subject. In any case, I’d think your academic efforts would be well supported at Trinity.

Best of luck with your decision!

Providence College is a real nice combination school. Based on your commentary, I would give it strong consideration.

Penn State as well. But it is a totally different size school and location.

The following is all going to be a generalization. But directionally accruate

PC is a bit on the preppy side but not over the top. Not an elitist vibe at all and definitely more like a New England version of Marquette than Trinity. Squash is not the number one pastime.

Big East basketball and Hockey East. National champs a few years ago.

Excellent academics and nice campus. Very livable city with great schools locally. brown and risd.

More of a keg party atmosphere than smoking weed over a shaker of martinis vibe, if that makes any sense to you.

Smaller size and serious students for the most part. Probably not the same average profile of the average trinity student but certainly very smart and more than capable. Very proud of their school and at least a super strong alumi support in the region.

thanks for all of your comments. any info is appreciated. I am really struggling to make a decision.

Definitely check Trinity out. Trinity college’s president is an african american female neuroscientist, and head of admissions who is latino. There are students who reflect diversity geographically, racially, and socio economically from my understanding increasingly in the last few years. Trinity’s sports are excellent and contribute to a high school spirit for NESCAC D3. They just won Football for the umpteenth time, and Hockey and (mens squash narrowly lost to Harvard for D1) Is there partying? yes, sure, but there is at so many other colleges. The person I know who goes there is a serious student and it is not a problem. Close to NYC and internships and internships in state legislature. I think greek life is very small though. Pol Sci or econ would be a good fit.

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@waverlywizzard - I want to focus on academics for the most part. Would I be able to do so at Trin?

Yes.