<p>I am a freshman at Trinity, and I would like to point out that Hartford, like most other cities, is dangerous at night but very safe in the broad daylight. I take the public bus a lot, and even chatted with some locals on the bus. One of them even taught me some Spanish. I am a small-sized and sometimes clueless-looking girl, so am always paranoid about how I am an easy target for crime. However, I watch out for myself and Campus Safety watches out for all of us. I feel very safe on campus and even in the city while walking back from a concert nearby with a friend in the evening.
I’ve also heard from an administrator who has lived here his whole life say that the real danger in Hartford is not around this area and is quite concentrated in some areas a few miles away, which really increases the crime rates in Hartford but does not affect Trinity much. Of course, there is still some crime in this area, just like any other area in any other city, but our Campus Safety officers recognize that and are doing a lot to ensure that Trinity students are safe. Campus Safety and our Student Government Association provides many services including shuttles both on and off campus, and Campus Safety officers will even walk you back to your dorm at night if you wish.</p>
<p>Hartford isn’t as bad as the statistics make it seem, and Trinity really is a great school. If you worry, like my parents did at first, I suggest that you try taking the public bus and experience Hartford/get to know locals rather than rely on the picture painted by the crime rate, which my parents experienced. I really hope that the Hartford crime statistics won’t turn anyone away from at least considering Trinity, especially if it seems like a good fit.</p>
<p>Thank you for this info from a student’s perspective. Trinity seems to have flexibility with its majors which is why my D is interested in it for now. Does anyone know how much merit Trinity is known for giving high stats kids?</p>
I think many of the people posting on this thread that the surrounding neighborhood is horrific must be very sheltered. When my son and I visited last March our impression was it reminded us of Silverlake, CA, a gritty, urban, artsy city in the active phase of gentrification. We had some great meals out and didn’t feel endangered at all. The crime statistics are typical of urban America.
My son is applying to Trinity. Loved some aspects but my biggest concerns are regarding the party reputation (my son is not into the party scene at all) and the transfer out rate of about 10%. Many of his other schools have 5% or less transfer rate. I think they are trying to change these things but it may be a few more years until the ship turns.
As far as the safety goes, I went to college in the Bronx. When we were going to visit Trinity, I was warned that it was in a TERRIBLE neighborhood. Ha! The Trinity neighborhood is a walk in the park compared to the Bronx. It’s not far from the downtown area where students would have internships. There was a nicer neighborhood on the back side of the campus where we went to dinner. When I was in college my friend was at school in rural Ohio and there was a student was murdered on his campus - bad things can happen anywhere. The important thing is to be aware of surroundings and not walk around alone late at night - don’t do anything stupid. For me and my son, I’m not worried about this issue.