University of North Texas vs. Trinity University

College Search & Selection
1

<p>I know that this really doesn't seem like much of a contest, initially, but there is some financial aspects to take in. I got capped at UT, and I don't really think I want to go through with it, as I would probably end up graduating with as much debt as I would from Trinity. I've also been waitlisted at Kenyon and rejected at Rice (though I was expecting the Rice decision) so Trinity is basically my last shot. (I was also admitted to Baylor's Honors Program and Interdisciplinary core, but the financial aid they offered was a joke.)</p>

<p>The low down: UNT (Honors College): Basically full tuition scholarship. I would graduate completely debt free, though I would still have to find a summer job or do work study while at school.</p>

<p>Trinity University: Based on the loans for my first semester, I've been offered about 28k for four years. Assuming that I would be able to make about $3000 per summer (which is $500 less than what I made last year) I would be able to refuse the un-subsidized portion of my loan package (leaving the Walton Perkins loan and the subsidized Federal loan) and graduate with about 16k in debt (hopefully less, as I've also been declared eligible for work study, which I would definitely take if I were to attend Trinity.) Furthermore, I would be able to use my current savings to cover any tuition hikes (up to about 10% annually.)</p>

<p>Both of my siblings stayed at home and commuted to UTA, so my parents don't really understand why I would want to move away to a college which will require me to take on some debt. However, all three of us were homeschooled throughout our lives, and even now both of my siblings attend my parents' church. My brother, in fact, lives only two minutes away from my parents' house. Especially after experiencing some...conflict...with my Dad (complicated, really awful stuff that involves my Dad's religion) I'm feeling pretty stifled, and I'm starting to think that taking on some debt at Trinity would be worth if only to...get away. (UNT is about an hour away from my parents, and they expect me to hitch a ride with a friend who lives in Denton every week to come to their church. Just for illustration of the current situation.)</p>

<p>Also: I am somewhat interested in going to grad school, but I don't want to feel like I have to put my life off until then.</p>

<p>Too long; didn't read: my parents are a little controlling and I want to attend Trinity to a) receive a quality liberal-arts education and b) establish my independence. Grad school is a possibility. Is it worth 16k in debt? </p>

<p>Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I897 using CC</p>

2

<p>I would usually suggest to graduate debt free, but if you have problems with your parents I suggest you go to Trinity.</p>

3

<p>I think Trinity is worth the debt over UNT and would be a good experience for you.</p>

4

<p>Since you won’t be taking out unsubsidized loans, Trinity sounds very doable and would provide you with a very different experience. I think reasonable debt isn’t bad and Trinity is a very good school and would be worth it at the price you’re talking about. They have fantastic facilities (from the gym to the library) and bring in some incredible speakers.</p>

5

<p>A lot of folks here are extremely debt averse. $16k of debt for a 4 year residential experience at an excellent school is reasonable in my opinion. I graduated 25 years ago with $6k in debt…about the price of a new ecenomy car at the time. Never have I considered that to have been a bad investment. $16k is about the price of a new economy car today.</p>

<p>I visited Trinity with my S. Very impressed. Good luck in making your decision.</p>

6

<p>HippoParade,</p>

<p>As the mom of a 2011 grad of TU, I will say it is a wonderful school. Many grads go on to graduate school, too. Of my daughter’s three roommates, 2 went directly to grad school, and my daughter will begin a Ph.D. program in August. Many of her other friends there also went on to grad school.</p>

<p>I can’t say anything about your other school. Good Luck.</p>

7

<p>gloworm: did you ever have financial aid issues while your daughter was at Trinity? I’ve heard they have a habit of luring students in the first semester with good aid and then doling out significantly worse packages each successive year. Obviously that’s a huge concern.</p>

<p>Really, I should have applied to more schools. I didn’t know about UT’s mildly insane admissions process. : p</p>

<p>Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I897 using CC</p>

8

<p>If you look at the common data set, they don’t show a big drop in the percentage of need met of freshman compared to all undergraduates. It is slightly lower but not the big drops you see at some schools.</p>