Trinity College
Responses from the Student Interview
From a student who identifies as Major: Economics
Minor: History
Student Self Identifies as: White Straight Female
Summary
I used to be a student-athlete, I’m in Greek life, and I have a job at the school.
Background
Gender Identity: Female
Race/Ethnicity: White
Sexual Orientation: Straight
High School Experience: All girls private Catholic School in Washington D.C., with about 120 students in graduating class. There was a culture of going to college, my class had a 100% attendance rate.
First-Generation College Student: No
Major: Economics
Minor: History
Extracurricular Activities: I used to be a student-athlete, I’m in Greek life, and I have a job at the school.
Did any of your extracurricular activities have a particularly big impact on your experience?
Both athletics and my fraternity have had a big impact on my social life.
What made you stop playing sports?
Mostly for social reasons. There were only two other girls in my year and I wasn’t very close with them. My main friends didn’t play [my sport] and it felt like too much commitment for something I wasn’t doing with my friends. I didn’t love the sport anymore.
Academic Experience
Can you describe your weekly coursework for your major?
This year in Microeconomics, we had a big packet of about 12 pages with six-part questions, as well as weekly quizzes. My economics classes are the most work. The major assignments are exams, we have a midterm and a final. We have some quizzes, but no real papers for Economics.
Is there anything that you feel your major’s department does especially well or especially poorly?
It’s a really strong department at Trinity, but because there are many Economics majors the 101-level course is difficult to weed people out. If a student receives less than a B- in the 101-level course, he or she needs to retake it. They make it challenging. I took Microeconomics twice because I wanted to go abroad. I have to take Macroeconomics my senior year which may put my graduation in jeopardy. They do make the department tougher than it needs to be for the sole purpose of having less Economics majors. [See The Trinity Tripod article, “Admissions reform as a remedy for Trinity’s troubles.”]
How would you describe the learning environment? Do you think it’s particularly competitive or collaborative?
It depends on the major. Economics is really competitive but I’ve taken classes in the English department, which I believe is more collaborative.
What has been your favorite class in your major or minor?
I honestly liked Economics 101. I had a great professor.
What has been your least favorite class in your major or minor?
Microeconomics. I’m not as strong in math as the theoretic material.
What made you choose your major? Are you happy with your choice?
My parents made me, so no [laughs].
Reasons to Attend
1) Best nights out ever.
2) It’s a really good education, you develop a great work ethic.
3) Alumni network.
4) Great sports and school spirit with hockey, football, and basketball.
Reasons Not to Attend
1) The city of Hartford is not a good area.
2) It’s very small. [There are about 2,100 undergraduates.]
3) Don’t attend if you don’t want to join Greek life.
Around Campus
Where have you lived on and around campus?
Freshman: I lived in Wheaton Hall. I was in a quad with 3 other girls, we had our own room and a common room.
Sophomore: I lived in Goodwin in a double.
Junior: I lived in Jarvis in a 9-person suite in the fall and went abroad in the spring.
Senior year: I will live in our fraternity’s housing.
What was your favorite living situation?
My favorite was my suite in Jarvis, but next year may be the best.
Can you describe the level of safety you’ve experienced on and around campus?
We are in a bad area. I have heard of instances of mugging, but the general rule is to practice common sense. People are usually nice. We did have a security incident at our formal. Guys just walked in and started fighting people. It’s a rough area, but I have never felt unsafe unless I’m outside of the gate.
What is your favorite off-campus restaurant?
Barcelona Wine Bar in West Hartford.
What is your favorite place to get away from campus?
The West Hartford area.
Social Opportunities
What kind of weekend activities or nightlife do you like to participate in?
We don’t have a big bar scene. We only have one bar off-campus. I go to the fraternities because most of the social life is there and most of my friends are in two fraternities.
What nights of the week do you regularly go out? Are there certain places you go?
Thursday, Friday, Saturday. We go to different fraternity houses, depending on who is having a party that night. It’s usually the same three fraternities.
What have been some of your favorite times at Trinity?
Christmas Formal at my fraternity is the night I look forward to the most. It’s what convinced me to rush. Spring Formal, as well.
How happy are you with the nightlife at Trinity? Is there anything you would change if you could?
I love it. Honestly, if you’re not Greek, it’s not as fun. The size can get difficult, but I do love seeing everyone every night. Greek life members reap the benefits of nightlife because it’s usually all hosted by fraternities. It can be exclusive because everyone needs to know someone, I’ve been on both sides of not knowing someone and knowing people.
Campus Culture
How did you meet your closest friends?
Through my fraternity and Greek life.
How would you describe the overall social scene at Trinity?
Awesome, it’s the most fun school ever. Greek life has a huge impact, it drives the social life. There are other outlets, but the most popular ones are the Greek houses. [About 22% of students are involved in Greek life.]
How would you describe the overall student body?
It’s getting more diverse. There are very motivated students, it’s a work hard, play hard school. Based on appearance, I was impressed by how well put-together people are. [In the Class of 2023, 17% of students are first-generation students and 22.5% are American students of color.]
To what extent do you feel people of different races and sexual orientation mix socially?
They mix fine. Trinity has a reputation for not being the most diverse, but I think it’s ok. [About 65% of students are White.]
Do you think people are generally happy with their choice of Trinity? Do people leave loving it?
For the most part, yeah.
Careers
Has the alumni network helped you find internships or jobs?
Not yet. We do have a strong alumni presence that I’m proud of, but I will use it when I’m looking for a job next year.
How much have you used the career office?
None.
Have you learned any computer programs that will help you professionally?
I’ve used Excel in most of my Economics courses, but not extensively.