Trinity University

Responses from the Student Interview

From a student  who identifies as Major: Biology – On the pre-medical track
Minor: None
Student Self Identifies as: Indian Heterosexual Female

Summary

I’m in the Chess Club, South Asian Student Association, and I’m on the Student Programming Board.

Background

Gender Identity: Female
Race/Ethnicity: Indian
Sexual Orientation: Heterosexual

High School Experience: Public high school in New Orleans, LA with a graduating class of about 300 students. There wasn’t necessarily a culture of going to college
First-Generation College Student: Yes
Major: Biology – On the pre-medical track
Minor: None

Extracurricular Activities: I’m in the Chess Club, South Asian Student Association, and I’m on the Student Programming Board.
Did any of your extracurricular activities have a particularly big impact on your experience?
It’s allowed me to meet more people and make better friendships.

Academic Experience

Can you describe your weekly coursework for your major?
It’s rigorous coursework for sure. Everything is fast-paced curriculum-wise, and there’s a [curriculum] you have to follow if you’re taking Biology or are pre-med. There are about two labs a semester, and you have to keep up. The grades are mostly made up of exams and quizzes, but rarely homework.
Is there anything you feel that your major’s department does especially well or poorly?
Everyone here knows what they’re doing. There are lots of resources for students, not just in the Biology department. No one is struggling.
How would you describe the learning environment? Do you think it’s particularly competitive or collaborative?
It’s more collaborative. I don’t see the competition here. I can see why people say it is, but I think everyone works with each other and the professors work with you.
How accessible are your professors?
They are very accessible. They have timely office hours and answer emails really fast.
How was transitioning as a first-generation college student? Were there any resources in place that helped you adapt?
It’s been extremely hard because the high school I went to didn’t prepare me for college the way they should’ve. My first semester was rough. Because I didn’t have the prior knowledge, it was difficult to keep up with the students around me who might’ve come from charter or private schools. Trinity does have a lot of resources and the professors are willing to work with you one-on-one to make sure you’re up to pace. We have a whole center for math and reading and there are special tutors that are free.
Why did you choose your major? Are you happy with your choice?
Since I was little I knew I wanted to be in the medical field. As of now, it’s a lot of work and hard, but I’m happy with my choice.

Reasons to Attend

1) It’s a really good school education-wise. All the professors are great. Students aren’t competitive with each other, but keeping up with the work is a lot. It’s all worth it and there are lots of resources to help you out.
2) All the clubs are really nice. Trinity does a lot of small things that make you want to do more. They work with a lot of volunteer programs off-campus.

Reasons Not to Attend

If someone wants a more diverse school. Trinity isn’t that diverse.

Around Campus

Where have you lived on and around campus?
Freshman: Calvert Hall with one roommate
How was transitioning from your hometown to San Antonio, TX in terms of location?
It’s actually really nice. I like San Antonio and it wasn’t that hard. It was definitely different but in an open-minded way. It’s nice and pretty.
Can you describe the level of safety you’ve experienced on and around campus?
I’d give it a 5 out of 5. It’s pretty safe here and I haven’t felt in danger. Even if you did feel unsafe, there are a lot of resources you could call.

Social Opportunities

What kind of weekend activities or nightlife do you like to participate in?
Not really anything. If there’s anything a club is doing I’ll go join. Our clubs get together to organize things. One of the events held by my South Asian Student Association organization was a Diwali night which was really fun.
How happy are you with the weekend options at Trinity? Is there anything you would change about them if you could?
I’m kind of in the middle. I’m not super happy about them but I don’t hate them either. There is a lot of stuff that goes on either in the dining hall or the library. It’s the little things you have to look out for.

Campus Culture

How did you meet your closest friends?
My first friend was my roommate. Through her, I met a lot of people, but I also joined a program called FYE Bridge for first-generation students and I’m good friends with the people in the class because it was easy to connect with them. They were the first people I met on campus and now I feel like we’re all really close.
How would you describe the overall social scene at Trinity?
I feel like we do have fraternities and sororities and a lot of people rush to branch out and make friends, but I feel like a lot of people make their friends through clubs here. We do have a lot of nice places on campus where people can get together or sit outside. If you want to have a get-together, there are cute spots on campus where a large group of people could barbecue outside.
To what extent do people of different races and sexual orientations mix socially?
I feel like I see everyone mix with everyone. I don’t see any type of bias or certain cliques. There are so many different groups of people that connect. [The undergraduate population is 56% White, 4% Black, 6% Asian, and 18% Hispanic.
How would you describe the South Asian community on campus? How strong is it?
It’s not that big. The people I do know here are really nice and welcoming.
To what extent do people in Greek life and not in Greek life mix socially?
I’m not in Greek life, but I think that, for the most part, they do mix. The people in Greek life still live around the people who aren’t in it. We see each other and hang out together a lot.
How do you like the size of Trinity in terms of undergraduate enrollment? How has it impacted your experience? [There are about 2,500 students at Trinity.]
If someone is willing to make closer friends and see the same people every day, Trinity is a good school because it is really small. You kind of see the same faces every day.

Careers

Financial Aid

Have you used financial aid? If so, how easy is the office to work with?
I am receiving financial aid, and they are easy to reach out to either via email or call.