Click here to go to the NEW College Discussion Forum

Could anybody please tell me something about academic life at Southwestern University?

Thank you.

By Fireflyscout (Fireflyscout) on Sunday, March 07, 2004 - 09:52 pm: Edit

D and I are visiting SU tomorrow - will report back and let you know.

I'm a graduate of SU (too many years ago), and enjoyed taking a variety of classes outside my major (accounting). The academics were strong, and you had to work for an "A". It was easy to get to know your professors, and they took a personal interest in the students. Since I left, the number and quality of faculty has increased, more buildings have been built, the endowment has increased, and scholarships are generous.

By Anhtrung_Dang (Anhtrung_Dang) on Monday, March 08, 2004 - 02:00 am: Edit

Hi Fireflyscout,

Thank you for replying to my message.

It's great to know that you were a graduate of SU. Actually I've already got accepted yet still considering.

Be able to take a variety of outside-major classes is really a great opportunity. Beside that, is there any feature that makes SU academic life distinct from any other college?

Trung Dang

By Fireflyscout (Fireflyscout) on Monday, March 08, 2004 - 07:52 pm: Edit

I am really tired, but will try to give you some more information.

Absolutely perfect day at Southwestern - so beautiful that we saw several classes meeting outside on the lawns. It is a beautiful campus but I wish it were two weeks later so the wildflowers and bluebonnets would be in bloom. D and I arrived this morning, walked around (since we were rather early), and I had fun telling her what was new, what was gone, where the original buildings were that had been renovated. All of the buildings are constructed of limestone, and are quite striking. We ate in the commons - not great, but not bad, lots of options, beautiful room with lots of windows and outdoor seating. There is also a cafe/coffee bar where we noticed several professors meeting with students (which impressed D) - I even saw one of my old professors. D especially enjoyed our student guide, who is a deadringer for Brendan Fraser.

Academically, get one of the catalogs. From what D read to me on the way back, it seems like SU has some mighty new and fancy names for core requirements. I'll need to sit down and review it later. You will have MANY opportunities to take classes outside your major. The students are very serious about their academics and the honor code. The classes are mostly small, and the attention from the professors is quite personal. Study abroad is popular, and financial aid will roll over to this.

SU has great merit-based financial aid packages - check the website for more details. I think this will probably attract more students from other states. I think part of the reason SU is mostly Texas students is location - it is almost in the center of Texas, which puts it pretty far from any other state. However, SU is NOT a suitcase school - most of the students do stay on campus on weekends. It looked like there were quite a lot of activities going on - I was interested in "Massage Day" on Wednesday. Austin is only 20-30 minutes away, so it is easy to get to other entertainment. It was nice to see, though, that the town swimming hole is still there and apparently popular.

D was very impressed with SU and could not find anything against it other than she would like to go out of state. But she would be VERY happy at SU if that's where fate leads her.

By Anhtrung_Dang (Anhtrung_Dang) on Monday, March 08, 2004 - 09:56 pm: Edit

Wow, thank you for these many information.

Hopefully, your D will choose SU.

By Anhtrung_Dang (Anhtrung_Dang) on Wednesday, March 31, 2004 - 11:41 pm: Edit

Southwestern University, College of Wooster, Lawrence University - These 3 colleges are about the same, and they gave me the same financial package!

I don't know which one to choose now. Anybody has a suggestion?

By Britt85 (Britt85) on Saturday, April 03, 2004 - 08:13 pm: Edit

southwestern university... would that be the one in georgetown texas?

By Anhtrung_Dang (Anhtrung_Dang) on Sunday, April 04, 2004 - 04:17 pm: Edit

Yeah.

By Britt85 (Britt85) on Monday, April 05, 2004 - 12:17 am: Edit

well i live about 10 minutes from southwestern... i can tell you that its a gorgeous college, nice dorms etc., if your looking for a party school its not the place for you. if you like a variety of places to eat there are wuite a few around but if your looking for a place with a close mall and places to shop your out of luck. for night life and malls you are going to have to drive 30-45 min into austin. the area around southwestern is a good community fairly large sizze (town around 30,000). i recommend southwestern if you want to go somewhere relaxing and educational (but pretty high cost from what ive been told)

hope that helps (doubt it but maybe) if you have anymore questions just ask and maybe i can help.

brittani