Everyone in Texas seems obsessed with size. How many students are at UT? How big is the Aggie football stadium? And look, I get it. I almost went that route. But I ended up at Trinity University in San Antonio (about 2,500 students), and I feel like the small private school experience doesn't get enough love on here.
If you're on the fence, here's what sold me:
1. The class sizes are insane. My largest class freshman year had 28 people. My smallest had 6. My professors know my name, my career goals, and my dog's name (okay, maybe not the dog, but close). They write me recommendation letters that actually sound like they know me, not a form letter.
2. The money isn't what you think. Yeah, the sticker price is scary. Like, $50k+ scary. But private schools have huge endowments and throw money at students they want. I'm paying less than I would have at UT after merit aid. Don't let the price tag stop you from applying.
3. You get opportunities earlier. Research isn't just for grad students here. I'm a sophomore and I'm already helping a professor with a project that'll probably get published. Try doing that at a school with 50,000 students.
Other great small privates in Texas:
If you're on the fence, here's what sold me:
1. The class sizes are insane. My largest class freshman year had 28 people. My smallest had 6. My professors know my name, my career goals, and my dog's name (okay, maybe not the dog, but close). They write me recommendation letters that actually sound like they know me, not a form letter.
2. The money isn't what you think. Yeah, the sticker price is scary. Like, $50k+ scary. But private schools have huge endowments and throw money at students they want. I'm paying less than I would have at UT after merit aid. Don't let the price tag stop you from applying.
3. You get opportunities earlier. Research isn't just for grad students here. I'm a sophomore and I'm already helping a professor with a project that'll probably get published. Try doing that at a school with 50,000 students.
Other great small privates in Texas:
- Rice (Houston): Obviously the superstar. If you can get in, go. It's elite.
- Southwestern (Georgetown): Great liberal arts feel, beautiful campus.
- Austin College (Sherman): Strong pre-law and pre-med track.