Trinity College (CT)

Trinity College is a selective institution, but enrollees explain that once in, it is easy to flourish academically. Students are fans of having "small class sizes" be the norm, as well as the "plentiful" internships/research opportunities. They also note that the college provides "many resources to help support you in careers" as well "many different kinds of learning opportunities and...many levels of support." More specifically, undergrads can participate in "community-based learning" courses that seamlessly integrate hometown Hartford "into the classroom experience, either through research, excursions, or community partnerships." In turn, this allows "students to directly apply the theory from class to real-world problems." For example, one undergrad explains that their experiential "tax clinic class license[d] students to do...the taxes of Hartford residents."

Classes are only taught by professors, so students spend their time learning directly from "true experts in their field." Many students suggest that their academic experience is fantastic due to professors who routinely prove themselves to be "kind, enthusiastic, and extremely knowledgeable." As this student shares, "They spend time getting to know me personally, helping me grow as a student, and deliver[ing] compelling lectures." Students also want it on the record that the faculty really "push us to think beyond what we know and work towards gaining a deep understanding of the course material." Perhaps best of all, given that Trinity is "a small liberal arts college, professors are solely here to teach undergraduates and do not have ulterior agendas (research, climbing the academic ladder, etc.)."

Trinity College's population is at a crossroads, with some feeling "divided profoundly by race and class," while others note that whereas they thought they might "face a lot of isolation...the community is great and everyone is extremely connected." Respondents give the impression that the school is moving away from its past as "predominantly white, from the East Coast, and...financially comfortable" and actively "trying to diversify its student body ideologically, racially, and ethnically." The result is that Trinity "does feel quite international." Students are far more apt to talk about the commonalities of this "tight-knit community" than the differences, however: "My peers are energetic, passionate about their education... and excited to engage in school activities." Indeed, "you can walk around campus and see numerous friendly faces that you have interacted with in classroom settings, at sporting events, or in extracurricular[s]." In turn, it's highly evident that "no one is stuck in one place or area of interests-everyone intersects and enjoys growing in all facets together."

Life at Trinity can be equally frenzied and fulfilling: "I have an internship, work on campus, dance, sing in an a cappella group, [and] am in a professional development organization, in addition to classes." Indeed, it's common for days to be "a mix of classes, homework, work, and athletics" and "at the end of the day, most people are able to wind down with friends or roommates or at least grab a meal or coffee with them." The pace stems from the bounty of extracurricular options, from a student investment fund to a mock trial team and more. "There is also an on-campus movie theater that my friends and I really enjoy going to." Fraternities and sororities are popular, as is the "rather large party scene on campus," though some undergrads note that "there is no pressure to involve yourself if you choose not to." Finally, when students need a respite from campus life, they can explore all Hartford has to offer. "There is a huge Caribbean, Latinx, and Turkish population so the food is great," as is the overall culture, especially for those who appreciate art and music.