Southwestern University
Georgetown, TX, USA

Reviews

Southwestern University

Cheyney from San Antonio, TX

a current student here
13 people found this review useful
CategoriesComments
Am learning a lot
This school is extremely informative- classes are small, reading is crucial, student-professor relationships are personal. In such a class setting, it is difficult to let the information slide past you. Also, attendance policy is strict- you can be forcibly dropped from the course if you miss a certain amount of classes. You're there to learn, you do so, & mostly, you'll enjoy it.
Am enjoying being here
I have been characterized as an typical SU student by upperclassmen, professors, alumni & staff in that I am outgoing, eager to learn, well-spoken, and ambitious on a global level. I enjoy being around other students who share those characteristics with me very much. Facilities are wonderful, campus is beautiful, and help is always available.
Bang for the buck
The Business Office can be extremely difficult and scholarships are not always consistent or reasonable. Work Study can be very difficult to obtain. The school is worth the money, but prices are very steep. Connections with staff will get you far- they'll do the dirty lobbyist work for you so you can focus on your studies.
Tips for prospective students
Look for scholarships online, stick with a work study job if you get one, be prepared to read, & don't worry- this school is extremely balanced in terms of work/fun.
Great for these types of students
outgoing, personable, ambitious, expansive world view, right-brained, better with reading/essays, need close professor relationships, well-spoken

Amanda from Lago Vista, TX

a current student here
8 people found this review useful
CategoriesComments
Am learning a lot
Southwestern University is an academically challenging school. One of the great things about attending this University is its size. Your professors know you by name which makes it easier to schedule extra tutoring.
Bang for the buck
It is a pretty expensive school. However, the facilities are nice and the professors are excellent.
Tips for prospective students
If you plan on attending Southwestern, I would suggest you have an idea of what you want to accomplish. You don't have to pick your major until your junior year, but it's ideal to have a general direction on which you would like to travel. Join academic clubs, play sports, and participate in intramurals, for these things can help you decide where you want to go in your life and aide in making life-long friendships. Southwestern is a very small school but the experiences you have here will be better than most any other college. As a small school, students are able to have strong one-on-one relationships with professors, easy access to career services, and many friends who will stick by you through thick and thin. If I had to pick one valuable life lesson that I have learned while attending my first year at this University, it would be that who you know out reaches what you know. Don't hesitate to talk to career services or to alumni; they know most about how to succeed in what they do. And most of all, students at Southwestern party hard, play hard, and study hard. We know that stress is not the only key to success.
Great for these types of students
Anyone can find a place at Southwestern. We have brilliant theater and art students, all of whom are dedicated and fun to be around. For the more athletic students, we have excellent sports teams. I am a member of the inaugural softball team and we won our side of the conference and made it to the conference tournament. The volleyball team made it to regionals as well as the men's basketball team. The baseball team played well in our conference as well as our men's and women's soccer team and women's basketball team. Tennis plays hard and we are lucky enough to have the opportunity to add on a men's lacrosse program and hopefully women's lacrosse will soon follow. A lot of the athletes major in kinesiology or some sort of science. Our science program is very academically challenging. I am positive that any student who attends this school will find their place here.

Brittany

a current student here
6 people found this review useful
CategoriesComments
Am learning a lot
Southwestern has a vigorous academic workload. Be prepared to study and write more than all high school years combined. It's worth it, however, because at the end of the semester/year, you will be able to look back with a sense of accomplishment at how much you learned and how much you matured in writing skills, studying skills, etc.
Am enjoying being here
Southwestern employs a reasonable balance of work and play. The students have the same attitude of getting the job done and then celebrating when finished. The staff, especially the janitors, are wonderful and truly care about the students. The campus itself is scenic and peaceful, easy to navigate, and always bustling with activity, usually some form of extreme frisbee or students playing instruments.
Bang for the buck
It can be very expensive, but their scholarship program is very helpful. AP classes and class rank play into curriculum for scholarship money, as well as financial need and any additional scholarships such as music or athletics. On the downside, dorms are mandatory for freshmen, and with that comes an expensive meal plan.
Tips for prospective students
Try to earn as many outside scholarships as possible. Always be friendly to the staff, and try to get to know them as well. They can help when problems come up.
Listen to the tour of the library at the beginning of the year; that place is priceless during midterms and finals.
Great for these types of students
Well-rounded, ambitious students. Any student wiling to work. Any student who doesn't know exactly what their major is just yet, but wants to feel around and figure out what is best for them.

Montana from Georgetown, TX

a current student here
3 people found this review useful
CategoriesComments
In three sentences
The incredibly beautiful campus does a lot to help de-stress during the rigorous academic year. Though, rigorous as it is, I am constantly engaged in curiosity, learning and discovery. My intellect is always challenged, and I remain confident that I picked the perfect school for me.
Tips for prospective students
Time management skills are absolutely necessary. There is time for job, school and friends, but only if you can manage your studies in your off time and understand your learning well enough to know how many hours of continuous writing or studying you need to accomplish before a due date or testing date. Also, have a study place that you really enjoy, but can usually be gentle and without distraction. A place outside can be really good. Fresh air helps you to enjoy your studies, and nature can either be a beautiful background image or a way for your mind to rest when you get stuck.
Academic Rigor
My first semester of my freshman year, I had to write a 15-page paper. It's intensive, but the classes are quite small, and your professors always offer office hours and one-on-one attention during class time to ensure concepts are understood.
Dorm Life
Almost all the freshman dorms are quite nice for common dorms. As you move up in grade level they become significantly nicer, however also significantly more expensive.
Food and Dining
It's okay. There are at least always standard ways of making food you like with healthy options. There is a panini press and salad bar and common stations that you can often rely on.
What to do for fun
Go for nature walks around campus and the nearby woods and graveyard. Go to the local natural Blue Hole. Or, if you're feeling particularly adventurous, you can hop into a car for the 30 minute drive to Austin.
Bang for the buck
It is steep in prices, but I do believe it is worth it. I just wish there was more scholastic help for a middle class family with an okay GPA.
Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus
The church courtyard is beautiful, and most students build a relationship with the Story Tree, and old, large knotted tree right next to the soccer fields.
Great for these types of students
artsy, intellectual types.
Clubs and Activities
There are a lot, and they're active. But, often times you have to choose between clubs and holding down a job.
Greek Life
There are four fraternities and four sororities. The sororities do not have houses, but the four frat houses lie together on campus. They are the hub of social life, and there's a house for most types of people to fit in.
Campus Safety
SUPD is wonderful, and are very concerned with students safety, as well as very conscious of student social life.

De Andre from NY,NY

a current student here
3 people found this review useful
CategoriesComments
Am learning a lot
Southwestern University, although a school small in size and unheard of across the country, is a powerhouse in terms of challenging their students. Southwestern believes that a liberal arts education of its caliber should be something that is accessible to all students, but one must work hard to have. What I love most is the academic learning coupled with the other forms of learning one cannot receive in the classroom.
Am enjoying being here
I came all the way from New York City to Texas! Although I love New York, I knew some drastic decisions had to be made. When I arrived on Southwestern's campus, as corny as this may sound, I felt the love and genuine concern the everyone has for each other. Although I was offered better opportunities finanically and knew I would experience moments of doubt because of the distance from home, I knew coming to Southwestern was the right move. I now can say, it was the best decision I ever made!
Bang for the buck
As a worker in Southwestern University's Gift Programming Office and student interviewed about how scholarships have impacted my Southwestern experience, I discovered firsthand the effort Southwestern and its donors put forth to offer scholarship for their students. Here at SU, as it is affectionately known as, 92% of students receive aid.
Tips for prospective students
Make sure you have support and have fun!!! Feel free find me on Facebook for more tips.
Great for these types of students
Southwestern is great for students who want a personalize education which includes one-on-one time with professors, meetings and study sessions with students and academic advisors, and chances for discussion in the classroom. With less than 1400 students and the average class size of 12, those chances are abundant. The sincere care and concern that abides on this campus is incomparable!

Georgia from Georgetown, TX

a current student here
3 people found this review useful
CategoriesComments
Am learning a lot
Small class sizes and good professors. You will have your work cut out for you at all times - this is not an easy school! - but you will definitely learn. If you talk directly to your professors, you get that much more out of the class: information more pertinent to your interests, and more than likely a higher grade.
Am enjoying being here
Lifelong friends with similar interests, fun classes, and always something to do, whether you're into parties, Greek life, volunteer work/philanthropy, theater and art... There's something for everyone here.
Bang for the buck
This is a REALLY expensive school. I think it's well worth it, but you will be struggling with financial aid while here, and heads up: the business office is not at all friendly. Every other staff person, though, is cheerful and helpful, the campus is beautiful, and your degree will be hard-earned and well worth it.
Tips for prospective students
Be aware of your money. People come out of this school with a LOT of loans if they're not careful. Be on the lookout for scholarships at all times, and work study is a great idea (depending on where you get it). I would suggest relying as little as possible on financial aid - pay as much out of pocket as you can for books, supplies, food, etc., and leave the fin aid for tuition and housing. This will save you money in the long run.

Also, breaking any procrastination habits would be very helpful to your workload, and learn to cook - the cafeteria staff are awesome, but the food... not so much.
Great for these types of students
You need to be really interested in learning. We have our parties, but you will not get away with daily hangovers here. If you love to learn and can work hard, this school is perfect for you. Bonus if you like reading and writing - there will be a lot of both.

Lea from Georgetown, TX

a current student here
1 person found this review useful
CategoriesComments
In three sentences
Southwestern has a small town feel but it has everything you could need nearby. Austin is thirty minutes away for a more city feel, but there is what people call the square; its walking distance from campus and it's basically like a small city. The atmosphere and people are great; they are always willing to help!
Tips for prospective students
When moving in be sure to communicate with your roommate to figure out what you are going to bring and what you will need. Don't over pack because moving each year will become hectic. When applying for a job on campus make sure to go and talk with the bosses early because a lot of students want jobs on campus. If you have bike you should bring it with you because even though the campus has Pirate Bikes they are not always around, and it allows you to jet to class if you need to (I'm not a morning person).
Academic Rigor
The Course work is heavy there is no lie there, but you do not have to bite off more than you can chew. You have to take up to a minimum of 12 hours/3 four credit classes to be considered a full time student. Also the course work is manageable just don't procrastinate too much and you will be fine. I always like a challenge so it suits me I like keeping busy so I do course work and then do what I love to do as well.
Dorm Life
The living areas here are in great shape. When you room here the first year they match you with someone they feel you would be compatible with, then the years after that you will more than likely have friends that you will want to room with!
Food and Dining
Unlike most universities we do not have fast food places; the food is what ever you want to make it to be. You can have what you like from any line and its buffet style so eat and drink all you like ( just be careful not to do that too often). They even have an ice cream machine! There is another place with a restaurant type feel it's called the cove and you can order food from there and they have name brand drinks and ice cream.
What to do for fun
The cove has pool tables and there are cove concerts every Friday. The frats have parties basically every weekend, and Austin is 30 minutes away! Also there are performances in the theater musical and performing arts. The park is also right by campus!
Bang for the buck
You will definitely get what you pay for. Good education, professors always willing to talk things over who are very understanding and accommodating.
Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus
We have an observatory so when there are clear nights they have viewings.
Great for these types of students
People that like one on one time with the professor for questions or explanations and examples or even tutoring. Also people who like small classes and getting to know everyone on campus instead of being just a number. If you don't show up to class your professors will worry.
Clubs and Activities
There is a club for everyone! I am in 6! What ever you like there is a club for it!
Greek Life
I'm not much into this part of college but the frats are nice, and have good parties. The sororities are nice as well and they are very structured.
Campus Safety
There is SUPD always making rounds day and night.