Southwestern University
Reviews

Out of Staters Beware

While the number of out of state students does seem to be rising, the school isn't working to accommodate them at all. There are many issues that will arise living at Southwestern if Texas isn't your home. Getting to the airport is probably the biggest issue, especially if the best option flight to get home leaves at 8am. There's also the issue of culture shock. While it should be expected on a certain level, it can really put a divide between the in-state and the out-of-state. If you're brave enough to move to Texas, then it means you probably want to experience new things. The Texans here absolutely do NOT. Most of them can't even imagine being two hours away from home, and they won't understand why you are even here. They won't want to learn anything from you about what it's like to live outside of Texas, and in the end, will not appreciate the little diversity you are bringing to the school.

Parking Better Than in Past Years

They made the parking spots color coded (green spots for students, white for faculty/staff, and spotted for visitors). This made is much more obvious where people can park, but because of that more citations have been handed out. The school recently established some more lots, so the parking situation isn't as awful in the past, and if you bring your car on campus you will be able to find a spot relatively close and relatively quickly. Permits jumped up in price from $50 to $100 this year with the building of the new lots, but that price is better than most schools. Fines are moderate, but I have never gotten one. Because of the nature of Georgetown, it is certainly nice to have a car on campus, but not required. Many freshmen end up sharing rides with roommates and friends, but it's nice to have a car to go to Austin, to get things on your own, or to go home.

Most People Just Bring Their Own Computer...

Almost everyone at Southwestern brings their own computer. Some people bring a printer too (I do because the professors assign a lot of readings), but it isn't necessary. The main computer lab is next to the library, and it is open 24 hours every day, but during finals week it may be difficult to find a computer, but otherwise it's often near empty. Each student has $30 dollars worth of printing allocated per semester, and if you print over $30 on Pirate Print you need to get a card that has a code to print on campus. I don't know how many people use the whole $30, but I've never reached my printing limit. I think it's a little weird they limit your printing to $30, especially since it's not even actual money from your account, just the value of the prints. Network speed is so-so, but Apogee has been relatively reliable. You have the option of paying for better internet, but I never have. If you want to connect other devices, there is a limit on that until you have to pay, and anyone who visits campus has to either use the campus public network or borrow your computer which is annoying when you have visitors.

Can't Say I've Ever Felt Unsafe on Campus...

I've often walked across campus in the middle of the night without feeling nervous at all. I have never heard anyone have anything major stolen from them, or broken into. If something like that is happening, SUPD would send out a campus-wide email immediately letting people know that something has happened. SUPD rides around at night and day in golf carts, and on weekends they usually patrol around that frats.

Scholarships Are Easy to Get

The financial aid process is very easy and Southwestern University gives away alot of scholarships and financial help to those who deserve it and are qualified for it.

No Way

if you dont get drunk and use drugs, you are out!

and you dont have so many alternatives

Commons Could Improve Greatly

I love the cafeteria workers; they put a smile on my face each time I go, but the food really could improve. At special dinners like Thanksgiving and other holidays the food is excellent, but the food on a daily basis is mediocre to poor.

Tough Profs That Stick With You Till You Get It

Professors here are tough. They make you learn more and deeper than you would at other schools. That being said, they'll also help you out until they're sure you understand it. And they're nice about it too!

Bad Transportation Infrastructure, but Not Necessary Anyways

I came from a city that had a very well-developed mass transportation system and it allowed pretty seamless integration of the nearby cities and made getting around very easy. Sadly, Georgetown and SU are not equipped with mass transportation of any kinds (not even cabbies or buses), but since SU pretty much has everything on campus, it is usually not necessary to have those kinds of things anyways. However, if you are an out-of-state or an an international student and you have no car, make sure to make friends with someone who does because you never know when you might have to go to Austin or Round Rock for something

Present but Not Overbearing

The drug scene is a real one at SU. Located only thirty minutes from Austin, TX, easily one of the most liberal cities in the country, there is plenty of access to many types of drugs. In general, however, the average SU student only smokes marijuana, and the ones who do more than that will only do Ecstasy, LSD, and Shrooms. No traditional hard drugs (cocaine, meth, heroin, etc) ever seem to surface because most SU students are looking for a mind-bending experience, not a life-bending one.

Cheap and Accessible

I am a sophomore and will be living off-campus next year and I found a house less than a block from the University that is very cheap. Because the University is so old, there are a number of homes within a two block area that are traditionally rented by university students and are very cheap and decent living arrangements.

Strong Diversity Besides Racial

Southwestern is full with students with all sorts of different backgrounds, just none of those backgrounds happen to be racial.

EPIC

Though Southwestern is small, there is always something to do for everyone. Georgetown may be small, but let me tell you, the night life here is unbelievable. Georgetown, Texas is where the party is at, especially over in Sun City.

I love it here and couldn’t...

I love it here and couldn’t imagine being this happy anyplace else. The course load is challenging, but your professors are willing to work with you. You know half the campus, so you are constantly greeting people as you walk to class. We actually have trees and grass, and the students here are nice and fun. Some complain that it is boring, but there is always something to do for those who are willing to go out and look for it.

I don’t think I’d be happier...

I don’t think I’d be happier anywhere else.

I really love Southwestern...

I really love Southwestern University. If you are looking for a challenging academic and intellectual environment, this is the place for you. Everyone discusses everything, and you really get a chance to learn about new things and have new experiences. I would suggest this school to anyone who doesn’t mind working and has a passion for learning.

I think SU has a lot to offer,...

I think SU has a lot to offer, especially if you, like most other students here, come from an upper-middle-class Christian family in a small town in Texas. For those who feel a step above the rest in their maturity, sophistication, and preparedness for college, the predictable and simple life at SU will soon become monotonous. This is my first semester, and I am transferring after winter break to a school much further away from home.

This is a school with awesome...

This is a school with awesome faculty and great resources. It’s too bad nobody knows that. Since no one seems to realize that Southwestern offers a lot of great things, mostly average students in Texas apply here as a backup to other more well-known schools. Then, when they can’t get in to those other schools, or can’t afford them, they come here a bit downtrodden and disappointed and wishing they were somewhere else. This contributes to a general sense of apathy on campus. It also contributes to a fairly homogenous campus of white, upper-middle-class Texans.

I’ve never wished to be anywhere...

I’ve never wished to be anywhere else. SU is a great school, and well worth the money and effort it takes to go here.

Here’s a hint: park your car...

Here’s a hint: park your car during the weekend, and leave it there during the week.

It’s way too hard to park on...

It’s way too hard to park on campus. Thank God it’s not UT, though.

Greek life is a huge part of life...

Greek life is a huge part of life for about a third of our students. There are lots of social opportunities through Greek life, even though there are not sorority houses. Some sorority members even room with members of other sororities. It is very active, but independents are also not ostracized. Greeks tend to be more active overall than the average student. On average, a Greek man or woman does more on-campus sports, social events, and organizations than the average campus student.

I’m not in a frat, but I like to...

I’m not in a frat, but I like to go to their parties. You don’t have to go Greek to hang out with Greek guys.

For the most part, the guys here...

For the most part, the guys here seem to be the type that weren’t so cool in high school, but once they got here (since there isn’t much competition) they suddenly became cool, and either don’t know what to do and get awkward, or they let it go to their head and think even the squirrels want their nuts.

There aren’t very many black...

There aren’t very many black people here, which is weird.