University of the Incarnate Word

Date: Dec 06 2008
Major: Political Science (This Major's Salary over time)
The only outstanding thing about Incarnate Word is its faculty.

They are extremely accessible and I have never met anyone who was arrogant or not helpful. Even professors I don't have for class are awesome to talk to. They are respectable, hard-working people. One of our professors is a former US Ambassador.

If you come here and are involved with your professors, those are pretty much the only worthy people with whom you will networkany maybe some international students. UIW is replete with students who just care about getting “the paper, are here only because of Daddy, or dont care about their education at all. You may care. You may just want to learn and grow as a person. Don't expect many like-minded individuals, but if you find some, hold on to them. Students who are here for the right reasons are rare.

The horrible administration undermines just about everything about the school that you may think has potential. Yes, our pharmacy school has a high retention rate and we have a good nursing program, but what about our liberal arts programs? Incarnate Word is opening an Arizona campus (we have one in China and one in Mexico) and getting an optometry school, yet we only have two professors solely dedicated to political science courses.

A year at Incarnate Word is roughly $30,000 if you live on campus.

It's not too much to ask to have washing machines for the first month-and-a-half in the new (most expensive) dorms, is it?

Apparently it is. We had a washer and a dryer per floor after that month-and-a-half until we got back from Thanksgiving Break and FINALLY got the ones we were supposed to have originally. and got our original ones. Clean couches at the poor excuse for a student center would be nice. No mold embedded in the walls of a residence hall is expected. More than one professor for the International Studies major would be awesome.

But we do not have that. Our president prefers that the university give out scholarships to many undeserving athletes instead of putting some of that money toward remodeling some old buildings. Many international students get free rides. Why? Well, theyre international, thats why. The school has the wrong idea when it comes to diversifying the campus. We could have many out-of-state people, or better students, as in previous years, instead our president just wants the school to grow in enrollment. He claims to want to keep the demographics like those of South Texas. (Mexican-American and low-income) You will also find it strange that such a small campus educates 6700 students.

Also, expect them to screw you over in any way possible when it comes to money.

Your meal plan money does not transfer over to the next semester. Dont get a meal plan, add in cash to your student card. That DOES transfer. Also, you have to fill out paperwork if your loan spills over. Otherwise, they will put some in your bookstore card and keep the rest. Staying in the dorm during Christmas Break costs you $100 per week. Forget to check out and theyll charge you the full $400, or if they see you around a bit after the deadline.

There are several places to eat on campus. Thats good. Another good thing is the tutoring program.

No one outside of San Antonio seems to know the university. I am from Texas, so I assumed that people wouldve at least HEARD of Incarnate Word when I told them I was going there. Wrong.

UIW is NOT for you if you are:

not a nursing major

a liberal arts major

someone who wants to meet motivated, bright individuals

someone who wants the appropriate service for the money they spend

are classy, and selective when it comes to friends (youll have a hard time)

UIW IS for you if you:

got rejected everywhere else

got a score of 16-22 on your ACT

failed a bunch of classes in high school

didnt know the university would be so flawed but are stuck here

want to leave home

This place is not worth your money. You are much better off at Trinity or even St. Mary's, regardless of its bad location. Hell, youre better off at your state school at home, where they actually have enough professors to teach the classes the school offers. You will be miserable here unless you value being able to have close relationships with your professors. (Which you can do at a larger school, you just need to be more proactive) ’