Saint Edward's University

Date: Nov 23 2010
Major: Undecided (This Major's Salary over time)
St. Edward's University is one I came to not knowing much other than it being a decent liberal arts university, smaller than UT and in Austin. I am a freshman now, almost done with my first semester and so far the stereotypes I've heard about people and the university have generally been true. There are many liberal people here, (expect to see a lot of guys in their mid twenties with tattoos, flannel shirts and trendy sunglasses) the city IS incredible (music amazing), and teachers are helpful and always available. One thing that I can say I feel about St. Edward's is that it is somewhat isolated from the city if you do not have a car. It is not UT, it is located a yet still a few miles away on an entirely private campus. While this may SEEM like a good thing, it is still tough to get down to Austin without a car and catch the bus throughout the week if you desire to explore its stores and activities. Most of my time is spent on campus, ESPECIALLY because of the huge meal plan everyone is required to buy costing 1500 a semester. This doesn't make me want to eat off campus when I know I should be spending money that eventually will go to waste by the end of the semester. Be wary of this as well as what you are getting from the school at its tuition price. It is a good school, but I find in ways its been difficult to make friends here. Many seem to hold onto high school friends who go to UT and look to them to hold parties in west campus on weekends as a source of fun. Being from out of state and without a car, and considering campus is severely dead on weekends (I've walked up and down the length of campus several times before not seeing one person!), just makes it tough to have a lot going on socially.

In terms of my major, I knew I was getting a liberal arts education, however it has become more clear to me this is merely a more expensive version of the public university. At most public schools you are asked to take about 50 general eds anyways, this is also the case at UT. The only benefit, and the reason liberal arts school are better in my opinion, is their generally smaller class sizes. I highly enjoy small class sizes, but I don't enjoy the thought of paying twice as much as a nationally recognized, more inexpensive university for another two years after these gen. ed's are accomplished. Taking two years here and there seems to make the most sense for my preferences, hence planning to transfer. Just be wary that freshman studies classes have more than a hundred students in lecture.

Overall, I'd say St. Edward's is a good school with those who have connections to Austin already established. I found the school a bit lacking in its activities and social scene, which it seems in part is shaped by the sizable portion of students who commute regularly. I live in the dorms (Le Mans) and while I HIGHLY suggest doing this to make friends for problems involving the social scene above, I still find myself struggling to maintain friendships with people. In general, the sense of community is what I was most disappointed by regarding St. Ed's. Come here for the education and to meet a few nice people, parties when held are considerably better, but campus life otherwise is lacking life.