Student Profile
Kristen
- Class: Senior
- Major: Marketing
- Gender: F
- High School: William P. Clements High School
- Transfer Student: N
Big Picture
My experience at TCU has been exceptional, and while I know I am prepared to enter the "real world" in a year, I do not want to leave TCU. It is a truly wonderful university and has made so many opportunities available for me. The campus size is perfect - a little over 7,000 students - so people know you and you have an opportunity to get involved and make a name for yourself. I honestly don't think I would change a single thing about TCU (well, parking is always an issue at any school, but TCU is already working to improve it). Fort Worth gives you the college town feel - it's small, intimate, and there is a big support from the locals - but it also has the draw of downtown. Sundance Square, which is downtown, has restaurants, shops, clubs, theaters, and just about anything else you can imagine. TCU is extremely connected to its community and this relationship is evident throughout campus and town. There is a ton of school pride on campus - how many other schools have the mighty Horned Frog as their mascot? Football game days are the highlight of everyone's fall semester as the entire campus (and town) shows up in their purple. It is a very unique school and we take pride in that fact.
Academic Life
Every single professor I have had at TCU has known my name. They go out of their way to get to know their students - they have a required open-door office hour policy every week and some make themselves even more available. Professors get on Facebook and some even create their own websites or AIM screennames so they can better help their students. I cannot say enough about the professors at TCU. There is even a story about Speaker Jim Wright (Former Speaker of the House and TCU professor) and while I do not know if it's true, it speaks volumes about what TCU professors will do for students. Apparently a student came in to speak with Speaker Wright and during that time he received a phone call - he had his secretary take a message and continued to help the student. When the student left, he asked his secretary to get the President of the United States back on the phone - that's who had called when the student was there and he had put him on hold! Competition is very evident on campus, especially in honors classes and programs. Students are driven to succeed, learn, and make their future's brighter. Courses are academically and socially stimulating as well. Professors and all members of the campus community encourage students to get involved and become active and ethical leaders in our world. The Chancellor personally invites students from various organizations to his house for dinner and conversations as way of saying "Thank You" for their work. I can't think of another school where the Chancellor actually cares enough to know my first name - it's amazing!
Student Body
I am actually a Student Body Officer on campus and I could not be more proud of this honor. I have served in this position for two years and have enjoyed every moment of it. Our student body is very unique and we pride ourselves in that. upon entering the main dining hall, you might see athletes, fraternity men, band students, members from the religious organizations on campus, sorority women, and students who opt out of organizations to focus on academics. No matter what you do, who you are, and what you believe in, TCU is the place for you. A great majority of students are from Texas (probably over 60%) but I have friends from other states and even other countries. Financial backgrounds vary as well - some students have private jets and other students, like myself, are quite content driving a Hyundai. There is a very strong support for all sides of the political spectrum - we have had several politicians and guest lecturers on campus and have seen a surprising support at all events. Students at TCU are driven - they look forward to the future and take pride in their Horned Frog roots.
The Best Things
TCU offers the opportunities, academia, and experiences of a big school and the charm, friendliness, and memories of a small school - it is the best of both worlds and truly a world-class university experience!
The Worst Things
parking
