Texas Lutheran University (TLU)

In the state where everything is bigger, Texas Lutheran University offers an unusually small and intimate alternative for higher education. Here, the undergraduate experience is the school's unwavering focus, with core courses and major fields designed to provide "a well rounded education in a supportive and close-knit community." Throughout the school, "classes are small," and discussion is encouraged in the classroom. "Instead of being one big lecture, education here is a two-way conversation" between Texas Lutheran teachers and their students. As at any college, "Different professors have different teaching styles," but most "know their subject areas well and are very passionate about whatever they teach." Many students agree that "The best professors are the ones who have had career experience in the area that they are teaching," and therefore "make class very interesting by relating the discussions in class to real life." Across the board, TLU professors "truly care about your…success as a student," "will work with you one-on-one, and will provide you with as much time as you need." The administration functions seamlessly, and "Enrolling, registering for classes, financial aid, and everything else is very easy" at this small private school. Icing on the cake: Texas Lutheran offers "great scholarships" for qualified students, and the school makes it "extremely easy to work out an acceptable financial aid package."

A largely local school, Texas Lutheran attracts lots of undergraduates from the San Antonio and Houston areas, as well as many legacy students, whose "family members attended TLU" before them. The school is affiliated with the Lutheran church, and many students "attend chapel or other religious events, but a fair amount do not." "For such a small campus, we have an incredible amount of diversity" of background and personality. "There is an organization for just about every person's interests on this campus," from Greek life to marching band. While students tend to make friends with similar interests, "There are athletes, nerds, musicians, and artists...all coexisting with each other" on the TLU campus. Overall, students say, "It is easy to fit in." From day one, "TLU makes the freshman experience easy because they integrate the upperclassman into the orientation so you start off knowing a good majority of the students." Enthusiastic members of the college community, TLU students are "very involved with clubs and activities on campus."

School work is first priority for most TLU undergrads, and "the average week day definitely consists of going to classes or labs and completing homework or assignments." In addition to academics, "Organizations on campus are very inclusive, and getting involved is a big thing about college life" at TLU. You'll find plenty of special interest clubs, faith groups, and "intramural sports going on all throughout the year." In particular, "The school does a wonderful job at getting students involved with the community through organizations and service projects." When it comes to social gatherings, "Sororities and frats host a lot of events," and the university brings students together for "band concerts, karaoke, or cook-outs." On this spirited campus, "Football games and other sporting events are especially popular among the students"—as is tailgating before a game. Though hometown Seguin may not be the most exciting outpost in Texas, many say its "fun to go to the nearby bowling alley or movie theater," or to simply "get together with friends and think of creative things to do." On sunny days, undergrads might "study outside on the lawn" or get a group together to go "tubing down the Guadalupe river." To escape the Seguin routine, "People of legal drinking age occasionally go to San Antonio, New Braunfels, San Marcos, or Austin for the nightlife."