While the first-years settle in and learn more about Trinity, transfer students are beginning their own first year at Trinity. Students transfer to Trinity every semester, looking for a community that will act as a second home for them. Students transfer for numerous reasons, including academics, school size and social life.

“I transferred from Grinnell College in Iowa. I was looking for a school with a good science program along with undergraduate research opportunities,” said Hannah Cook, a senior biology major, in an email interview.

Hannah also played for Trinity’s tennis team until spring of last year.

Annie Agee, a junior chemistry major, transferred from Virginia Tech after two years due to class size.

“I felt like I wasn’t able to take anything away from lectures and that professors didn’t always care about my progression as an individual in their class. I knew that I wanted to be somewhere smaller, preferably where the temperature doesn’t drop to below zero in the winter,” Agee said in an email interview.

Willa Rubin, a senior political science and environmental studies double major, transferred from the University of Washington at Seattle.

“My transfer was initiated by a series of different life events, but once I visited Trinity, I knew a small school closer to home was what I was looking for,” Rubin said in an email interview.

Cook said having a small campus community in the big city of San Antonio creates a perfect balance.

“Both schools I have attended are small liberal arts schools so they are very similar in that regard. Grinnell is in a very small city surrounded by cornfields while Trinity is in a big city with cool places to go like the River Walk and the Pearl. In San Antonio, there is always something to do if you want to go off campus. The weather in Texas is also a lot warmer than Iowa. Being a native Texan I wasn’t very used to the cold.” Cook said.

For Agee, a small campus size ended up being just what she was looking for, as college turned from stressful to enjoyable once she transferred to Trinity.

“I think that there are definitely people who are better suited for larger schools and some people who can learn and thrive better in a smaller, more student-oriented environment. For me, the small classes, faculty accessibility and tight-knit community have completely changed my opinion of college,” Agee said.

Rubin also loved the smaller student population Trinity had to offer, but doesn’t regret going to the University of Washington.

“Recognizing most faces I see and having professors remember me was a welcome surprise after my transfer. UW is a beautiful school with amazing opportunities, but I love the closeness Trinity offers. Overall, I am glad to have had unique opportunities and experiences at both universities,” Rubin said.

Although transferring to an entirely different school sounds like a challenge, students have found the process goes relatively smoothly.

“The transition has been great! Everyone was very welcoming and, at this point, most people don’t even remember that I had transferred,” Cook said.

“I can gladly say I am completely and happily immersed in the Trinity Community! That being said, coming into a school with incredibly tight-knit friendships is difficult. I’m glad to have found my groove with the help of warm friends, supportive professors and wholesome campus involvement,” Rubin said.