It is a school with a genuine interest in the students' overall growth with a focus on liberal arts aiming to make every student his/her own teacher for life, and has a super well rounded basics structure. There is always a source of help for any question or problem easily accessible on campus with an actual person to individually assist you for your particular situation. It is a campus with a grand international community which encourages diversity, leadership, community service in every student with active professionals and Doctorates in every classroom to teach.
Do you have any tips for prospective students?
Incoming students should know not to by shy, to ask as many questions as they feel an impulse to, and to explore every club and activity available because there is always a group which will share your interests. Even if it isn't already an organized club because you can always make one with just three other people. The Catholic faith is present at the school but not overbearing or imposing on non-Catholic students, yet the school's values are based on a balance between faith and knowledge so it is a personal balance one is encouraged to achieve on one's personal faith values. New students should be prepared to be challenged to always place their greatest effort before every assignment, if one thing is certain it is that the professional level at which one is expected to perform not only in the classroom but transitioning into life, is ever expected. This doesn't mean creativity is stunted though; on the contrary it is encouraged to groom and grow into one's individual passions. An open mind is not optional because the sheer variety of different views will always be present and will often force one to think and consider.
Do you find there’s enough academic rigor at your school?
As mentioned, because every classroom has an active Doctorate professor who is obviously there because they have a natural interest in teaching and in their vocation of their field, these professionals expect the same desire to be attendant and fervent from their students. St. Thomas expects academics to be a priority in the student's lives so the work one must endeavor is not to be done carelessly or without drawing out something more out of the student with every passing week, but it is a university that promotes involvement in non-academic activities so as to keep with their goal for a well-rounded overall informed person. From the first day of classes to the last weeks of finals in every semester the students are vigorously at work but the library is not a scene of dead cemetery-like isolated desperateness instead it is a lively place of interchanging ideas, a collective community of ingenuity even with respected areas of silence/privacy if that is your preference.
Describe the dorm life at your college.
The best part about the dorm life is that you're practically never confined in your room and the atmosphere is comfortable enough to feel like a miniature community with their own committees and activity groups, with some event always on the weekly schedule if not daily and exclusively for members of the dorms. Housing/Dorm options vary in aesthetics and structure from building to building but there always is some community formation, comfort, and privacy. The school itself has many activities to join so even if the dorms happen to unusually end up in a dull week there's an event on the school campus which is a walking distance away from the dorms.
Describe the food and dining at your college.
I personally am acquainted with the cafeteria staff. The schools kitchen staff is very friendly and not having dinned there every day it truly says something, it means that the employees are given a respect and liberty which places them in a position greater than just cook or cashier or cleaning duty. Every dinning station in the cafeteria is matched to the staff member's personality in my mind because they bring that little bit of themselves into the food I believe. The neighboring foreign English language building has many customers come to our schools cafeteria, and if the students get tired of that, they're traditional Spanish, Greek, Indian, and Chinese restaurants a walk away even. Talk about variety. The best part is, the above mentioned restaurants have lunch specials and even university student discounts.
What’s there to do for fun at your college?
A variety of supermarkets, art galleries (as the university is located in the art district), different cultural restaurants, book stores, and buzzing downtown itself surrounds the school placing it in an ideal location for even someone without a vehicle. The Houston zoo is located not too far either, and public transportation in our dear city is quite reliable.
Do you feel you’re getting value for the money you’re spending on college?
The university goes out of its way to have the world visit the students in the forms of conventions, sessions, presentations over subjects covering important issues currently in discussion and evolution in the world. The topics covered by international leaders are the topics touched on and brought up to for the students to be engaged in.Innovations for the campus and new programs for student benefit are very frequent and students hold weight on these decisions. For example, the soon to be new arts devoted building which will not only be available for the use of the university but will be an asset to Houston as well. Year round the school facilities are available for the students to use just by simply reserving ahead of time; the school hires professionals to give an assortment of body fitness classes such as: yoga, at-your-desk yoga to take with you in any situation, dancing, weightlifting, cardio-focus, and so on without any additional fee to the student that are available year round and some even in the summer.
Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus
At St. Thomas there is a list of traditions for so many yearly occasions. A few examples, we do not celebrate Halloween we celebrate Neewollah, we have a spring formal, Catholic traditional events, secular events such as the Italian arts festival, Christmas events, charity events, organizational events like the International Festival, careers week, the job festival, the mental health week, dealing with stress week, eating healthy focus week, we have traditional furniture even! The library chairs are the most comfortable you will ever rest in and a popular napping spot, they have been there since the day the library opened and have been reupholstered but will never be sold! Another lovely little quirk I love about the school is that there's cookies, water, tea, and coffee scattered about the school at least once a week throughout the year for students to enjoy. Right when you've just come out of you last class and you're in the mood for something sweet, or just feeling down in the dumps, or u need that re-hydrating or caffeinated push, as if the magical refreshment fairies have just granted your wish, there it is! It is the fact that the school is based on tradition from its Catholic roots but extending to its non-Catholic population that gives it a fun anticipating atmosphere season round.
Which types of students will excel at your college?
I like a more involved and personal community-like atmosphere at a school, not being lost in a crowd or simply being a number on the roster for the professor, so St. Thomas is the school for me but even so I can testify that not running into everyone I know on a daily basis keeps things fresh. So I get to know my teacher on a personal level and I never know for certain who or what kind of cultural mixture I'll be surrounded by for each class. The varying department buildings are conveniently located in the center of the campus facing each other so even though you may be let's say a science major and most of your classes are in that one building you will make contact with everyone from the other buildings as well. You aren't really allowed to hole yourself up in one place or another unless you really want to, but who would when the campus has so much to offer. I love this environment and the fact that the campus is easily accessible in walking distance, I'd get lost with a bigger campus!
Are you involved in any clubs or activities?
It's not difficult at all to start a new club if you don't find what you want with the current sixty-seven already existing clubs/organizations. There seems to be a club for the elite of every interest and a club for every sport, there's clubs with particular credentials and those with none but the enthusiasm to participate, there's humanitarian groups, student organizations built for the pure ambition to further themselves in their fields of study and gain grown in the actual profession, a club for first-generation college students, even clubs for members of a certain ethnicity though they are not exclusively for that one pool of students. More than one of my acquaintances has decided to join these ethnic groups when they're of a completely different heritage and they feel very comfortable. Whatever tweaks your interest it's most likely already an student activity option but if it's not just grab two other people and make it one.
How would you describe campus safety? Do you feel safe on campus?
The campus parking garage is a well-lighted concrete fortress with a security watch always coming round, even on street parking. The helpful security office located adjacently to the first floor of the parking garage keeps contact information from car owners and a ready tool box to give a student a hand whether it's a flat tire or a start up to a dead battery. There are emergency help buttons placed strategically around the campus which is small enough to cross in minutes in order to aid a student. Drills and security systems are tested routinely, and there is an emergency text alert network that one may sign up for and receive in case of an urgent announcement. If one desires, a security guard may escort you to your vehicle. If any incidents or near incidents happen the campus is alerted immediately for precaution.
It is a school with a genuine interest in the students' overall growth with a focus on liberal arts aiming to make every student his/her own teacher for life, and has a super well rounded basics structure. There is always a source of help for any question or problem easily accessible on campus with an actual person to individually assist you for your particular situation. It is a campus with a grand international community which encourages diversity, leadership, community service in every student with active professionals and Doctorates in every classroom to teach.
Incoming students should know not to by shy, to ask as many questions as they feel an impulse to, and to explore every club and activity available because there is always a group which will share your interests. Even if it isn't already an organized club because you can always make one with just three other people. The Catholic faith is present at the school but not overbearing or imposing on non-Catholic students, yet the school's values are based on a balance between faith and knowledge so it is a personal balance one is encouraged to achieve on one's personal faith values. New students should be prepared to be challenged to always place their greatest effort before every assignment, if one thing is certain it is that the professional level at which one is expected to perform not only in the classroom but transitioning into life, is ever expected. This doesn't mean creativity is stunted though; on the contrary it is encouraged to groom and grow into one's individual passions. An open mind is not optional because the sheer variety of different views will always be present and will often force one to think and consider.
As mentioned, because every classroom has an active Doctorate professor who is obviously there because they have a natural interest in teaching and in their vocation of their field, these professionals expect the same desire to be attendant and fervent from their students. St. Thomas expects academics to be a priority in the student's lives so the work one must endeavor is not to be done carelessly or without drawing out something more out of the student with every passing week, but it is a university that promotes involvement in non-academic activities so as to keep with their goal for a well-rounded overall informed person. From the first day of classes to the last weeks of finals in every semester the students are vigorously at work but the library is not a scene of dead cemetery-like isolated desperateness instead it is a lively place of interchanging ideas, a collective community of ingenuity even with respected areas of silence/privacy if that is your preference.
The best part about the dorm life is that you're practically never confined in your room and the atmosphere is comfortable enough to feel like a miniature community with their own committees and activity groups, with some event always on the weekly schedule if not daily and exclusively for members of the dorms. Housing/Dorm options vary in aesthetics and structure from building to building but there always is some community formation, comfort, and privacy. The school itself has many activities to join so even if the dorms happen to unusually end up in a dull week there's an event on the school campus which is a walking distance away from the dorms.
I personally am acquainted with the cafeteria staff. The schools kitchen staff is very friendly and not having dinned there every day it truly says something, it means that the employees are given a respect and liberty which places them in a position greater than just cook or cashier or cleaning duty. Every dinning station in the cafeteria is matched to the staff member's personality in my mind because they bring that little bit of themselves into the food I believe. The neighboring foreign English language building has many customers come to our schools cafeteria, and if the students get tired of that, they're traditional Spanish, Greek, Indian, and Chinese restaurants a walk away even. Talk about variety. The best part is, the above mentioned restaurants have lunch specials and even university student discounts.
A variety of supermarkets, art galleries (as the university is located in the art district), different cultural restaurants, book stores, and buzzing downtown itself surrounds the school placing it in an ideal location for even someone without a vehicle. The Houston zoo is located not too far either, and public transportation in our dear city is quite reliable.
The university goes out of its way to have the world visit the students in the forms of conventions, sessions, presentations over subjects covering important issues currently in discussion and evolution in the world. The topics covered by international leaders are the topics touched on and brought up to for the students to be engaged in.Innovations for the campus and new programs for student benefit are very frequent and students hold weight on these decisions. For example, the soon to be new arts devoted building which will not only be available for the use of the university but will be an asset to Houston as well. Year round the school facilities are available for the students to use just by simply reserving ahead of time; the school hires professionals to give an assortment of body fitness classes such as: yoga, at-your-desk yoga to take with you in any situation, dancing, weightlifting, cardio-focus, and so on without any additional fee to the student that are available year round and some even in the summer.
At St. Thomas there is a list of traditions for so many yearly occasions. A few examples, we do not celebrate Halloween we celebrate Neewollah, we have a spring formal, Catholic traditional events, secular events such as the Italian arts festival, Christmas events, charity events, organizational events like the International Festival, careers week, the job festival, the mental health week, dealing with stress week, eating healthy focus week, we have traditional furniture even! The library chairs are the most comfortable you will ever rest in and a popular napping spot, they have been there since the day the library opened and have been reupholstered but will never be sold! Another lovely little quirk I love about the school is that there's cookies, water, tea, and coffee scattered about the school at least once a week throughout the year for students to enjoy. Right when you've just come out of you last class and you're in the mood for something sweet, or just feeling down in the dumps, or u need that re-hydrating or caffeinated push, as if the magical refreshment fairies have just granted your wish, there it is! It is the fact that the school is based on tradition from its Catholic roots but extending to its non-Catholic population that gives it a fun anticipating atmosphere season round.
I like a more involved and personal community-like atmosphere at a school, not being lost in a crowd or simply being a number on the roster for the professor, so St. Thomas is the school for me but even so I can testify that not running into everyone I know on a daily basis keeps things fresh. So I get to know my teacher on a personal level and I never know for certain who or what kind of cultural mixture I'll be surrounded by for each class. The varying department buildings are conveniently located in the center of the campus facing each other so even though you may be let's say a science major and most of your classes are in that one building you will make contact with everyone from the other buildings as well. You aren't really allowed to hole yourself up in one place or another unless you really want to, but who would when the campus has so much to offer. I love this environment and the fact that the campus is easily accessible in walking distance, I'd get lost with a bigger campus!
It's not difficult at all to start a new club if you don't find what you want with the current sixty-seven already existing clubs/organizations. There seems to be a club for the elite of every interest and a club for every sport, there's clubs with particular credentials and those with none but the enthusiasm to participate, there's humanitarian groups, student organizations built for the pure ambition to further themselves in their fields of study and gain grown in the actual profession, a club for first-generation college students, even clubs for members of a certain ethnicity though they are not exclusively for that one pool of students. More than one of my acquaintances has decided to join these ethnic groups when they're of a completely different heritage and they feel very comfortable. Whatever tweaks your interest it's most likely already an student activity option but if it's not just grab two other people and make it one.
The campus parking garage is a well-lighted concrete fortress with a security watch always coming round, even on street parking. The helpful security office located adjacently to the first floor of the parking garage keeps contact information from car owners and a ready tool box to give a student a hand whether it's a flat tire or a start up to a dead battery. There are emergency help buttons placed strategically around the campus which is small enough to cross in minutes in order to aid a student. Drills and security systems are tested routinely, and there is an emergency text alert network that one may sign up for and receive in case of an urgent announcement. If one desires, a security guard may escort you to your vehicle. If any incidents or near incidents happen the campus is alerted immediately for precaution.