Southwestern University

1001 University Ave, Georgetown, TX 78626

http://www.southwestern.edu/

The Roy and Lillie Cullen building
The Roy and Lillie Cullen building
[source]

School Description

Provided by Southwestern University

As the first institution of higher learning in Texas, Southwestern University has a rich history grounded in the pioneering spirit of those who settled the beautiful Texas Hill Country. Our 1,300 students have a passion for intellectual and personal growth, enjoy small classes and stimulating interactions with our faculty of teacher-scholars who reflect our core values.

Southwestern is a private, highly selective liberal arts institution encompassing the Brown College of Arts and Sciences and the Sarofim School of Fine Arts. Classroom learning is augmented by an environment that encourages participation in faculty-student research, athletics, intramural and recreational sports, and over 90 student organizations. Living-Learning Communities and the Paideia Program offer exceptional opportunities to fully integrate one's experiences in and out of the classroom.

Southwestern's small size gives students the opportunity to get more out of their college experience. Our residential campus is abuzz 24/7. From concerts to renowned guest speakers to salsa lessons to a lively pick-up game of Frisbee on the green, you'll find plenty of things to do around here. And with most students living in our on-campus residence halls, living-learning communities and apartments, you're never far from home, class, food or friends.

We believe we should strive for no less than making Southwestern University an inspiration to other preeminent undergraduate colleges because its innovative programs are transforming liberal arts education.

Southwestern’s 700-acre, residential campus is everything you imagine when you dream about college. Grand buildings radiate from the heart of campus – our lush, open air academic mall – offering a spacious sports/ recreational center, pedestrian access to classrooms, the library, research laboratories, an observatory, a teaching greenhouse, and countless athletic fields. Tee off on our six-hole golf course or launch your career in two live-performance theaters.

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Southwestern University

From Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia
This is about the university in Georgetown, Texas, USA, for the university in the Philippines, see Southwestern University (Philippines).

Southwestern University is a private, four-year, undergraduate, liberal arts college located in Georgetown, Texas, USA. Founded in 1840, Southwestern is the oldest university in Texas.

History

Prior to its founding in Georgetown, charters had been granted by the Legislature (Texas Congress 1836-1845) to establish four earlier educational institutions: Rutersville College of Rutersville, Texas in 1840, Wesleyan College of Saint Augustine, Texas in 1844, McKenzie College of Clarksville, Texas in 1848, and Soule University of Chappell Hill, Texas in 1856. Southwestern's founding date was 1840, when Rutersville opened its doors, thus making it Texas' first university (which is further supported by Texas gubernatorial decree). Southwestern is also the 2nd oldest coeducational liberal arts college west of the Mississippi.

None of these four institutions lasted very long, but in 1873, the union of these four institutions opened in Georgetown as Texas University, after a group had been founded for its creation in 1870 as Methodism's central university in Texas during a meeting in Galveston by church donors. Wanting the name for a state school of nearly the same name, the University of Texas, in Austin, the state granted the new university a charter in 1875 under the name of Southwestern University continuing in the tradition of the original charter for Rutersville.

Southwestern was a charter member of the Southwest Conference in 1915 and for decades the main sports rival was Southern Methodist University, as remembrance over the near-removal of Southwestern to Dallas, leading to the founding of Methodism's second institution of higher learning in Texas. SMU, however, grew to the point of no longer being near Southwestern in size. In the 1970s and 1980s, Southwestern transformed itself into a small rigorous liberal arts institution, getting rid of its post-graduate degrees and completely rebuilding the campus with a massive capital campaign. The endowment also rose substantially, as did academic standards.

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Read the full entry on Wikipedia

Quick Facts

Chance of Admission:
Location:
Southwest
Setting:
Small Town Setting
Type:
Private
Affiliation:
United Methodist
Size:
Small (Under 2,000 Undergrad)
Mascot:
Pirates

Students & Campus Life

Undergraduate Enrollment:
1,265
On Campus Housing:
Available
Full Time Students:
100%
Athletic Programs:
Available
> More Students & Campus Life

Expenses

Average Tuition:
$ 21,900
Students Receiving Aid:
91%
> More Expenses & Financial Aid

Admissions

Application Fee:
$ 40
Selectivity:
Selective
> More Admissions

Degree Programs at Southwestern University

Bachelor's Level Programs

  • Agriculture and Natural Resources

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    • Natural Resources and Conservation See more schools with programs in Natural Resources and Conservation
      • Environmental Studies.
        A program that focuses on environment-related issues using scientific, social scientific, or humanistic approaches or a combination. Includes instruction in the basic principles of ecology and environmental science and related subjects such as policy, politics, law, economics, social aspects, planning, pollution control, natural resources, and the interactions of human beings and nature.
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  • Arts & Humanities

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    • English Language and Literature See more schools with programs in English Language and Literature
      • English Language and Literature
        A general program that focuses on the English language, including its history, structure and related communications skills; and the literature and culture of English-speaking peoples.
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    • Film and Theater See more schools with programs in Film and Theater
      • Drama and Dramatics/Theatre Arts
        A program that focuses on the general study of dramatic works and their performance. Includes instruction in major works of dramatic literature, dramatic styles and types, and the principles of organizing and producing full live or filmed productions.
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    • Foreign Languages See more schools with programs in Foreign Languages
      • Classics and Languages, Literatures and Linguistics
        This general program focuses on the literary culture of the ancient Graeco-Roman world and the Greek and Latin languages and literatures and their development prior to the fall of the Roman Empire.
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      • French Language and Literature
        A program that focuses on the French language and related dialects and creoles. Includes instruction in French philology, Metropolitan French, Canadian French, African and Caribbean Creoles, French regional dialects, and applications in business, science/technology, and other settings.
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      • German Language and Literature
        A program that focuses on the German language and related dialects as used in Austria, Germany, Switzerland, neighboring European countries containing German-speaking minorities, and elsewhere. Includes instruction in German philology; Old, Middle, and High German; Plattdeutsch and other regional dialects; and applications to business, science/technology, and other settings.
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      • Latin Language and Literature
        A program that focuses on the Latin language and literature from its origins through its decline and its current ecclesiastical usage, as a secular and/or theological subject. Includes instruction in Latin philology, related Italic dialects, Late Roman and Medieval Latin, and modern Church Latin.
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      • Spanish Language and Literature
        A program that focuses on the Spanish language and related dialects. Includes instruction in Spanish philology, Modern Castillan, various Latin American dialects, regional Spanish dialects, and applications in business, science/technology, and other settings.
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    • General Studies See more schools with programs in General Studies
      • Humanities/Humanistic Studies
        A program that focuses on combined studies and research in the humanities subjects as distinguished from the social and physical sciences, emphasizing languages, literatures, art, music, philosophy and religion.
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    • History See more schools with programs in History
      • History
        A program that focuses on the general study and interpretation of the past, including the gathering, recording, synthesizing and criticizing of evidence and theories about past events. Includes instruction in historiography; historical research methods; studies of specific periods, issues and cultures; and applications to areas such as historic preservation, public policy, and records administration.
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    • Music See more schools with programs in Music
      • Music History, Literature, and Theory
        A program that focuses on the study of the historical evolution of music as a social and intellectual phenomenon, the development of musical instruments and techniques, and the analysis and criticism of musical literature. Includes instruction in music history research methods, aesthetic analysis of musical compositions, history of musical writing and notation, the development of musical instruments, the development of music theory, and the study of specific periods, cultural traditions, styles, and themes.
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    • Philosophy See more schools with programs in Philosophy
      • General Philosophy
        A program that focuses on ideas and their logical structure, including arguments and investigations about abstract and real phenomena. Includes instruction in logic, ethics, aesthetics, epistemology, metaphysics, symbolism, and history of philosophy, and applications to the theoretical foundations and methods of other disciplines.
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    • Religion/Religious Studies See more schools with programs in Religion/Religious Studies
      • General Religion/Religious Studies
        A program that focuses on the nature of religious belief and specific religious and quasi-religious systems. Includes instruction in phenomenology; the sociology, psychology, philosophy, anthropology, literature and art of religion; mythology; scriptural and textual studies; religious history and politics; and specific studies of particular faith communities and their behavior.
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    • Visual Arts See more schools with programs in Visual Arts
      • Art/Art Studies
        Art and Art Studies is a general, introductory program that focuses on the study and appreciation of the visual arts. Students of these two or four year programs receive instruction in art, photography, and other visual communications media.
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  • Business

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    • International Business/Trade/Commerce
      A program that prepares individuals to manage international businesses and/or business operations. Includes instruction in the principles and processes of export sales, trade controls, foreign operations and related problems, monetary issues, international business policy, and applications to doing business in specific countries and markets.
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    • Accounting & Related Services See more schools with programs in Accounting & Related Services
      • Accounting
        An accounting program provides the tools to practice accounting and to perform related business functions. This program includes instruction in accounting principles and theory, financial accounting, managerial accounting, cost accounting, budget control, tax accounting, legal aspects of accounting, auditing, reporting procedures, statement analysis, planning and consulting, business information systems, accounting research methods, professional standards and ethics, and applications to specific for-profit, public, and non-profit organizations.
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    • Management See more schools with programs in Management
      • Business/Commerce
        This program provides a general study of business, including the processes of interchanging goods and services (buying, selling and producing), business organization, and accounting as used in profit-making and nonprofit public and private institutions and agencies. The programs may prepare individuals to apply business principles and techniques in various occupational settings.
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  • Communication & Media

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    • Communication Studies/Speech Communication and Rhetoric
      A program that focuses on the scientific, humanistic, and critical study of human communication in a variety of formats, media, and contexts. Includes instruction in the theory and practice of interpersonal, group, organizational, professional, and intercultural communication; speaking and listening; verbal and nonverbal interaction; rhetorical theory and criticism; performance studies; argumentation and persuasion; technologically mediated communication; popular culture; and various contextual applications.
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    • Mass Communication/ Media Studies
      A program that focuses on the analysis and criticism of media institutions and media texts, how people experience and understand media content, and the roles of media in producing and transforming culture. Includes instruction in communications regulation, law, and policy; media history; media aesthetics, interpretation, and criticism; the social and cultural effects of mass media; cultural studies; the economics of media industries; visual and media literacy; and the psychology and behavioral aspects of media messages, interpretation, and utilization.
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  • Education

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    • General Education See more schools with programs in General Education
      • General Education
        A program that focuses on the general theory and practice of learning and teaching; the basic principles of educational psychology; the art of teaching; the planning and administration of educational activities; school safety and health issues; and the social foundations of education.
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    • Teacher Training See more schools with programs in Teacher Training
      • Elementary Education and Teaching
        A program that prepares individuals to teach students in the elementary grades, which may include kindergarten through grade eight, depending on the school system or state regulations. Includes preparation to teach all elementary education subject matter.
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      • Physical Education Teaching and Coaching
        A program that prepares individuals to teach physical education programs and/or to coach sports at various educational levels.
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      • Science Teacher Education/General Science Teacher Education
        A program that prepares individuals to teach general science programs, or a combination of the biological and physical science subject matter areas, at various educational levels.
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  • Life Science

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    • Biology See more schools with programs in Biology
      • Animal Behavior and Ethology
        Animal Behavior and Ethology studies animal sensation, perception, cognition, behavior, and behavioral interactions within and outside a species. A major program in this discipline studies ethology, behavioral neuroscience, neurobiology, behavioral evolution, cognition and sensory perception, motivators, learning and instinct, hormonal controls, reproductive and developmental biology, community ecology, functional behavior, and applications to specific behaviors and patterns as well as to specific phyla and species.
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      • Biochemistry
        Study the chemistry of living systems in these four, six, or eight year programs. Students of biochemistry learn the intricacies of the chemistry of living systems and their chemical pathways and information transfer systems. This program includes instruction in bio-organic chemistry, protein chemistry, bioanalytical chemistry, bioseparations, regulatory biochemistry, enzymology, hormonal chemistry, calorimetry, and research methods and equipment operation.
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      • Biology/Biological Sciences
        Students in this program study general biology at an introductory level. This major provides students with a broad overview of biology and includes instruction in general biology and programs covering a variety of biological specializations.
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  • Mathematics and Statistics

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    • General Mathematics
      A general program that focuses on the analysis of quantities, magnitudes, forms, and their relationships, using symbolic logic and language. Includes instruction in algebra, calculus, functional analysis, geometry, number theory, logic, topology and other mathematical specializations.
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  • Natural Sciences

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    • Chemistry See more schools with programs in Chemistry
      • General Chemistry
        A general program that focuses on the scientific study of the composition and behavior of matter, including its micro- and macro-structure, the processes of chemical change, and the theoretical description and laboratory simulation of these phenomena.
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    • Physics See more schools with programs in Physics
      • General Physical Sciences
        A program that focuses on the major topics, concepts, processes, and interrelationships of physical phenomena as studied in any combination of physical science disciplines.
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      • General Physics
        A general program that focuses on the scientific study of matter and energy, and the formulation and testing of the laws governing the behavior of the matter-energy continuum. Includes instruction in classical and modern physics, electricity and magnetism, thermodynamics, mechanics, wave properties, nuclear processes, relativity and quantum theory, quantitative methods, and laboratory methods.
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  • Social Sciences

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    • Anthropology See more schools with programs in Anthropology
      • General Anthropology
        A program that focuses on the systematic study of human beings, their antecedents and related primates, and their cultural behavior and institutions, in comparative perspective. Includes instruction in biological/physical anthropology, primatology, human paleontology and prehistoric archeology, hominid evolution, anthropological linguistics, ethnography, ethnology, ethnohistory, socio-cultural anthropology, psychological anthropology, research methods, and applications to areas such as medicine, forensic pathology, museum studies, and international affairs.
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    • Area, Ethnic, Cultural, and Gender Studies See more schools with programs in Area, Ethnic, Cultural, and Gender Studies
      • American/United States Studies/Civilization
        This program studies the history, society, politics, culture, and economics of the United States and its Pre-Columbian and colonial predecessors, including the flow of immigrants from other societies.
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      • Latin American Studies
        A program that focuses on the history, society, politics, culture, and economics of one or more of the Hispanic peoples of the North and South American Continents outside Canada and the United States, including the study of the Pre-Columbian period and the flow of immigrants from other societies.
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      • Women’s Studies
        A program that focuses on the history, sociology, politics, culture, and economics of women, and the development of modern feminism in relation to the roles played by women in different periods and locations in North America and the world. Programs may focus on literature, philosophy, and the arts as much as on social studies and policy.
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    • Economics See more schools with programs in Economics
      • General Economics
        A general program that focuses on the systematic study of the production, conservation and allocation of resources in conditions of scarcity, together with the organizational frameworks related to these processes. Includes instruction in economic theory, micro- and macroeconomics, comparative economic systems, money and banking systems, international economics, quantitative analytical methods, and applications to specific industries and public policy issues.
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    • International Relations and Affairs See more schools with programs in International Relations and Affairs
      • General Political Science and Government
        A general program that focuses on the systematic study of political institutions and behavior. Includes instruction in political philosophy, political theory, comparative government and politics, political parties and interest groups, public opinion, political research methods, studies of the government and politics of specific countries, and studies 0f specific political institutions and processes.
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      • International Relations and Affairs
        A program that focuses on the systematic study of international politics and institutions, and the conduct of diplomacy and foreign policy. Includes instruction in international relations theory, foreign policy analysis, national security and strategic studies, international law and organization, the comparative study of specific countries and regions, and the theory and practice of diplomacy.
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    • Psychology See more schools with programs in Psychology
      • General Psychology
        A general program that focuses on the scientific study of individual and collective behavior, the physical and environmental bases of behavior, and the analysis and treatment of behavior problems and disorders. Includes instruction in the principles of the various subfields of psychology, research methods, and psychological assessment and testing methods.
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    • Sociology See more schools with programs in Sociology
      • Sociology
        A program that focuses on the systematic study of human social institutions and social relationships. Includes instruction in social theory, sociological research methods, social organization and structure, social stratification and hierarchies, dynamics of social change, family structures, social deviance and control, and applications to the study of specific social groups, social institutions, and social problems.
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  • Technology

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    • Software Development See more schools with programs in Software Development
      • Computer and Information Sciences
        A general program that focuses on computing, computer science, and information science and systems as part of a broad and/or interdisciplinary program. Such programs are undifferentiated as to title and content and are not to be confused with specific programs in computer science, information science, or related support services.
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Students

General

Full-Time vs. Part-Time
Full-Time 100%
Part-Time 0%
Men vs. Women
Women 59%
Men 41%
Race/Ethnicity
Caucasian 76%
Hispanic 12%
Other 5%
Asian 4%
African-American 3%

Geography

In State vs. Out-of-State
In-State 91%
Out-of-State 9%
Top States for Incoming Freshman
Texas 91%
Virginia 1%
New York 0%
Arizona 0%
New Mexico 0%
Percent of Students International: 0%

Housing

On-Campus Housing Available: Yes
Percent of Students Living On-Campus: 75%
Freshman Students Required to Live on Campus: Yes

Athletics

Member of: NAA, NCAA
Sports Include: Basketball (Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference)
Baseball (Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference)
Track (Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference)
Tuition & Fees (undergraduate) Expenses  
Average Tuition for Full-Time Undergrads:
$ 21,900    
Financial Aid Avg. Amount Received % of Students Receiving Aid  
Federal Grants:
$ 3,511 16%  
State and Local Grants:
$ 3,593 34%  
Institutional Grants:
$ 7,654 83%  
Student Loans:
$ 5,338 45%  
Any Aid:
  91%  

Selectivity (Undergraduate Only)

Acceptance Rate: 67% (Selective)
Test Scores  
SAT Scores:  
% of Students Submitting SAT Scores: 95%
Bottom 25th Percentile: Verbal: 563, Math: 570
Top 75th Percentile: Verbal: 670, Math: 660

Application Requirements (Undergraduate Only)

Application Fee: $ 40.00
Formal Demonstration of Competencies: Recommended
High School Diploma or Equivalent: Required
High School GPA: Required
High School Rank: Required
High School Record: Required
Recommendations: Required
TOEFL: Required
Test Scores: Required

College Advice

Yahoo

Question: Which school has a higher prestige: University of Texas at Austin vs. Southwestern University?

as well as which school has a better natural science/mathematics program? any help is appreciated as well as links. thanks for the information.
36 months ago

Best Answer

There's no single accepted measure of "prestige" for universities, so your question can't be answered by a simple choice of one or the other. Also, the two schools are not really comparable. SU is a private liberal arts college with an enrollment of about 1300. UTA is a public research institution enrolling about 50,000 students at all levels through the doctorate. They both have claims to "prestige:" SU is one of the top schools for promoting civic engagement and making a difference in students' lives. UTA has a number of programs which are highly rated in their disciplines, and overall it is a respected institution. By its sheer size, UTA undoubtedly offers more resources and opportunities in science and math. On the other hand, whether a given student will flourish there depends on his/her preparation, abilities, and (esp.) self-discipline. Some students will do better in a smaller setting, with closer interaction with faculty and advisors. So in addition to looking at prestige rankings and resources, be sure to look at the "fit" between the school and the student.

Question: Southwestern University vs. University of Texas in Austin in the sciences?

I was wondering if anyone knew which university is better in the sciences (Biology, Chemistry, etc...) or know which school has a higher percentage of students getting accepted to medical/dental school. I know Southwestern is known for being a liberal arts school but I'm not sure how strong they are in the sciences. If you could give suggestions or know of any links I would really appreciate it. Thank you.
37 months ago

Best Answer

Both schools are great, but comparing them is really not fair. Southwestern is very tiny and therefore very limited in terms of funds. I just graduated from the University of Texas and I must tell you that the sciences are incredibly strong. The amount and vastness of science classes offered at a university catering to 52,000 students will far exceed those offered at a university with 4,000 (I'm not totally sure on the numbers). Texas is highly regarded in the academic community. It is also considered a 'public' ivy league university. Their engineering program is in the top 5 in the nation. The reason I mention this is because science is very closely linked to engineering. They also have a rare program called biomedical engineering. I have several friends who are still at Texas, many pre-med, who have all had success being accepted to medschools this semester. Good luck.

Photos

  • The Roy and Lillie Cullen building
    The Roy and Lillie Cullen building [source]
  • Southwestern University Seal
    Southwestern University Seal [source]
  • View of the campus from above
    View of the campus from above [source]
  • Much of the campus has century old Oak Trees providing students with much needed shade during the warm months.
    Much of the campus has century old Oak Trees providing students with much needed shade during the warm months. [source]
  • Southwestern University is home to the Pirates.
    Southwestern University is home to the Pirates. [source]
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Southwestern University
Georgetown, TX 78626
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