Once you have begun to think about all the criteria mentioned in the last post, you have probably noticed that the amount of options you have of where to go to college has been limited, at least a little bit. From there I personally think that it is important to consider the size of the college you want to go to. The size of the college impact way more than a person may think. In the United States, there are so many options, with some schools having fewer than 1,000 students and some having more than 35,000 students. With so many different options it is important to make decisions and narrow down your selection.  

Large colleges can be great because they allow you to break free and enjoy being anonymous. Sometimes it is nice to know that not everyone knows who you are. For me, it is nice because it feels like fewer people know when I make mistakes. Large colleges are generally well funded, so you can enjoy a variety of majors, courses, academic choices, and student activities. Their libraries are often very well stocked, and their sports programs are full of variety and funding. Another thing that may draw you to a larger university is the variety of housing opportunities. It can be very nice to have the option to stay somewhere other than the dorm. Perhaps the most intriguing thing about large universities for me personally is the prospect of your classes being taught by distinguished faculty as well as having access to state of the art research facilities.  However, with all of these positives, you also have to consider the possible setbacks. Many of the introductory classes at large colleges contain hundreds of students. For me personally, I have found that I learn better when I am in smaller groups, so this a large red flag. I am very quiet, so I would be wary of asking questions or participating in that class. In larger colleges, the prestigious faculty often attracts students, but it is important to remember that oftentimes their classes will be taught by teaching assistants (Sizing). 

Smaller colleges will give you a drastically different experience compared to large colleges. Many smaller colleges have opportunities for hands-on learning opportunities. Classes have the option to branch out and do things differently so classes don’t have to follow the traditional lecture format. You may even find classes that are primarily discussion-based. These schools often have a strong sense of community and you can get to know everyone really well including your professors. With fewer students, your connection with the staff can be very strong. Therefore, smaller colleges generally have a strong advising system. This may be very good if you are not totally sure about what you want to do. However, it is important to consider that smaller colleges will often lack many of the opportunities that larger colleges have. There are typically fewer social events on campus as well as less variety in things to do in general.  It is also important to be aware that many smaller colleges won’t have research facilities on campus. If you are hoping to do research in college while going to a smaller one it is important to look into research opportunities in the community (Sizing).

Like any other thing, you may find that neither extreme sounds good to you. In that case, a medium-sized college may be right for you. According to Ivywise, a medium-sized college “can be small enough to create an intimate experience, but also big enough to keep meeting new people”(Ivywise). These colleges can be a good option if you want the feel of a smaller campus without sacrificing the opportunities to branch out, similarly to a larger college. These colleges can be great because you have the opportunities to enjoy some of the best from both worlds. 

When it comes to my own personal college experience, I think I will probably look into smaller or maybe medium-sized colleges. The idea of going to a large university intimidates me. It is also important for me to know my professors well as well as for them to know me well. I think the extra advising help will be helpful because I am not sure what I want to do yet.

Works Cited

IvyWise. “The Best Fit College Size For You: Small vs. Medium vs. Large Colleges.” The Best Fit College Size For You: Small vs. Medium vs. Large Colleges, IvyWise, 22 Sept. 2016, blog.ivywise.com/blog-0/the-best-fit-college-size-for-you-small-vs.-medium-vs.-large-colleges. Accessed 22 November 2019.

“Sizing Up Colleges: Big vs. Small.” Sizing Up Colleges: Big vs. Small, College Board, 2019, bigfuture.collegeboard.org/find-colleges/how-to-find-your-college-fit/sizing-up-colleges-big-vs-small. Accessed 22 November 2019.