<p>I am very interested in a particular small public university in the midwest, although I am a bit worried after spending the last few hours researching the town that it is in. Many described the town itself as extremely boring and lacking much 'culture' and things to do. However, my brother attended college in a small town, but enjoyed his experience as he spent the majority of his time on campus and with friends. Most reviews that I read online that bashed the town came from people that just live there. I feel that there is a difference between one who just lives in a town, and a person who lives in the town and attends the college as well. Being in university will provide me with much more to do than a person who just lives and works in the area, or so I would think. What do you think? This university is far from home, so I really need to put a lot of thought into this and wanted some input.</p>
<p>Anyone?</p>
<p>We can help a lot more if you tell us what school you’re talking about.</p>
<p>Have you visited? You really need to visit any school you are seriously considering attending before making a final commitment. Only you can decide if it makes a big difference to you or not.</p>
<p>Check out the calendar of events- concerts, lectures, plays, movies on campus, ethnic events, etc. And clubs/activities and ways to get engaged politically or in religious groups, on various projects, or in the local community. Many kids find they aren’t going to the town, they’re going to the school. Good luck.</p>
<p>What school is this? Every town is different.</p>
<p>I don’t understand what the town has to do with the college experience. I know I am in the minority on this. If you have activities and friends, you don’t need to explore outside of the campus environment. When I went to school, we stayed in our campus cocoon, and totally enjoyed it. </p>
<p>I’d be more worried about the college being small than the town, unless the small town makes your travel plans a lot more difficult.</p>
<p>Fun is where u make it</p>
<p>A lot depends on the college and the town. I attended a small public in a small town and it was less than ideal due to the imbalance between men and women and a Greek dominated social scene, which means a lot of drinking when there are no women. However, my daughter attends an even smaller private in an even smaller town, and loves it because the college takes pains to make sure the kids have something to do. </p>
<p>I have some fond memories of my school, everyone does, but given a choice and the wisdom of looking back, I wouldn’t do it again, so choose wisely.</p>
<p>The school is Southwest Minnesota State University in Marshall, MN, if that helps.</p>
<p>Home of the Schwan Food Company…</p>
<p>Things I would look at…</p>
<p>What % of students live on campus? The higher the better, lower number could indicate that it is a commuter campus unless they all live in adjacent apartments rather than commuting from nearby towns.</p>
<p>Do many of those that live on campus, go home for the weekend or perhaps go to visits friends at UMN-TC?</p>
<p>Look at the Campus Activities Center schedule, do they bring in concerts for Friday/Saturday? Do they schedule or do student clubs host other fun activities for the weekends? Or does the student center basically close up at 5pm Friday?</p>
<p>I would also consider your intended area of study. For example, given the location, I would guess that SMSU has strong ag business and agronomy programs probably with active student clubs. A history or foreign language major might find the university less attractive.</p>