<p>I think the OP should see where the D is comfortable (if finances not an issue). It is important to see what she thinks. Is it possible to do an overnight at both schools?</p>
<p>My D applied to 9 schools. Out of her three top choices, one is the smallest she applied to (5K) and the other is the largest she applied to (25K). They each offer something special and I completely understand why she loves each of them for what they have. We’ll just have to see where she gets accepted. </p>
<p>As one tour guide (obviously at a large school) told us, you can always make your school seem smaller (clubs, groups, honors college, etc.), but if your school is smaller, then it is harder to make it seem bigger. I know he was promoting his school, but I thought it was a good point, depending on your D or S’ personality.</p>
<p>Last year, my son went off to a large college. We weren’t too nervous about the size, since he already went to a large public HS. But, unfortunately, my son’s dorm is far and away from the happenings at the school, so he’s feeling a bit isolated. If you’re at all nerous about the size of the place, realize it’s so much about where you live. Pick wisely. Find a dorm that has a communal feel to it. Small and nurturing. many times, the kids from freshman year become the BFF during those 4 years and then some.</p>
<p>We are dealing with the same issue (although D is only a junior). I went to our large well-regarded state flagship (no choice due to financial issues) and hated it (tried to find a niche, couldn’t, etc). Now my D is not me, but she has indicated she wants to go to a smaller school, and I’d love to give her that option, finances permitting. Our flagship has an honors program, but there’s no special housing and very few special activities connected with it, although there are a number of smaller, seminar-type classes available only to honors students. I know other large schools have a more extensive honors program, which may be helpful.
I guess what I’m trying to say is what some of the other posters have suggested so far. If finances aren’t an issue, and your D has expressed a preference for a smaller school, why not let her go that route?</p>
<p>I went to a 3,000+ high school and a couple “medium-large” (15,000ish) State U’s. My 2 oldest kids go to very small private schools (1,500 and less). All I can say is that their college experiences seem EXTREMELY different (and, IMO) so much better than mine. They have small classes, they are always in personal contact with approachable profs, no TA’s. (I was once a TA at one of those State U’s–bleh.) Students really get to know each other, care about each other as individuals. (Less “privacy” but more “accountability.”) Academically the schools are competitive, but with activities participants are NEEDED, so you don’t have to have be a superstar to be on the team, in the show, or get your essay in the journal, etc. At a smaller school it is easier for an individual to “make a difference.” Yes, cream will always rise to the top, but I think there are a lot of folks at huge schools who end up feeling like very tiny cogs in a gigantic wheel–I know I did. It was not a “bad” experience because I was not aware of anything different. But now I see what small schools are like for my kids, I think small schools are better for their personal development.
I have a nephew who is struggling at a huge State U–not academically, but personally. I wonder if a smaller school would’ve been better for him. D has friends in honors college at big State U–things are OK with them, but they don’t like putting up with the partying/dropout crowd that makes up a big percentage of the student body. I have younger kids, and I’ll encourage all of them to look at smaller schools.</p>