<p>I'm an upcoming senior, and I'm trying to finalize my list of colleges. I can't decide whether I should go to a big city or a smaller town? I am serious about my studies, and I want to make sure I can concentrate, but at the same time, living in the city would be such a unique experience.</p>
<p>Can you give me some pros and cons?</p>
<p>living in a small town is also a unique experience. At least for me, I figure I will be spending the rest of my life in or near a city so spending 4 years in a small town in the middle of nowhere is a good experience.</p>
<p>Colleges in small town will probably have more of a campus feel (both as a physical campus and in student life). Students will probably hang out on campus more. Also living in a city will probably be more expensive in the long run since you have so will have more opportunities to spend money.</p>
<p>If you’re serious about your studies and think you can concentrate, definetely go for the city. Underline definetely like three times! Because internships are very useful and helful, in both applying what you’re learning in class AND getting a job after you get out of college (esp. in this economy). I make it one of my requirements whenever I’m looking for colleges.</p>
<p>However, you can have the ‘best of both worlds’- go suburban! Just make sure that there’s a transport system that can take you into the nearby city easily i.e living in new Jersey and taking the bus into New York City. </p>
<p>Whatever you do, good luck!</p>
<p>Good luc</p>
<p>Living in a city will probably let you do lots of things by foot, but in smaller towns, I think you would probably need a car to get around.</p>
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Of course, there are many exceptions. For a student without a car, it’s much easier to get around Chapel Hill or Ann Arbor on foot or with public transportation than LA.</p>
<p>I don’t see how this is an issue. Apply to some colleges in small towns, some in cities, and then decide once you have acceptances in hand.</p>
<p>how about small cities? and not big ones like LA, NYC, etc.</p>
<p>I want to apply early decision to two different schools. One is in a city and the other is in a smaller town, so I’m trying to decide which one. So tough…</p>
<p>“definetely go for the city. Underline definetely like three times! … I make it one of my requirements whenever I’m looking for colleges.”</p>
<p>Wow! So, you are making “definite” recommendations, while you are still looking?</p>
<p>Early decision should be used when you have that one dream school; it sounds like you don’t. As long as you’re undecided you may want to wait until May 1 to make your final decision; otherwise there’s a lot of time to change your mind and find out that you made a mistake.</p>
<p>small city colleges have the benefit of having a lot to do on campus and a solid-community feel. large city schools tend to empty out on the weekends. the plus for a large city are the… fun? things to do.</p>
<p>i decided between this too. i figured that i might as well have the REAL college experience on campus, 'cause hey, i might end up living in the city anyway later when i can REALLY take advantage of it</p>
<p>I would personally prefer small cities, but it depends on what kind of college you’re looking at. If you’re looking at large schools with over 10,000 students, then definitely go small town; whereas, if you’re looking at small colleges less than 5,000 students, they definitely go for a big city.</p>
<p>Big city: In a big city you won’t get the full college spirit/experience. Your school will be second-fiddle to the cultural experiences beyond the hedges and you may be wishing that your school offered more. It might be more expensive and more hassles, which is typical of living in a big city. At the same time you’ll be a lot more independent and there will be zero chance whatsoever that you can’t find a scene where you fit in.</p>
<p>Small town: Your college will be a lot more likely to offer cultural stuff and the college you go to will have fierce pride/spirit. You’ll identify more with your student body, also, it will probably be little cheaper and more hassle-free. The downsides might be that if you choose the wrong college where you don’t completely fit in, then you’re stuck in that social scene more than likely, and it won’t be as easy to go off and do your own thing.</p>
<p>Just one footnote though, a lot of people would be AMAZED at what all can be found in college towns. College towns are NOT typical small towns, and many are packed full of really neat restaurants and shops, beautiful neighborhoods, museums, and other great cultural amenities. College towns are a direct reflection on the university that they’re the home of, whereas big cities are not.</p>
<p>What two colleges are you considering applying to ED?</p>
<p>Do you live in a small town now? If so, I would go for the one in the bigger city just for a different environment, although it might be kind of a culture shock at first if you haven’t spent much time in big cities. The same goes if you live in a city now.</p>
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<p>This is a good point. “Small” towns can be pretty slow and boring for young people, but a good college town, even if relatively small, can have many opportunities for entertainment and social life. If the college town is centered on a large research university, there may well be good internship and research opportunities as well.</p>
<p>Not all universities in larger cities lack good campus life. What do you mean by “large city”? Just as one example (because I am familiar with it), Vanderbilt U. in Nashville has a very cohesive, active campus, despite being located within the city. </p>
<p>I don’t think you can generalize. A lot depends on which “small town” and which “large city” you are talking about, and which colleges and universities you are considering.</p>
<p>Living in a small town would make you study and concentrate more on your grades becuase there is nothing to do period</p>
<p>By the way, @ the OP (kkkristy), what is intended by your username?</p>
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<p>depends on the large-city school. I don’t think any undergrad at Penn would accuse the campus of emptying out on the weekend.</p>
<p>^coumbia does. that was my example haha :)</p>
<p>Well then, it’s a good example :)</p>
<p>You’d be surprised, that most college towns remain pretty active even during the summer. The idea that they just die out during the summer and businesses even temporarily close is completely false!</p>