<p>Hey all, I wanted some input on college life in rural settings and urban settings. Some of my top choices are located in the middle of nowhere-tiny town without really anything to do, surrounded by fields for as far as the eye can see. However, I really like the schools themselves. Other schools to which I'm applying aren't as good academically but have a fantastic location in big cities. I'm definately more of a city person but appreciate having a central campus...
Has anyone had experience at one or the other that might have any thoughts?</p>
<p>I go to school in rural ohio, and I love it here. What's really nice about having a campus in a rural setting, is that the community on campus really develops and a lot happens on campus (rather than having to go into the city to find your entertainment, etc.). There are some downsides, and I ended up bringing my car to campus after a semester because the public transportation is infrequent and more trouble than it's worth sometimes. But I really like the atmosphere and everything.</p>
<p>I agree. I'm in the middle of nowhere, virginia. It really makes the campus culture vibrant, because no one has any reason to leave campus. So it gives you the real college experience, where everyone relies on the college for everything.</p>
<p>One of my criteria for colleges was that they not be in a little middle-of-nowhere town that had nothing in it but the school itself. I turned down what was arguably a better school in a really horrible (IMO) location to go to a school in the middle of a major city. I lived in a smallish town with not much to do all my life, and I didn't want to just move to another smallish town and feel like I was stuck there with nothing to but go to someone's house and get drunk or go to charity club bingo night on campus. There are tons of things that you can do all the time, and I can walk or take the subway pretty much anywhere that I'd want to go. The downside to that is that campus life is a lot more decentralized, as people go and have their fun elsewhere and people start to move off campus and all over the city as they get older. I don't think I'd even want to permanently live in a city, but I think this is a good short-term experience.</p>
<p>I go to school in a big city, and it's amazing. If you live in rez, you won't miss out on campus life, and it's always nice to have the option of going out. Big cities also have a good potential for networking and employment opportunities if you want to stick around in the summers or apply for an internship.</p>
<p>My advice to you: VISIT at least one school of each type (urban/rural) if it's possible. It really helps you make a decision when have an idea of the atmosphere of the university.</p>
<p>i think it depends on what urban setting you're in...washington dc is very different from NY which is different from LA...i would find a couple of schools in each category and visit, but also spend time in the big city and do a bit of research (maybe buy one of those travel guides)...i happen to love DC, but im not sure if i could survive in a place like NY</p>
<p>I should probably add that I am FROM New York City, so I've had the big city thing all of my life and know the experience and wanted something different for college instead of a continuation of high school, which is what NYU or Columbia or any place like that wouldve felt like. It also means I have access to the employment opportunities and internships because I have a place to live and a NYC address.</p>
<p>Yea I'm having contemplating the advantages of going to a rural or urban college. I REALLY want to go to a UC in a major city like LA or Berkeley, but my chances of getting in are slim so I'm probably going to have to go to Davis. Any thoughts?</p>
<p>I go to urban large college and have lived urban all my life. I entertain idealistic thoughts about rural small colleges where my friends go. I fantasize about the pace of life, how everything is pretty much on its own time, how everyone bonds into a tight community instantly and huddle by the fire. </p>
<p>Then I realize all the opportunities are in the city.</p>
<p>youre gonna be surprised as to how much there actually is to do in those little college towns in the middle of nowhere when you actually live there. clemson is 20 miles from everywhere and there is always something going on, and its nice to be able to hear crickets and bull frogs at night and not deal with city traffic and noise</p>
<p>everyone's poacket finances also differ, too.
i don't know the answer to this, but am raising the question: is it better to choose rural where there are wonderful college productions and perormances to attend, with your friends in them, for free or say $5 admission tickets...
and the people you know to go and chat afterwards cost-free somewhere..</p>
<p>versus: a bunch of kids in your dorm say, "Hey we're going out to (play with ticket costing $30, followed by cool bar/restaurant costing $20) so you say to yourself, "no thanks" because that's $50 that they have and you don't.</p>
<p>I know it's not all cut and dry like that, but don't forget to factor in the personal cost of having a city social life.</p>
<p>I'm sure since you're from a city it'd be alot different living in a rural place as opposed to someone who's lived rural their whole life like me. My college's town has about 40,000 people in it and it's sister city has about 25,000, and then the college has 23,000 students, so all together that's what? a little less than 90,000 people? Which to someone from an urban area is probably rather small but to me that's alot of people since the town where I graduated high school is about 10,000. </p>
<p>And I know people from cities like Atlanta or Orlando that come here and they're like, "But there's nothing to DO here" and I'm like, "What are you talking about? There's so much more to do here than where I live! There's a MALL here, and a movie theater and everything!" and they just look at me like I've grown another head, haha. </p>
<p>I also agree with paying3tuitions about the money issue. Things are going to be alot cheaper in a small town than a city.</p>
<p>dima are u gina frend?</p>