Current college students, I have a question for you

<p>How important is school spirit? In my college search, I'm not really sure how much it would impact my experience at the school. I can't decide between a liberal arts school with little emphasis on spirt (particularly in sports areas) or a larger school that has a lot of attention on this.
Help please?</p>

<p>There are many ways to show school spirit other than through athletic teams. My younger daughter hates money wasted on athletics but loves her school’s spirit through so many other activities. School spirit takes many forms, not just through sports teams. But it is an individual preference, my older daughter couldn’t imagine not having big deal sports teams, my younger daughter couldn’t imagine having any.</p>

<p>School ‘spirit’ is definitely not bound to sports at all. My small English uni had a lovely sense of belonging that continues many years after graduation. It’s managed this (IMHO) through having been a bit of a challenge to get into. It has a campus so a definite sense of place aside from the town. Our academic ranking was very good which made us proud. </p>

<p>Some of the negatives also brought us together. The dorms I stayed in (allegedly) had corridors that were too narrow to be acceptable in a prison. The dorms across the bridge had rats audibly scrabbling around during the night. But that bonding over moaning/college myth retelling really did bring us together and we all loved the place. Still do :)</p>