Intimate cozy setting or fast-paced urban exposure?

College Search & Selection
1

<p>I'm trying to weigh out the pros and cons of going to either an intimate, cozy liberal arts-type college and a fast-paced, urban university where you can get exposure to connections, career opportunities, and so forth.</p>

<p>I like how there is a much more intimate atmosphere for more rural, small-town colleges - but I also feel like it's living in a bubble.</p>

<p>Conversely, I like the opportunities and freedom a large city provides. I'm only afraid I won't be able to get the intimate education that I want.</p>

<p>Thoughts?</p>

2

<p>get the best of both worlds and go to a school in a suburban environment.</p>

3

<p>Actually, I had the same dilemma when it came down to my final decision. Small LAC in a tiny town, medium LAC in suburbia, or big university in major city. All 3 had their merits and all 3 have stong programs for my intended major. I opted for the LAC in the small-town over the big city school. The suburban school was okay as well but it really came down to the 2 opposites in my decision.</p>

4

<p>If you are female you should check out Barnard College in NYC. It's a small LAC affiliated with Columbia University (so you can take classes and use the facilities there) in a fast-paced urban environment.</p>

5

<p>Heh, I wish I was female. Sometimes.</p>

<p>I'd very much like the best of both worlds - I'm trying to look at big LAC-like universities (Brown, Dartmouth), although I'm highly doubtful that I can qualify. They're big reaches for me.</p>

<p>At the same time, I really, really like LACs like Reed, Bowdoin, and Middlebury but I'm scared I'll be in an isolated bubble community. It seems like there's only so much you can do in a small town.</p>

6

<p>There are some very nice colleges in suburban settings with easy access to big cities, where you can choose the extent to which you get involved in city life. I'm thinking of Tufts, Boston College, or Brandeis (Boston), or Haverford or Swarthmore (Philadelphia).</p>

7

<p>Also Macalaster in St. Paul; Trinity in Hartford; Goucher in/near Baltimore; WashU (bigger) in St Louis.</p>

<p>I think spending some time, preferably an overnight, will help you sort out the pros and cons and where your personal preference falls.</p>

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<p>Truly, I think I love them both.</p>

9

<p>That's funny that you mentioned Barnard, because when I read the OP, I was going to mention Columbia. It's got a nice small campus with (kind of small) green lawns and trees in a neighborhood of NYC--not in the uber-busy downtown or midtown, but not in a field somewhere either.</p>

10

<p>improvethesilence: Reed is in a small town? Portland was called North America’s “Best Big City” by Money Magazine. Downtown is 10 to 20 minutes (car, bus) from campus.</p>

11

<p>Oh man, alright. That's good news.</p>

12

<p>Another option for a LAC in an urban environment is Occidental in Los Angeles.</p>

13

<p>how about rhodes college in memphis?</p>

14

<p>hi! i really need help! i thought since you mentioned barnard you know somehting about it and could help, i accepted tufts' offer of admission, but barnard just got me off their waitlist..where should i got-- i was gonna major in International Relations and minor in Media and Communications at Tufts....help!~</p>