Is it better to be a big fish in a small pond, or a little fish in a big pond?

College Search & Selection
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<p>I have finished my Freshman year at SUNY Plattsburgh. I am double majoring in Environmental Studies and Economics. I have definitely learned a lot. I have learned how to think in an open manner, my math skills have improved and my perspective on the world has changed significantly. </p>

<p>I liked all of my professors. I felt like they cared about me. I participated the most in all of my classes. My professors gave me unique opportunities due to my interest in class. I helped write a grant for an electric car charger for our campus, and after was recently given the position of Student Chairman on the grant board, as my predecessor graduated in May. I am also working on a carbon offset project, in which the director of College Auxiliary Services has been very helpful and open to meeting with me frequently.</p>

<p>That being said, my only complaint is that the student body seems to have very different values and a different mindset compared to myself. </p>

<p>Many are more interested in their phones than politics or their studies. In class I am often the only student that participates regularly. Not to be narcissistic, but it seems that I am the smartest student in the class, at least judging by what people say. Of course there are students who are more knowledgeable in other subject areas, but it doesn't translate into a student body that is politically active and apathetic. </p>

<p>I feel like I am teaching the other students things, but I am not being taught things in return... I know I am not the smartest or enlightened person in the world. They have other things that they can teach me that I probably have been ignoring. An example could be that I should be a bit less serious. That being said I feel like the students are much less mature than me. I guess I feel like the other students should be teaching me more in terms of academic growth. </p>

<p>I have no doubt that I can find a friend group that shares my values. The problem is that I have trouble imagining myself graduating/being associated with/spending the next 3 years with people who have completely different values than what I have. </p>

<p>I want to stay because of the benefits of being the big fish in the small pond. But I am missing out on the intellectual growth I'd get from students (although I am definitely getting it from the content in class, and the projects I am doing). I definitely could have a giant resume by the time I graduate.</p>

<p>I always have the thought of transferring in the back of my mind because I crave that intellectual stimulation from discussing politics and world issues with other students. But, I'd be a small fish in a big pond, and may lose all of the benefits that I have here at Plattsburgh. </p>

<p>What do you guys think? </p>

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<p>Based on your write-up, I think you should transfer if you can get into a more intellectually stimulating school</p>

3

<p>You could always aim to be a big fish in a big pond. That’s what I always say whenever someone uses this fish/pond expression when they ask me</p>

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I’m trying to see the downside here. I don’t see a reason to xfer</p>

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<p>I mean, it’s SUNY Plattsburgh lol. I’m not sure what else you expect from them. But anyway, you seem like a motivated student with a desire for learning. You seem like the perfect candidate for transferring. Are you there for financial reasons?</p>

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<p>Is there a reason you went to SUNY Plattsburgh? It sound llike the size of the school works very well for you, just not your fellow students. You can always look into similarly sized but more competitive NYS schools such as SUNY Genesceo or even SUNY New Paltz. If you want a larger school and your grades are very good (which I"m guessing they are) you can also check out SUNY Binghamton.</p>

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<p>You point out the downside very well in that you seem a bit unfulfilled. This doesn’t seem like the typical grass is greener post, you have assessed very well and I also think you are a good transfer candidate. You can certainly transfer to a place where you will have a richer pool of peers to draw on and you will likely find richer classwork for it too. My daughter went to a school full of challenging peers and was able to create a very good ‘resume’ for herself. If you stay try to expose yourself to activities joined by jrs and srs more, and in your department.</p>

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<p>Don’t imagine you won’t find students like your peers at Plattsburgh everywhere. Transferring can be a tricky experience. </p>

<p>You haven’t told us about your academic resume but that would help us to suggest places you might consider transferring to. </p>

<p>Have you an idea of the kind of college you’d like: one with a lot of professorial support of the student, one with enough peers to make classrooms more challenging, one about the same size? what else?</p>

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I realize this is an old post but I’ma go ahead and give my 2 cents anyway. I’m currently a senior at SUNY Plattsburgh and I definitely agree with yo on this.I’ve been kicking myself for staying here since I was accepted at some nicer colleges a few years back but chose to stay here for my girlfriend. That being said, its easy to shine here just by doing your own thing. It’s been easy to get nominated for awards, involved in research, and really just all around making your resume look nice here. Also I’m going to add that its super easy to get involved in environmental type research here too. Best of luck if you do decide to transfer, just keep in mind that it could be more difficult to stand out at a higher achieving school. If you do decide to stay, just don’t get pulled down by underachievers and be on the lookout for people like yourself so your not the only one contributing.

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This post is from 6/14. Hopefully the OP has figured it out by now.