<p>
[quote]
jw,
Yes, I realize that Wesleyan attracts a crowd equal to 0.5 of its undergrad enrollment. </p>
<p>Do you realize that Wake's attendance is equal to about 7.5 times its undergrad enrollment??
[/quote]
</p>
<p>Wesleyan draws its attendance primarily from the undergraduate student body, presumably.
Wake Forest draws its attendance from the wider, surrounding COMMUNITY in addition to the undergraduate student body, presumably.</p>
<p>What does that have to do with school / campus spirit, though?</p>
<p>Davidson
Holy Cross
Union
St. Lawrence
Clarkson
Colgate
Providence
Colorado College
Wake
Marquette
Villanova
William & Mary
Rice
Butler
Xavier
Lehigh
Lafayette
Bucknell
Allegheny
Vanderbilt
Furman
Wofford
Gonzaga
Saint Mary's (CA)
SMU</p>
<p>All sorts of different schools, in different places, with varying school sizes.</p>
<p>Pizzagirl...I guess since Rice isn't a HUGE school (undergrad ~3000), I don't witness the crowded, noisy atmosphere you have seen. Since Rice is a small school, and it's football isn't as good as other school (except maybe this year <em>crossing fingers</em>) the atmosphere is more laid back. And because of the college system you get a more intimate atmosphere, where everyone knows one another and it is like a get together, just a get together to support our fellow classmates (because the athletes are part of the university, unlike some schools). That is another reason people go to the games, because the athletes at Rice are not "hollywood stars", as some are like at UT. Instead Rice has student-athletes,students being first. And they are all part of the college system. Every school is different. Oh, and I like BBQ food...so its yummy to me :).</p>
<p>On another note I think that the college system is an awesome reason to attend Rice. Besides the academics, the college system is probably the one reason many do come to Rice.</p>
<p>The intimate atmosphere isn't what Hawkette is selling, though. On numerous threads, she has posted college stadium attendance figures under the assumption that bigger is better. She loves Rice, though, so I'd keep it to yourself that your tailgates are small and that your football isn't really nationally relevant and that the atmosphere is laid back :-).</p>
<p>My bad - that's embarrassing. Still, was it really necessary for you to point that out? I'm more inclined to proofread a college essay than a CC post. </p>
<p>I'm somewhat conflicted. On one hand, I'm a huge sports fan. I could see myself going crazy behind the set of College Gameday on Saturday and joining 30,000 other screaming fans in a stadium. I've been to plenty of big sporting events (World Series, Super Bowl) and I relish the excitement and atmosphere these games provide.
On the other hand, I've always wanted to go to a small school. I'd like to know most of my classmates and professors. I excel in lively seminar courses rather than lecture-based classes. In addition, if I went to a Division 3 school, I might have a chance to play a varsity sport myself.</p>
<p>Maybe try a nice DIII LAC that's conveniently located near a national university that thrives with a big sports atmoshpere. That way you could potentially enjoy both. For example, W&L is not far from UVA. Ohio Weslyan is near Ohio State, Guilford is not too far from UNC, etc. I'm sure lots of people here can help you come up with similar options where there's that type of proximity.</p>
<p>For your situation No. 85, those are two very good suggestions from FLVADAD; Ohio Wesleyan University and Guiliford. Though I believe OWU is a bit stronger academically than Guiliford.</p>