Small universities vs. big ones- can't choose?

College Search & Selection
1

I’m a junior in high school but very excited for college, so I’ve been very active in the process of looking for and choosing which schools I like best, just so that I’m prepared when my senior year arrives. I have narrowed the area I want to be in down to New England, and in particular, Rhode Island. I’m a New Yorker, but I absolutely can’t stand it here- I want to be somewhere less busy and closer to the water.

I’ve been on a few college tours (University of Rhode Island, Roger Williams, Salve Regina) and my favorite was definitely Salve. URI was originally my top choice before I had visited, but the campus unfortunately did not really appeal to what I wanted, it’s very big and a bit run down and I can’t imagine walking all over the place in the snow to get to class. URI does have some things that I really want though- school pride, Greek life, and D1 sports. Salve, on the other hand, has very little school pride and mediocre sports. I know that these are not things that should particularly sway my decisions either way, but the more I think about it, the more indecisive I become. My favorite things about high school are undoubtedly getting involved in school spirit and football/basketball games, and I think I would be a bit sad at a school that doesn’t have it. Otherwise, Salve has everything I want- location directly on the ocean, beyond gorgeous campus, and outstanding housing. I’ve heard that the academics at both schools are what you make of them. I’m looking to major in psychology and minor in marine biology. In contrast to Salve, URI’s housing (especially freshman year) is what I’d call below average- the dorms were super cramped and almost felt like an institution, especially with the freshman triples. As an only child I’m kind of accustomed to having a bit of my own space and I don’t do that well when it comes to sharing a small room with a lot of people (I have an anxiety disorder as well, so the more cramped I feel, the more claustrophobic/anxious I become). I’m also unsure about what kind of sized school I want to attend. I enjoy being social but I do have a bit of social anxiety making it tough to meet and connect with new people. I’ve heard that Salve can become a bit clique-y and a bit like high school, which could either be a good or bad thing depending on whether or not I connect with the people there. I’m also a bit afraid as I’ve heard that many people there tend to be snotty and entitled- whether or not that’s true I’m not sure. In contrast, URI is gigantic and I’m sure that I’d be meeting new people constantly and that it is very different from high school. Academics are certainly the most important aspect of what college I choose, but due to the fact that I have heard they are equal at both schools, I am beginning to take other things into account. (If it matters, I have what equates to about a 3.3/3.4 GPA I believe, which is about an 89/90 on a scale of 100).

I’m really not sure what to do. Both URI and Salve have great things that I’m interested in, but by choosing one I’d be sacrificing some things from the other. I was thinking that if I know some people at URI I could just attend their football/basketball games/parties while I’m at Salve, but I’m not sure if that’s possible. Luckily, Rhode Island is very small and very navigable, making it easy to travel.

I’d love to hear any experience that people have had at small/large schools, and what the pros and cons are of each. I’m still trying to decide what size would better fit my personality and preferences.

2

Small college generally equals smaller classes and more interactions with professors. Professors at small colleges are typically there for the undergraduates, whereas at larger universities the professors’ priority is getting the next grant or publishing the next manuscript (which typically don’t involve undergraduates). You can see my bias. :slight_smile:

3

It sounds like you isolated the differences between the schools. Maybe expand your search past RI and seek out some schools that may have a bit of everything you want, perhaps a mid-sized university or a LAC with some sports rivalries.

4

You can apply to both places and see where you get in. If you get into both, you can visit them again and make the decision then. I think you should listen to yourself too though.

You said, “My favorite things about high school are undoubtedly getting involved in school spirit and football/basketball games.” I think you would absolutely miss this. And it isn’t just about four years of college either. Students who attend a university with strong athletics and spirit become alumni who return to campus to attend games, fly their university flag on game days, join alumni groups to watch games on TV, and talk about their university’s team with co-workers.

Coming from New York City, you might find a small college to be stifling once you have met everyone there is to meet, and discover there aren’t the endless possibilities of meeting new people of all types. I also disagree with the above comment about the nature of large universities. My daughter is attending one of the largest universities in the country, she has small classes in a small department, and she is already doing research for two different professors as a freshman. Her professors are not distant at all but rather are very accessible and offer all undergraduates including freshmen opportunities to conduct research.

It isn’t really the size of a university overall that provides an intimate learning environment – it is the size of the department and major. You will probably find that a Psychology program is quite large, but marine biology (once you’re past basic biology) will likely be a small group of professors and students who really get to know each other. These details are things to explore more if you get a chance to return to campus. You should walk the halls of the actual buildings where your classes would be and peek inside the classrooms. It can be telling.

I’m not sure how you plan to combine your interests. You might look into animal behavior programs with a focus on marine animal behavior, or try to do research along these lines in college.

5

Unless you can get a single dorm, you may want to consider living off-campus. Few colleges have “big” dorms, unfortunately.

I think you should re-visit these schools. You may not find Salve “snooty”, since you’re from NYC. (I’m from NJ, so I know how rude people can be).

I’ve attended small colleges that don’t seem as intimate. My top-choice school has 20,000 students, but it really is a close-knit environment. It also has an average class size of 22, these thibngs just depends on the school.

6

@mommyrocks Thanks so much for your advice it helped a lot!! I’m actually from a suburban area in NY, about 45 minutes north of the city, so it’s pretty small, so I don’t meet new people too often because I tend to avoid the city. As to your question about how I’m going to combine my interests- I don’t even know if I can! I want to be a psychologist when I’m out of college, and marine bio will probably just be something I minor in because I’m very interested in it, and it may come in handy some day if I choose to change my profession.

7

@newjerseygirl98 I’m from a suburb about 45 minutes north of NYC actually, but people are just as snooty (or maybe even more snooty) than people in NYC haha :frowning: I’m not really looking for a big dorm and I don’t think I’d want to live in a single, I definitely want a roommate and everything, I just don’t like dorms that are super tiny, claustrophobic, and pretty much equivalent to the size of a closet. You’re totally right about the environment varying from school to school though, I’ve noticed it even by visiting for a day! Thanks for your help :slight_smile:

8

There’s a great big world out there and I suggest, as someone else did, that you widen your search beyond Rhode Island. You’re a junior so you have time to explore other areas that you don’t really know about. You mentioned New England as a whole, look at schools beyond RI. Also, open your mind to some variations - you like less busy and the water - have you thought about a smaller city like Chicago? Lake Michigan is so big it even has waves! Northwestern’s campus has a beach and beach volleyball courts and it’s a suburb of a smaller city and totally college oriented. What about Californian schools? Psychology is available almost everywhere but Marine Biology is not, maybe you should research schools with good Marine Biology minor programs and work from there.

What I am saying is that neither school works for you so maybe you need to open yourself up to more possibilities. Good luck!

9

Look into Loyola Maryland, UNC Wilmington, Coastal Carolina, College of Charleston, St Mary’s of Maryland, UNF, UWF, FIU, FAU. SDSU may be the best combination of beach and spirit, with UNC WIlmington and the Florida universities. Loyola Maryland has good dorms and is a free shuttle ride away from the Inner Harbor, and College of Charleston has charm and history.
They’re all quite different (size, environment, vibe) but look into them and run the NPCs.

10

I’d especially recommend UNC Wilmington!!!

11

Normally I’d suggest that smaller schools tend to be more nurturing places but read about Salve very carefully. It is probably a great place for some but, like with any school, the fit must be good. I concur with the suggestions of MYOS1634. Salve is far less known. I know Newport well and love it. It is great in the summer. Consider what it is like in winter, though. Tourists apparently stop being a bother but everyone and everything disappears. Salve is relatively unknown outside Newport.