<p>Ok. Right now I'm a senior in high school and looking forward for college I guess.</p>
<p>So a couple a monthes ago I got accepted into both my top two schools, both with full ride scholarships. Now my parents have told me that its my decision on where I want to attend. Over the last couple of weeks all I've been doing is throwing in pros and cons for both schools. So heres the breakdown (I haven't visited any schools because I live so far away from them).</p>
<p>School #1 is a decently sized, but still small/religous affiliated school.
School #2 is a very big public school (35,000+) with decent credentials. </p>
<p>So most of you guys go to college and I guess I want to know what are the advantages of a small school and the advantages of a big public school?</p>
<p>small school: you get more attention from professors. know everyone on campus. easier to find people.</p>
<p>big school: professors don’t care about knowing you. don’t have to show up to class. a lot more people to get to know. probably a lot of parties.</p>
<p>i would do the small school.</p>
<p>How likely is it that you will change majors? If likely then I would go larger, unless you hate the idea of being lost in the crowd. I would also figure out what is the most important thing to you for feeling at home in your college (a cappella singing, a gym, robotics program, easy access to indie movies/music?). That is totally personal, and then see if the campus offers that.<br>
Also, even if you can’t visit, you can go on student review websites like college crawler, princeton review and a ton of others to see what students there say.<br>
It comes down to “know yourself”. The easiest way is to just say, I choose College X. That is where I am going to go. And then test if you are happy with yourself. Good luck.</p>
<p>Ignoring the obvious bias of the previous post:</p>
<p>Small school: More attention within class from professors, smaller classes (on average), know more people on campus, often fewer activities, and the professors will usually be less distinguished within their field. Since it’s religiously affiliated it’s not public and will cost more money. Also consider the amount of affiliation and how comfortable you are with that. Since it’s smaller you have fewer options as far as classes and programs go. If you decide to switch majors later, it may require switching schools. Classes also tend to be more high school-like and teachers will put up with more in terms of absences and missed work etc.</p>
<p>Big School: More people means more likely to find a group you really click with. Bigger classes, less individual attention in class but in most schools you can seek out individual attention. The help is there but you have to recognize that you need it and ask for it. Also if you switch your major or even want to just dabble in other areas it’s often easy. You seem to get shut out of required class due to size less too. More things to do on campus and people traveling to schools (musical groups, speakers etc.) are more likely to choose a bigger school. Last year alone we had Matt and Kim, Russell Peters, Girl Talk, Ben Folds, Weezer…and Obama (I actually couldn’t remember who the other person was, but I knew he was famous lol) come to my large public school.</p>
<p>You tend to have more money at a large school (but this also depends on the public/private thing etc) especially when it comes to research. You also have fewer people checking up on you. Also when it comes time for recruiting etc, employers are far more likely to recruit at a large known school.</p>
<p>I guess my post was biased too, but all the things I mentioned could be pros and cons for different people.</p>
<p>
Of what small college are you speaking? I would love to attend. Missed work at the LAC I attend means a zero for the assignment, period. As far as absences, if you are honestly too ill to attend class (one of my friends had a kidney infection and the Health Center told her that her body could not take the stress of four exams, causing her to take incompletes on multiple finals), the professors are understanding. If you miss class more than maybe twice without a serious excuse, points will be deducted from your grade.</p>
<p>Also, most of my friends who are currently writing their theses switched majors and advisors 4-6 times.</p>
<p>
Professors at large universities tend to reserve research options for graduate students, so that shouldn’t be a huge concern for an incoming freshman.</p>
<p>
Certainly not incorrect, but couldn’t one also say that finding a small college with a tight community in which you fit in would provide at least an equal opportunity for making friends?</p>
<p>
This is also usually encouraged more so at small schools.</p>
<p>The surrounding area is also a factor to take into consideration as far as activities go. </p>
<p>In the end, they both have their pros and cons and appeal to different people for different reasons. I’d say go visit both universities and sit in on a couple classes at each one before making a decision.</p>
<p>You should visit both schools and spend some time with friends you have there, or ask to be hosted. You should feel a “click” with the school that is right for you. </p>
<p>Small schools and Large schools both have their pros and cons (as you can see) and it really depends on YOU and your style to figure out what is right for you. Since cost is no factor, that’s what I could do–go for the “click” and have a happy college experience at a place where you feel most comfortable.</p>
<p>Congrats on the scholarships!</p>
<p>Personally, I would base my choice on where the school is, not how big it is. I’d rather go to a tiny school in a huge city than a big school in the middle of nowhere.</p>