Should I go to a small university or a large one?

Question

I am a senior in high school and am agonizing over what college to go to. Part of me wants to go to a small school, because its more intimate and you go to know profesors more. Is it true that its hard to learn in a large classroom? Part of me also wants to go to a big university because there are more opportunities. What are the advantages of small vs large universities?

What does "good" mean? I define "good" as a uni where I will learn a lot. How does size affect learning ability?

Answer 1

I graduated from a small high school in a small town.I went to a large university and for me, maybe because it's my particular personality, I had a hard time. Lectures often had 500 students, and we did not ever get to know our professors. If you needed help, you got to see your prof's grad student teaching assistant.

The huge numbers of people made me feel lost and inconsequential. Sometimes it took forever to walk from one part of the campus to a class at the other end of the campus.

I did graduate and have been a happy teacher for over 20 years.
I have many friends who went to big universities and loved them. I also have many friends who loved going to a small university.

My 3 kids went to small schools and loved them.

I really think it depends on your personality or what you are used to. Of course, whatever you choose, make sure it's a good school.

Good luck!!!

Answer 2

I like large universities because there are more opportunities available. They will have more classes, majors, professors, money, free tutoring, etc. I go to a large school and we get free access to all the Division 1 sporting events, the rec center, restaurants on campus, movies, concerts with famous artists, etc. There is always something big going on. It would be hard for a small school to provide all the things a big school can.

Just because it is a large school, doesn't mean all of your classes will be big. My first year, I was in some lecture classes with over 100 people (psychology, biology, and human development). However, I still knew all of the professors on a personal level and could talk intimately with them before and after class and during their office hours. They may seem intimidating at first, but these were some of my favorite classes in the end. I don't think it is hard to learn in large classrooms at all. Just make sure to show up everyday and sit near the front.

I've also had several very small classes. One of mine had only 9 students. On average though, I'd say that most classes have around 25-30 students.

Answer 3

Here is a little secert about college that you may not realize. A lot of learning at college is done outside of the classroom and beyond academics. At college you have to learn how to budget your time, how to live on your own, and how to interact with other people. Your parents won't be there to make sure you eat right and get plenty of sleep, your professors won't hassle you for not doing your homework, and nobody (except your roommate) will care if you decided to be a hermit. I have several friends who failed out of college because they could not effectively manage these portions of their life.

A big part of college is experiencing new and different things. A small college will not have the diversity of culture you see at a large university. The student activities may be limited to things that you all ready know about and have experienced. Also the degree you earn might not hold the same weight as one from a large university. With that being said, a small college will be more intimate. Odds are you will get to know a large percentage of the students. Your class sizes may be smaller which means the instructors will have more time to interact with you personally.

What it really comes down to is you have to make a choice. Odds are this is the first major choice you will ever make in your life. Just remember that in the end it is your choice, not your parents’ choice, not your teachers’ choice, not your friends’ choice, but your choice and chose what you think is best for you. And don't worry if you make the wrong choice you can fix it. If you pick a school and hate it, you can always transfer.

Answer 4

My advice is go to a small college, like a community college, to get your basics out of the way at the very least. Then go to a big university. You will be able to save money in the long run attending a smaller school at first. Smaller schools also mean smaller classes. Professors can give you more one-on-one time than in a big university. This is VERY helpful when you are taking your basics. In many respects, smaller schools also prepare you for the bigger ones. They give you college-level experience in a high school-like setting

This is what I've done. I have an Associate's degree, and I am going for my Bachelor's. I am now a junior in a four-year university. I only have two and a half to three years before I get my Bachelor's.

Answer 5

I would suggest first going to a small university, maybe even a community college. The one on one attention at these schools makes it much easier to succeed in such a difficult transition. I went from a high school to a good size university and felt lost. It was very difficult to communicate with my professors and I felt like a number. At a smaller university there is individualized attention and smaller class sizes. Maybe a good fit would be a smaller university that still has on-campus housing and lots of extra-curricular activities. You can always transfer to a larger school after getting used to the college environment somewhere else.

Answer 6

Part of it depends on your personality, career goals, grades. I had gone to a small liberal arts college and you definitely can get to know professors very well which will help with reference letters if you pursue further degrees, also you can meet directly with professors if you have questions with your coursework. Usually at a large university they have TA's (teaching assistants) that can answer questions. The downside with small colleges is that there are fewer courses that are taught and therefore there may only be only one professor teaching a particular class or it is not available at all. therefore, if you are interested in a unique subject you would probably find it at a large institution. In a large classroom you have to take more initiative with learning: meeting with TA's, not being intimidated with asking questions in front of a large group.

Answer 7

GO ON A SERIOUS TOUR OF UNIVERSITIES BEFORE EVEN CONSIDERING (let me say that again) BEFORE EVEN CONSIDERING beginning to start thinking of pondering the idea of deciding about anything to do with what size type shape color name rank location population diversity or tear of university you want to go to. You cannot look in a book ask a friend take advice look online or call on the phone when you decide where you want to go. No matter how much you think you know where you are going, you will never know if it is the right fit for you unless and until you go there. There are many ways to get in on some tours and they are always free. All universities offer them. Pick out all the ones you are interested in and then call them and set up tour times. If they are far away then book airline tickets and hotels and get to flyin and go visit. If you think thats too difficult and you cant do it on your own - then you surely arent ready for college anyway so dont worry about it. When people say - "oh kids go to college and they either sink or they swim" - the ones who sink are the ones who dont do their homework and visit first. The ones who fly through it are the ones who take the tours and the ones who researched what school fit them. Best of luck. Im sure you will find what fits you. Remember. College is your right of passage. Enjoy it. Love it. Live every minute. Experience everything you can. It will come and be gone before you know it. Make every second count. Be one of the people who swim.
Best.

Answer 8

Many large universities have small classes -- at least once you get into your major field.

My usual advice is to go to the best school you can get into. That would mean choose Large over Small if your choices are Berkeley and Liberty -- but would mean small over large if your choices are Haverford and one of the Cal State schools.

Only you can decide what to do if your choices are Haverford and Berkeley. But you ought to think about visiting the schools that interest you. Look at where you will be. Talk to students about their experiences.

Answer 9

Smaller ones are more personal, you get to know your professor, and they are willing to help you outside of class. They are not always as well known or famous for their research, etc.
Larger ones often have classes taught by Teacher Assistants, many of which are graduate students, some of which have heavy accents. You may never see your Professor and extra help is not always easily available. But the prestige and credentials and selective acceptance may get you a more exclusive job.
It all depends on what your priorities are. (and grades sometimes)

Answer 10

I did both. The small school was much more fulfilling. I knew my prof's, was elected to a student position on a board of trustees, had amazing friendships, and still feel apart of the campus community 25 years later. The big school was anonymous and the campus was too big!