Is a smaller school better for the 1st year of college?

Question

I hear that if you go to a smaller school your 1st or 2nd year it is better because the professors know you better and they may be a little easier with you if you are in a class of about 50 to 60 compared to 500 or so. I have a Football scholar ship for North Dakota State or a really small school in minnesota. I know i can always transfer but if you go to a smaller college for a few years are you going to have an more relaxed year. I may not be explaining cleary but i am really thinking about this.

Answer 1

If you were talking about a huge school like The University of Minnesota versus a small school, I might see your point. But North Dakota State only has about 10,000 students in total -- making it more of a mid-sized school.

Its typical class size is 20-30 students -- so your concerns about that are unfounded. It is large enough to give you lots of choices and small enough where you will get to know people and have small classes.

Answer 2

Here are the cons of going to a smaller school first and then going to a larger school:

1. There will already be establish groups at the larger school. That will make it even harder to find friends and fit in.

2. All the freshmen at a large school have the same disadvantages. They are all new and pretty much have the same problems. So you would find yourself in a large group trying to find your way and fit in. That's much better than trying to do it by yourself.

3. At a school like ND, the student population mostly comes from small towns so they will have to be accommodated by the school. I doubt that all of the classes will be huge but you could check into that if you make a visit to the campus.

4. Going to a smaller school first just postpones the problems and may make them worse.

Answer 3

yes it can be better but you also will have no freedom

Answer 4

not always