Universities
What to Consider when Picking a College
1. Size - Is the campus too big or too small?
Why Small?
If you want a strong sense of community, enjoy building close
relationships in the classroom and look for hands-on learning, a
smaller campus would be your best fit!
Social Life
As a campus, a smaller sized university can feel more comfortable in
several aspects. Students get to know each other very well after
seeing each other regularly. Also, it becomes easy to get involved
and recognize the active organizations on campus. Joining clubs and
groups is a great way to mesh with different social groups at school
with ease. With a strong sense of community, small-sized
universities or colleges offer many social opportunities and set the
stage for school spirit.
Environment
Another advantage of small colleges/universities is the classroom
environment, one being the average size of college classes. Small
schools typically have 25 students per class. With such a small
group, students become very close to one another and build strong
relationships to their professors. With livelier discussions,
one-on-one teaching, and more frequent group work, the classroom
experience in small-sized colleges/universities is enriching. Also,
studies run on a scale of flexibility. At many (but not all)
small-sized colleges, it is possible to design your own major! A
small school population means students and advisors build a stronger
connection; with this, students are able to organize their studies
and be creative with what academic freedom the school allows. Fewer
students means less competition to get the classes you want and
need, so you can study what you actually want to study! Smaller
sized colleges/universities can offer more creative outlet to
students compared to studying at a large sized university.
Why Big?
If you picture yourself at a school with a big community with all types of activities and events, a wide variety of study programs, and don’t mind a crowded classroom, check out large sized universities!
Social Life
The social life aspect at larger sized university is one of the
reasons they are so appealing to incoming students. You can say that
a larger university will give you the ‘typical college experience’:
Greek Life, sport tailgates, and school reputation. Bigger campuses
tend to have bigger event. Fraternities and sororities are a very
fun part of larger schools; social organizations dedicated to a
cause, such as finding a cure for a disease, bring students together
and get everyone involved in the community. Sports are also very
important to some students, so big universities emphasize their
sporting events as much as they can.
More Resources
Academically, large sized universities need to have bigger
facilities in order to provide for their students. These facilities
can be quite impressive, packing in up to 100 students for a single
lecture. With this, large sized colleges offer a variety of majors,
enabling an eclectic education for their students. Universities
typically offer a grand scale of majors, ranging from the fine arts
to science to business. Also, because larger sized college
accommodate a bigger student body, academic events such as lectures
are very common. Between the grand scale of things, large sized
universities provide a different type of experience to its students,
socially and academically. A few recognizable large sized schools
include UC Berkeley, New York University, and University of Southern
California.
2. Location - Is it Located in a Big City or Small Town
Questions to Find Your Ideal Location
Urban, Suburban, or Rural?
In a big city, you’ll have access to various activities, from
concerts, theater, and art exhibits to shopping and nightlife, but
on-campus activities may be less prevalent since students can easily
head off-campus. If you’re looking for a stronger campus community
and less noise, crowds, traffic, and expense, you might want to
consider schools in a small city or suburban or rural area. But, of
course, the trade-off is that the surrounding area may present fewer
off-campus activities and opportunities.
3. Available majors and classes - Does it provide majors that you
are interested in?
Selecting a major now can help you decide which college to attend.
If you're interested in a particular career, find out which majors
are required and make sure the colleges you're considering offer
them. If you're unsure, consider liberal art colleges or
universities offering many difference academic areas. Find out
about the services they offer students to help find an area of
study and ask about the deadlines for choosing a major. If you
find something you are truly interested in, declare it as your
major and consider it a starting point. If you're unsure, there is
nothing wrong with declaring yourself as an undeclared major.
4. Distance from home - Is your preferred college far away or
close to home?
Benefits of Staying Close to Home
Minimumization to Potential Homesickness
College can include a period of adjustment for any student, and
going through those changes far from home can make you homesick. If
you stick close to home, you’ll likely have lots of support from
your family and even friends while you tackle the next chapter of
your life.
Access to Resources
You’ll also have access to familiar resources. You may already know
the town or area well, so you’ll have an easier time learning where
to find groceries, a pharmacy, restaurants, and any other off-campus
amenities. You’ll also usually be able to continue to see the same
doctor and dentist, use the same bank, and not change your voter
registration or deal with absentee ballots. Many logistics will be
simplified. In addition, going to college in close proximity to your
parents often means access to other types of resources. You may have
the option of visiting anytime you need a break from campus. A
home-cooked meal and a free laundry room are only a drive away. Some
students going to college close to their parents’ home even continue
to live at home in order to save costs on room and board.
Assures Same Social Life
Your proximity will also ensure more continuity in your life. You
might be able to keep your job from high school. You might have
friends who are also staying local, meaning that your social circle
can remain intact. You may even continue to participate in the same
activities, like a club soccer team, church, or volunteer group.
Drawbacks of Staying Close to Home
Lack of Anonymity
It may not be uncommon for you to run into acquaintances, family
friends, high school teachers, or classmates. You may even end up
spending most of your time with your family or high school friends.
While this is comforting to some, to others it might seem a bit
suffocating. Think about how much of a fresh start you are after
before choosing to attend college close to home.
"Fear of Missing Out"
By staying close to home, you sometimes sacrifice the opportunity to
experience something different for four years. It may not seem like
it now, but four years is ultimately not a huge time commitment in
your life. The opportunity to experience a different setting or more
diverse surroundings for a finite period of time does not surface
often in life. If you know you’ve always wanted to try living in the
city, the mountains, or just someplace else, this could be a good
time to try it.
Benefits of Staying Far Away from Home
Growth of Being Independent
It will be up to you to handle the small logistics you might be used
to your parents managing on your behalf. For example, if you get a
parking ticket or need to pick up a prescription, those
responsibilities will fall squarely on your own shoulders. You’ll
need to find your own way around a new region, locating the
resources that you’ll need along the way, but as you do so you will
grow in ways that you might not have otherwise. You will take on
adult responsibilities and experience what may be your first
real-world independence. You will make your own decisions and hold
yourself accountable for them.
New Experiences
You might be exposed to new cultures and lifestyles. You might get
to experience life in a big city or a rural town for the first time.
You’ll get a chance to broaden your horizon. If you’ve always wanted
to live in New York City or Southern California or the Rockies, this
may be the time to make it happen.
Fresh Start
Many students want the chance to reinvent themselves after high
school, and when you go to college far away, you can create your new
life from scratch. None of your high school mistakes or expectations
will follow you. You can pursue new friendships, new activities, and
a new lifestyle without the shadow of your high school self
following along. For many students, this is a refreshing way to turn
over a new leaf.
Drawbacks of Staying Far Away from Home