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What are the benefits of going to a small university vs. a large one?

Hi, recently I have been thinking more about college and I would like to know what type of college is better in this scenario. Currently, I am leaning more towards a job in the healthcare field so I am not sure if a small college would be beneficial compared to a larger college. I have also thought of going into either a business or journalism field, so there is a wide variety of careers I am interested in.
#college #college-advice

Thank you comment icon Hi! From my experience, going to a smaller college usually allows you to get to work with your professors and peers more closely and get to know them better. Smaller class sizes also means you most likely have to participate and pay attention more. However, I think bigger colleges have the advantage of being able to offer a wider variety of programs, student clubs, and other organizations. erica

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Misty’s Answer

Hi Ingrid! This is a great question and one many have probably thought about before. Choosing a college, regardless of size, is a very personal decision. I went to a large university and was a bit worried it would just be too big for me. But I quickly learned that you can really make it as big or small as you want. You can join clubs, sororities, sports, etc. or just stick with a smaller, core group of friends and fellow students with similar interests.

Another thing to consider is class size. If being in a large room with hundreds of students doesn't feel like a good fit for you, then a big school may not be the best option. Good luck!
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Aastha’s Answer

Hey! I also dealt with this when I was choosing my college. What helped me decide the most was talking to current students there. Do I see myself having a similar lifestyle to them and would I enjoy it?

Compare the two different schools by program, environment, clubs, and things that are important to you!
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Alyssa’s Answer

Hi Ingrid! In my opinion, choosing a small vs large university/college is mostly based on what type of learning environment you would like to have. Personally, I chose a smaller university where at most I had 30-40 people in each class as I really enjoyed having that personal connection/interaction with my professors and classmates. My campus was relatively small in that there was one science building, one engineering building and etc so it was easy to get to and from classes and I always saw people I knew all over campus. Some of my friends who went to larger colleges/universities preferred being at a school where they could meet a different person every class because they'd have 300 people in their classes. They also enjoyed the larger campus where there were more libraries or more places to study on campus. So I think it really depends on the type of environment you're looking for.

Additionally, I do want to say that even if you do decide to go to a smaller university that doesn't mean you are limited to a smaller amount of majors/minors. Each university/college has certain majors they may be known for so when looking into colleges/universities feel free to inquire about what programs are most common at that particular school. For example: my university was really known for the sciences and nursing as we had multiple hospitals surrounding our campus.

Lastly I just want to encourage you that it is okay for you to not know right this second what career path you want to take. College is a period in your life where you can figure it out by taking a class, volunteering at an organization or working. Don't feel like you have to figure it all out right now. I know this whole college/university process is daunting and stressful but you can do it! Just keep believing in yourself!
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Rija’s Answer

Hello Ingrid!

Being at a small college means having a small amount of students in your classes , in which you can really get to know your peers. You can also have more interactions with your professors! Whereas going to a big college means being in a class with more than 200 people and less interactions with your professor. But that could not always be the case! I went to a large university and I was able to interact with many peers and talked to my professors when I needed to. Like Alyssa stated, if you decide to go to a small college does not mean you are limited to majors or minors. The best thing is to look at each school and see what majors or minors they provide and start from there!
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Aniya’s Answer

Hey!

My high school (not the same as a college but still) graduated with 150 kids, and I currently go to a university where there are approximately 30K students. In a smaller environment, you see everyone everywhere, and everyone knew each other. In a bigger environment, however, I was always meeting a new person at least once a day for the first two months of college. If you like meeting new people, maybe a bigger environment is for you! If you like smaller circles, then by all means, try to find a smaller college.
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