Size Does Matter - What Size College is for You?

One of the most important factors in your college decision should be the size of the college you want to attend. When you're researching colleges pay attention to the number of students and the size of the classes in the major you are interested in to determine what size campus will work best for your personality and your academic goals.

Here are a few things to help you decide if a small or a large campus would be a better fit for you:

A Small College

Do you enjoy personalized feedback from teachers? Then a small college campus might be the right fit for you.

Typically small colleges offer:

• Individually designed and specific majors
• An opportunity to get to know your advisors and professors well
• Small class sizes with hands-on learning opportunities
• A strong sense of community

Some students thrive in a smaller setting, while others feel trapped. You might be sacrificing facilities, but you will be gaining specific attention from professors. You might not have sporting events to attend, but you will know your classmates and have a strong connection with them.

A Large College

Are you anxious to get away from high school so you can enjoy being in a classroom where your professor won't know your name since you're among thousands of other students? Then a big college would be a good fit for you.

Typically large colleges offer:

• Multiple and varied majors, courses, and student activities
• A variety of housing opportunities
• Well-funded  athletic programs
• Distinguished professors
• State-of-the-art research facilities and libraries

To succeed at a large college, it's best to know which major or area you're interested in studying. Students who know what they want and are not afraid to speak up and take advantage of the many opportunities available tend to do best at large colleges.

Keep in mind that: 

• Liberal studies classes at a large college may have hundreds or even thousands of students. Some find this exciting while others feel overwhelmed.
• Large colleges tend to have a lot of administrative red tape. For example if you're trying to take a course outside of your major you will have to go through multiple people in order to do so, if you even can at all.

Start Your College Search

No matter what size campus you are considering, it is important to look carefully at each of your options. Tour campuses with U See It to get an in-depth look at the colleges you're interested in.