Sizing Up Colleges: Big vs. Small

One Size Does Not Fit All

As you begin your search for that perfect college, one of the first key decisions you need to make—and one that will help narrow your list—is size of the school. Luckily, American colleges offer an endless menu of options, from tiny colleges with less than 1,000 students to large state universities with more than 35,000 students. Finding a good match depends heavily on your personality and academic goals.

The Big School Experience

Do you picture yourself at a Big Ten school that offers everything from televised sporting events to countless degree programs? Are you itching to break free of the high school fishbowl and would welcome the opportunity of anonymity that comes with being one of thousands of students? Then a big university is probably a good fit for you.

The chart below shows you possible pros and cons associated with some big schools. Keep in mind though, these may not be true of all large colleges.

The Big School: Pros & Cons
Pros	Cons
Wide variety of majors and courses Well-stocked libraries Variety of housing opportunities Well-funded sports programs Wide range of academic and social opportunities Distinguished or famous faculty	Large class sizes Many courses taught by teaching assistants, not professors Professors focused on their own research and graduate thesis projects—little student-teacher interaction Pressure on students to take initiative; to be go-getters More rules and procedures related to enrolling in and designing course study—red tape Potential of getting lost in the crowd

Beth Finkelstein, University of Michigan, Class of '91, had many reasons for wanting to attend a big university. "After four years in a small high school with no football team, I was excited about going to a huge university that offers endless opportunities both socially and academically. The whole rah-rah school spirit attitude was something I was looking for."

Research Facilities

Another big draw for Beth was the research facilities that a huge school like Michigan has to offer, "I knew I was interested in social sciences, but not sure exactly what area. At Michigan, I was able to work side-by-side with graduate students, assisting in their research, and getting exposure to a variety of social science fields. It was while working on a research project at a lab school that I discovered my passion for education and teaching."

Who's Teaching: the Professor or the TA?

Big universities clearly have many benefits as described above, but there are also a few drawbacks. For example, while you may enroll in a course with a professor that is well-known in his or her field, more often than not the course will mostly be taught by teaching assistants (TAs). The more distinguished professors are often focused on conducting research, publishing their work, and overseeing graduate thesis projects. If you're considering a large university, be sure to find out what percentage of classes are taught by TAs and how many are taught by professors.

Cutting Through the Red Tape

Another consideration is the red tape often associated with big school administration. Though large universities offer countless courses, it's not so easy to take anything you want. If you're a psychology major, for example, taking a business course may require a half a dozen signatures or more. Again, when visiting the school, be sure to ask what is required in order to take courses outside of your major.

Class Size

Finally, while huge class sizes may be exciting for some, they can be overwhelming for others. Introductory classes at big colleges sometimes include hundreds of students, making it an intimidating environment to ask a question, and all too easy to fall asleep, unnoticed, in the back of a lecture hall.

To succeed at a big school, it's best to go in knowing generally the area you're interested in pursuing. Perhaps most importantly, you need to be a go-getter, who is not afraid to speak up, and take advantages of the opportunities a big school has to offer.

The Small College Experience

Are you the type that enjoys classes with small-group discussions where active participation and hands-on learning take priority? Then a small college may be just what you need.

The chart below shows you possible pros and cons associated with some small colleges. Keep in mind, though, these may not be true of all small colleges.

The Small College: Pros & Cons
Pros	Cons
Small class sizes Hands-on learning opportunities Individually-designed majors Strong advising system; advisors know students very well Strong sense of community Professors, not graduate students, teach most courses Opportunity to get to know professors well	Limited housing options Fewer majors to choose from Fewer physical resources Smaller libraries Fewer entertainment and social opportunities Less emphasis on sports programs

Designing a Major

Jordan Brown, an alumnus of Oberlin College, a liberal arts school in Ohio, decided on a small school education so that he could pursue a long-time passion—humor.

"Oberlin turned an interest of mine into a rich, diversified experience. Having the opportunity to create my own major and curriculum (An Interdisciplinary Analysis of Humor: What's So Funny?) was as much part of the learning experience as the actual courses. It enabled me to pursue something that really motivates me and to find ways to connect it to other areas of learning. I could not have easily done this at a big university."

Knowing Your Professors

Academics are one of the main reasons to consider a small college. Unlike large universities, small school courses are usually taught by actual professors, not teaching assistants. In most cases, the professors may even know your name and your areas of interest. Small colleges are more able to meet your unique interests and needs. They are more involved in helping you make the most of your college experience. In contrast to most big universities, smaller schools encourage students to explore areas outside their field of study.

Facilities and Research

On the other hand, there are a few drawbacks to small colleges. Small schools tend not to have the types of research facilities of large universities, nor do they provide opportunities to assist graduate students in their research. If you're considering a small school, and are interested in working as a research assistant, you should find out what kind of research work and facilities the school has to offer, and if there is a graduate school.

Social Life

Small schools usually offer less in terms of big sporting events and social opportunities. While small colleges usually provide a strong sense of community, it is also more difficult to move in and out of social groups as you would in a school with thousands of classmates. When you visit a small school, be sure to talk to students to find out what the social life is like, and what types of extracurricular activities there are.

Small colleges are a perfect match for those who do well in small group environments, are stimulated by a high level of student-teacher interaction, and who are interested in pursuing creative, individual majors focusing in on specific areas of interest.

Start Your Search

Whether you're considering a big university, small college, or something in between, you need to carefully look at all perspectives, and determine what's most important to you.